Drag racing. Photo Credit: ALAMY
Members of the Committee on Youth, Sports, Parks and Recreation were told on Tuesday that the St. Croix drag racing track will resume racing in September and the first event has been tentatively set for Labor Day.
The race track was damaged by Hurricane Maria, and was originally scheduled to come online in December 2020.
“Unless we run into an unforeseen situation like we have difficulty with something, I see it being done by then,” Larry Jones, vice president of the Caribbean Drag Racing Association told senators.
Mr. Jones, who was testifying on behalf of association president Arthur S. Hector, said the association targeted September 1 because of the current state of work taking place at the tracks.
When asked by Senator Carla Joseph to justify the timeline, Mr. Jones said it is based on the construction schedule. “Because of the repairs that are being done on the facility and the time frame we need to complete it," he said.
In preparation for the first race, Mr. Jones said the association has ongoing discussions with racers in other jurisdictions including Puerto Rico and Antigua. “We have been speaking to racers in Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and Antigua,” he told Ms. Joseph who also asked about advance marketing and promotions for the resumption of races in September.
Among the main challenges facing the association is insurance coverage. Construction is ongoing at the site but once that is completed, an insurance company will be inspecting the facility and the relevant policy will be issued for the start of activities on the race track.
The Caribbean Drag Racing Association, Inc. is a nonprofit organization with a 501c3 status in good standing with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. The organization initially received $500,000 through Act 8288 sponsored by Sens. Novelle E. Francis Jr., and Javan James, supported by members of the 33rd Legislature and signed into law by Governor Albert Bryan.
