‘Spring Blaze 2013’

‘Spring Blaze 2013‘

2013/03/23rd
Article by:Glenn Beckles
Photos Courtesy; Watson Racing & LIME

The rural parish of St.John, more specifically the area between Malvern and Wilson Hill is set to come alive with the sound of music tomorrow morning at 10:00 sharp. Not just any old music, a symphony of sorts. The staccato of antilag from the Mitsubishi 4G63, and the baritone of the EJ20 and Duratech in the Subaru Impreza WRC and Ford Focus WRC 07 respectively. Then you have the tenor coming from the BMW straight-six brigade. To top it all off, you have the soprano of the Hasselgren screamers in the Toyota Starlets.  Oh, and there are quite a few more supporting acts.

Thirty-three drivers are slated to participate in the event Spring Blaze 13, held under the auspices of the Motoring Club of Barbados Incorporated. The event will be run in “double header” format, with 1 practice run and 3 timed runs before and after lunch, with the post-lunch session being run in the reverse direction.  For some, Spring Blaze will be a chance to shake of the rust and cobwebs. For others…not quite.  We put the question the Paul “The Surfer Bourne “What’s the agenda for this coming weekend, all out or is there 2012 rust to shake off?”  His reply told us all we needed to know “ALL out!!!” No major work has been done to his Ford Focus WRC 07 in the off-season; the only change of note is the engine being mapped for the use of VP 109- the new regulation fuel. This was done by an engine engineer from M-Sport. I almost forgot, there is the issue of a new livery for 2013…and the awesome Harlem Shake video to go with it.

Keeping with the theme of livery changes, the BMWs being campaigned by Watson Racing are sporting revamped looks for 2013, and quite stunningly so.  There’s also been a change in strategy, as both Rhett and Logan will be competing against each other. However, there is a twist. Here’s what Rhett had to say “The gravel car that Logan will be using is not as quick as the tarmac car so he will be in support mode and going for the crowd with some sideways action. In terms of the cars the Logan’s will be exactly the same as last year. The tarmac car will be slightly improved as development on that never really stops.”

Tomorrow’s event promises to be quite exciting, with something for everyone. Paul Bourne and Roger “The Sheriff” Skeete are set to resume their decades-long rivalry, while Ian Warren, Brett Clarke and Josh Read are sure to set the stage alight. Along with the Watsons, Martin Atwell and Justin Campbell will put their BMWs to the test. Daryl Clarke, Edward Corbin and Jamal Brathwaite are set to lock horns once more, while entertainment of the sideways variety is set to be provided by Andrew Jones and Geoffrey Ullyett. There will also be some new faces, with John Foster, Charles Gale and Mark Kinch competing. Trevor Mapp, one of the stalwarts of Barbadian motorsport will be suiting up as well.

Stay tuned to Red265 Rally Media throughout the day, as we’ll do our best to keep you informed of the goings on. Like our Facebook page, follow us on twitter @Red265Media. Keep it safe this weekend, everyone. Please heed the instructions of Marshals and Law Enforcement. Let’s have a safe and

‘2013, here we go!!’

3/02/15th

Article by:Glenn Beckles

Photos by:  Corey Reece  & Ian Nicholls

The date has been set, calendars marked and excitement is building. No, not the date for elections…but for the first speed event of the 2013 motorsport season.  Before the first car leaves the start line on March 24th things could be looking rather different. Par for the course with the start of a new season, rumours aplenty are swirling. Add these to the confirmed rule, car and driver changes, it provides fans and competitors alike with a boost to their already high anticipation.

Let’s get the ball rolling with what we do know. The Barbados Rally Club (BRC) has made some adjustments to the rule book for 2013 to 2015. One of the first things that jumps out at you is the WRC group has been split in two. WRC 1 will be comprised of World Rally Cars built from 2004 to present, and WRC 2 being made up of cars manufactured up to and including 2003. Cars which don’t conform to Group A or Group N will also be placed in this group (e.g. B13 cars competing in the United Kingdom). Group A will be made up of Modified 8-A, R4 and S2000 spec cars. There is also a new Super Modified group: SM12. This came about as a result of SM11 being split in 2. SM11 engine sizes will range from 2001 – 2500cc, while SM12 engine sizes will be from 2501cc and above. This group has already been dubbed as “The BMW Group”. Group B is no longer just a one off group for Sol Rally Barbados, but is now going to be a fixture throughout the season.

