Drag racing sport is not sold properly to the public – Government minister says
- Thursday, April 29th, 2010 at 11:52 AM
A scene from drag racing in the US. Photo credit: www.draglist.com
Sports tourism needs to be revisited and could be seen as another avenue to generate revenue for the Territory, according to Minister for Education and Culture Andrew Fahie.
In his contributions at the recently concluded Budget debate held at the House of Assembly, Fahie recommended drag racing as a possible option to arouse the interest in sports enthusiasts throughout the Caribbean and United States.
And despite the notion that it is dangerous, Minister Fahie said, “it is an entrepreneurial sport that is not sold properly to the public.”
According to Minister Fahie, Cabinet has given the ‘green light’ on a feasibility study and a consultant has been contacted to give more insight into the sport.
One of the biggest aficionados of the sport is BVI President of Motor Sports Association (BMSA), Anthony ‘Big Red’ DeCastro. DeCastro, in a previous interview with BVI News, described Government’s move to assess drag racing, as “a step in the right direction.”
He pointed to the fact that drag racing is a sport which is now evolving throughout the Caribbean. Against this backdro, the BMSA President has been a vocal campaigner for a track to be constructed in the Territory.
“Initially we met with the Minister for Communications and Works Julian Fraser with the idea and with the interest heightened it is now with the Sports Minister Andrew Fahie,” De Castro told had BVI News.
When asked about the perception about drag racing being labeled as a dangerous sport, DeCastro remarked, “It’s not like what you see happen at NASAR, and the faster you go the more safety mechanisms will be in place.”
Although there is no track here the association is building a car to represent the BVI at Caribbean drag racing meets.
- Aneka Edwards, Staff reporter
Copyright 2013 BVI News, Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
57 Comments
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Andrew Fahie thinks American tourists will come here to see drag racing rather than, say, the Indy 500 or Daytona in their own country? What is he smoking?
@The Watcher: I remember the old days ( 30+ years) when we use to go to the airport to watch the races . it was great but loud ! but then again so are the planes.(loud) tola needs to finish all the projects started before they start another……….
@vincent frett: It could be manage proberly not with tax payers money. It could be manage by Delta Gas because Bevis Sylvester does every thing around here now and make it happen. Drag Racing Track donated by Delta Gas. Leave out Government. Zoe bam, bam girl please contact Bevis Sylvester.
I disagree. We don’t need BR nowhere near the track. …tell him get back, we don’t know you like that!!!
Yes, these accusations must stop. The purpose of this story is the construction of a drag strip not the sexuality of those involved. What ever his preference that is his business. We nee dto get back to the business of the teritory and proove how this track ca be beneficial not only by keeping illegal racers off of the streets but also bring much need funds into the territory for the hotes, restarants, car rental txis, gift shops, I mean the list goes on. Remember the man has a family so keep his name off BVINEWS!!!
I think the name calling need to stop. Keep people personal businees off the inernet.
HONESTLY SPEAKING, WE AINT GONNA BE GETTING NO DRAG STRIP IN TORTOLA ESPECIALLY IF WE DEPENDING ON THE GOVERNMENT…THIS TOPIC IS ONLY BEING TOUCHED BECAUSE ELECTION COMING UP… TODAY IS MAY 3RD 2010…AND REMEMBER FATCAT SAY MAY 3RD 2020 WILL COME AND GO AND TORTOLA WILL NOT HAVE A DRAG STRIP…
Sounds interesting but we do not sound like we know enough about the sport to make a decision on it as yet. Study it before you move on it and waste money which we do not have to throw away right now. Take time to understand the sport and all the implications before jumping in the drag racing. Study it and speak with your citizens, do not surprise them and make decisions behind their backs and then tell them here is the drag track now use it.
Few things to say. St.Croix is a part of the USVI, and many people from the caribbean can not enter the US because they don’t have a visa. With the BVI that is not a problem, plus we use the same money as the US. IF THE TRACK IS MANAGED PROPERLY IT COULD BE VERY PROFITABLE.
