51 Miles Auto Safari 2k6
30th May 2006
Pictures


Well, where should we begin!
After much planning and organization from both 51 and the CARS executive, the day finally arrived. With much trepidation and anticipation, the CARS crew assembled at 51 bright and early, looking quite lovely in their Castrol sponsored CARS polos and jerseys.

We quickly moved to the Savannah to be greeted by some very anxious and eager 51 competitors (and it was not even 8am yet!), who showed extreme patience and cooperation whilst the CARS exec got themselves organized. Getting a suntan seemed to be the order of the day as more competitors arrived and waited eagerly to be given their car numbers and further instructions.

The CARS support crew very quickly fell into place taking directions and sometimes buffs (sorry Ryan P!) with everybody finding their place in the organizing of the start. Registration and scrutineering was carried out with extreme precision, and all participants were ready to go long before the given 10am start.
There was a full mix of competitors with the “Caution Girls”,“Pinky Rab Crew”, Trini Posse Crew, Toyota teams 1 & 2 , to name a few and let’s hope that after this event the bride and groom car still have a date for their wedding! The patriotic team of truck B06 did a great job in showing their colours, putting themselves in a good position for winning the most patriotic team award. It was heartwarming to see the family entrants into this competition, not sure how they would have fared in answering the questions however!
After leaving the Savannah, the competitors made their way through Maraval to their first clue stop by the St. James bridge. After setting up the check point just inside the entrance to the barracks, the marshals found themselves having to explain to many a policeman, their reasons for being here!  From here, they made their way to the Lighthouse collecting as many treasures and answering as many questions as possible along the route.
At check point 3, Club 51 itself, the teams were all in good spirits, with many asking for their  51 napkin signed by the President of CARS. Already at this point a couple of teams came through with missed checkpoints, but still in the running. After 51, they headed down to St. Anthony’s college in the West and then moved along to the ZOO where the windmill lady made her best profit for the year, I am sure, selling children’s windmills to over 60 competitors who were set on collecting all their treasures.
From the zoo, it was out into the East making a stop at sponsor AS Brydens on the highway and then into the Grand Bazaar for check point 7, lunch and the much anticipated fun event organized by the Red Bull team. Again, competitors gave full cooperation with each team selecting one person to ride a child size tricycle around a short course, whilst the rest of the team watched and cheered from the side lines, with the final winners being the Pinky Rab team.
After a 45 minute lunch break, the cars were off again, this time heading to Mount Hope and then onto Maritime Plaza. The marshals organized themselves well sporting their Red Bull umbrellas so navigators could find the check point with ease. From Maritime Plaza, it was a along the Eastern main road to the Carib brewery for check point 10. With the end in sight, it was down to Movietowne where marshals set up inside Movietowne itself, but having to move to a location outside of the car park as entrants were coming thick and fast, causing a back up in traffic. Weariness could be seen on many a navigator and passengers face, but still the race was on for that wonderful first prize. All competitors came through in their allotted 1 hour and it was onto their penultimate check point at the Shoppes of Maraval.
From here, the competitors were on the home stretch back to 51 making sure that they had all treasures and answers to all questions on hand. Upon arrival at 51, the treasures had to be presented and points tallied. It was interesting the variety of treasures presented, and the lengths that people will go to make sure they have the right items. White chalk coloured in fluorescent yellow marker does not constitute a piece of yellow chalk, and well, we will not talk about the odd shaped “hallop” from a bridal shower that was presented!! And no, Pineapple and ochroes are not star fruit!

Inside 51, the competitors again displayed true patience as the members of CARS and 51 worked feverishly adding up all the points from check points, question sheets 1 & 2, fun events and treasures. The anticipation was growing as the prizes and trophies were clearly displayed for all to see.

Finally, the results were checked and double checked and it was time for the presentation.
The winners were:

Overall, the event was much enjoyed by all who organized and participated with everyone leaving 51 on a high all saying they would most definitely do it again.