Quite a few changes are expected this year. Some expected, and others that you just never would have seen coming. Roger and Barry Mayers have left SM9 and have entered the powder keg that is SM10. They will go head to head with Josh Read (Starlet) and Ian Warren (Suzuki Swift). Just what has been done to their WR Starlet? Dane Skeete Is entered in SM11. What’s curious to note is, his weapon of choice has not been revealed. Add to that the rumour of a Cosworth WRC and the SM9 entry being a bluff…hang on, we’ll deal with the rumours a little later. Trevor “Electric Micey” Manning no longer has his Escort Cosworth WRC. It’s actually headed to Trinidad to compete in the gravel championship there. Who’s going to pilot it? Here’s a surprise…Dean Serrao.  Watson Racing will have both BMW M3s competing in events this season, treating spectators to the best of both worlds. Rhett will be going for the fastest time possible, while Logan will be justifying his membership in the sideways brigade.

Now, we’re onto the part you really wanted to read: the rumours. You would have noticed that incumbent giant killing combo of Neil Armstrong and his Toyota Starlet weren’t mentioned with the battle royal to be contested in SM10. It has been said that The Starlet won’t be seen at all this year. Why? The small matter of Neil replacing Sean Gill behind the wheel of the Suzuki SX4! This is by far the one piece of “news” that’s been spreading like wildfire. If this were to be true, could a shakeup in WRC 1 be on the cards? Furthermore, will the Starlet be parked? If not, who will be the brave soul to try to tame the beast? Jamal Brathwaite’s Mitsubishi Colt is for sale…hmm. What next for Sean Gill? About the matter of Micey’s Cosworth WRC being sold…where does this leave him? Rumour has it that Micey is browsing Escorts and BMWs in an effort to return to his sideways roots. A WRC spec Citroen is still being talked about, as well as a Fiesta WRC. Interesting to note, is that John “Penti” Powell has his Subaru S14 up for sale.

2013 has the signs of being an awesome year for local motorsport. There is still a fair amount of time between now and March 24th, and as the time draws closer we’ll be filling you in on what moves are made. Who knows what other surprises could be in store? Don’t forget to “Like” our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @Red265Media

‘MOTOR SPORT VOLUNTEERS PRAISED FOR COMMITMENT

 

BMF13-02: January 30, 2013

Photos by Himal Reece of Justbajan.com

Front row, joining the attendees (from fourth left) are Training Manager of the MSA Sue Sanders, BMF President Andrew Mallalieu, BMF Vice-President John Sealy,

Chairman of the NSC Seibert Straughn, MSA International Trainer Nigel Drayton and BMF Training Sub-Committee Chairman Warren Gollop

Senior motor sport volunteers keen to enhance their skill sets were praised at the weekend as they assembled for a pre-season training programme organised by the Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF) and majority funded by the sport’s world governing body, the Federation Internationale d’Automobile (FIA).

 

In his welcome address, Chairman of the Board of the National Sports Council, Seibert Straughan, said: “I am delighted that the international governing body continues to be supportive of our development as a motor sporting nation. The fact that our participants in this programme are volunteers, who have opted to enhance their knowledge, is especially laudable. This speaks volumes about our spirit of volunteerism in sports in Barbados.

 

“I am particularly pleased to learn that this programme will culminate with the training of instructors, with two Barbadians being selected for advanced training in the UK. This fits well with the National Sports Council’s focus, as we have recognised that competent instructors are key to moving our sports to the next level. I commend the BMF for seeking to enhance your capacity with additional qualified instructors.”

 

Delegates came from all six of the BMF’s sporting member Clubs: the Barbados Association of Dragsters & Drifters (BADD), the Barbados Auto Racing League (BARL), the Barbados Karting Association (BKA), the Barbados Rally Club (BRC), Motoring Club of Barbados Inc (MCBI) and the Vaucluse Raceway Motorsport Club (VRMSC).

 

Deputy Clerk of the Course of Sol Rally Barbados and PRO for the BRC Neil Barnard said: “I found the training to be informative and very motivating. There are areas, particularly in terms of event planning and safety, that I can see us implementing on our events in the future. I never felt that the instructors were trying to get us to change what we were doing in Barbados, more a case of teaching us how to analyse what we are doing and perhaps coming up with solutions and processes that will improve our events within our local Barbadian motor sport context.”

 

MCBI President David Williams echoed Barnard’s thoughts: “I was involved with this idea when it was just a suggestion, and it sure feels great to have seen it come to fruition. Put into two words, in my opinion, it was informative and effective. Wearing my BMF Chief Safety Officer’s hat, I am certainly very pleased at the additional information, which was explained and given out and I am confident that I can carry out my duties even more efficiently and confidently.”