If planned properly, a new drag racing facility would be a multi-use facility that could also be used for softball, cricket, concerts, festivals, public meetings, bicycle racing, driving instruction, vehicle testing, police training, fire fighter training, etc. I am sure I have missed a few but think about the possibilities of a facility with grandstands, restrooms, food concessions, souvenier sales, public address system…….use your imagination….just think about it… …It could be called…..British Virgin islands International Raceway and would become a gathering place used for every purpose possible by not only BVI residents but by the entire region. With proper planning, BVI international Raceway would be in operation 365 days a year. Producing income…..It could become the revenue source needed to help finish the other projects, like the infrastructure.
You are joking, are’nt you?
My people! If you don’t know about or understand the great potential of Drag Racing, then please leave it alone and stop posting ignorant (meaning lacking knowledge) comments. Drag Racing has huge potential. It used to be illegal in St. Croix where police would come and arrest anyone they could get their hands on…racers, spectators, promoters whoever. They have since legalized and regulated the sport. Now that is one of the biggest events in St. Croix. In some 15 years, there has been absolutely no incidences besides minor crashes. The cars are reinforced and professional judges and officials supervise the races and the track. We have to stop being so closed minded!
On that same note, our Governments need to start injecting more interest in the existing sports that we do have! Softball, Volleyball, Soccer, Horse Racing, Basketball, etc. Track & Field gets all the attention while the other sports get nothing. Just look at the Softball field! Horrible! Volleyball doesn’t even have a set place to practice or play. Ishmael always locking them out the gym. You dont hear anything about soccer. We can barely get in one Horse Race a month! You want Sports Tourism Mr. Fahie? Then start investing money into our existing sports, develop our young talent and give them the platform to go out, represent the BVI and bring some international exposure to our country.
Finally, you want to talk about drag racing to help tourism? When will the ban on Jet Skis be lifted? These watercrafts are accepted EVERYWHERE in the world except the BVI. They are safer now than ever. Tourists would enjoy them immensely. But you now only allow 2 people to rent them. In essence the government is encouraging a continued monopoly! Why cant I buy one for my private enjoyment?
CALVIN YOU PROBERLY DONT HAVE CHILDREN AND IF YOU DO YOU NEVER FELT THE PAIN OF INSTANT DEATH. THIS IS A POLITIC STUNT THAT THEY KNOW OUR RECKLESS YOUNG DRIVERS WIOULD GO FOR. WE HAVE ENOUGH YOUNG PEOPLE DYING ALREADY.
GOD SAID SO YOU LIVE SO YOU DIE, SO THINK AGAIN.
although this sport may seem dangerous there are many safety precausion that is taken before a race…it would be better than what is happening now …as my mother used to say if you try take something from a person he/she love is the more they are goin to want it BUILD THE TRACT and use it to build skills of “delinquent students”, use it to motivate the youth gear them away from crime and other ill behaviour…make sure you hurry too cause I would rather have my son race on a track than on these roads…
For God sake we do not have the money to finish the hospital, the infra structure of the BVI is in shambles WE NEED ANOTHER high school. We are lending 3 million for tourism.
If it is that important take ya self over to St Croix!!!
This government needs to prioritize what is important to the welfare of the entire country, not a few who have money to blow on racing.
In addition, even as Nascar racing tires fly off and kill people. That is a milti million dollar industry with loads of sponsorship. If we can’t get a race tract managed properly why should we believe a track would be managed properly.
No worth tax payers money, build it with private money
Hey how about this I’m for who ever provide more affordable water, better quality water and a functional sewage system. Forget “BiOcean or Water Conversion” how about better quality water at an affordable price for the people of the nation???
It would be in line with the governent to waste money and build a drag racing track for the few who would enjoy such a sport. Seriously, do you think there are even 1000 people living in the BVI that have any interest in this? Probably the majority of the sports enthusiasts are the teenage boys and young men. if money was no issue and if logistically there was land to set aside to build such a venue then perhaps…but there are far more important issues to tend to. The government needs to focus on doing what is right for the majority of residents of the BVI. Heck, we can’t even rely on the basic necessities of life such as water and electricity! I’d much rather see the government set aside farming land or build greenhouses and teach the young men to be farmers and produce fresh fruits and vegetables to improve on our health AND decrease the importation costs of other countries produce and increase our individual savings! I’d also prefer to have a nice public park with covered picnic areas, washroom facilities, children’s play area and a field or two to play softball, cricket or whatever. An affordable, scenic place to gather with family and friends.
