Tola Race Wars (TRW) mission statement advocates educating the territory’s youth on road safety, automotive sports and opportunities within the same industry, through social and charitable activities while promoting family, goodwill and togetherness within the local communities. Photo: Provided

At the beginning of the drive-out, several members competed for three trophies; Sexiest Car Trophy, Cleanest Engine Bay Trophy and Cleanest Interior Trophy. Sexiest Car went to Alcindor Baa for his Infinity G35; Cleanest Engine Bay went to Chester Charles for his Subaru WRX and Cleanest Interior went to Sendrick Smith for his Ford Mustang GT. Photo: Provided

The TRW plans to take the road safety initiative to all of the high schools in the territory. Photo: Provided

And the best place to start their “war on traffic violations and recklessness” is in the high schools, where a number of the students actually already own or ride scooters.

According to the TRW’s Public Relations Officer, Dame Peters, persons are able to get a scooter license at a younger age than driver’s license, 16 years of age. “But what we see is they are unprepared for the roads, weaving in and out of traffic,” said Mr Peters, while lamenting that so many stories are written about scooter accidents in the territory.

The first institution that the TRW will be taking its road safety campaign to is the Virgin Islands School of technical Studies, on Wednesday March 23, 2016.

“What we are going to do is to make a presentation on road safety, rules and laws and then consequences of not adhering to such laws. One of the members, a police officer will make the presentation. We hope to educate the students as well as show them opportunities within the automotive industry, as there are a lot of opportunities.

According to Mr Peters, when he was in high school his passion was actually in the technical field but he was encouraged differently. “I didn’t have the opportunity to do Technical Drawing or anything in the automotive industry, which I wanted to because my father was a mechanic.

“So we want to help the youth and show them opportunities in the automotive industry and to be responsible road users.”

The TRW plans to take the initiative to all of the high schools in the territory.

“Our goal with these presentations is to inspire, educate and support the youth, while exposing to them positive career opportunities, and avenues for growth and creative expression in the automotive industry”, said Dr Carl Dawson, President of the TRW organisation.

He also expressed that “several members of TRW have been affected, one time or another, by automobile accidents involving young persons who were simply not educated well on how to properly behave and handle themselves on the roads. We want to help change that.”

About TRW

For many years, an avenue for automotive and motorsports enthusiasts to practice their passions has been sought in the VI and as a result, TRW was formed. TRW (Tola Race Wars) is a non-profit motorsports oriented organisation that is geared towards promoting the automotive and motorsports industry in the VI, while unifying all enthusiasts and professionals in the field, a press release from the motorsport body stated.

The organisation’s mission statement advocates educating the territory’s youth on road safety, automotive sports and opportunities within the same industry, through social and charitable activities while promoting family, goodwill and togetherness within the local communities.

First TRW activity a success

On Sunday, March 6, 2016, the VI witnessed one such socially unifying activity as TRW held its first TRW Island Drive-Out on Tortola. This drive-out engaged about 75 members and their families and about 30 vehicles, including several sports cars and a shuttle safari bus for persons not driving.

The drive-out took the members from Road Town to West End, Cane Garden Bay to East End, then ended back into Road Town, with several stops on the way allowing the group to patronise local businesses. At the beginning of the drive-out, several members competed for three trophies; Sexiest Car Trophy, Cleanest Engine Bay Trophy and Cleanest Interior Trophy. Sexiest Car went to Alcindor Baa for his Infinity G35; Cleanest Engine Bay went to Chester Charles for his Subaru WRX and Cleanest Interior went to Sendrick Smith for his Ford Mustang GT.

To raise funds during the drive-out, TRW held its 1^st Annual Wild Card Run. Each participating player received a playing card at each stop. After receiving their last card, each player revealed their hand and the winner received a cash prize. The winner of TRW’s 1^st Annual Wild Card Run was Mr Sendrick Smith.

TRW already has an international following

The organisation, still in its infancy, but growing quickly, is comprised of businessmen and women, auto mechanics, medical doctors, teachers, entrepreneurs, IT professionals, family men and women, finance professionals, law enforcement officers, firemen and more. The organisation also has an international following, with persons from the USVI and Puerto Rico showing interest.

The group also hopes to adopt a charity with which each member can support and share their knowledge and expertise in their personal fields and also the automotive industry.

TRW has launched a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/trwbvi) which is a comprehensive avenue for the public to learn more about the organization and also follow their community involvement, events and charitable work.

If you would like more information about TRW, please e-mail trwbvi@gmail.com.