BARL Race Committee Director Kurt Seabra said: “The senior officials training programme is one of the biggest steps taken by the Federation since it came into existence. This further cements the island’s position at the top of regional motor sport, especially in the organisation and administration of events. From a BARL perspective, it was great to find out that a lot of the things we already have in place with respect to safety meet international ‘best practice’ standards for our level of the sport. Added to this, most of our senior officials now have a much better knowledge of event planning and preparation, incident management and, most important, the judicial process. We need to make some changes in the structure of how we do things and intend to put some of these changes in place for our season opener at Bushy Park on February 10.”

 

Spread over three days at the Accra Beach Hotel, the training sessions dealt with topics ranging from roles and responsibilities to event planning and incident management and culminated in a ‘Train the Trainers’ session, the first step towards selected local officials qualifying as instructors for the future. Each official received a certificate of attendance. Sue Sanders, Training Manager of the Motor Sports Association (MSA), the UK’s governing body, and MSA International Trainer Nigel Drayton conducted the course.

 

BMF Vice-President John Sealy, who co-hosted the training with Warren Gollop, Chairman of the BMF’s training sub-committee, said: “I must offer a resounding vote of thanks to Sue and Nigel for the depth of preparation and high level of competence with which they carried out their training. Also, as this was the first time that professional training had been organised for senior officials, it is important to commend those 34 persons whose commitment to island motor sport was shown by their willingness to give up an entire weekend in advance of the 2013 calendar starting in February.

 

“The next step is for Sue and Nigel to assess the results of Monday’s important ‘Train the Trainers’ session, so we can select which Barbadians will travel to the UK later in the year to further enhance their knowledge. Hopefully, we will be able to confirm that before Easter.”

 

Editor’s note: affiliated to the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), which rules the sport worldwide, the Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF) is the island’s governing body for motor sport; it also represents the interests of its member Clubs in discussions with Government departments which facilitate the sport in the island, in particular the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, which permits road closures for an agreed number of events each year. Away from motor sport, the BMF affiliate which answers the FIA Mobility remit is the Barbados Automobile Association (BAA), which is an executive committee member of the Barbados National Road Safety Council.

 

For further information, please contact BMF Vice-President, John Sealy:

e-mail: jl

‘Whither The Hype’

2012/10/22nd

Article by:Glenn Beckles

Photos by:  Himal Reece (www.justbajan.com)

 

 

For the past five months or so, there has been a debate rumbling on among local motorsport fans: the hype has gone from events. There have been some strong cases being put forward for and against this point of view. While I can’t speak to track racing at Bushy Park, I decided to focus my attention on rallying/speed events. Has rallying lost is hype? Let’s take a look.

“Rallies and speed events now just don’t have the excitement they used to anymore.” This is just one of the many quotes being uttered by quite a few local fans, lamenting the decline in excitement surrounding their beloved pastime. Even when speaking about SOL Rally Barbados 2012 some said “It was a bit boring. I wasn’t even that excited when I saw the entry list. They need more night stages.” The first comment is somewhat understandable: the second one for me, not so much. I’ll deal with the second one first.

In years gone by, the entry list for Rally Barbados was held back until a few days before the scrutineering session which preceded the King of The Hill shakedown event. This left doors open to lots of wild rumours flying around about who was and wasn’t competing and it made for some good laughs. After all, if rumours were to be believed Tommi Makinen and Carlos Sainz would have graced our slippery tarmac stages by now. Yes, I agree, holding back the entry list until virtually the last few days did create an air of anticipation and excitement. This year, however, organizers released the entry list well in advance. While the air of anticipation was lost, one couldn’t help but read and re-read the list and pencil in where the big battles were going to be fought, and who would be the dark horses. Excitement and anticipation, yes…but in a different form.

With regard to the location, length and times that events are run, it’s not as cut and dry as it seems. Logistically, speed events and rallies can present major headaches for organizers. Strategic placement of marshals, spectator parking and vantage points, bus routes and local access for residents all have to be taken into consideration. Looking back at the Hammer Time speed event held earlier this year, five bus routes were affected, and large number of marshals were employed to adequately cover the 11 kilometer course. Not to mention allocation of spectator parking and designated spectator areas, as well as run-off routes and emergency medical personnel. That was only for a single venue event, so you can imagine how much more strenuous it is to co-ordinate let’s say – Rally Barbados.  While I agree that there are numerous road which can be used either as additions to existing stages or even as new stages themselves, it must also be kept in mind that permission must be granted by the Ministry of Transport and Works. Certain roads can only be used for a specified number of times per year. The duration for which these roads can be used for motorsport is also at the discretion of the MTW. Once again, the aforementioned factors will come into play, along with the actual conditions of the roads to be used.

