The classes that were featured on the eighth of a mile track, included the A-Class, Pro-modified, Modified, Super Street class and the Outlaw class.
The two cars with the fastest qualifying times advanced to the final round.
In the A-Class Gus "Big Ju" Outtenﾒs "Air Force One" won over Elliott Princeﾒs 1973 Chevy, posting a record breaking time of 5.061 seconds, erasing the old record of 5.1.Neil Hoffman out of Ft. Lauderdale drove Gus "Big Ju" Outtenﾒs "Air Force One" to victory.
"The win feels great. I was able to come around late in the race. I have been coming here for five years now to race," Hoffman noted after the race.
Meanwhile Prince red-lighted (false start) and was automatically disqualified.
"We ran out of sunlight. If I had sunlight I would have put something on him. I hope they bring me back again so that I can touch him up. Before we come back next time they have to make the track a little longer so that I can stop.
The track is okay though, it did not affect my driving too much. They will get it togetherﾅyou have to crawl before you walk," Prince said.
Winning the Pro-modified class was "Flyin" Ryan Hepburn who clocked 5.9 with the best reaction time, beating out Jimmy Jackson of Florida.After Ryanﾒs win he said, "Everything went well for me.
I red lighted in the other race so I knew I had to cut a perfect light because his car is running fast. Winning the First Invitational feels great. My brother, Andrew, and I put in a lot of work into that carﾅA lot of sleepless nights. All week we were working on the car making sure the engine was right".
Meanwhile Jackson said the competition was fun.
"Thatﾒs what we came down here to do to have some fun. We lost that round but it happens some time so I guess we will go home a loser.
I had a bad reaction time and the track was a little slippery at the end. I like to win but I canﾒt blame anyone but myself.
If they invite us back I would definitely come down and bring another baby in my bagﾅIﾒll put something else on her (car)," Jackson said.
There were no times given for the other three classes.Michael Sweeting won the modified class, Darren Taylor placed second and Portia Bethel (the only female driver) was third. In the Super Street class, Floridaﾒs Deto Jimenez won over Elwood Donaldson from The Bahamas.
Justin Knowles placed third. In the Outlaw class, Hoffman (representing The Bahamas) placed first, Prince was second and Dale Collie was third.
BHRAﾒs Public Relations Officer Leslie Crawley noted that event was successful.
"We are truly satisfied with the turn out and all of the support that we have been getting.
Every seat was full and there was only standing room. We are blessed that we were able to come through this event without injury or incident," Crawley said.
BHRAﾒs Vice President Outten noted that the Invitationalﾒs success was a collective effort.
"We are the victors now and we have the fastest cars in The Bahamas and South Florida.
Putting this event together took a lot of effort, time and planning.
The corporate sponsorship was good as well with support from AID, Martin Senour and Tru Value," Outten pointed out.
The next event on the BHRAﾒs calendar is the First Annual Whit Monday Run set for June 5.
By: Dahalia Smith, The Bahama Journal
