Mr Solo Too fastest to Tobago at 2024 Great Race

JONATHAN RAMNANANSINGH AND COREY CONNELLY

Mr Solo Too (130 mile per hour A class) was the fastest powerboat to Tobago at the 56th Annual TT Great Race on August 17.

Limitless (60 mph G class), however, was the first boat to complete the 90-mile inter-island course, which sped off from the Gulf of Paria to Store Bay in Tobago. There were staggered start times for the different boat classes.

In the process, Limitless also retained its 60 mph G Class title with Jesus Is Coming taking second place and John Wick coming in third in the division.

Mr Solo Too covered the distance uncontested in the A category while Iron Man (120 mph) sped to victory in the B class. Kraken also successfully defended their Spec class crown. Here, Pandemic finished second, SKapade third, Asalt Weapon fourth, Ballistic fifth and Arrow sixth.

Tyrant (95 mph D class), Heatwave (80 mph E class) and Extreme Measures (60 mph F class) also retained their respective crowns.

Whiteheat and Blue Ice were second and third respectively in the E class, while Ketch Dis took runner up spot in the F class.

Speaking to Newsday from the finish line, TT Powerboats Association (TTPBA) president Jonathan Tardieu said the event was a success.

“At the end of the day, all the boats are accounted for and there were no incidents or accidents, and from a TTPBA standpoint, that’s all we ask for. In Store Bay, the THA (Tobago House of Assembly), event sponsors and team supporters are here to welcome the finishers, so from our perspective, it was indeed a success.”

The 56th TT Great Race was dedicated to the legacy of its first-ever winner, Lennox Tang Yuk, who died of cancer last month. Tang Yuk won the inaugural title with his Cam-Ena vessel in 1969, before adding another crown in 1979 with the 28-foot cutlass Blackmax.

Tardieu hailed Tang Yuk as one of the pioneers of the sport.

Party atmosphere at Store Bay

Hundreds of spectators turned up to Store Bay to witness the climax of the Great Race.

Some 25 boats competed in the popular event.

Limitless’ two-man team, Otis Walker and David Singh, could not contain their enthusiasm after the race.

Walker, who comes from Castara, told Sunday Newsday, “I am ecstatic. It is a great, great, great feeling.”

He said the boat started competing in the Great Race in 2016 and has won consistently in the G class category ever since.

Walker said while winning is always the focus when competing, they “just want to reach home."

“But we try to go as fast as possible and at the end of the day, we just celebrate to suit.”

Walker, who loves being on the open sea, said they left the Mucurapo Foreshore around 7.25am.

He said the water was choppy at times.

Singh, of John Dial, described the victory as awesome.

“We worked really hard for it. A lot of preparation,” he said, adding the journey was “really nice.”

Stephan Mc Connie, of the TT Powerboat Association, said the race was very smooth compared to previous years.

“The water conditions were calm, very favourable for most of the boats, even though some of the boats had the little chop. But this year was very smooth and incident-free. Most of all, all the boats got to Tobago safely,” he said.

Mc Connie said he was very pleased with the support for the event.

“The turnout is always phenomenal in Tobago. If it’s one thing we do say, Tobagonians come out and support each and every year. We had great weather and the energy and the vibe, courtesy all of our sponsors, has been phenomenal.”

The race took place under brilliant sunshine. But this did not prevent the spectators and supporters of the respective teams from partying like there was no tomorrow.

Supporters of veteran Mr Solo, which placed first in the 130 mph category, occupied a spot at the side of the stage that was erected for the presentations.

Host Marlon Callender kept the energy level high and at one point, asked the crowd to dance the Dollar Wine, made popular by Colin Lucas. He later urged them to form a conga line.

Among those attending were Secretary of Community Development, Youth Development and Sport and Canaan/Bon Accord assemblyman, Joel Sampson; assistant secretary in the Division of Health, Wellness and Social Protection Megan Morrison; and iconic mas bandleader Dexter Sandy.

An after-party was expected to be held at the Jade Monkey Casino Bar and Grill, Crown Point.