Du Maurier Great Race (Carib Beer Great Race) - An Open Sea Power Boat Race

How it all began

"Where the will exists, Anything is possible"

The Du Maurier Great Race (Now Carib Beer Great Race) - an annual offshore contest, began as a dream for Mr. Ken Gordon and Mr. Ralph Gibson while escorting a Yacht race between Trinidad and Grenada. The dream of an open-sea power boat race that began in the heart grew.

Remaining dedicated to the dream, the team launched a tradition that has endured and developed into the premiere event for power boat racing in the Southern Caribbean. An event that has earned its dues having grown for the past three decades

The Du Maurier Great Race, formerly known as the Tobago Great Race, covering a distance of 86 miles from the shores of Dheins bay Carnage Trinidad to Store Bay, Tobago and now 28 years later, the annual tradition continues on August 3, 1996.

The First Race

On August 1st, 1969, 62 boats gathered outside the Trinidad Yacht Club, the boats ranged in design and size from 13ft to 20ft from Pirogues (used in the fishing industry) to Wooden Deep Vee boats. The first race was completed in a time of 2hrs and 38 mins. Today the record now stands at 1hr and 4mins held by the crew from Checkmate (Carlos Sabga, Brian and Dereck Crooks).

The Speeds

Envision power boats racing along the water travelling at average speeds of approximately 70 miles per hour through open sea then upon colliding with one of the many large ocean swells flying through the air at a height of about 10 feet or more.

The International Scene

As far as the international scene goes the local boats are definitely up to par. Over the years a number of local boats have raced at the World International Offshore Championships held in Key West, Florida and each time has proven to the international scene that our local boys are comparable to the best of the lot, often placing with in the top four.

The Du Maurier Great Race can also claim to be the second longest running race of its kind following the Cowes-to-Torquay Offshore Ocean Race in England which has been in existence since in 1961.

The Great Race is now structured for class racing, with the first three boats in each class being given prizes. There are six classes. However, the most prestigious prize of "the fastest boat to Tobago" still remains. Du Maurier is sponsoring the event for the eleventh time.

Record holders Checkmate, going for a hat-trick of wins, are rigging another boat for the event, after their original boat was destroyed by fire in Puerto Rico. Challenging them in D Class will be Mr. Solo. B and A classes, with Kiss of Fire, Pepsi, Team Acer and Alien should see fast and competitive racing.

The Sports II Class has been dominated by the Tardieu brothers in Shell White Heat. Hoping to catch them are Miss Apple J, Mr. Yamaha and Solo Bentley. Calypsonian Gypsy is a veteran in Sports II Class with his boat Four J’s. The Sports I Class, with no boat longer than 21 feet, is really the shake, rock and roll class.

Mobil Motom Class winners at the Simon Boliver Classic enters the race for the first time as do Rush, while experience will favour Royal Flush and Slight Pepper.

Racing Classes

For some of us that are not too sure about the way the boats are categorized here is a little information that might help; each class is assigned a power band or speed rating, governed by engine size and horse power. Boats are designed according to their power bands, so that a production class boat, for example, which is considered a typical down-the-islands type boat, would not be at a disadvantage and compete with a D or Open Class boat.

Speed Classes

• Open Class above 95mph up to 120mph
• “A” Class above 85mph up to 95 mph
• “B” Class above 75mph up to 85 mph
• “C” Class above 65mph up to 75 mph
• “D” Class above 55mph up to 65 mph
• “E” Class up to 55 mph – (single engine only)

Hull Specifications

• Catamarans or Monohulls are allowed in all classes
• Open Class (120mph) – minimum length 38ft – maximum length 50ft
• “A” Class (95 mph) – minimum length 30ft – maximum length 42ft
• “B” Class (85mph) – minimum length 28ft - maximum length 36ft
• “C” Class (75mph) – minimum length 24ft – maximum length 32ft
• “D” Class (65 mph) – minimum length 20ft – maximum length 30ft
• “E” Class (55 mph) – minimum length 20ft – maximum length 30ft

Class Letters

• Open Class – no letters
• “A” Class [85-95mph] – letter A
• “B” Class [75-85mph] – letter B
• “C” Class [65-75mph] – letter C
• “D” Class [55-65mph] – letter D
• “E” Class [up to 55mph] – letter E

