Drag Racing: Extreme thrills of speed expected at South Dakota

From Mohamed’s Enterprise Nissan GT-R versus Randel Daby’s Toyota Supra to Trans-Pacific Toyota Altezza against Shawn Persaud’s Toyota Caldina, motor racing enthusiasts should take homage  with  the  saying, “if you blink, you miss it.”

Today’s King of the Strip III at the South Dakota Circuit is being billed to produce some major fireworks, with all the top vehicles looking well-oiled at Saturday’s practice session.

The hype surrounds the GT-R and Supra clash but it is uncertain how much of a challenge the latter will pose after being absent from the track for three years.

The GT-R’s track record speaks for itself. In April, against its biggest test, the rail-car from Trinidad, it passed with flying colours. It clocked 7.527 seconds to better its previous best of 7.569s.

Daby’s Supra is being prepared by Persaud, who is known to get the best out of his machines. Whatever is the outcome of the race, fans should be licking their lips at a mouth-watering contest.

Trans have done a lot of work on their Altezza, which has given them the confidence they can run competitively in the unlimited class (7-seconds) under the piloting of Ramez Mohamed.

In the same breath, one can never write-off the impact Persaud’s beastly Caldina can make – after all, it is the current 8-second champion.

Suriname are the foreign challengers but it is unclear of what or how much machines they brought across the border.

In a recent interview with  Mohamed, who is also President of the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club, he explained that no less than eight cars are expected and there is the possibility of the Chevy Nova being one of the cars.

A flashback at the last event pins the other group winners by Raj Panday in the nine-second, while the 10-second class was won by Damion Persaud, son of Shawan.

Michael Namchand and Raymond John, both of Suriname, won the 11 and 12-second classes respectively; Troy Kowlessar won the 13-second.

Action gets underway from 09:00h and admission to the venue is $1000 for adults and $500 for children.

The event is sponsored by Mohamed’s Enterprise, Ansa McAl, B.M. Soat, ExxonMobil, Tropical Shipping, Del Ice Company, Japarts, Palm Court and Trans-Pacific Auto Sales and Spares.