By John Denny

Observer Reporter

(New River, Nevis) – A little rain didn’t dampen the spirits of at least 5,000 people who showed up to watch the Grand Opening of the Nevis Drag Strip on Sept. 19.

The rain did delay the races from starting at noon as scheduled and some of the waiting spectators sought refuge from the intermittent showers in their cars, but by 3 p.m. cars and motorcycles were launching off the starting line every few minutes.

The crowd may have been a majority of Nevisians, but many came from St. Kitts. There were also spectators and racers from St. Maarten, Antigua and some other neighboring islands.

Traffic on the main island road was bumper to bumper a mile in each direction from the front gate and parked cars lined both sides of the road almost as far.

Inside the facility, parking was abundant and the lot was not muddy as the east side of Nevis had not received nearly as much rain as the west.

The smell of grilling chicken was thick in the air with about 20 vendors doing a brisk business selling food and drink.

“This turned out a lot bigger than we expected,” said Nevis Drag Racing Association President Vaughn Anslyn. “I really didn’t think it would be this big of a turnout.”

Though they lacked the starting lights or “Christmas tree” as it is called, a flag man would start the races and time keepers were stationed at the finish line.

Eventually, the Association hopes to get the equipment used at established tracks such as a Christmas tree, a more sophisticated timing device and a system for relaying race information to the fans, Mr. Anslyn said.

Rusults of the races are as follows:

Winner in the Front Wheel Slightly Modified Category Owner & Driver - Annelise Leibbrandt (Nevis)

Winner in the Front Wheel Heavily Modified Category

Owner - Jason Cranston (Nevis), Driver - Godwin Payne (Antigua)

Winner in the Rear Wheel Slightly Modified Category

Owner/Driver - Everette Jr. Tyson (Nevis)

Winner in the All Wheel Slightly Modified Category

Owner/Driver - Clevis Nisbett (Nevis)

Biker

Jean Claude Benjamin of St. Maarten

The Rear Wheel Heavily Modified & the All Wheel Heavily Modified Categories were not judged as the cars were either NO SHOW or arrived late and had mechanical issues.

WINNERS are to receive Trophies sponsored by TDC NEVIS Ltd. and a cash prize. An official hand over is scheduled be held sometime this week.