I AGREE!!!!!
Amen! Such as the centre of the racetrack which I have advocated for years!
Naturally, I Love the idea of a Drag strip. Having it run in a proper way plays a very crucial role in it’s success in the BVI as is anything else. We can indeed improve our sporting industry an dI especially like the “selling o fteh BVI waters as a place for boating sports to other countries. That to can yield great earnings for the BVI and would also add to our tourism product. As for the remaining existing sports, I am in full agreement with improving them also. having the best qualtity products in the sporting and tourist industry would definitely place us into the realms of the crem de la crem” or the best of the best League.
We will definitely have to focus on each sport and bring it up to snuff, but we cannot leave it up to governmement, We to have to play the part. We are selling the BVI and as such, we all must play a part in its success……regardless of the sporting activity or product. I will give an example; when I see a tourist in town that is seeking assistance, I place myself into a position that allows their worried look to be at ease by greeting them politely and askig if they would like some assistance. I do not own a gift shop, restaurant or Taxi, but I would love to see this country prosper and be atleast one person that allows that tourist to say to his or her friends, “the people in the BVI are really kind” and that they would love to come back and spend more time with us, along with their friends. That would be me playing my role as a contributing citizen. Now had I said that they need to see a govt. official and cop an attitude, that would be me not playing my part and waiting for govt. to fill that gap. That is not what should be the way and would definitely leave a bad taste in the tourist’s pallet.
We all ask for things and I think that when we get it, we should be able to give a hand in either improving it or safegurading it. I still to this day, pick up nails from parking areas when I see one, so that the next person does not come along and get a flat. “Yeah” there are public cleaners, but just to do a little, will not hurt at all. I am in full agreemet with getting the track and I will do my part and then some to help ennsure its success in the BVI.
People need to stop looking at the fact that drag racing has some dangers to it. Everything in this life has danger involved. Including crossing the streets as we can see. Drag Racing will infact generate revenue for this lil country if it is given a chance. Hotels,Resturants, Small businesses etc. will benefit from it. Or do your prefer the police keep giving tickets when the government get broke.
The Gov doesnt need to be looking at new ways to create sports tourism – it just needs to to accept the potential of existing sports and stop treating them purely as recreation.
athletics , basketball , cricket , cycling,football and softball all have great potential to host big matches and bring crowds – so the govt needs to back them properly
finish what they start rather than begin something new
a proper stadium that can be used to host events would be a start – finish the shirley grounds
teams will come and hotels , restuarants and bars will prosper.
all associations need to commiunicate better – plan a season and there can be sport and benefits for all
I agree with you. I do not know a single thing about cricket, but evidence has shown it will quicker attract people from throughout the caribbean and the world quicker then drag racing. Basket ball etc.
Get serious about education mr fahie and stop the special interest
Simple ask St. Croix if it has a positive cash flow???
How about we do it on the cruise pier in September when no ships are in. make sure all these foolish drivers are strapped in tight while they shoot off the end of the dock. Pretty soon there will be no more need for a drag track as they will all be in 30 feet of water!!!!!
LOL NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK, maybe my comments were a bit harsh. So bee wee eye news tek um dung. …. As a matter of fact, I stand behind them. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay behind them. Fact still remains, step aside and let someone do the talking for you BR. I still say you can’t talk worth a d….. At the family fun day at the college. Man you gave me a headache with all the BS. An MC yuh say yuh be? I can use 2 letters but they would just remove my comment again. Doan matter to me cause meen really give 2 hoots bout u. Never see more in my life, lookin the nex direction and. Well, I will lef it deh.
