Sports

Tibbetts rulesTexaco 'Season Opener'

Sacha Tibbetts jumped on the gas as soonas the green flag fell establishing a 135-point lead in the CMA/Z99Championship Series on Sunday, at the Lakeview Raceway.
The old adage that 'crew rises to the top' applied to Tibbettsas he had to race his guts out to garner the top position of theday in Group A; while Chuck Thompson topped out in Group B.
However, it was the Bodden Brothers that established themselvesas the top speeders with Andy taking the pole, clocking in at103.40 and John collecting second with 103.88. Tibbetts nettedthird in qualifying timed at 104.47.
The first race of the season sponsored by Texaco had John inheritingthe lead from Andy in the last lap of the 5 Lap Race. Andy pressedout in the front, appearing uncatchable with John and Tibbettsfighting for second and third. However, driving a new racecar,a Rear Wheel Drive Toyota MR2, Andy uncharacteristically madean error, taking Turn 3 wide. John saw the opening and capturedthe lead.
Andy Bodden, stated: "I really enjoy driving the new car.It's a bit more unpredictable, but it is still fun to race. Ihave the AC [air-conditioning] in the car, so the car was cooland so was I." In the 12 Lap Handicap, Tibbetts barrelledthrough making a gigantic leap from eighth place to first by thetime he crossed the pit area in the first lap. A few "Whoas"from the fans could be heard, but Robert Hulse and Chuck Thompsonmade the action tighter as they held up lap traffic further increasingthe excitement with the nose to tail racing. J. Bodden was secondand A. Bodden third.
A short shower mid-way through the day did not douse the enthusiasmof the racers nor the fans. In fact, the thrill seekers were rewardedin spades as A. Bodden did a couple of 360 degree turns and KennyNorman kissed the tires as the race circuit was temporarily turnedinto a mud skating ring. This made traction an unlikely option.The other two racers that appeared ready for the skidding wasTibbetts and J. Bodden who crossed each other a couple of timesmaking for a nail-biting event. However in the end Tibbetts addedanother victory to his belt, with Jeff Larmond garnering secondand 2000 FWD champion Frank Williams in third. J. Bodden sufferedmechanical difficulties taking him out of contention.
Tibbetts jumped on the gas as soon as the green flag fell in the20 Lapper and maintained the lead as the pack roared into thefirst turn. By the time the white flag dropped, signalling a lapremaining Tibbetts had lapped half the field increasing his leadby several car lengths. The only action so to speak in that racewas Robbie Cribb and Mark Hennings, the 2000 RWD champion, whoduelled it out with Henning having the edge at first. Nevertheless,Cribb overtook Hennings midway for second place.
"As a whole I believe everything went well. We have a fewproblems to iron out, but we will get to that. The racing wasgreat and entertaining for the fans" said Garth Bevan, presidentof Cayman Motorsports Association.
The Kid's Programme sponsored by Scott's Automotive was thrillingfor the kids, as well as, the spectators. Andrew Thompson sportinga new flaming-paint-job on his 5 HP modified go-cart swept hisclass taking first. Jessica Cribb was second, Shakina Bush wasthird. Adrian Holness won the 5 HP stock, with newcomer JoshuaClarke in second and Larmar Larmond in third.