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All set for Go-Kart extravaganza

By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter

The Red Bull 'Smokin Street' Go-Kart extravaganza which was postponed last weekend because of the threat of Tropical Storm Ernesto, will take place on Sunday.

"Everything remains the same, there are no changes to the event," said Mitch Watson, Red Bull's Communication Manager.

The teenage American karter, Timmy Mergenbier, who came into the island last Friday, but had to return home, is scheduled to arrive in the island again this afternoon. The four paratroopers will also be arriving this afternoon.

They will be sky diving and jumping from about 5,000 feet, out of a helicopter. Some of the country's skilled street bikers will entertain what is expected to be a bumper crowd with their stunt riding.

Accomplished teen

"Mergenbier is an accomplished teenage karter," this was how Duncan Stewart described the 14-year-old karter.

Stewart, a former top rally driver, is now coaching his son Timothy and has been given the task to assist Mergenbier at Sunday's event, which is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. until about 5:30 p.m.

Prior to that, there will be a practice and qualifying session, which begins at 7 a.m. The top performer in the Rotax Class will win a trip for two to Brazil, where they will watch the Formula One race.

After last Thursday night's drivers meeting at KIA Motors on Half-Way Tree Road, Kingston, the karters are now bubbling with confidence. Each registered competitor got a Red Bull-sponsored driver's suit for the event.