There is, however a flipside to all of this. Something has happened since 2000 which is the root cause of the criticism of motorsport events today: it has become a victim of its own success. There were times when it seemed like virtually every other week, there was some sort of motorsport activity on the island. For the spectator it was great, but for the competitor, it was a double-edged sword. More events meant more seat time, more chances to score points in championships and more mileage for sponsors. However, if something were to go wrong with a car which required lengthy downtime, the proverbial spanner was thrown into the works. Remember, rallying is a hobby. There are no professional drivers and factory teams with loads of spare shells and warehouses full of parts. Organizers bore this in mind; hence a more compact motorsport calendar was introduced. Fewer events translated to healthy entry lists, even if the event prior, a driver had a major incident. Maximization of stage routes and stage mileage became key, with innovative additions to stages being introduced. Drivers were, for the most part happy and spectators, while having fewer events, enjoyed a higher quality of action. Simply put, less became more.

 

Regrettably there is a void within the rallying arena which spectators and drivers alike are craving to be filled. That vacuum was created with the loss of Vaucluse Raceway. While the circumstances surrounding its omission from the motorsport itinerary are unclear, one thing for sure is that it is sorely missed. Rallysprints at Vaucluse combined the side by side action of circuit racing with the sideways commitment of rallying. Countless memories come flooding back every time its name is mentioned: Didier Auriol leaving the crowd in a frenzy in the Toyota Corolla WRC, Martin Stockdale in his BMW M3 v Paul Bourne in his Subaru Impreza S9 WRC and the poetry in motion that was Trevor Manning in his Evo V and subsequently an Evo VIII just to name a few.  There was nothing like driving to Vaucluse, parking on the eastern spectator area and watching the action unfold from the comfort of your vehicle. Watching from the north end was great too. You just couldn’t go wrong, no matter your vantage point. In my humble opinion, there isn’t a more fitting location to culminate Rally Barbados. In the years gone by the Super Special Stage at Vacucluse was always exciting, because it still had that rallying feel to it, even though it was on a race track. Add to that the top 10 drivers going head to head to bring the curtain down on a weekend of pulsating action, it was petrol-head heaven. Will we ever see racing return to Vaucluse Raceway?

Some have also spoken to the issue of an ‘arms race” being to the detriment of rallying’s excitement. The WRC group is definitely two-tiered, but to me, that’s where it stops. Look at the Super Modified classes and you have loads of giant killers who will eat four-wheel drive cars for lunch. That said, you already know what the status quo is if you’re going to enter those groups. If tighter competition while on a tight budget is what you seek, nothing is wrong with slugging it out in the Modified or Production groups. There is a class out there for everyone. With some rational thought the ideal group can be found, and you’d be surprised at how much fun you have and how much respect you will garner from spectators. Not to mention the possibility of attracting sponsors.

While it can be argued that some of the excitement which rallying produces has declined slightly, it is only due to the fact that the bar has been set so high. With the advent of the Barbados Rally Carnival and local competitors obtaining unbelievably potent machinery, you are left wanting more. Quality over quantity is now the prevailing theme and it seems to be working. If you really think about it, this year alone has had healthy entry lists for each event and the driving displays have been outstanding. While there might not be events every other Sunday, the fact that there are events at all still needs to be appreciated, along with the efforts of those that make it possible. You can draw your own conclusions on this matter but be honest…you still get a buzz when the first car hits the stage.

NEW REGULATIONS FOR THE BARBADOS RALLY CLUB

2012/10/24th

For further media information: e-mail – robin@bradfax.com

 

Changes on the horizon for 2013

 

The Barbados Rally Club (BRC) has confirmed the revised vehicle regulations under which its events will run during the next three-year cycle from 2013 to 2015. Among the key changes are the abandonment of the lower-capacity production classes and the division of World Rally Cars into two classes; this reflects the performance gap between cars of different periods and allows the inclusion of the most recent World Cars, such as the Ford Fiesta and MINI.

 

The BRC Vehicle Regulations 2013-2015, which includes the new Restricted Fuels List, will be available as a PDF download by clicking on the Competitors tab on the BRC web site, http://www.barbadosrallyclub.com.

 

The BRC reviews its regulations every three years, taking into account trends in competitor support levels, as well as changes on the International stage, an important consideration in light of the continuing high levels of support from overseas for the Club’s blue riband event, Sol Rally Barbados.

 

The Club’s Vehicle Classification Officer, Adrian Linton, explained: “There has been a steady decline in support for Production 1, 2 & 3, with just a handful of competitors across the three classes, so these have been phased out. The Clubman class, which allows a few more freedoms in terms of preparation and specification than production, offers an alternative for those competitors. Both 1600cc and 2-litre cars are allowed, with the 1600s running at a lower weight, and the early feedback suggests that this class will start to grow . . . and it will be open to overseas competitors as well.”

