Team Aruba

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'Team Aruba' - Racers or Ambassadors?

TEAM ARUBA (www.aruba.com), probably the best Pro Stock effort to ever come out of the Caribbean but certainly the most  popular and creative advertising of what is today one of the most popular tourist destination in the World, Aruba makes for our story of today.

Originally known as “The Brute Racing Organization”, TEAM ARUBA has a very long history and for many years represented the Quicker Classes (Modified/Pro-Stock) in Drag Racing events in Curacao, the United Sates (New Jersey & Florida) and Aruba.

When in 2008 TEAM ARUBA embarked on their quest to become serious contenders in the Pro Stock IHRA ranks, they knew it would be tough, they knew it would require huge sacrifices and having to overcome the many challenges very few today are willing to face.

They were determined however but more importantly they had amission.

Having had various wins (and Runner-Ups) in the NMRA and FunFord series, they inevitably must have gained some valuable experience, which TEAM ARUBA hoped would serve them well in their most serious bid of all, win an IHRA National Championship and place well in the final World Championship series. 

Having gone from the number 5 position in 2005 in just 5 events to the number 4 position in 2006 in NMRA competition proved that TEAM ARUBA was moving in the right direction.

To better prepare them for the immensely competitive IHRA Pro Stock category and better utilize the major power produced by their Jon Kaase “Montain Motor”, their prior ride built by Tim Mc Amis, gave way to a new Rick Jones chassis and a new Ford Escort Body.

Their “Off the Trailer” times, the incredible handling plus a best to date elapsed time of 6.32 at over 220 Miles per Hour proved their decision right.

Not to mention the fantastic looks, with renderings of real Aruban scenery on both race car and support equipment such as RV and trailer, which always managed to draw huge crowds.

This whether they were at the Race Track, Exhibitions, Shows, Social or Charity events and yes, even on the road.

Very few can fathom the sacrifices, in both the human and financial resources of putting together such a competitive entry in an equally competitive category and do so thousands of miles from home and with a meager crew.

TEAM ARUBA wishes to communicate to the world that despite our size and obvious geographical limitations, much can be accomplished when this is coupled with the greatest dedication and determination.

So the natural question really is, are we Racers or are we Ambassadors??

TEAM ARUBA always believedthat once you have achieved what few may view as “seemingly impossible” and youhave already given it your very best efforts, sacrificed so much, achieved thelevel of competition that draws major attention to you and done so withincredible dedication and determination would it not be a waste if this could atthe same time not also be used to recognize and honor the people of the islandthat made this all possible.

Generations of the most sincere, friendliest and warmheartedpeople one can possibly get to know stand behind the efforts of TEAM ARUBA.

More amazing is the fact that they all seem to have that deeplove for the Sport of Drag Racing.

As luck would have it ormaybe proof of how good they really are, Aruba produced some of the best Drag Racers in theCaribbean and who will ever forget the memorable 2003 SUMMIT World Championshipwon by Jonathan Tromp, Carlos Diaz missing qualifying for the Summit WorldChampionship in 2006 by a mere 1 round as did Tito Tromp in 2007.

Who can ever forget the dramatic trashing by Jean Carlo Rasin 2008 as he made the trip to Rockingham for the No-Box Finals and skillfullyworked his way to the Final round and in the process disposed of some of theWorld’s finest bracket racers.

Think about it, Jean Carlo Reyes the Second Best No BoxBracket Racer in the world, WOW.

Aruba, just 70 square miles is the most South-Western islandin the Caribbean and with just 100.000 ( 36 Nationalities lining happily sideby side) souls, technically should not even have a Drag Strip and often hasdifficulty justifying its presence (economically).

But we Do and we Are so incredibly proud of it.

Having been built and completed in 1983, it is a magnificent¼ Mile facility that officially in 2003 became an IHRA Sanctioned track.

Quarter of a century later, we still love it and the Sportcontinues to grow and our people getting every day better at what they do and inthe process gaining the respect of everyone remotely associated with the Sportof Drag Racing.

Above all, doing well provides us that unique opportunity togive back something back to the island of Aruba and honor the fact that we haveour roots well planted in what has and will forever be the cradle of the thousandsof Drag Racers bred and fed on this beautiful island.

While TEAM ARUBA hasmet and overcame the many challenges that today earned them the respect ofeveryone who they have over the many years crossed paths with, there are manymore Racers willing and ready to embark on their own courage inspired journey.

Every one of them Die Hard Racers and Fierce Competitors butbeneath that helmet and racing suit reside some of the best Ambassadors anyIsland or Country can ever hope for.

So the next time you run into any member of TEAM ARUBA or any other Racer from Aruba, kindly take a minuteto learn a little about our island and forever be enchanted by the passion withwhich our people have come to combine their love for the Sport of Drag Racingand truly representing the best their tiny but fascinated island of Aruba hasto offer.

Accept their sincerest invitation and truly live some of themost memorable moments ever. Enjoy the warmth of our people, the happiness thatreigns constantly and if you happen to have timed your visit right, live someof the most incredible moments doing what we love most, DRAG RACING.

And YES, we are Racers but at the same time, AMBASSADORS ofthe greatest little country on earth, ARUBA.

(for additional information please visit www.aruba.com)