DAVID THORPE, <a href=www.edp24.co.uk>EDP SPORTS EDITOR
April 30, 2003 17:11
Rodolfo Gonzalez, the Venezuelan who moved to Norfolk when he was 10 years old to pursue his dream of motorsport stardom, has had to delay his step up to the main Formula Ford championship – because of a financial crisis back home in South America.
Now 16, Gonzalez is already an established celebrity in Venezuela, having already won several sporting awards for his achievements in karting on foreign fields.
In the Formula Ford Southern Zetec Championship last year Gonzalez – the youngest competitor in the field - did enough to prove to Snetterton-based Continental Racing that he would be ready to represent them in the senior version of the event.
But two weeks before the campaign opener at Mondello Park he received a bombshell which threatened to scupper his whole season.
The collapse of the Venezuelan petrol industry, which is responsible for around 80pc of the country's export earnings, had a devastating knock-on effect to a teenager living in Attleborough.
His main sponsor, petrol giants PDV, not only found themselves with different priorities – having laid off 16,000 workers - but were barred from exporting currency abroad.
Several weeks and an Atlantic crossing later, however, Gonzalez and his father, Carlos, have managed to get in place some alternative backing which will enable him to resume his attempt to follow in the footsteps of another South American who came to Norfolk to make his name - Brazilian Ayrton Senna – when the championship goes to at Silverstone on May 26.
By then he will have celebrated his 17th birthday, on May 14, and missed six of the 20 championship rounds.
"I have had to write off the first three meetings," said the former Eccles Hall schoolboy. "But I will hopefully be able to do the other seven, which are all double headers, as well as the Southern Championship, which is smaller but will be good experience.
"I will go with the team to Brands this weekend to help out where I can and should start testing next week.
"We have been going all over Venezuela trying to get people to back me. Nobody said no but it is now a much longer process because the economy there is so out of control.
"I have been in England for six years and I'm not going to give up now. But I believe that if I can survive this year then 2004 should be a whole lot easier."
The struggle goes on for former South American F3 driver Carlos, who returns to Caracas this weekend in an attempt to tie up a few more loose ends while his son is in Kent with the Continental team.
But he insists: "It has been like a football match where your team is 3-0 down with ten minutes left. You still think your team can win - but you know it's going to be tough."
<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News
Posted: Wednesday, April 30, 2003
By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue
Police Detective Branch (CICPC) have captured Tairo Robinson Aristiguieta Ramirez, whom the surviving victim of the 4 Altamira murders recognized as the person, who nearly killed her. According to TalCual evening tabloid, Aristiguieta Ramirez, who was one of the rebel military officers' security guards around Plaza Francia, has a long criminal rap.
The tabloid claims that Aristiguieta Ramirez was implicated in the famous 80s Mamera case in which a Metropolitan Police (PM) officer killed three youths in an Antimano barrio slum out of jealously.
A police investigation concluded that Aristigueto Ramirez ... Ledesma's buddy ... was not implicated in the crime, despite a witness insisting that he had acted as accomplice in disposing one of the bodies along the Cota 905 highway.
Later, Aristiguieta Ramirez was dismissed from the force for indiscipline and corruption, starting a security firm specializing in providing bouncers and security for night clubs and bars, as well as private detective work.
In the 90s the former police officer was linked to the death of a storekeeper, who allegedly hired someone to kill his son ... he spent several years in Catia and la Planta prisons.
At the end of 2002, Aristiguieta Ramirez surfaces as one of the Altamira Plaza security chiefs.
On February 5, his brother is shot in a shootout with the police, who accused him of belonging to a gang of car thieves.
A week later, the brother's parents accuse the police of executing their son ... a week later, the three soldiers who had joined the rebel military commanders, are murdered allegedly as members of the gang.
<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News
Posted: Wednesday, April 30, 2003
By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue
The traditional May Day march is set become an opposition march, as all opposition parties have announced that they have ordered their activists to turn up in protest against unemployment, hunger, public insecurity and erosion of political rights, such as democracy and in favor of the recall referendum.
Accion Democratica (AD), Christian Socialists (COPEI), Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS), Alianza Bravo Pueblo (ABP), Luis Miquilena's Solidaridad and Union have announced they will be joining the march.
Lt. Colonel (ret.) Francisco Arias Cardenas says his Union Party will protest against food scarcity ... "the government exchange control office (Cadivi) is inefficient and unable to authorize dollars for imports."
The newly created National Workers' Union (UNTV) will be the butt of opposition protest because according to AD leader Jesus Mendez, "it is a creature in the image and likeness of Chavez Frias."
<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News
Posted: Wednesday, April 30, 2003
By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue
Venezuelan Los Leones baseball team players seem to be doing well in the USA minor leagues.
According to baseball critics, catchers: Dioner Navarro and Luis Oliveros and shortstop, Maicer Isturiz are showing good form.
Navarro is playing for New York Yankees reserve team and in 17 turns on the field has connected 7 hits to earn an batting average of .467, registering a double, triple and home run that helped take 6 companions home ... he has robbed 1 base and 3 runs making him the second best batter in Florida State League.
Oliveros is playing for the Inland Empire 66ers (Seattle mariners) and has connected to earn .444 after hitting a homerun, 3 rbis, and 4 runs.
Isturiz, playing for Akron Aeros (Cleveland Indians), has reached a batting average of 393 after 28 turns at the bat, 11 hits including 3 triples, 4 rbis and 2 robbed bases, making him the third best batter in the Eastern League.
Rene Reyes (Colorado Rockies), Jackson Melian (Chicago Cubs), and Carlos Mendez (Baltimore Orioles) are reported to be progressing satisfactorily in their respective minor leagues.
Dear Yasmin and Federico: There is no need to tell my father what the crowd you reported did on your street ... I'm afraid that will only prove his point ... "nothing good has ever come from hate and resentment?"
On the other hand it will be very difficult for me to do so ... he passed away long time ago! So take it easy and try to ponder words of wisdom. I hope our Elio Cequea also takes stoke on his reckless theory!
You are right on the surging of urban slums and shantytowns ... you are wrong when use the fact to disprove the economic and social facts of robust economic growth and improving well-being from the 50s thru the 70s.
You might try to read some of the excellent UN reports about it ... that will more than disprove the theory put forward by Elio.
I do not know how old are, you guys, and whether you have children or not ... let me ask you a couple of questions you only need to ponder about ... What future would you think a humble Venezuelan couple could foresee for their children in the early 60s? What future do you think a humble Venezuelan couple foresees for their children today?