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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday November 25, 2014
Mark Vieira and Kristian Jeffrey to represent Guyana at Race of Champions in Barbados By Rawle Toney Veteran driver and one of the most recognisable names/faces in motor racing in the Caribbean Mark Vieira and 2014 Caribbean Champion Kristian Jeffrey will represent Guyana at the December 13 – 14 Race of Champions, set for the Land of the Flying Fish. A host of driving legends from the major forms of motor sport will assemble for the Race of Champions in Barbados, to discover who’s the fastest of them all. The 2014 Race Of Champions will be held at the Bushy Park Circuit after the Caribbean venue beat off a wide range of contenders from all around the world to host the prestigious motor sport event. The annual end-of-season contest, which has been held for over 25 years now, brings together the world’s greatest drivers from motor sport’s major disciplines – including Formula 1, World Rally, Le Mans, MotoGP, Nascar, IndyCar, Touring Cars and the XGames – and sets them free to battle head-to-head in identical machinery. In recent years the Race of Champions has visited the Stade de France in Paris (2004-2006), London’s Wembley Stadium (2007-2008), the ‘Bird’s Nest’ Olympic Stadium in Beijing (2009), Düsseldorf’s ESPRIT arena (2010-2011) and Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium (2012). ROC organiser Fredrik Johnsson said: “We have been overwhelmed by the response to our Venue Vote over the past few weeks. We received over 14,000 votes for
Kristian Jeffery a mix of different stadiums and circuits all over the world – which will join our list of venues under consideration for future ROC events. As for 2014, the Bushy Park Circuit was one of the most popular venues in our vote and we are very excited to be heading to Barbados as we assemble some of the world’s greatest drivers for another festival of motor sport and entertainment. Newly renovated this year to become a multi-purpose motor sport facility, the Bushy Park Circuit has a 40-year history of hosting big racing events.
Situated a short drive from the Barbados capital city Bridgetown and the international airport, the circuit has now been extended from 1.3km to a licensed FIA Grade 3 circuit just over 2km long with capacity for tens of thousands of spectators. The redevelopment also features a new clubhouse and pits complex along with a drag strip and a kart track. Now the Bushy Park Circuit will play host to its biggest motor sport event yet as Race of Champions 2014 heads to the Caribbean island. The Barbados venue will house Race of Champion’s specially constructed tarmac track with two parallel lanes linked by a unique crossover bridge. Drivers will pair up for the Race of Champions Nations Cup, this year taking place on December 13, ahead of the individual Race Of Champions the next day. The venue will also feature the new Race of Champions Skills Challenge course, which has been specially designed to test a range of driving skills including chicanes, slaloms, 360˚ and 180˚ turns and parallel parking. “It’s an honour to represent Guyana at such an event,” said Kristian, whose father
Jamaica Franchise’s first innings total of 111 for four declared. And the hosts declared to avoid Jamaica Franchise getting a bowling point, which would result in both teams ending with four points. Barbados Pride walked away with four points, while Jamaica Franchise was awarded three points. Shacaya Thomas top-scored for Jamaica Franchise with 59, while captain Tamar Lambert finished on 21 not out. The third round starts on Friday with Jamaica playing away to Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at Queen’s Park Oval, while Barbados Pride will take on Guyana Jaguars at the Guyana National Stadium.
Kevin is one of the Region’s top drivers also. Both Kristian and Mark Vieira will be the first Guyanese to participate at such an event and it’s the first time the Caribbean will play host to one of motor racing’s marquee events. “Not every day you get to rub shoulders with some of the people you admire in motor racing and I hope to make the best of it, and hope that Mark and I would do Guyana proud,” the younger Jeffrey said while speaking to Chronicle Sports recently.
Gayle, Pollard fail as Sammy’s Titans tie eight-over thriller
Barbados, Jamaica draw after rain-hit game allows only two sessions The rain-affected WICB Four-Day Professional Cricket League second round fixture between Jamaica Franchise and hosts Barbados Pride was declared a draw on the final day yesterday. Only two sessions of the match scheduled for the Windward Sports Club was possible after rain washed out the first three days. Play finally started following the lunch interval on yesteday’s final day. The match was declared a draw after Barbados Pride strategically declared their first innings at six for two after 3.4 overs, bringing the game to a close. Barbados Pride was responding to
Mark Vieira
Darren Sammy
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, (CMC) – Bighitting Chris Gayle failed as Lions crashed to a heavy 77-run defeat to Cape Cobras in the South Africa Ram Slam Twenty20 League here Sunday. Chasing 155 for victory at Newlands, Lions were bundled out for 77 off 15.3 overs, to plunge to only their second defeat of the tournament. Gayle, who has been in good form in the tournament, made just three from eight balls before falling in the second over, bowled by fast bowler Dane Paterson who finished with three for nine. Neil McKenzie top-scored with a run-a-ball 31 while Temba Bavuma hit a run-a-ball 20, in a 34-run, third wicket stand. Once they were separated, however, Lions lost their last seven wickets for 22 runs. West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard took two for 11 with his gentle medium pace. Earlier, Pollard had also failed with the bat, making just six from ten balls, as Cape Cobras rallied to 154 for seven off their 20 overs. Dane Vilas hit 51 from 29 balls and Omphile Ramela, 46 off 38 balls, in a 54-run, third wicket stand. In the other game played at SuperSport Park, Darren Sammy’s Titans played to a thrilling tie with Warriors, in a contest reduced to eight overs per side because of rain. Sammy made 16 from 12 balls as Titans made 79 for five but Warriors ended on the same total, with no provision because of time, for the decisive Super Over.