(By Stephan Sookram in Negril Jamaica, Compliments of Rent-a-Tent, B.M. Soat Auto Sales, Buy Me Auto Sales and Fly Jamaica)

LATE afternoon rains, coupled with the lapse in the delivery of fuel, hindered the testing hopes of Guyanese at the Jamwest Raceway yesterday where the first race of the 2016 Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC) will be held this weekend. Due to a shortage of fuel in Guyana, competitors had to order their fuel in Jamaica, but up to late afternoon, the said orders had not arrived at the track.
That, coupled with a swift and heavy downpour, soaked the Jamwest raceway yesterday, following which those Guyanese competitors with limited fuel opted out of practice.
However, during the morning, several competitors managed to get in a few laps, including Group 3 and 4 competitor Danny Persaud, who was satisfied with his car and the team overall.
“All in all, I’m satisfied, only did a few laps but the car felt okay. This weekend is going to be great at Jamwest, the surface is looking great and we expect great competition from the Jamaicans, as well as the Trinis’,” he added.
He continued, “All in all, I think we have a strong squad that will do Guyanese racing justice. Kristian and Kevin (Jeffrey) will definitely be forces to be reckoned with out here; Myself, Gafoor and Rangsammy are no pushovers either and of course there is Rameez in Group 2.”
“We have the Vieira family, Elliot the defending champion; Stephen the veteran and Matthew who has been dominant in Guyana. Also there are Paul Yearwood and Leroy Cort. I think that those guys are more than capable of invading Jamaica.”
A spokesman for team Top Power racing, under whose banner two-time defending champion Kristian Jeffrey and his father Kevin drive, confirmed that they are both ready for action this weekend.
Meanwhile both Mohan Rangasammy and Nazim Gafoor took the opportunity to assess the layout of the track while Rameez Mohammed had some amount of mechanical troubles but confirmed that he too will be ready for qualifying.
At the two-wheel end of things, Stephen Vieira was the only competitor to get a fair amount of testing in but confirmed that things are going to be competitive come today and tomorrow.
Elliot Vieira, the defending champion arrived late yesterday, having completed his exams early Thursday afternoon while Matthew Vieira is awaiting his bike from Customs.
Matthew had his bike flown in compliments of Fly Jamaica.
Paul Yearwood and Leroy Cort were making fine-tuning changes at the end of yesterday.
Today’s qualification begins at 12:00hrs with the morning session being allowed for free practice.