Drag Challenge#5 -’Tis the season to be fast! Part 1

It was foretold. It was stated. It was written. It was typed. Blame me, if it was not translated and as such the message which was conveyed in the assembled letters which comprised the blog - N/A will put boost to the test – escaped your cognitive capabilities. The Nestle Supligen Drag Challenge #5, in cricketing jargon, slapped the ball over Sabina Park’s highest wall on December 13th!

The final event of the year, to drag racers, meant one thing – bring the first letter of the alphabet and Krazy Glue it next to game! If you brought any other letter, you would be forced to watch your nemesis claiming P1′s cheque at the presentation ceremony! Drag racers inundated the abandoned airstrip. The party in the midst of the canefield, exploded with 150 – 2 drivers grabbing gears in docile machines and psychotic NHRA beasts!

Yaad rides

It was mentioned that residents from the land of the 1/8th mile (Cayman Islands) sought to snatch some of our Nestle Supligen and play an active role in our tales of speed. To feed their ambitious appetites, several of their temperamental, trapped in dementia-mode machines, adopted ‘yaad’ addresses. They were present at Drag Challenge#5.

Yaad rides from every shade tree mechanic’s spot, rolled out.They were complemented by their companions from tuning shops and garages which maintain an actual yaad address. A no-nation excluded, every machine for itself-confrontation was anticipated. What was expected and impatiently desired, unfolded in spectacular fashion, in full view of the VIPs and all the other Ps present at Vernamfield!

The Campbell Stokes Recorder left a distinct, burnt trail. It was late afternoon. Time limped past 3pm and ran towards 4pm. The signs, like evidence on Forensic Files, painted a masterpiece that would belittle Picasso! Drag racing was on show and like Jamaicans at Cash Pot machines before the 1pm draw, drag racing fans swamped Vernamfield!

Integra Type R

Machines parked along the dirt path, facing the main road, immediately as you turn from the main road to access the venue, confirmed a massive turnout! When you see DC5 Integra Type Rs, WRXs and Evos flung among the flora and rocks next to the dirt road, to secure any available space close to the exit, you know the ‘promoter’ is happy.

But, what was the substance like on the dragstrip? At 3:30pm the machines were still locked in eliminations. The announcer called the classes, the machines responded – they crept nervously forward – hoping to alter their fate. It was coordinated demolition – time was the target! Two machines summoned to the ‘Christmas Tree’ – machines staged – right foot dictated or actual launch control engaged and when the green light grinned – BLAST OFF!

Nissan

Spectators tripping over adrenalin in the packed stands, roared with each hotly contested pass. Other fans who were kept at bay behind barriers which ran 3/4s of the 1/4 mile stretch, erupted in a smorgasbord of  ecstatic, patois-laced expressions each time two traditional enemies (Honda vs Nissan/Toyota) greeted the green and pursued the land speed record! It was enthralling business as usual from the 16 seconds (class) through to the 11 seconds class. But, when the machines in the 10 seconds class stepped forward, the dictionary was forced to redefine the term -pandemonium!

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer