Photos by Emm Jennings

For a record 14th time, a Mr. Solo vessel was the first to reach Store Bay when the 39th edition of the event concluded yesterday in the sister isle.

The famous annual 86-mile cross-island trek saw driver Hayden Charles, who took up the slack after his father's retirement in 2002, along with navigator Darrin Marshall and throttleman Gino Fusco manoeuvre their 40 foot Bob Schism 1700 horse power Fountain Cat to another victory in a race in which 27 boats were entered. However, only 20 started-the rest broke down before the starter's horn could blow-and 11 of those managed to successfully complete the challenging course.

After their last success in 2004, the Trinidad and Tobago Power Boat Association (T&TPBA) officials implemented a new staggered start system, an attempt viewed in some quarters as one to disrupt the total domination of the Solo empire whose consecutive winning streak had tallied 7 by then.

Although they were the fastest boat to Tobago in 2005, the overall crown went to upset winner Joe Laquis' Soul Rebel as the first boat to cross the finishing line.

And an unlucky accident in 2006 that saw their craft taking in water on the North coast doused their chances of a return to winners' row then.

But this year, under ideal smooth conditions and with a well-rigged machine and well-co-ordinated and very experienced crew, there was no system or configuration that could deny the Solo legacy being extended.

Mr Solo roared into Store Bay, accompanied by the cheers by the adoring crowd that included a large Solo jersey-wearing contingent in attendance. The crew completed their one-and-a-half-lap circuit to record an historic triumph.

They were not only and expectedly the fastest boat to Tobago, but even with the staggered start that had them roaring off from the waters in front Pier 1, Chaguaramas at 8 a.m., they were also the first race machine here.

It was nowhere near their ultra fast 58-minute record-breaking effort-they were timed in 1 hour and seven minutes- but they were more than good enough today to beat the second boat, C Class champions Baico II by all of a comfortable eight minutes, followed by the 29 ft Formula III Deep Vee S Class winners Rite Formula a further 24 minutes behind.

For Charles, victory number 14 was even sweeter than the previous ones.

"It was better than the first 13 and we're looking forward to number 15 next year," he said.

His proud dad Ken, who is responsible for 13 of those famous wins, added that experience is the key to performance in this event.

Hayden, who seems to be starting a legacy of his own, agreed.

"Experience is always crucial," he stressed. "The experience this crew has with handling this boat, knowing when to push the throttle and when to lay back, and the years we have been involved in speed-boat racing all came together today on race day and we could not have executed the plan better."

Fusco added that the critical point in the race was when they gained a three-second advantage through a tactical move early in the race.

"When we started in the second bunch, we were able to take a quicker path to that first Buoy (at Gasper Grande)," he explained. "While most of the boats took a wide shot at that marker, we were able to sight it early and cut a more direct approach that gave us a three - second advantage. That was important. And it put the pressure on the rest to catch us."

Brian Branker and Richard Phillips' 40 ft Skater Cat Baico III was among those put under early fire by Charles and company.

"They (Branker and Phillips) are always great competitors and they showed great speed while they lasted," said Marshall. "But this race is about what you do on the North Coast not what you do in the Gulf."

Charles chirped in: "This race is about endurance; how you and your crew manage the boat in the tougher sections of the race and making sure you pace yourself to make it to Store Bay."

Baico III would be one of 11 boats that failed to finish, their challenge ending on the North Coast. But Solo first got to the head of the second bunch and progressively surpassed the vessels that left in the first bunch along the North Coast.

And with a determined focus, Charles, Marshall and Fusco maintained the integrity of their boat across the Shallows and into Store Bay.

Yesterday's performance was a testament to their keen powers of concentration.

And unluckily for the competition, the Mr Solo crew have trained their sights on next year's event. An event that they want to land win number 15.

Report taken from the “Trinidad & Tobago Express” Newspaper.
Reporter – Mark Pouchet

CARIB GREAT RACE 2007 RESULTS

• · M-Class – (120MPH):
  - Mr. Solo – Time: 1:07 – (Penalty: 0) – Class POS: 1st – Race POS: 1st
• C-Class – (95MPH):
  BAICO II – Time: 1:15 – (Penalty: 0) – Class POS: 1st – Race POS: 2nd
• A-Class – (80MPH):
  - Intense II – Time: 1:40 – (Penalty: 31mins) – Adjusted Time: 2:11 – Class POS:1st – Race POS: 6th
  - White Heat – Time: 2:34 – ((Penalty: 0) – Class POS: 2nd – Race POS: 8th
• S-Class – (70MPH):
  - Rite Formula – Time: 1:32 – (Penalty: 0) – Class POS: 1st – Race POS: 3rd
  - Hero III – Time: 1:38 – (Penalty: 0) – Class POS: 2nd – Race POS: 4th
• D-Class – (55MPH):
  - ROV Outrageous – Time: 1:55 (Penalty: 1min) – Adjusted Time: 1:56 – Class POS: 1st – Race POS: 5th
  - Ambush – Time: 2:12 (Penalty: 2mins) – Adjusted Time: 2:14 – Class POS: 2nd – Race POS: 7th
• P-Class: (40MPH):
  - JOM – Time: 2:22 – (Penalty: 16) – Adjusted Time: 2:38 – Class POS: 1st – Race POS: 9th
  - Pacifier – Time: 2:52 – (Penalty: 0) – Class POS: 2nd – Race POS: 10th
  - Wolverine – Time: 1:32 – (Penalty: 0) – Class POS: 3rd – Race POS: 11th
• Fastest Time: Mr. Solo – 1:07
• 1st Outboard: Rite Formula

www.ttpba.com

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