| Go Carts bring back memories and fun |
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| Written by Carmilita Jamieson | |
| Tuesday, 26 February 2008 | |
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The race was so close that a still photograph had to decide the winner after three consecutive races failed to produce a winner with the natural eyes. The Rocket took the glory of being the Best Overall Entry and was also crowned the Fastest Soapbox. RTW Cruiser took the title for the Best Engineered Soapbox while the Crispy took the prize for the Most Creative Soapbox. The Best Ragga Soapbox went to TP Cruiser. This was Dquan Christopher’s first soap box race. The young driver who manned the Rocket said he enjoyed racing and looks forward to continue racing. “When they say go I just bus off,” he described how he started off the races. “We promote winners at the Big Brother/Big Sister Programme. And we are so happy that Stacy Mather of YEP invited us to be part of it,” commented Stacie Stoutt, coordinator of the Big Brother/Big Sister Programme. “We had a very good time and we are looking forward to much much more,” she said. Go cart races bring back memories “When I was 13-years-old, I can remember going through Purcell with the boys. I can remember when we use to use the biscuit pan covers to make the wheels,” 48-year-old Priscilla Cupid, of Purcell Estate told the StandPoint. “This has brought back memories,” she said of the Soapbox races on Sunday. “We couldn’t wait for the shops to empty the biscuit pans to join them together to make wheels. And take the two by four from the work man yard and stuff like that.” However, one thing she said is different with these go carts is that all the wheels on the go carts today are of the same size while those long ago, the back wheels used to be larger and the front ones smaller to give it speed. She also recalled that their used to be more weight in the front of the cart.
“Who knows, I might even come out with a go cart myself,” she said with an outburst of laughter. John Lewis said the event also reminded him of his childhood. “This is a wonderful idea and it is a family affair. It’s a good thing,” he said. Eda Knights was happy to have a Sunday afternoon outing with her son. “Sometimes you want to go out and you don’t have anything to do. It’s a good event I think they should have it every year,” she commented. Another spectator Cecil Hodge, President of the BVI Teachers Union recalled that he used to ride go carts dangerously down hills and end up with bruises. He noted that the environment at the fun day was more controlled and is one that should be continued. “So this is good, you can see the families out here supporting their kids and even the Minister of education is here supporting the kids,” Hodge stated. Minister for Education Andrew Fahie also added his satisfaction with the event and commended the facilitators of the family fun day. “Anything that is fun and has the young people’s interest is a good thing,” he said noting that his ministry always supports such ventures. Churches involvement The event was also opened to the churches with the Sweet Redemption Seventh Day Adventist Church of Slaney Hill as one of the participants. Lincoln Saul Deputy Director of the church’s Pathfinder Club said the club’s cart represented Jesus. “We did not come to compete, we out here to do soul-winning that is what it is all about,” he said. Saul said he would like to see more churches come out and participate since it is a meaningful way to get the youth’s involvement “ We live in a world today where so many young people are hooked on drugs and so forth. Our Pathfinder Club is to let the young people know about Jesus and to get them involved in various fun but meaningful activities,” he said.
One of the organisers Anthony “Big Red” DeCastro of the BVI Motor Sports Association said he knew the event would have been successful from the moment the idea was put forward by Vincent Frett. “I had a great time,” he said recalling his performance in the musical chairs, “I think it was worth it. The kids and family get to come out and have some family bonding fun time.” The event was held by BMSA and the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP). Executive Director of YEP, Stacy Mather said the support was beyond what he had expected it to be. “We are ready for the next one, listen up it’s coming again. We have kids here who are excited. It is family oriented, it is beautiful,” Mather told the StandPoint. Shanika Bradshaw Press Releases Coordinator of BMSA said if all goes well, the event can be a monthly one. BMSA is also hoping to incorporate the Soap Box races in the Virgin Gorda Festival. The next event will feature tug-o-wars, marbles and other family games that were initially scheduled for the first fun day. Even though the other games did not come off because of time constraints, the evening wrapped up a family fun time to remember by all those who attended. Comments (0)
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She said it is great to see everybody incorporated in the races with even the churchgoers as part of the event.
More to come
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