Vincentian Racers Shine at 758 Drags in St Lucia

by Forrest Nichols

The roar of engines echoed through the air as a Vincentian contingent descended upon St Lucia to showcase their drag racing prowess at the 758 Independence Drags. Hosted by the St Lucia Motor sports Association (SLMSA), and facilitated by the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, this event marked a thrilling chapter in St Lucia’s ‘Alternative Sports Season’.

ELLSWORTH DACON (inset) and his 10-second Audi RS3

St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), once a powerhouse in regional drag racing, held top spots with iconic cars like Elton Bailey’s Evolution 9, famously known as the Cash Money Evo. This legacy set the stage for the Vincentian drag racing team to reclaim some dominance.

The current kings of Caribbean drag racing, Antigua’s ‘Team Helter Skelter’, presented a formidable challenge with their 8-second Subaru Impreza GC8. The 758 Independence Drags followed Grenada’s 50th Independence Invitational Drags and the Legendary Drags in Antigua, creating an unofficial sequel to the regional drag racing saga.

The Vincentian drag racing team comprised skilled drivers and a diverse array of vehicles. Sunel John in his Honda Civic EK9; Aidon Shearman handling the Toyota Levin AE111; Ellsworth ‘Dakey’ Dacon steering an Audi RS3; Mekel Emmons on a Suzuki GSX R; and Devon ‘Yardy’ Daniels navigating both his Nissan Pulsar VZ-R N15 and Dwen Jones’s Toyota Rav4 XA10.

The team dedicated themselves to rigorous preparation, participating in monthly ‘test and tune’ days hosted by the Midnight Racing Club (MRC) on the E.T Joshua Tarmac over the past year. These sessions equipped the racers for local and regional competition.

Unlike the familiar surfaces in SVG, the competition in St Lucia unfolded on ‘The Base’, an old concrete airstrip with a prepped surface. Despite initial expectations of an adjustment period, the Vincentian racers quickly adapted to the unfamiliar territory.

The competition spanned two days, commencing with Test and Tune and Qualifiers on day one. Drivers acclimated to the surface and ensured their vehicles were primed for peak performance.

MEKEL EMMONS (right) and his 9-second Suzuki GSX R

Day two witnessed fierce head-to-head battles and tough races. After a day filled with adrenaline-pumping races, three Vincentian racers secured noteworthy placements. Mekel Emmons claimed first place in the 9-second bracket in the bikes category. Ellsworth Dacon secured an impressive second place in the 10-second bracket; while Aidon Shearman emerged triumphant, taking the top spot in the 12-second bracket.

Despite the declared future of the E.T Joshua Tarmac for a medical purpose, the Vincentian drag racing team is on an upward trajectory. The local scene may present challenges, but the prospects for SVG in the regional drag racing arena are undeniably promising. The echoes of their engines in St Lucia heralded a resurgence of Vincentian drag racing glory.

The next event to anticipate is in April, where an invitational drag racing tournament will take place on the tarmac of the decommissioned E.T Joshua Airport. This event may mark the last local event until the SVG Motor sports Association can secure a spot for the sport to be held in the future. As enthusiasts gear up for this exciting event, the Vincentian drag racing community remains determined to keep the spirit of the sport alive and thriving.