 

At the other end of the scale, there will now be four classes catering for four-wheel-drive cars. While the former Modified 8-A and Production 4 classes will continue with only minor changes, M8-WRC has been split into WRC1 and WRC2, with cars built up to the end of 2003 now separated from those built in the following years. In addition, WRC2 will cater for an increasing number of cars that no longer fit into existing regulations for other classes.

 

The rules for the core classifications of the BRC, the Modified and SuperModified classes, which cater for more than two-thirds of the regular competitors, remain much the same. The minimum weight limits in the Modified classes have been increased by 20kgs, while the top class in SuperModified has now be split into two, with a new division at two litres, creating an additional class.

 

There will be two classes catering for historic cars, both for 2wd production cars marketed before December 31, 1981: International Historic is for cars which carry either a UK MSA Historic Rally Vehicle Identity Form (HRVIF) or FIA Historic Technical Passport (HTP); Historic will run to local rules, in which parity between competitors is the priority.

 

Finally, Group B, which has traditionally been a ‘catch-all’ class for those competitors whose cars do not comply with the minimum weight limits for SuperModified for Sol Rally Barbados, will now feature in events throughout the season.

 

The new Restricted Fuels List is significantly shorter than previously, for good reason, asserts Linton: “Allowing a simple choice of pump fuel, VP C9 and VP Motorsport 109 gives competitors all the options they need. Our previous list included a number of more ‘exotic’ fuels, in part to cater for overseas competitors, but almost no-one used them.”

 

BRC Vehicle Regulations 2013-2105 – a brief summary

 

WRC1 – for World Rally Cars built from 2004 to the present day

WRC2 – for World Rally Cars built up to and including 2003, also includes cars that do not conform to Group N, Group A or WRC (eg B13 in the UK)

Group A – formerly Modified 8-A, also includes R4 and S2000 cars

Group N – formerly Production 4

SuperModified 9, 10, 11 & 12 – as the previous SM9, SM10 & SM11, but with SM11 now split into two classes: SM11 (2001-2500cc) and SM12 (2501cc and over)

Modified 5, 6 & 7 – as the previous M5, M6 & M7, except that all minimum weights have been increased by 20kgs

International Historic – for 2wd cars marketed before the end of 1981, carrying either UK MSA or FIA documentation

Historic – for 2wd cars marketed before the end of 1981, and running to local rules, in which parity between competitors is the priority

Clubman – for lightly-modified 2wd cars, with either 1600cc or 2-litre engines, competing as a single class, with the 1600cc cars running at a lower weight

Group B – for pre-1987 cars built to SuperModified regulations, but which do not meet the minimum weight requirements. Eligible only for class awards, not overall

 

web sites: http://www.barbadosrallyclub.com

BARBADOS IS SMALL, BUT BIG IN MOTOR SPORT’

‘BARBADOS IS SMALL, BUT BIG IN MOTOR SPORT’

 

2012/08/29th

Photos by:  BMF12-002

 

Despite being a tiny island in the Caribbean, Barbados has a secure future in world motor sport. So says Jean Todt, the President of the sport’s world governing body, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), whose remarks came during a recent visit to the island as part of a tour of FIA member countries in the region.

Addressing a representative gathering of public and private sector stakeholders in island motor sport, along with competitors and officials from the seven member clubs of the Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF), President Todt said: “You are small, but you are big for the FIA. I want you to know that Barbados is an important member of our international organisation in sport, and in mobility, where your representatives Andrew Mallalieu and John Sealy each play a role in our business.”

Of the FIA’s 135 member countries, Barbados is one of only 10 with a population of less than 1 million; with a total of more than 400 competition licences issued during 2011, it also has arguably the most active motor sport community per head of the population of any country in the world.

 

During the lunchtime reception at The Villages at Coverley, former Ferrari F1 team manager Todt said: “You have here a real appreciation and passion for cars, for racing, it’s a culture. It is fascinating when you think that, in Barbados, there are just 275,000 people living in this island . . . but you have created the BMF.”

The delegation, which also included FIA Vice-President Jose Abed of Mexico and America’s Nick Craw, President of the FIA Senate, was on a whistle-stop tour of the Caribbean, visiting Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago on its way to the XIVth American Congress of the FIA in Cancun.

 

As the FIA flight arrived on the evening before Kadooment, the BMF arranged a day of relaxation mid-way through a gruelling 12-day schedule for the FIA delegates. Tuesday’s official events began with a brief ground-breaking ceremony at Bushy Park, after which the delegation was transported to Coverley, where there was a display of nearly 30 competition vehicles, representing all the disciplines of the BMF’s member clubs.

 

After touring the display, President Todt said: “I was very impressed this morning with what you have started at Bushy Park, and it has been a privilege here to be able to speak to your drivers, starting from eight years old, as well as the managers of your clubs, and share their passion and fascination with our sport. It has been a short visit, as we have been jumping from one country to another, but I look forward to coming back to your country and enjoying the beaches and the motor sport.”

 

The FIA’s motor sport remit runs in parallel with its commitment to mobility, in particular the United Nations’ Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011-2020), a cause close to the hearts of Todt and his partner Michelle Yeoh, who was unable to make the trip to the Caribbean. During their visit, members of the FIA delegation joined in a meeting arranged by Barbados Automobile Association President John Sealy and chaired by the Hon. John Boyce, Minister of Transport and Works, to discuss mobility, making roads safe, and the Decade of Action for Road Safety.

 

Highlighting the work of the BMF during his address at Coverley, President Andrew Mallalieu said: “The acquisition of Bushy Park by the Government of Barbados was the start of the journey to create a permanent home for motor sport. We have a development plan that, when implemented, will include areas for each discipline in our Federation to develop its capabilities, including a kart circuit that will be the springboard for our young drivers to have the opportunity to move on to the international scene.

 

“The Barbados Automobile Association will develop a driver and marshal training centre that will serve to improve safety in motor sport and on our roads – such a facility does not exist in Barbados today. Although no date is set for the start of work, as there are some final details to resolve, it was appropriate to involve the FIA delegation, as they are hugely supportive of our plans for developing island motor sport and the funds from the FIA Institute’s Facility Improvement Programme were vital to kick-start the project.

 

“The facility could not come to fruition without the assistance of the private sector. Not one dollar of public money has been used in the development of this plan. The land will be leased from the Crown on a long-term lease and 100 per cent of the cost to develop the facility is being raised through private means. At the end of the lease, the facility will revert to the Crown, ensuring that it remains permanently as the home for motor sport.

“While the strategy to acquire Bushy Park was hatched under then Prime Minister Owen Arthur, the acquisition of the land occurred under Prime Minister David Thompson and, today, the ground-breaking was held in Prime Minister Stuart’s term, demonstrating the country’s on-going commitment to this long-term goal.

 

“I would like to say a huge thank you to Mark Maloney, who has assembled a group of investors, including Bizzy Williams, who have committed to funding the development of the facility at no cost to the BMF. Without Mark’s vision, tenacity and generosity, we would not have achieved what we have thus far. I look forward to the day when I can call on all present today and you, President Todt, to join with us again for the opening of the completed facility.”

 

 

 

Welcoming the attendees to the earlier ground-breaking ceremony, Bizzy Williams said: “I am delighted to see the top brass of the FIA here to join with us in developing Bushy Park further, as it was the grant from the FIA which enabled us to develop the Master Plan, and their investment was significant. There is tremendous potential here in what is, in my opinion, the best site for motor racing in Barbados and I look forward to seeing the development starting in earnest.”

 

The Hon Michael Lashley, Minister of Housing & Lands and Acting Minister of Sport, then welcomed the FIA visitors, not only to Barbados, but also to his constituency of St Philip North. He said: “In the 2011 Budget, the Government of Barbados had given its commitment to the motor racing fraternity, and we have thereon committed to assist wherever possible. The Ministry of Housing & Lands is now working feverishly with the ever-pressing Mr Mallalieu to make sure that all things are sorted out.

 

“Indeed, we are, I would say, one step away . . . and it is really a manifestation of Government’s commitment. This facility offers great potential for the growth of this parish and, by extension, of Barbados and the tourism sector. We have an opportunity to create a facility that will stand out regionally and internationally, and I am 100 per cent behind this development.”

 

The Minister was then joined by FIA President Todt at the controls of a JCB 3CX; under the guidance of an operator from C O Williams Construction Ltd, which had provided the equipment, they broke ground on the grass infield of Bushy Park, close to the marquee where the formalities had been held.

 

For further information, please contact BMF President, Andrew Mallalieu:

e-mail: Andrew.Mallalieu@terracaribbean.com

THE THREE YEAR PLAN: SOL RALLY BARBADOS TAKE 1′

2012/06/07th
Article by : Glenn Beckles

Photos by:  Himal Reece

 

 

Stan Hartling and Andy Proudfoot are two more competitors who have come to participate in the unique event that is Sol Rally Barbados. Moreover, uniqueness seems to be a reoccurring theme throughout out their partnership, not to mention their weapon of choice: a Lotus Exige. I had a brief chat with Andy yesterday during the Rally Barbados welcome party, and he gave me some insights into their plans.

