Go-Karters keep it safe

(CNS): Cayman’s latest speed facility took another step closer to its big opening recently when organisers and members of the Cayman Motorsports Association (CMA) gathered at Hidden Lagoon Drive (off Sparky’s Drive) in George Town to install tyres and water barriers to keep the racers safe and to test the new track. The track, which ahs been developed by  Cayman Karting is an asphalt paved surface about  1000ft  in total distance with the possibility of three different course layouts to challenge drivers on multiple levels.

In the interest of safety the race track has now been with tyres and advanced water-filled barriers to protect drivers from accidents and injuries. CMA offered a helping hand as well as advice on making the track as safe as possible for the racer before they tested it out. The tyres were donated by Automotive Art and constructed with tools provided by AI Group Ltd and Parker’s.

Director of Cayman Karting, Alasdair Foster, offered the CMA members the opportunity to be the first to race karts around the track and the motorsports enthusiasts jumped at the chance and were ready with their safety gear and fired up the 10 karts provided by Alasdair.

The first few laps were taken slowly by most to get a feel for the karts and the track but those who’ve experienced kart racing before were right at home cutting tight corners, burning rubber and trying to find the fastest line around the track, the organisers said. Competitive 5-lap races began and it was noticed that the karts were in need of some final tuning which meant a couple of the karts were slightly faster than the others, giving their drivers a slight advantage over the rest of the field.

"I’m extremely grateful for CMA’s help setting up the tyre barriers on Friday night not to mention their advice and support throughout the process of getting the track started,” said Foster. “It was definitely appropriate that they were the first to race the karts on the track and I’m very happy that everybody enjoyed the experience!"

CMA president Bobby Hulse said the organisation had been watching the development of the track with great interest and didn’t want to make any opinions about it until it was done. “Now that it’s done and we have had a chance to take a spin on it all I can say is it’s a blast.  It’s tons of fun but I think it will be a great teaching tool for up and coming drivers also as the karts teach some very fine control points. I think it will be very successful,” he added.

Cayman Karting is scheduled to open on Saturday 20 February with 10 karts to race as well as bleachers for spectators to come and observe. A fully computerised timing system will give accurate lap times and standings for racers at future events. Find out more information about karting at www.caymankarting.com and racing.cma@gmail.com for more information about CMA’s events.