Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine October 2019 | Page 226

Ruvin Pandt Drag Racing in Statia An exciting activity attracting many supportive fans, Drag Racing is a highly anticipated event in St. Eustatius. Usually held around the carnival, Christmas and Easter seasons, these races are held on the “Quarter Mile Road” en route to Zeelandia Beach. The event is open to everyone and teams from other countries especially Curacao, Sint Maarten and Guadaloupe - would come to Statia to compete. Well-known US riders Terrill Jackson, Johnny “Turbo” Dobrin and Richard Gadson have, over the years, helped the Statia event to grow in popularity. Enthusiasts can add St. Eustatius to their list of places to visit, just for the love of the sport, as a participant or spectator. To keep apprised of the happenings in the Drag Racing circle on the island, follow the St. Eustatius Drag Racing Foundation on Facebook. “King of the Track” St. Eustatius Drag Racing Competition 2019 has been a rewarding racing year for 31 year old St. Eustatius’ Ruvin Pandt, who has been enamoured with the sport since he was a little boy. He recalls racing with his buddy, Jamie Lopes, “challenging each other with everything on wheels.” After participating in the St. Eustatius Drag Racing Competition six times before, this year Ruvin emerged victorious, capturing the coveted “King of the Track” title. “This win really feels good,” Ruvin shared. “I’ve been at it for some time.” In previous races, he remembers having last-minute malfunctions that couldn’t be fixed, but “never giving up is the key,” he advised. Ruvin is well known at some of the USA’s Extreme Drag Racing Association (XDA) events. He and his buddy, Jamie often race with some of the USA’s best in Real Street such as Johnny Dobrin, Ricky Gadson, Anibal Mercid, Jeremy Teasley . . . the impressive list goes on. “Thank God for life. We are still at it”, he reflected. Attracting local and regional riders, St. Eustatius’ King of the Track is an annual competition supported by neighbour-island Sint Maarten’s A.M.E.N Drag Racing Association. As excited spectators cheer on their favourite, it is comforting to know the St. Eustatius police department and emergency services are also present at the event. As the competitive engines rev, a racing buzz pulsates throughout the small island of roughly 4,000 people. Off the racers go. . . and in 2019, Ruvin Pandt reigned supreme! “Statia is a quiet, safe place, with an unbelievably low crime rate. Come visit us!” ~ Ruvin