While I do not condone bashing on the internet, I must say in all fairness that you should leave that sort of talk for the ‘block.’ As for someone who is a former member of the association, I must say that Reds sometimes have good ideas but he is just not a leader. Yes, he may not be the smartest cookie in the box, for that matter out the closet, (Sorry, I just had to, i couldn’t resist) he needs to let someone else run the show. I think he should build a car and let someone who can actually formulate a sentence, without saying “Is like” or “them man.” Give up the mike. At a public function, dude all you did was embarrass yourself. i was so ashamed the way you handled yourself in front of the public, in front of government officials. There is a time and place for everything but man, if you want to get things done, let someone do the public speaking because frankly Reds, you can’t talk worth a damn.
That’s my say.
Sounds interesting
Why do you think the government should fund this idea? We are not a socialist state (or are we?). Where is the flat land for a long enough track? How many meetings a year would be held? Where would the supposed hordes of overseas visitors stay? Who would be prepared to sponsor the car teams? They would expect a lot of TV exposure.
Would we see the financial results of meetings? Just like we do for the festivals, the race track meetings, the music festival? Who would provide the safety equipment, vehicles and medical facilities?
Its all very well for a hot head …”red? is it?…. to keep on about this, but for a minister in government to think it is a good idea is absolutely appalling, and makes one wonder about their qualifications for their jobs.
As someone else said, would you employ any of them in private business if they applied for a job?
LOL @ anonymous. Pleas keep off Big Red? LOL. Yuo need to tell Red sop tekin man. Uh oh, U mussa puttin it on him thas hwy. LOL. Gaylord Faulkers.
LOL @ Yaga and LMAO! Well my peace. I swear tiz only me thing ….! As far as I know the governemt send this dude scholl for 20 years and he come back with an associates degree in cuttin and nailing wood. I must say if coocoo was brains he would have been a genius. Then again, smarts don’t really run in them … line. Laziness? Now thas wa dem known for. Mehson, if Yaga dem and the dude wa then force out a BMSA would form a club, I’m there. Also, a lot of people used to laugh at the Frett guy but he made more sense than big red. Big red just need to stick to talkin ship and leave real work to real people. He been president and ing of flopped car shows for years. dude, get withthe program, let someone else run the show, yu just need to stcik to runing yor mouth and for God sakes, please dont open up too wide cuase i see you got soem miracle whip cemented between them teeth. Aint nutt’n personal but big man, yuh really need to depart and fast.
The obvious place for this is the airport!! Nice long stretch of concrete. It could only be done at night of course under floodlights but the incremental cost would be very small. Airport closes down for night, racing starts up!
Good medical facilities, fire engines etc. in place for when people crash and catch fire. Let’s go!
Great idea! Lets hold the races at the airport. Then when them dragsters catches fire and the heat from the fire melt the airplane landing strip, we can just tell the airplanes go land at the Virgin Gorda airport until we get the landing strip fix up. That should only take a week or two before its back to good as new.
Oh wait … hmmmm … no, that won’t work. The VG airport done close aint it? OK so we tell them go land them plane at Anegada and take the ferry to Tortola. Yep, yep … that will work! No problem!
Stuuuuuuuuuuupes!
I think Fahie done loss his mind. I guess wasting we money on that horse race track were not enough? Now he want waste more of our money on some stupid drag strip? Lord help us all!
Lets just close the airport and go drag racing
It is no wonder that tourism is declining in the BVI! The comments by the Minister and here on this forum demonstrate how little any of these …comprehend what affluent international visitors are looking for in a destination. The Tourist Board has spent millions doing nothing … If you let your country be run by the ignorant, you will wind up in the dust bin.
I don’t see tourism declining in other islands that have tracks. You people always know how to say the stupidest things.
why woouold you say such a thing about tourism…dear father in heaven thanks for the tourist please let the words of ‘
The only track in the b.v.i that could bring in any kind of revenue in this country is the ELLIS THOMAS DOWNS RACE TRACK. This track could bring in millions of dollars, if these set of OLD … we have in government would only legalize gambling in this country they would see da millions raking in. It have a gold mine in sea cows bay but for some reason we just won’t start to dig.
Dont the church folk have a problem with gambling? While we’re at it free the weed and prostitution
Have the Government ever thought about selling the BVI waters and sorround islands to international boat racers as a venue for poker runs like those that take place in MIAMI.
