Gerrard Wilson
The T&T Rally Club’s season roars off on Sunday at the Jack and Jill Stage in Milton, Couva.
It is the first time that a World Rally Championship car will actively take part throughout the season as WRC cars usually appear for the Club's International event. However, John ‘Penti’ Powell will campaign in a Ford Feista R5. With the Fiesta causing ripples, its strongest challenge will come from reigning TTRC champion, James Betts in his Group A Mitsubishi Evolution 8.
Champion in 2013 and 2015, James will be looking to be the first driver since Ainsley Lochan in 2009-2010, to repeat. Within the 4WD camp, David Coelho's Mitsubishi Evolution 9, the most advanced of all competitors with active electronic differentials, sequential gearbox and 2 liter turbo charged engine, will also be looking to stamp his authority and contest for overall honours throughout the season.
Not wanting to be left out, Ryan Pinhero in his Mitsubishi Evolution 4.5, will be pushing to mix it up at the top of the field. A former Solodex Champion, Ryan has adapted well to the changing surface of the gravel stages and last year, took his maiden win at the club's event held at the Wallerfield Raceway.
Returning also is Peter Morris, his Evolution 10 suffered a small but significant roll in Barbados last year, and has been undergoing repairs since and lighter too, according to Morris. This car is on the same level as Coelho’s car and should be one to watch, with his many years of experience. The lone female driver within the club, Sarah-Jane Gopaul, will be behind the wheel of her Mazda 323 Turbo.
With over 5 years of competitive rallying under her belt, she encourages more women to get behind wheel and show the boys a thing or two. Group N, the production based 4WD cars but by no means slow, will be lead by Stuart Johnson, the defending champion.
With his smooth style and armed with one of the few Subarus in the championship, his main rival will be from 2014 Overall and Group N champion, Craig Sumair, the youngest driver, in his Evolution 9. Sumair's car which was acquired last year, is still being tweaked after the car was found to down on power late last season. No doubt these issues should have been solved in the off season and it would lead to a great fight between the two all season.
In addition to the local drivers, Radj Pershad with his Subaru Impreza Sti N12 from Suriname is returning after two years of competing here on local soil. A favourite with his enthusiastic and flamboyant style, Pershad has achieved many podiums in the past and no doubt is in the hunt for his first class win.
Harold Morley—the Club's "youngest" competitor at 102 years old, according to him, hails from Barbados, but is originally from the UK. He also drives one of the few Subarus in the Club, the very latest Subaru Impreza Sti N16. A multiple past Champion in the UK, Morley loves to rally here due to the superb gravel stages and the warm club atmosphere.
The 2WD is led by multiple 2WD champion Donald Gopaul, who is also the Club’s 2015 FCB Nominee for Sportsman of the Year. Armed with his Mitsubishi Lancer Turbo, Gopaul is confident of retaining his championship. As of writing, events will be done on an event by event basis. One of his greatest challenges will come from Ishmael Khan in his Toyota Starlet Turbo.
Hailing from Point Fortin, Khan has come into his own after joining the sport in 2014, and rumour has it that the car has undergone a complete rebuild for the 2016 season. Another serious challenge will come from Reyaz Mohammed in his Mitsubishi Colt. This car is more an Evolution than a Colt, as its engine and suspension all come from an Evolution. Ansel Ali in his Mazda 323 RWD Rotary and Winston Medford in his Toyota Corolla will also be looking to be in the mix and take top steps on the podium.
The season was launched yesterday at Bootleggers, Ariapita Avenue, where cars were on display. The club expects a great spectator turnout Sunday which will be followed by Rally Trinidad on March 18-20, with at least 5 further events throughout the year at various stages across the country.