RALLY BARBADOS - 9-10 Jun 12

More In Car from King of the Hill

Posted: June 14, 2012 4:34 PM

Matt Shinnors/Catherine Levis (Ford Escort Mk II 1.6 16V)

Sol Rally Barbados Ends in Disappointment For Campbell/MacDonald

Posted: June 13, 2012 12:19 PM

Glenn Campbell's dreams of a class victory at the Sol Rally Barbados were dashed at the end of leg one when the engine in his Nissan Micra expired.

Navigated by Donaghadee's Jonathan MacDonald, it was a disappointing blow for the Ballyclare driver, who had amassed a class lead of almost two minutes and held 51st overall in his 1300cc Dynotune backed car.

With thousands of spectators lining the stages on the motorsport mad Caribbean island, the crew had enjoyed an excellent start to the event, moving into second in class and 74th overall after the opening stage on Saturday. Two stages later, they had climbed into the top spot and promptly started to increase their advantage over their class rivals.

They continued to set the pace on the remainder of the day's 12 stages, and although they encountered some brake troubles during stage seven, a quick dash into service sorted the problem in time for the day's final five stages.

When they returned to service after stage nine, the Burn Road Trade Sales backed crew found themselves holding 55th overall and a class lead of just over one minute. With a lamp pod fitted for the night stages, all seemed well in the Campbell Motorsport camp as they headed to stage 10.

As it transpired, they had to wait a little bit longer to get back in action. Stage 10 was cancelled due to the sheer amount of spectators on the stage, leaving all competitors to drive through in convoy.

"I'll never forget driving through that stage," MacDonald said afterwards. "It gave me an opportunity to get my head out of the pace notes and see more of the surroundings. We waved to the crowds and could hear the cheers as we drove past them. It was incredible...we felt like superstars!"

With stage 10 cancelled, only two remained, both of which took place in the dark. Campbell and MacDonald continued to push hard, setting fastest class times on both tests to end the day in 51st overall and heading their class by almost two minutes. However, as they crossed the finish line of the final stage, all wasn't well with their Micra.

"I could feel the power fade away just before the finish of the stage," Campbell explained. "As soon as we slowed down, we could hear the engine making strange noises. Shortly after that, it stopped and refused to restart. "

Engine failure forced the crew out of the rally, leaving them as spectators for the second day of the event. After travelling so far, it was a bitter disappointment for the Motorcare sponsored team, but Campbell already has plans to return to the event.

"It's definitely unfinished business," he said, "I'll just have to go back next year and try again!"

Another local crew also entered the event, with Carnlough's Joe McQuillan sealing 45th overall and third in class. He had a last minute change of navigator, as Glengormley's Neill Finlay was forced to sit out due to a broken arm. Instead, Gene McDonald stepped into the hot seat, keeping McQuillan on the straight and narrow throughout the two-day event.

BIRD FINALLY TICKS SOL RALLY BARBADOS BOX

Posted: June 13, 2012 12:17 PM

At his fifth attempt, former UK National Rally Champion Paul Bird finally won Sol Rally Barbados at the weekend (June 9/10), describing the experience as
"the hardest and probably the best I've ever driven since I started rallying." With a record 99 crews from 15 nations participating in the Caribbean's biggest annual motor sport International, the organising Barbados Rally Club is celebrating another successful event.

After the results were made final yesterday afternoon, 'Birdy' and Scottish co-driver Kirsty Riddick received their trophies from the Hon Richard Sealy, Minister of Tourism, at a packed Prizegiving at The Boatyard on the outskirts of the island's capital, Bridgetown. They also won Modified 8-WRC, were highest-placed overseas four-wheel-drive crew, and the highest-placed crew including a female.

Also on hand to present trophies were Sol Barbados Country Manager, Ezra Prescod, and Ireland's Kris Meeke, who won the event in 2008 & '09, with Bird finishing second on his first two visits. Over the past two years, he has finished third behind local aces Roger Skeete and Paul Bourne.

This year, it was Bird's turn to prevail in his Ford Focus WRC08, leading home two former winners - the other podium finishers were second-placed Bourne (Focus WRC07) and Jamaica's Jeff Panton (Focus WRC06) - with his old friend and rival, Britain's Steve Perez (Focus WRC07) fourth, in a remarkable result for the ex-works Fords.

Speaking at the finish, Bird said:
"It's been tough. I make it difficult for myself - I had a spin yesterday - but I must thank the guys here for pushing me so hard, and Neil at Dom Buckley Motorsport for his ideas about the suspension. Having come so close so many times in the past makes this so special and it took a huge effort to pull it off."

Fastest on Saturday's opening stage, Bird was the event's first leader, but a spin at the end of stage three cost him at least 15 seconds, dropping him back to eighth, the lost time compounded by a double puncture a few stages later. Twelve-time winner Skeete (Subaru Impreza WRC S12) assumed the lead, edging further ahead until early afternoon, when he retired with terminal transmission issues.

The consistent Sean Gill (Suzuki SX4 WRC) became the event's third leader, despite failing to claim any stage wins, while Bird had added another five to his total, to lie just 2.3 seconds behind Gill overnight; Bourne, Perez and Panton were also still within striking distance. The re-start, with cars seeded in order of overnight classification, promised the closest day two fight in the event's history: never before had as many as five cars been covered by as small as margin as 16secs on Sunday morning.

