(By Stephan Sookram in Barbados, compliments of Hand-in-Hand Group of Companies, National Sports Commission, A&R Jiwanram Printers, Rent-a-Tent, GMR&SC and Buy Me Auto Sales)

DEFENDING Group 4 champions Kristian Jeffrey says that he is within striking distance of pole-sitter Roger Mayers and he will go for the win when the two clash today at the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship’s (CMRC) third leg at Bushy Park in Barbados.
Mayers, who returned after a one-year circuit hiatus, came out firing to post a 1:00:472 seconds time to pip Jeffrey’s 1:00.623, with Barbadian Mark Maloney third (1:02.518),Trinidad’s Kristian Boodoosingh fourth (1:03.187) and Kevin Jeffrey (1:03.226)

The current Group 4 points-leader said, “Now that we are in striking distance, the plan is to stay close to him, attack very early and put pressure on him. From a Championship point of view, I still got to keep it safe but if I’m in striking distance and I can pounce on him, I’m going for the win.”
Meanwhile, persistent problems with Danny Persaud’s Mazda Miata has forced him out of the qualification for the day, but the Group 3 CMRC driver is determined to make amends and up to press time he had indicated that he was going to do an engine swap to ensure that he races today.
“We are going to change the engine because we have spent a lot of time behind the car in Guyana and we want to race; and we will race,” said Persaud.
Mark Vieira also incurred mechanical issues but has been working to get them rectified; the same is the case for the lone Group 2 competitor Nazim Gafoor.

Vieiras dominate superbike session
It was an utterly dominant ride from the Vieiras (Stephen, Elliot and Matthew) as they will start as the frontrunners for today’s bike section.
Stephen Vieira, who posted the fastest lap of 1:05.328 (one minute five point three two eight) seconds spoke to Guyana Chronicle’s Stephan Sookram in Barbados, saying, “It was very good, I didn’t expect to be on pole; I expected to be in the top 5 but when I heard I was on pole, I was very amazed.
Vieira said, “The bike is handling amazing; we’re lacking power but the bike was amazing,” adding “the game plan tomorrow (today) is to push hard and give it all, really push it out.”
Elliot (1:06.414) will start second and Matthew third (1:06.885) while Kevin Persaud will start sixth and Joel ‘GM’ Neblett 9th.
Today’s event commences at 08:00hrs with the lap of honour. (Photo by S.E.A.G. Productions)