Drag Challenge#5 – ‘Tis the season to be fast! Part 2

Esquire’s hosts are arguing about Tesla’s P90D and Mercedes’ C-63 AMG S. The price tag on both machines when interpreted in patois means  - “mi caan afford them!” So, my bearings are now appropriately aligned and I am leaning on the NDRC’s 5 star hotel which retains a permanent spot on the airstrip, 40 meters from the ‘tree’.

At Nestle Supligen’s Drag Challenge#5 the 12 competitors advanced to the eliminations round of the Pro Modified 10 seconds class. There was a time when this number – 10 seconds – was drag racing’s Holy Grail. Fast and Furious 1 – Scene: number unknown – Dominic Toretto reminding Brian O’conner – “Yow, you know you owe me a ten second car, right?”

That was then. Now, ten second machines are more abundant than trees in a rain forest! At Drag Challenge#5 when the Pro Modified 10 machines were summoned, like scotch bonnet pepper to jerked chicken, the flavor at Vernamfield was significantly enhanced. Ten second machines are highly favored and the combatants, more often than not, are – The Usual Suspects - with their own, unwavering shouting until their vocal chords protest, fanbase!

Herbie Edwards

These warriors were the chosen few –  Murray Xavia, Golaub Raffique, Jimenez Jason, Anderson Seymour, Timoll Kenneth, Francis Donald, Edwards Herbie, Grandison Eugene, Douglas Kirk, Nicholas Richard, Bardowell Lyndon and Johnson Kevin. Apparently a memo was sent or flyers were distributed because when the machines appeared in both lanes, in response to the announcer’s call, like a lizard released in a room occupied by 2 dozen adolescent ladies, the – lose yourself gene – infected the fans  present at Vernamfield!

Like hurricane-inspired waves crashing against an exposed cliff face, 5000+ voices were instantly audible and bees could not be busier. Fans stood and changed positions to ensure that their view of the entire strip was guaranteed. They did not want to miss a moment of any encounter!

GT-R R35

A league of extraordinary machines was assembled – Nissan’s flagship – GT-R R35, Mitsubishi Evo, Honda Civic, Nissan Sunny and Toyota Starlet. The dominant power-adder which initiated the Dr. Jekyll/Hyde transformation – a turbocharger – packing unforgiving lbs of insane boost pressure.

But 2 wolves were released among the sheep! Nestled within the flock of sheep were two anomalies. Two out of place characters. Two misfits. Two deviants. Two glitches in the matrix. Two virgins trapped in a brothel! In the middle of the barren turbocharged desert were two frolicking n/a water fountains! Why were there? What was their mission?

Supreme Ventures missed all the action at Drag Challenge#5. Bets, like jokes at a Katt Williams performance, were everywhere! “Five hundred pa blue car”. “Whe you seh? Thousand pa d Honda”.

Xavia Murray

I stood next to NDRC’s race control center (the bus). Xavia Murray was seated in his n/a K series powered EG, possibly priming his reflexes for reaction time duties. His machine needs its own blog, but, I was in observation mode. He fiddled with the shift mechanism. I can recall a battle being lost due to issues with said mechanism. He told me later that he was ‘locked out’ of second. So, while sitting and waiting for his run, he was possibly appealing to the gear gods to ensure smooth, but power-delivering shifts.

When the EG completed its pre stage routine, positioned itself for war and left the line, the K series sung a soulful battle chant, distanced itself from its opponent and shook the n/a motor record!

Kenneth Timoll

Kenneth Timoll, like an echo, was serving the same menu. The turbocharged beasts would roar like domineering lions, appeal to their biased fans and then gingerly approach their stage spot. They were confident. They were vocifeorus in expression. They were courageous.

But, each time they faced either of the genetically re-engineered n/a hybrids, they were reduced to an embarrassing whimper, crossing the line while ingesting the rapidly departing exhaust notes from the now distant n/a victor! The brave all fell and only two remained. The 2 n/a machines!

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer