The engines came alive at the Cacabef in Vieux Fort on Sunday, February 22, as Day One of the 758 Independence Drags delivered high-octane excitement during test and tune qualifying rounds, setting the stage for Monday’s main event.
Drivers from Saint Lucia and across the region, including Antigua, Jamaica and St. Maarten, are gearing up to battle for bragging rights in what has become a marquee fixture of the island’s Alternative Sports Season and a growing pillar of sports tourism.
Minister for Education, Youth Development, Sports and Digital Transformation, Hon. Kenson Casimir, described the event as one of the most anticipated on the national calendar. “This is the annual event during our Alternative Sports Season which we all look forward to,” Casimir said. “Drag racing is a big thing globally and in the region. Antigua and Barbados may be ahead of us in some respects, but the track in Saint Lucia is always the envy of the region, a concrete track at the Cacabef in Vieux Fort. Today is just the warm-up for what promises to be an exciting main event.”
Sunday’s qualifying rounds drew a steady flow of spectators, with families, car enthusiasts and regional visitors lining the barriers as drivers fine-tuned their machines ahead of official competition.
Marketing Officer at the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, Kenya James, said the turnout signals the growing strength of alternative sports within the island’s tourism portfolio. “We’re happy to see the turnout and the level of support for the 758 Independence Drags,” James said. “We’ve had quite a bit of Saint Lucians coming out with their children and making it a family event, and that is very important for us.”
She emphasized that motorsports represent more than entertainment, they are an economic driver. “Alternative sports contribute significantly to sports tourism, and we are happy to be part of this and excited to see participating teams from other islands here in Saint Lucia,” James added. “Events like this drive visitor arrivals, generate hotel occupancy, stimulate small business activity, and position Saint Lucia as a diverse destination that goes beyond sun and sand. From a Tourism Authority standpoint, this is exactly the type of experience-based event that strengthens our brand and expands our regional appeal.”
Local car enthusiast Dwayne Agustin, who said it had been some time since he last visited the Cacabef, expressed pride at the transformation of the venue and the scale of the event. “Coming here today, I am quite impressed,” Agustin said. “I have seen huge growth from when last I was here to now, and it speaks to the potential of this as a national event. I would love to see an event of this magnitude every quarter because it exposes the country to so much within the realm of sports tourism.”
Regional support for the event was also evident. “This is absolutely fantastic. It is supported locally and regionally,” said Mario Reyes, who called for increased corporate and institutional backing to further elevate the event.
Caribbean automotive influencer Nick Lu, attending his third event in Saint Lucia, praised both the competition and the overall experience. “Events like this create a bond of unity and competition,” Lu said. “It’s good for tourism because visitors can experience the culture, the food, the people and the racing all in one. The venue and the set-up are amazing.”
With qualifying rounds complete and anticipation building, all eyes now turn to Monday’s main event, which begins at 12 p.m., where regional and local drivers will push their machines to the limit in pursuit of Independence glory on Saint Lucia’s celebrated concrete strip.
The 758 Independence Drags form part of activities commemorating Saint Lucia’s 47th Independence Anniversary, blending national pride with horsepower and regional competition.