Tourist board should think about this as a making tatic to help full up the hotels and marinas helping bring more revenue for the up coming years
GOOD IDEA.
Wait, not Big Red? Poor association … I hope the government goes forward with the track but if we have to depend on Reds? Wel lets just say hell might freeze over first because I’ve heard him speak and the incineraotr can’t hold the amount of trash that comes out the … mouth. Whatever happened to the Frett Guy? Now thats a guy i woudl listen to!
I agree with Yaga… Reds just like to run his mouth and aint got a lick of sence…. Please get somebody else to front this race track if we going to get one!!!!!
Please keep off Big Red.
I’M FROM THE CARIBBEAN AND DRAG RACING FROM TRINIDAD TO JAMAICA IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN THERE FOR YEARS AND IN EVERY SPORT HAVE A TIME FOR BAD DAYS,BUT THAT DON’T MEAN IT’S UNSAFE THE SPORT BRINGS IN REVENUE FOR THE COUNTRY, VISITORS FROM ALL OVER WILL COME AND GIVE THE BVI MORE EXPORSURE.
This sounds so dumb. Nevis was hot on every minister buh hine to build the track. It build had a couple race and now it jus sitting down. Please dont waste my tax money for no more foolishness just for a certiain few!
well how u figure nevis track sitting down and the hottest thing in skn is racing. everybody that could afford it settin up cars. man dont talk no nonsense. every chance them man get they racing
see people always talking what they don’t know…please government not just a three day study more longitudinal study…
I think he acting retarded like the person who kept posting. Anytime my tax money is wasted on this nonsense I will personally stop working. I hope social security will be able to take up the slack. If they want to drag race I dont know why they just can’t attach long ropes from Sage Mountain to east end and see who could swing faster.
This is nothing more than a ploy to get a drag race track built by some government minster’s cronie.
Another proposal to waste even more tax payer dollars in the guise of “sports tourism.” we can’t get the BVI brand done right now-6 million dollars later—
Let the private sector build the track, and also make sure we ignore the environmental and noise impact while you are at it.
Sports tourism of cricket, soccer, fishing, tennis and other non intrusive environmentally positive sports is the answer, not drag racing.
Right on, Think Green!!
Well said Bob. If the people that want drag racing believe its such a good idea they should back their own convictions. It is not for the Ministry to waste tax payers dollars. It is also my belief that the BVI government should not own hotels or horse race tracks – and dont try and tell me they make a profit!
I understand what the minister is saying and i totally agree that sports tourisim is a great way of bringing in revenue into the country but i have other suggestions when it comes to sports tourisim:
1) some years back we completed the first phase of the A.O. Shirly Recreational Track and we are now seeing the benefits of it, but now its high time that we finish the second phase which includes seating and restrooms, if we tap into this area we will see sports tourisim increase because we will have proper facilities to hold major tack and field events (CARIFTA, LEEWARD ISLANDS ect)
2) we can also improve our softball field with proper seating and so forth to accomadate larger softball/baseball tournaments
3) Thank God we now have basketball facility that can accomadate large caribbean basketball tournament such as CBC but we can tap into this area alot more.
Now i have no problem with introduction darg racing as a sport in the BVI, all i am saying is let us imporve on what we have now and then move on to other things
I agree fullheartedly with the above comment. There are opportunities to build upon the facilities that we already have rather than leaving them to do nothing. We can bring in far more overseas visitors for track and field, basketball, volleyball, football and even horse racing (i despise horse racing but even that track presents many lost opportunities). In short lets get these other sports going before you wasting our tax money on a drag drag.
dont put ur hand in the fire cause the basketball facility is currently being run to the ground. floor slippery, place dirty, bathrooms not working and the list goes on. it need fixing…tell govt we need bout 40k to fix it the money will come back over time….from spendin these millions helpin a millionaire
IF ANY OF THE POLITICIANS READ BVI NEWS READ WHAT the ” YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE BVI” has to say and FOLLOW THROUGH….!
Good suggestion, but bad idea……The FAA and Airport Authority cannot sanction it based on the saftey levels required for aircrafts.
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