Bartica Regatta 2012…Clint & Neil Gonsalves win 3 of 4 categories as Pomeroon connection sizzle

Apr 10, 2012 Sports

---

 

 

By Franklin Wilson
It is not often that the Belle clan are subjected to being second best, but this year’s Bartica Easter Regatta will go down in history as one of the most exciting year’s with the Pomeroon duo of Clint and Neil Gonsalves combining to whip the powerful Belle’s after two days of breathtaking races.
Clint Gonsalves was unstoppable as he won the category champion awards in the 25-40HP aboard Nitrousic and 75-90HP piloting Miracle. Neil Gonsalves, in charge of Czyzie Boy 2 emerged as the king among the ‘Big Boys’ in the 225 to Unlimited class; displaying explosive and devastating form on the final day, blowing away the challenge of all the big wigs including fierce rival Dave Scott in command of Jaguar.
Stephen Belle ensured that the Gonsalves did not make a clean sweep of the champion driver awards as he stood tall in the 115-200HP division to end as the winner, thus ensuring that some of the silverware remained in Bartica.
For a long time to come, discussion among fans and competitors alike would centre around the turbo like performance of Neil Gonsalves in the 225 to Unlimited class. With every passing race Czyzie Boy 2 seemingly developed more speed. His performances on another beautiful, sunny day were all the more sweeter, since he did not even feature among the top three on day-one.
But yesterday, he {Neil} came with a plan and was pin point in his execution, winning all four 225 to Unlimited races dismantling the opposition including Scott, Randy Belle, Clarence Belle and Jerome Parks.
Dave Scott had ruled the roost on day one but yesterday he could not a feature as Gonsalves was just unstoppable.
The final race in this category saw Gonsalves lapping the entire field to end this year’s Regatta in style. Scott unfortunately had to exit this event after hitting one of the circuit markers on the third turn. As if possessed, Gonsalves went on to lap the entire field which included Czyzie Boy (Jerome Parks), Wave Runner (Randy Belle) and Tatianna (Stephen Belle).
In the previous event for the big boys, Gonsalves was again in destructive form when he lapped the field again with Jaguar also emulating him.
Clint, was also clinical in his two categories, he continued where he left off from day one to notch up four wins in the 75-90HP, he won the only 25-40HP on the day while also claiming one first and two second places in the 115-200HP race also aboard Miracle.
Stephen Belle (Tatianna) recorded two first places and one second to emerge champion of this category.
There was a special Jet Ski race, the only for the day  which saw first day champion Gordon DaSilva again showing his class with another win, he was followed to the line by Gavin Gouveia and Don King.
The starting time improved by huge proportions yesterday which enabled the organisers to run off all the events that were carded including those that did not come off on the first day. The grand presentation of prizes and trophies is set for this Saturday. The organisers are once again extending gratitude to all the sponsors who have contributed towards the success of this year’s event. The Bartica Regatta Committee also came in for high praise as well as the statisticians, Karen Moore, Collette McKenzie and Ashgema Rasul.
Day Two results 1st to 3rd place
Race 1 – 115-200HP 4-Laps
Stephen Belle (Tatianna); Randy Belle (Wave Runner); Clint Gonsalves (Miracle).
Race 2 – 75-90HP 3-Laps
Clint Gonsalves (miracle); Orin Belle (Iron Charlie); Dave Young (3:16).
Race 3 – 225 to Unlimited 5-Laps
Neil Gonsalves (Czyzie Boy 2); Dave Scott (Jaguar); Jerome Parks (Czyzie Boy).
Race 4 – 25-40HP  3-Laps
Clint Gonsalves (Nitrousic); Dave Young (3:16); Jose Jardine (Out & Bad).
Race 5 – 115-200HP 4-Laps
Clint Gonsalves (Miracle); Stephen Belle (Tatianna); Randy Belle (Wave Runner).
Race 6 – Jet Ski 3-Laps
Gordon Da Silva; Gavin Gouveia; Don King.
Race 7 – 225 to Unlimited 5-Laps
Neil Gonsalves (Czyzie Boy 2); Dave Scott (Jaguar); Jerome Parks (Czyzie Boy).
Race 8 – 75-90HP 4-Laps
Clint Gonsalves (Miracle); Orin Belle (Iron Charlie); Jose Jardine (Out & Bad).
Race 9 – 115-200HP 5-Laps
Stephen Belle (Tatianna); Clint Gonsalves (Miracle).
Race 10 – 225 to Unlimited 5-Laps
Neil Gonsalves (Czyzie Boy 2); Dave Scott (Jaguar); Stephen Belle (Tatianna).
Race 11 – 75-90HP 4-Laps
Clint Gonsalves (Miracle); Orin Belle (Iron Charlie); Dave Young (3:16).
Race 12 – 225 to Unlimited 5-Laps
Neil Gonsalves (Czyzie Boy 2); Jerome Parks (Czyzie Boy); Stephen Belle (Tatianna).
Race 13 – 75-90HP 4-Laps
Clint Gonsalves (Miracle); Orin Belle (Iron Charlie); Jose Jardine (Out & Bad).
Champion Drivers
25-40HP – Clint Gonsalves (Nitrousic) 8 points
75-90HP – Clint Gonsalves (Miracle) 15 points
115-220HP – Stephen Belle (Tatianna) 8 points
225 to Unlimited (Czyzie Boy 2) 12 points

---

---