Vincentian Father-Son Duo make their mark at St. Lucia’s Independence Autocross

The father and son duo, Keith and Chad Francis, made a long-awaited trip to St. Lucia last weekend to participate in the island’s Independence Autocross event on Sunday, February 23, 2025, where they made their presence felt. The elder Francis clinched first place in the category in which he competed, while Chad secured a number three position.

Their visit to the neighbouring island was particularly significant as St Lucian drivers, especially the Evans Brothers,Brian and Glenton, have been loyal participants in the annual Independence motorsport events in St Vincent and the Grenadines, a release issued on behalf of the duo states.
It said this was an opportunity to return the support and further strengthen the motorsport ties between the two nations.

The event, held at the Darren Sammy Cricket Grounds, saw a competitive field of drivers showcasing their skills in the all-wheel drive (AWD), and two-wheel drive (2WD) categories. Keith and Chad Francis were the only non-St. Lucian participants, representing SVG with their Mitsubishi Evo 3, and Mitsubishi Eclipse, respectively, in the AWD category. They were accompanied by fellow Vincentian driver, Karim Cambridge, who also made the journey with his vehicle but, was unable to compete due to mechanical issues.

Despite being on unfamiliar terrain, the Francis duo delivered exceptional performances that captivated the crowd. Spectators were especially intrigued upon learning that they were a father-son pair competing together, adding a heart warming element to the high-octane competition. Keith Francis emerged victorious, clinching 1st place in the AWD category and overall standings; while his son, Chad, secured a 3rd place finish in the AWD category and overall.

Their success not only highlights their individual driving prowess but also reinforces the calibre of talent within SVG’s motorsport community, the release added. The Hyperspeed and 784Streetz groups have extended congratulations to Keith and Chad for their stellar performances and expressed gratitude to St. Lucia for the warm welcome and invitation.

Additionally, the fraternity acknowledged Karim Cambridge’s dedication in making the trip, adding that they look forward to seeing him back in action soon.

They now eagerly anticipate hosting St. Lucian motorsport enthusiasts for SVG’s Independence motorsport festivities later this year.