Mr Solo returned to action in the 130-miles-per-hour (mph) class completing its four races and taking the chequered flag in all when the T&T Power Boats Association (TTPBA) held its second Mobil1/Budget Marine-sponsored Regatta 32 of the National Championships on Sunday.
The event was contested over a shortened distance of 3.5 miles dubbed the ‘hot dog’ styled course which featured two straightaways and two corners.
The races started at Cumana Bay and headed west towards the Tembladora Bauxite Terminal in Carenage, before turning and return to the starting point.
Due to the on-going health protocols put in place because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the event was held under strict Ministry of Health guidelines, both on and offshore and was held further out at seas to deter the gathering of crowds on land to view the races.
Also, a few measures were added to make sure that spectator boats adhered to the required regulations while viewing the race from their respective vessels.
The record 18-time T&T Great Race champions, Mr Solo with legendary driver Kenneth Charles at the wheels and fellow veteran Roger Bell as throttle man, was the lone competitor in its 130 mph class as it made a welcome return to competition after missing the opening event last month due to mechanical problems
Ironman with Wayne Hannock and Guy Costa in the seats also completed their four races unchallenged capturing top marks in the 120 mph class.
Global Warmer driven by Donald Webster and with Scott Pollonais alongside started two of their four events and only got points from that.
In the 80 mph, Heatwave dominated as it won all four races, ahead of Hammer Time (Robert Lobodo, Justin Keizer) while Tobagonian entrant Blue Ice ended third overall.
The hotly contested 70 mph class saw Extreme Measures powered by the trio of Justin Keizer, Jonathan Tardieu, and Nicolai Assam, taking three of the four races with very close racing with Speed Up (Tristan Cox, Justin Lennard) who had one win and three second-place finishes.
The pair of Kamion George, Gilsom Smith in Timeless got redemption from Anthony Scott and Videsh Beecham and Infusion IV as they won three out of four.
It was a cat and mouse battle all day between Timeless and Infusion IV.
The day was not without some anxiety as in the third race on the western marker, Infusion IV hooked and both driver and throttle man was ejected from the boat.
A safety vessel with medics and divers were on the scene as both racers came out unscathed in the incident and are fine.
The duo of Jason Aaron, Dillion Aaron and Matrix finished second in class and Infusion, third.
However, it was not all good news for drivers and their crews on the day as the trio of Reynaldo Motilal, Kern Coltes, and Elleson Garraway and their boat Knot In Slow Motion were plagued with engine problems all day.
The third regatta of the National Championship is set to take place on April 18.