Andy is from Newfoundland, Canada. Newfoundland is also home to Targa Rally Newfoundland, which brings together some of the most exotic cars on earth. From the Shelby Cobra GT500, Lexus IS-F, BMW M3, Porsche 944 to the Ferrari Enzo can be found there. It goes without saying that their Lotus Exige fits right in. This is where their partnership was formed. “We’re both from Canada, just that Stan lives in Turks and Caicos. I’ve competed in many rallies in Canada including Targa. One year, my driver was done with it, then Stan’s co-driver quit, so he asked if I’d co-drive for him and I accepted.” In 2011 Stan and Andy finished 14th overall in the Modern class.

 

This year, the duo has come to Barbados to compete in the Caribbean’s biggest motorsport event. Getting used to local conditions is vital for overseas crews, and Stan and Andy got a head start on the others by competing in the Valvoline Shakedown Stages. While they did get some valuable experience, their event was curtailed by a gearbox issue. They then set their sights on King of the Hill and Sol Rally Barbados.  “I’ve competed in several rallies in Canada, but nothing compares to this. The level of competition, the level of organization, the people, the place…it’s just amazing. King of the Hill was a wonderful event. We had a bit of an off on the final run. We were trying a couple of different lines, setting and some other things. Excluding the last run, we improved our stage time by 5 seconds on each run, which is what we hoped to do. If the rally this weekend is going to be run like Sunday was, it can’t get any better, as far as I’m concerned.”

There are quite a few competitors who have come to compete in Rally Barbados and somehow can’t stay away (not that we can blame them). Will the pair of Stan Hartling and Andy Proudfoot be added to that list? “We’ll see how the car does and see how we do. We’re not silly enough to think that we’ll come here and dominate. We have a three year plan. We come for one year to learn about the event. We look to improve on our performance in the second year and in the third year we push it to achieve something. So this is our learning year and we’re definitely looking forward to it.”

 

Red265 Rally Media would like to think Mr.Proudfoot for taking the time out to have a word with us, and we’d like to wish him and Mr.Hartling all the best this coming weekend. Rally Barbados is just days away and there excitement thus far is unbelievable. Stay tuned for updates as they happen. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @Red265Media.

‘Mission Accomplished: Armstrong and Ward win 2WD Battle’

2011/07/02
Article by Glenn Beckles
Photos by Himal Reece (Justbajan.com)

“My game plan will be to try to find a reasonable pace and stick with it through Saturday; Sunday morning will be the time to attack. Fastest two-wheel drive would be a great result.”  These words were spoken to us at Red265 Rally Media by local driving ace Neil Armstrong on May 20th 2011. Fast forward to the night of June 5th 2011: Neil Armstrong finished SOL Rally Barbados in 6^thposition, and held the crown as fastest two-wheel drive competitor. Mission accomplished? We’d like to think so.

Co-driven by Barry Ward in his rapid Toyota Starlet, Neil had an enthralling battle with Ian Warren in a Suzuki Swift. Every time the Starlet approached the crowds, they heralded its arrival with shouts and screams of delight. As it drove past, they fell silent and listened to the 7age scream up to 10,000rpms, punctuated by sequential gear changes. Just how does Neil feel about his 6th placed finish and fastest two-wheel drive title? “It is a great feeling! We really could not have hoped for a better result, all the hard work and late nights paid off!  Rally Barbados takes a toll on the cars, but just how did Neil’s machine stand up to the torment of being driven full-tilt for 2 days? “The car worked very well, we had an issue on one of the early stages where we ran the car too low on fuel and this created a splutter but we managed to make it back to service and did not lose too much time on the stage. We also had major starter motor problems. We went through 3 starters over the weekend, all failing, leaving me no option other than to leave the car idling for the entire day on Sunday while not in service. I am very lucky to not have stalled it on the start line at any point.”

Neil was made to fight hard for his highest-placed two-wheel drive crown though. He was pushed all the way by the then-reigning two-wheel drive champion Ian Warren. Although this titanic battle ended prematurely as a result of warren suffering an accident after lunch on Day 2, Neil really relished the fight. “Ian Warren is a fierce competitor and to be able to take the fight to him was really a thrill.” There was no question that Neil was driving hard all weekend, but did he leave anything in reserve? “No, all my cards were on the table.” With that said, driving ‘balls to the wall’ causes you to tread the fine line between a spectacular driving display and a spectacular crash. Did Neil have any hair-raising moments over the two days? “Too many to mention! We are very lucky to have to car home in one piece.” Looking back over two days of keen competition, what stands out as being the most memorable part of SOL Rally Barbados? “I would have to say that edging out John Powell on the super special at the end of the rally was a moment I will always remember! To end off two long, hard days of fighting for every half second with a win against a World Rally Car was amazing! Also the first cold beer after parking in pit lane at bushy park!”

