Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine October 2019 | Page 226
Ruvin Pandt
Drag Racing in Statia
An exciting activity attracting many supportive fans, Drag Racing is a highly anticipated event in
St. Eustatius. Usually held around the carnival, Christmas and Easter seasons, these races are held
on the “Quarter Mile Road” en route to Zeelandia Beach.
The event is open to everyone and teams from other countries especially Curacao, Sint Maarten
and Guadaloupe - would come to Statia to compete. Well-known US riders Terrill Jackson, Johnny
“Turbo” Dobrin and Richard Gadson have, over the years, helped the Statia event to grow in
popularity.
Enthusiasts can add St. Eustatius to their list of places to visit, just for the love of the sport, as a
participant or spectator.
To keep apprised of the happenings in the Drag Racing circle on the island, follow the St.
Eustatius Drag Racing Foundation on Facebook.
“King of the Track”
St. Eustatius
Drag Racing
Competition
2019 has been a rewarding racing year for 31
year old St. Eustatius’ Ruvin Pandt, who has been
enamoured with the sport since he was a little
boy. He recalls racing with his buddy, Jamie
Lopes, “challenging each other with everything
on wheels.” After participating in the St. Eustatius
Drag Racing Competition six times before, this
year Ruvin emerged victorious, capturing the
coveted “King of the Track” title.
“This win really feels good,” Ruvin shared. “I’ve
been at it for some time.” In previous races, he
remembers having last-minute malfunctions
that couldn’t be fixed, but “never giving up is the
key,” he advised.
Ruvin is well known at some of the USA’s
Extreme Drag Racing Association (XDA) events.
He and his buddy, Jamie often race with some
of the USA’s best in Real Street such as Johnny
Dobrin, Ricky Gadson, Anibal Mercid, Jeremy
Teasley . . . the impressive list goes on. “Thank
God for life. We are still at it”, he reflected.
Attracting local and regional riders, St. Eustatius’
King of the Track is an annual competition
supported by neighbour-island Sint Maarten’s
A.M.E.N Drag Racing Association. As excited
spectators cheer on their favourite, it is
comforting to know the St. Eustatius police
department and emergency services are also
present at the event. As the competitive engines
rev, a racing buzz pulsates throughout the small
island of roughly 4,000 people. Off the racers go.
. . and in 2019, Ruvin Pandt reigned supreme!
“Statia is a quiet, safe place, with an
unbelievably low crime rate.
Come visit us!” ~ Ruvin