Trinidad & Tobago Powerboat Association (T&TPBA)

Founded in 1903, the Trinidad & Tobago Powerboat Association (T&TPBA) is the authority for Union Internationale Motonautique (U.I.M.) [The UIM is the international governing body of power boating] approved powerboat racing in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Your T&TPBA speed record or championship can earn you not only a spot in the T&TPBA Hall of Champions, but a prestigious World title. T&TPBA memberships range from fan to full-fledged competitor. Check out all of our racing categories and hundreds of classes. Whatever your need for speed, T&TPBA has a place just for you!

The T&TPBA offers Speed Classes to give racers and manufacturers with high performance boats and parts a place to compete in a safe environment. There are so many boat configurations that the T&TPBA cannot cater to each and every boat by creating a separate class. Naturally there is not one boat that does it all, and different water conditions will cater to different boats, configurations and boat size. A boat that competes in the Speed Classes will be assigned a class by the TechComm.

If a Speed Class boat is found to be in an inappropriate class during pre-race inspection, the TechComm Inspector or the TechComm will move the boat into the correct class. It is up to the TechComm to determine the Speed Class a boat will be entered into. The spirit and intent of these rules are to promote competitive class racing within reasonably safe yet competitive speeds. Accordingly, the T&TPBA reserves the rights to take whatever actions are necessary, at any time, to ensure that no race boat exceeds its performance parameter.

The event saw many of the top boats in Trinidad make the journey over by a boat parade and Racers Meet & Greet in the capital Scarborough, and in various other local hot spots.

What T&TPBA do?

• To encourage and promote powerboating in Trinidad & Tobago
• To set and promote safety standards for powerboating in general and racing in particular
• To set from time to time classification for powerboat racing
• To promote seamanship
• To promote race meetings, speed and trial tests and to offer for competition and distribute prizes in connection therewith
• To obtain funds, mobilize and co-ordinate available resources by the raising of money from inter alia local and foreign business communities and grants from local and overseas foundations, to organize shows, fetes, meetings, concerts, sports, bazaars, dances, competitions, raffles, sales, auctions or any other fund raising activities and to utilize such funds in furtherance of the objectives of the Association
• To promote, support or oppose legislative or other measures affecting the aforesaid interests
• To educate persons about powerboating and to disseminate information for the furtherance of the business of the sport
• To establish and support or aid in the establishment and support of charitable associations or institutions in any way connected with the purposes of the Association or calculated to further its objectives
• To do all such lawful things as are incidental or conductive to the attainment of the business of the Association

The safety aspect of the race will include a safety specific support boat, helicopters with divers, GPS locator devices on every boat, VHF radios, cell phones, trained medics with back boards and other specialty tools, loud hailers and more.

In its 11th year of Carib sponsorship, year 2011 race takes the event to greater heights and keener contest with a higher standard of craft and expertise. Others to watch include perennial favourite, Mr Solo, the Tardieus’ White Heat, plus newcomers Scott and Jason Pollonais’ Sarsota Stampede, Sean Singh’s Extreme and Guy Costa’s Fury!’

Several of the latter boats are locally owned, US built craft says T&T Power Boat Association’s Garth Marshall, who added: “We may also have an entry currently being built in Florida and possibly close to 50 feet. We expect 32-plus entries. We had 26 last year so interest is clearly growing.” The race features several innovations compared to previous years, says Carib’s Colin Murray.

Annual Membership fees

• Racing crew membership fees - $850.00
• Non Racing membership fees - $300.00

Boat Registration fees

• Class 55 mph - $500.00
• Class 65 mph - $500.00
• Class 75, 85, 95 & 120 mph - $1,000.00

Event Entry fees

• Class 55 mph - $500.00
• Class 65, 75 & 85 mph - $800.00
• Class 95 & 120 mph - $1,000.00

Great Race (Carib Beer Great Race): Rules And Regulations, Pre-Race Requirements, Requirements For Participation In An Event, Race Events Procedures, Safety Requirements, etc. - Click here

Trinidad & Tobago Powerboat Association (T&TPBA) website: http://www.ttpba.net/