Surface Dip Cited In Fatal Accident At Trinidad And Tobago Strip

The racing surface of the Wallerfield Racing Circuit in the small island nation of Trinidad and Tobago is being called into question following a pair of frightening accidents of late, one of which claimed the life of a 28-year old man on Saturday.

Darren Sirjoo, of Sangre Grande, died from injuries he sustained when his modified Lexus Altezza crashed at the top end of the Wallerfield strip, striking a pole and overturning several times. The car, media confirmed, was outfitted with a roll bar and had passed all safety evaluations. The engine was reportedly torn from the car in the impact. Sirjoo was a Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard veteran who had been racing for five years prior to the accident. Sirjoo survived the accident but succumbed to his injuries while being treated at the Arima District Hospital.

The fatal accident came just one day after Ryan Garcia, driving his SKF Lancer, one of the island’s most prolific drag cars, was destroyed in a violent accident that occurred in very much the same scenario; Garcia lost control of the Lancer at the conclusion of an 8.03-second pass as the car took an abrupt turn into a tire barrier and rolled end over end. Garcia was uninjured.

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The Aloo Pie Report, an independent, citizen-led news group, called upon the Wallerfield track staff to address what it calls a dangerous dip located at the 1/4-mile finish stripe that it and many area racers believe is the root cause for the two tragic and destructive accidents.

“A dangerous impression on the drag racing track at Wallerfield is being blamed for a series of crashes. It is simply known as the dip by many racers as reported to us. One can’t help to wonder whether the persons responsible for safety aren’t aware of this dangerous dip. We at the Aloo Pie Report are calling on the various bodies to do a proper assessment of the track to objectively determine whether this dip is indeed responsible and if so all proceedings should be halted until it is rectified.”

A number of racers and spectators chimed in on the statement, noting their concerns about the safety of the racing surface.

Richard McLean commented: “Any type of racing has it’s risks of the worst case scenario. The thing is that the track event committee,the driver’s and the sponsors should demand more safe conditions. No person’s life is worth it and before that so call track is used again it should be prepared to the utermost safe condition. There is too much money moving around not to prepare a much better place to race in safety.”

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Garage Fresh, a lifestyle event promoter in Trinidad and Tobago, has cancelled its event slated for next weekend following Sirjoo’s fatal accident. Garage Fresh did not reference the racing surface as cause for its decision.

“Due to a fatal accident today at Wallerfield Race Track we have decided to cancel this Saturday’s event. Our condolences to the driver’s friends and family,” Garage Fresh stated.