Red265 Rally Media would like to congratulate Neil Armstrong and Barry Ward on their outstanding accomplishments during SOL Rally Barbados 2011. We’d also like to thank Neil for taking the time to do this follow-up with us. He not also has the crown of the fastest two-wheel drive competitor in Barbados, but the bull’s eye is now on his back. With the motorsport season now at its halfway point, there will be quite a few more events for the chasing pack to try to usurp him. Red265 Rally Media will be there to keep you up to date as the events unfold.

‘Bruce & Finlayson fought for Sol Rally Barbados Finish’

Article by Glenn Beckles
Photos by Jason Prescod


Rallying is said to be a test of man and machine. The duo of Graeme Finlayson and Orville Bruce were faced with a very stern test during SOL Rally Barbados. Competing in Group M8-A in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III, the crew faced challenges both mechanical and natural. Speaking to Red265 Rally Media, Graeme gave us insights to the ups and downs faced over the two days of competition.

“This has been the best and worst Rally Barbados for me. It was a case of what worked and what didn’t. The engine worked fine all weekend, which was really pleasing.” The pair did, however suffered a scare which could have ended their rally. “On the penultimate stage, we discovered that there was a crack in the gearbox case. So, for the Super Special, we just tried to ensure we made it to the end.” The cracked gearbox case wasn’t the only mechanical issue they had to combat over the weekend. “We blew 3 turbos, believe it or not. They were all standard turbos – we didn’t even use the antilag.”

As if the mechanical gremlins weren’t enough, driver and navigator both suffered bouts of sickness. On Saturday, my navi was sick – even throwing up in the car! The next day, I was sick and throwing up as well. There was, however, the feeling of sweet success. “Everything we’ve been through has been worth it. A lot of credit goes to the man in the left seat- Orville Bruce. He’s been outstanding. The whole crew has worked hard, we’ve won our group, but we feel like we’ve won the event.”

What’s next for Graeme and his crew? “We’ll do some development and work on the gearbox, engine and get a full Group A turbo. Hopefully most, if not all of it should come together for the Rally of The Sun and Stars.” Red265 Rally Media would like to congratulate Graeme Finlayson, Orville Bruce and their service and preparation on their group win in SOL Rally Barbados and we wish them all the best in future events.

‘The Mackays To Excite Future Rally Barbados Crowds’

2011/06/08
Article by Glenn Beckles
Photos by Jason Prescod & Ian Nicholls
If there was any doubt before, SOL Rally Barbados 2011 saw Allan Mackay cement himself as the consummate showman. Mackay, along with fellow Scotsman Stewart Davidson in their Ford Anglia WRC won even more hearts as a result of their exploits. That affection is mutual, as Mackay has fallen in love with not only Rally Barbados, but Barbados and its people on a whole. Red265 Rally Media had a chat with Mr.Mackay, and he even let us in on a little secret.

“We had a terrific weekend! We had a bit of a problem initially at the start of the rally. There were some problems with the oil pump after the first 2 stages. After that, we went out there and had some fun.” They certainly did have fun. Just ask those who were at the Content junction of the Canefield stage. On each of the five runs through the stage, Mackay treated the crowd to a feast of donuts. “The adrenaline rush I get from  the crowd is amazing. Crowd input gives us an extra 40 horsepower!”

It’s not just participating in the rally itself, but the overall experience that keeps Allan coming back. “It’s the total package, really. The organization of the event is excellent and the enthusiasm and the sheer numbers of the spectators is overwhelming. Add to that the fact that it’s not that expensive to do: to participate in a 1 day rally in Scotland that covers 40 stage miles costs about £1,000.” Going back to the crowds, Allan can’t speak highly enough of them.  “I just love the crowds. I can’t thank them enough for their support. I’d like to kiss every lady and shake hands with every gentleman who came out and cheered us on.”

Looking to the future, Allan Mackay gave us some insight as to what local motorsport fans can expect. “As it stands, we have a plan in place to be coming here for the next 15 years! Next year, one of my sons will be competing in Rally Barbados with his similar spec Anglia JWRC. Then in 2013, my other son will be here to participate as well.” Aggressive driving, sideways corner exits and impromptu donuts have made Allan Mackay and his Ford Anglia WRC household names in Barbados. Red265 Rally Media would like to thank him for speaking to us and congratulate him and his entire crew on yet another wonderful showing and look forward to seeing them back again next year.