St. Croix drag racing figure encourages the sport for VI
Bates, who has served as President of the Caribbean Drag Racing Association, was speaking to a radio broadcaster following the conclusion of the Triple Crown race on January 15, 2011 at Ellis Thomas Downs where his horse Slevin destroyed the competition to take victory in the first leg.
He was at the time referring to the “good treatment” that he received while on Tortola from some of his friends who are into drag racing, and said that he was going back to St. Croix to speak about his good reception and encourage other horse owners there to participate in the August Festival races.
Bates said he “ would like the drag racing to pick up in Tortola" since good mechanics emerge through drag racing. “I know it is a little dangerous but if they do it right it would work out good for your youngsters.”
Former Minister for Education and Culture with responsibility for Sports and 1st district representative, Hon. Andrew Fahie, had disclosed in April 2011 that drag racing could be a reputable sport in the VI and could generate revenue and boost employment in the Territory.
Speaking in a House of Assembly sitting, Hon. Fahie had revealed that through a survey that was on ‘online media outlets’ 60.6 percent of persons between ages 25-50 have agreed to have drag racing as a sport and could be promoted as a tourism product, while 39.6 percent between ages 25 – 50 disagreed.
He had also divulged that Cabinet had approved the drag racing proposal and alluded to the fact over the past 10 years approximately 2,000 students have graduated from the tertiary level with certificates and degrees in auto mechanic.
This, Hon. Fahie had said would augur well since these individuals could become mechanical engineers, drivers, builders of engines and entrepreneurs that would propel the sport to newer heights.
The new Government’s position on the sport of drag racing and legalising it in the Territory is not known.
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