DIRECTOR and founder of Titan Entertainment (TE) Carlos Rodrigues, who, in collaboration with beverage giant Banks DIH will be organising a one-year motorcycle grass track meet, commencing with the first leg in Essequibo on Sunday, said he was surprised by the response he has received from the sponsors for the meet.

Speaking with Chronicle Sport after meeting the competitors at the Ogle residence of TE’s Events Coordinator Sheik Yassen, Rodrigues said he never expected such a response, taking into consideration the time of the year the event is being held.

“This is the last quarter of the year and honestly, I never expected such a positive response from corporate Guyana when we approached them, knowing that most of the time, their budgets would have been fully utilised at this time of the year.

“Banks DIH have been very supportive of this event. In fact, we have received a commitment from them for the remaining events that have been scheduled on the calendar which will culminate in October next year, where the champion rider will receive a bike, and it is nice to know we are actually getting support for grass track racing,” said Rodrigues.

In response to the support being given to the event, Rodrigues who has already set Sunday December 20 as the date for the second meet in Berbice is calling on the riders to put out a good show for the Essequibians on Sunday. He is also hoping there will be no casualties at the first meet.

Twelve races are carded for the day, being divided into five professional races in which riders with the calibre of brothers Andy and Raj Rajkarran, Dave Gangadin out of Pomeroon, Terrence Clarke, Alvin Balgobin and the experienced Vassy Barry will be looking to turn back the challenge of Bartica’s Andrew Wong who is at present leading the points standing in another meet that is ongoing and Stephen Vieira.

Added to that, there will be four novices’ events, one feature event wherein all the motorcyclists from both the professional and novices categories will go head to head against one another and two local races, where residents of the area will be allowed to compete on their own bikes.

Eight, five, three and one point each will be awarded to the first four winners in the professional, novices and open feature races respectively, along with trophies and cash prizes. Admission to the venue is: adults $500, children $300 and those under 12 years will be granted free admission.