Persad, Mallian crowned TTRC Back to Gravel champs

RADJ Persad and Schuravi Mallian were crowned winners of the Trinidad and Tobago Rally Club (TTRC) Championships' Back to Gravel, Bronte stage, Barrackpore on June 26.

The speedy duo were overall victors as well as the champions of the Group N class.

Titled "Back to Gravel," the event was the first Special Stages competition since 2019 and was highly anticipated in the rally community. It was executed in a sprint format which meant that the overall winners were determined by the fastest time. Two classes were constituted on the day: Group N (four-wheel drive) and Super Modified (two-wheel drive).

Three new co-drivers entered this year’s contest – Randall Thomas, a member of the Tobago Motorsport Association (TMA); Gabriel Praya collaborated with Team DDS alongside Donald Gopaul; and Feraz Khan of the ‘Khan Do’ family teamed up with the returning Ishmael Khan.

Due to the bad weather, the clerk of the course, Bisram Ramlagan, was forced to reduce the number of runs from ten to six.

Persad and Mallian, representing Valvoline Oil, won the competition by just one second with a time of two minutes, 44 seconds. Their Subaru STI performed impressively to claim victory in both categories.

Matthew Russell and Randall Thomas (Shell Lubricants) placed second overall with their Mitsubishi Evo3 (Group A) in two minutes, 45 seconds. They were the only contestant that entered in their class category, therefore the sub-competition for Group A was not constituted.

Michael and Leon Heerah placed third overall coming from the Group N class.

Donald Gopaul and Gabriel Manilal from Donald Driving School won the Super Modified (two-wheel drive) class in three minutes, 16 seconds with their Mitsubishi Lancer, and they placed sixth in the overall standings.

The competitors are expected to be in action again for the Tobago Hill Climb Festival on August 12, 13 and 14. Patrons can receive special rates for accommodation by contacting the TTRC via their social media platforms.

Full results:

1. Radj Persad and Schuravi Mallian (Group N)

2. Matthew Russell and Randall Thomas (Group A)

3. Michael Heerah and Leon Heerah (Group N)

4. Craig Sumair and Simon Rodriguez (Group N)

5. Kumar Ramdass and Sanjeev Samaroo (Group N)

6. Donald Gopaul and Gabriel Manilal (Super Modified)

7. Ishmael Khan and Feraz J. Khan (Super Modified)