By KEVIN SUNICH Monday, September 17 2012

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TWO-time defending overall and 120 mph champions Fire One received their spoils for taking the 2012 Carib Great Race at the award function at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Saturday night.

The two-man crew of driver Guy Costa and throttle man James Hadeed were on hand to collect their silverware. Costa told the gathering that this is only the beginning. “This is our second overall champion finish and we will be going after another title at the next edition.”

Vice-president of the TT Powerboat Association Garth Marshall delivering the president’s address in the absence of Peter Peak said as usual the Carib Great Race is a defining moment.

“This is where we separate the sheep from the goat. We started the race with 26 boats and only 12 of them managed to make it through the gruelling 112 mile course. Four of these limped to the finish line in Tobago.

He said now that the 44th edition of the event is now over, the countdown to the 2013 race has begun and they are expecting it to be bigger and better.

This was the 12th year that the event has been sponsored by Carib and the beverage giants have signaled their intention by signing a three year contract. Global Brands director Douglas Henderson said this year was a great year for Carib Brewery especially as it relates to partnership with the great race.

“We used the event as part of our new branding. We produced ten million of their products with the Carib Great Race brand and all went from the warehouse. We are excited about the future of this event which will take Carib and the great race to the world,” said Henderson.

There were six classes of boats which vied for the prestigious top prize; however, no boat from the 80 mph group was able to make it to the finish line. Candy Man, an all female team was given special commendation as they finished second in the 60 mph category and 11th overall. Rite Formula which finished 3rd in the 70 mph category overall won the People’s Choice Award which was decided by votes via a Facebook page.



Winners

Class A 130 mph

1st Mr Solo (9th overall)

Class B 120 mph

1st Fire One (1st overall)

Class D 95 mph

1st Stining Metal (2nd overall)

2nd Gulf Dragon (3rd overall)

3rd Rush (5th overall)



Class E 70 mph

1st White Heat (4th overall)

2nd Energiza (6th overall)

3rd Rite Formula (7th overall)

Class H 60 mph

1st Predator 111 (8th overall)

2nd Candyman (11th overall)