Father/son duo lead the pack at Motorsports Park

WEDNESDAY, JULY 13: It is often said apples don’t fall far from the tree.

And this certainly proved to be the case for father and son motorcycle racing duo Shannon and Jazari Caisey who achieved an extraordinary feat during the last round of racing at Bermuda Motorsports Park.

Together the pair won all the heats in their respective classes to help Pizza House Racing keep pace with team points leaders Team Tuned Racing.

The senior Caisey made a clean sweep of honours in the Superbike class while 11-year-old son Jazari did likewise in the GP 80 class to cap a truly remarkable day of racing for the  family.

“It was a great day for the family. It was totally awesome,” said Shannon, who also serves as Bermuda Motorcycle Racing Club (BMRC) President.

It was the first time the father and son duo has dominated their respective classes on the same race day. “To win all three heats was definitely something I’m very happy about — especially as far as the team is concerned,” added Shannon.

“My son missed the last race and so for him to come back and pull off three victories was just awesome. It was breathtaking and he actually took me by surprise.”

In the lead up the race the two motorcycle racers sacrificed time to make necessary adjustments to their bikes at the racetrack.

And judging by the results that eventually followed, it turned out to be time well spent.

“I guess it all paid off because we both won all three racing heats to bring home line honours for the day,” said Shannon.

Perhaps making Jazari’s feat all the more notable was the fact he raced on a new bike he has yet to fully acclimatize to.

He said: “I was just trying to feel the bike out while I was riding.”

The Prospect Primary School graduate said the day’s results did not reflect some of the obstacles he had to overcome on the track.

“I had a hard time trying to pass everybody because I had bad starts in all the races. It was hard to catch everybody up.

“But I’m just excited that I won all my races. It was a very special moment.”

As for his father’s own sparkling display, Jazari said: “It was really interesting to watch.

“He is an inspiration, but I am a little more aggressive than him.”

Helping to keep Team Tuned Racing ahead of the chasing pack was team coach Cyril Whitter, who won all the heats in the GP 125 class.

He said: “Wearing so many hats I don’t compete full time. But it was great to be back competing in the GP 125 class and being back on top of the podium again.

“I haven’t competed in years, and so it was a great experience.”

Whitter filled in for Bruce Degrilla Jr., who was representing Bermuda at the World Youth Championships in France at the time.

Also sweeping top honours in their respective divisions during the last round of racing were Tamia Place (Mini Bikes), Carlos Cardoza (Scooters), Kewuan Gilbert (Formula) and Keanu Wilson (Super Moto).

Racing resumes this Sunday at Southside.