Drag racing not illegal in areas provided for the sport…says ACP
By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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| A section of the half mile drag racing track under construction at New River (Photos courtesy NIA) |
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE inclusion of a drag race as part of the Federation’s 25th Independence Anniversary celebrations has given rise to concerns by members of the public as to the legality of the popular sport.
Drag racing is the hobby of many residents of St. Kitts and Nevis and, in the past, law enforcement officials have been called upon to apprehend those who were engaged in this activity along the public roadways of the Federation.
The most recent incident occurred just about a year ago, involving now Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Joseph Liburd and the Premier of Nevis, the Hon. Joseph Parry. During that incident, a group of individuals who had wanted to drag race on a public highway was stopped by law enforcement agents on Nevis.
The drag racers however indicated that the event was sanctioned by the government and both Parry and Liburd became involved.
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| A view of the entry road leading onto the race track |
Since then appeals were made by some drag racing pundits and lovers of the sport for the provision of a facility to accommodate the sports discipline.
Last week, the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) announced that the drag racing facility, which has been under construction for the past months, is scheduled to be completed by the end of this month and the first major event would be held there on Independence Day, September 19.
“We are having our first race on Independence Day. We are looking at the window of opportunity to exist between 12 until 5:00 p.m. that afternoon.
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| A section of the half-mile long safety berm along the seaward side of the track will be grassed to guard against soil erosion |
It would be our first and we are moving busily to put in place all the plans that are necessary to execute the drag racing as a sport, so that Nevisians can observe for the first time what it is,” said Minister in the NIA and Area Representative for the St. Pauls constituency Hon. Robelto Hector.
The legality of drag racing has been questioned especially in recent times with the announcement of the construction of the New River drag racing track.
SKNVibes contacted ACP Liburd for clarity on the issue and he informed that drag racing is illegal only when it is done on the public road. “Racing is not illegal once it is not done on the public road. If it is in your yard or in an area that is so designated, it is not an offence.” ~~Adz:Right~~
As reported by the NIA, Minister Hector said the track, which is expected to meet international standards and be ranked among the best in the region, is designed to provide a safer outlet for drag racing.
“Drag racing is an effort to take racing off the road and to give an avenue for youngsters to develop themselves and to practice racing as a sport. In getting the facility now at New River, it is an opportunity for this to be a reality…,” he said.
