Solo Too after 5th straight in Great Race

FROM 8 o’clock this morning, the crew of Hayden Charles, Darrin Marshall and Gino Fusco will be seeking a fifth successive triumph for Mr Solo Too in the Carib Beer Great Race. Twenty powerboats will face the starter at Pier I, Chaguaramas with the crew of the 42-foot catamaran attempting to claim their 12th victory in the 35th edition of the race, which ends at the traditional site at Store Bay, Tobago. Charles will be handling the steering wheel after his father Ken, who was a key element in Solo’s 11 previous Great Race wins, retired from competitive duty.

But Marshall and Fusco, who also featured in the four previous victories, will both remain aboard the legendary vessel, Marshall as navigator and Fusco as throttleman. Among the main challengers for Mr Solo Too are Gulf Warrior, White Heat and Rage, but all eyes at Store Bay will be at the clock as the Solo speedboat attempts to lower the previous mark of one hour flat, which was set in 2000. President of the Trinidad and Tobago Powerboats Association Garth Marshall noted that preparations are “going fine” and everything is in place for a smooth running of the race, which features competition in ten classes.