In a shot in the arm for local competitors, the venue for the highly-anticipated Nitro Kart Klash – where over $10 million in cash and prizes is up for grabs – opened ahead of schedule on Sunday.
Organisers were able to mark out, barricade off, and secure the track layout of the National Stadium Providence parking lot, where the April 18-19 event will take place, and competitors have begun testing.
According to a spokesman, “We were able to work through a few later hours in order to get the track layout down and ready for practice. We, of course, need to thank the team for putting in the work to have the layout down one day before schedule to allow for practice.
“I don’t think people understand the work that went into getting the venue to what it is today. Our team had to first sweep the layout more than once because of a lot of leftover debris from other events there.
“Following that, we had to wash the proposed section we were going to use for the track, mark out where we needed it, and then begin laying tyre barriers. That tyre barrier in itself was a job, because it required organising, painting, and strapping together the barriers before we laid them onto the venue.
“The last thing we had to do before we allowed competitors on was wash the track properly to ensure any debris we might have missed was washed off.”
Competitors have been drooling for their first taste of on-track action with the new layout, and from 16:00h on Sunday, they were able to have their wish granted.
“We were pleasantly surprised by the number of people who turned up when they heard that we would finish the venue ahead of schedule. It gives us encouragement that with one week to go, we are putting on the biggest karting show in Guyana,” the spokesman said.
What sets the Nitro Kart Klash apart from other events, he stated , is that it offers a clean slate for all drivers and riders.
“Because it is a new layout, all the competitors will have to start from scratch in terms of learning the track, all its corners, and change of directions so as to see the fastest lines on the day.
“There isn’t a case of one person having more experience than the other on the surface. Everyone starts from scratch, so it’s to see who can adapt the best, who can learn and come up with game plans. And it isn’t a case of limited time. Competitors have one week to come to grips with the layout.”
The venue will be open from 15:00h to 20:00h daily to ensure access for competitors and spectators.
The event has the support of Banks DIH; AJM Enterprise; KP Jagdeo General Contractors; J’s Supermarket; SCI (Sawh’s Construction Inc); Precision Service Center and Ramchand’s Auto Body.
Gates open from 13:00h on Saturday, with qualifying and free runs scheduled, and from 08:00h on Sunday, when racing action gets going.
Admission is $3000 for adults, while children under 12 are free.
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