From left: Douglas Henderson – Global Brands Director of Carib Brewery with Rafael Figueira – Owner of defending champion Fire One and Peter Peak – President of the T&T Power Boat Association collecting the cheque of an undisclosed sum from Derek Waddell – Managing Director of Carib Brewery (right) and Colin Murray – Sponsorship and Events Manager during a press conference at the Carib Brewery, Champs Fleurs on June 12, 2012.
Carib Brewery has renewed its contract as sponsor of the annual Great Race for a further three years following the completion of its original 11-year deal with the T&T Power Boat Association (TTPBA) in 2011. This was revealed during this year’s event’s formal launch at the Carib Brewery Compound in Champ Fleurs yesterday. The 115-mile race, carded for the morning of August 25, will take off from the Hyatt Regency Harbor in Port-of-Spain before finishing at the Scarborough Harbour, Tobago. Carib Brewery’s managing director Derek Waddell said that the passion and consistency which defined his company’s working relationship with the TTPBA was the main incentive for the sponsorship renewal. He added that both parties shared the common goal of growing the race both locally and internationally by attracting a wider pool of entrants.
Meanwhile, Global Brands director Douglas Henderson said that Carib would bring the event closer to its consumers by enhancing its digital applications and revamping its popular Facebook game, in which consumers compete for prizes including a VIP weekend in Tobago to witness the finish of the race. Other promotional tools for this year’s event will include the introduction of a People’s Choice Award, where fans will be able to vote for their favourite boats via Facebook, and an extensive advertising campaign aimed at the wider Caribbean. “We will embark on a regional advertising campaign which will highlight the history of the race as well as profiles of boats and the rivalries in the different classes,” he said. “We believe the Carib Great Race has the potential to be the premier offshore power boat race in the Western Hemisphere.”
President of the TTPBA Peter Peake added that based on the success of the 2011 edition, there would be little change to this year’s event. “Last year the race went off so well that we are going to change nothing. Every year we normally change a thing here and there, but I think last year’s race is a model of what we want in the future and it was the best race we have ever had since the first race. We plan to make this year even better.” There will be a match start in which smaller boats will have an advance start to allow a more condensed race. Peake also announced that some boats would suffer penalties as a result of not observing protocol during the racing season. This year’s boat parade will be held on August 8, beginning at Peakes, Western Main Road in Cocorite. Smaller boats entering the competition will race for 75 miles whereas larger boats will have a longer course of 115 miles. Peake indicated that former champion Mr Solo was being repaired to a high standard and would be prepared to race.
Trinidad Guardian
June 13, 2012
