Fonseca: Government should legalize Drag Racing in the VI
Fonseca has represented the Virgin Islands at many international and regional events in motorcycle drag racing.
Fonseca was a former racer in the Inter-Virgin Islands racing every summer in St. Croix and St. Thomas and was the fastest racer in St. Croix.
He has also raced in Puerto Rico and the United States of America and broke the record for fastest street bike in 2001 in Gainsville, Florida.
The Virgin Islander had also held a record in the United States at the Annual Bike Week event in Florida where bikers from all the states participate and won the Natural Aspirated Horsepower category and $10,000 prize in 1998. That record was only broken in 2003.
Currently, he assists the top riders in Antigua but has plans to participate in Antigua's racing event this summer.
In an exclusive interview with Fonseca, he stated that it is unfair for him to compete and represent the Virgin Islands, while at the same time he is forbidden to bring his bikes on the island or race on the island.
“It is wrong. I would really love if the Government of the VI can give me permission to do what I love, I can continue the work and further the sport to teach a lot of young guys in Tortola how to ride and how to be winners.”
Fonseca teaches other local riders to better develop their talent in bike riding, riders such as Shane Winter and Brian 'China Man' Blyden.
He stated that the Government does not seem to see the good in the sport, and said it is about discipline and it’s something for the youths to be “taken up in”.
“Why not do what you like, if the youths don’t do what they like, they will engage their time with other stuff, that’s not constructive.”
The professional Drag Racer claims that the law states that a person can only bring in a motor bike that is equal to 125cc. His racing bike is up to 1570cc.
“How can the law say one thing, and the law enforcers are driving bikes that are equal to 750cc, if there is a law for the people in Tortola, the same law should be applied to the government too.”
Fonsecea expressed that he would like to be able to bring his bike to the island, to be able to do the sport he loves, in the country he loves.
Fonseca stated that 30 years ago he left the VI, because he was unable to do what he loves, but still represented the Virgin Islands, although they never supported him, and now he is back to find a way to convince the government to legalize Motor Cycle Racing.
He said, “No matter where I go to race, I always dominate every class and the only position I settle for when I don’t come first, is second, I fear no man when it comes to this sport."
Professional Drag Racer, Fonsecea rode his first motor bike at the age of eight and entered his first drag racing competition at the age of 19.
He advises anyone who is interested in being involved with the sport, that to be good at bike riding, you have to be fearless.
“You have to have gut, and be someone who loves living on the edge, you should have good balance, discipline and have knowledge of safety methods."
He said that the sport is everything to him, it is his life and the way he supports his family. “Only death can stop me from racing.”
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