With the first of his five stage wins of the day, Bird retook the lead on the opening LIME Kendal test, albeit it by just half-a-second. Bourne was also closing in on Gill - he took second with a stage win on the next Kendal - and was now within 5secs of Bird, who retaliated on the second Sol Stewarts Hill, adding another 2.4secs to the margin.

On the last stage before lunch, Gill's rally came to an end when a sudden loss of power was accompanied by smoke from the engine, and he shut down. Bird and Bourne were swapping times stage by stage, but then a belt slipped on Bourne's engine, causing some overheating, and costing time, leaving him 16secs behind the leader with two stages to go . . . literally, the first chance all weekend for Bird to almost relax! Bourne said:
"Even without that, I wasn't going to catch Paul, and I'm happy with the result."

Behind the titanic struggle for the lead, Perez and Panton had been enjoying a battle of their own, rarely more than a couple of seconds apart, until Panton really charged, winning the last two stages to guarantee a podium finish in his first tarmac event with his recently-acquired Focus, leaving Perez fourth . . . for the fourth time.

Fifth, and highest-placed 2wd for the second year in a row was Neil Armstrong (Toyota Starlet), who slipped outside the top 10 stage times only once, on Saturday's final stage, when a steering issue created when he had a small 'off' earlier in the day was becoming increasingly difficult to manage.

Second-time visitor from the UK Roger Duckworth (Impreza WRC) improved by one place to finish sixth, ahead of Rob Swann, who was delighted with a top 10 finish, after having had no chance to test his upgraded Impreza before arriving in the island:
"From 18th in King of the Hill to seventh here is a good result."

Three more 2wds completed the top 10: Josh Read was eighth (and the only one to beat Armstrong) in his revamped Starlet, ahead of the shared cars of brothers Barry and Roger Mayers (Starlet) and Logan and Rhett Watson (BMW M3).

Apart from Bird, Perez, Swan and Duckworth in the top 10, International visitors fared well, with four class wins and 10 more podium finishes. Winners were England's Stuart Deeley (Modified 5 Nissan Micra) and Tim Pearcey (Historic Ford Escort) - both on their first visits - while returnees Holland's Frans Verbaas (Group B Mini Cooper S) claimed his second Barbados win and Gary Thomas (Clubman Historic Escort) from Wales his first.

Podium finishers were newcomers Martin Donnelly (P4 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX), Joe McQuillan (M8-A Evo VII) and Matt Shinnors (SM9 Escort) from Ireland, along with England's Rob Weir (M8-A Impreza), while South Africa's Geoff Bell (Historic Escort), Ireland's Peter Gallagher (M5 Talbot Samba) and British drivers Ding Boston (Historic Alfa Romeo), Andrew Costin-Hurley (GpB Ford Puma), Martin Stockdale (SM11 BMW M3 Compact) and Simon Wallis (P4 Impreza N10) all added to their existing trophy haul.

Panton was the only regional driver to finish, after all three cars from Trinidad retired: potential front-runner John Powell (Impreza WRC S14) broke a shock absorber on the opening stage, Group N contender Stuart Johnson (Impreza N12) had an accident later on day one, while Vishal Dhanraj (Opel Corsa) dropped out late on Sunday afternoon.

The record 99 crews (the previous best was 90) contested 14 classes: just under 40 drivers set stage-winning times, and no winner of a contested class can claim a perfect set of stage wins, except the Mayers brothers, but they shared the driving . . . and all of this action was played out in front of upwards of 20,000 spectators, who lined the weekend's five venues for the Caribbean's biggest annual motor sport International.

Sol Rally Barbados 2012 (June 9/10) and Sol Go Further/Scotiabank King of the Hill (June 3) were organised and promoted by the Barbados Rally Club, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2007; title sponsor is the Sol Group. Marketing partners were Simpson Motors, LIME, Automotive Art, Banks and Karcher; official partners are the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association, Barbados Tourism Authority, Tourism Development Corporation, Divi Southwinds Beach Resort, Geest Line and Virgin Atlantic Airways; associate sponsors are Chefette, Climate Control, Field Insurance, Glacial Pure, Little Switzerland, Redline Fuels, Scotiabank and Stoute's Car Rental.

Bird Claims Sensational SOL Rally Barbados Victory

Posted: June 13, 2012 12:00 PM

After many years of trying which included finishing runner-up twice and another two times in third place, Cumbrian rally driver Paul Bird finally managed to clinch the elusive victory on SOL Rally Barbados with a stunning drive on the Caribbean island over the weekend.

The Fuchs Titan, Rapid Solicitors and Kick Energy-backed Frank Bird Poultry Ford Focus WRC08 driver from Langwathby and his Scottish co driver Kirsty Riddick followed up their win in the Sol Go Further/Scotiabank King of the Hill event the previous weekend by seeing off a strong local challenge as well as a class international field to land the big one but it wasn't without drama.

Seeded at number one, Bird set out his intentions early with fastest time on the opening stage but a spin on SS3 saw him drop 20 seconds and then a double puncture towards the end of SS6 hampered him further which saw him drop down to sixth place overall in the Dom Buckley Motorsport-prepared car.

The 2005 MSA National Rally Champion fought back in typical fashion and set fastest time on the final three stages on Saturday to hold second place overnight, just three seconds off the lead as he slugged it out with Bajan Ford Focus WRC crews Roger Skeete and Louis Venezia as well as Paul Bourne and Megan Bryant.

Sunday's remaining ten stages saw Bird immediately into his groove and courtesy of fastest time on the day's opening test, he took the lead which he was not to relinquish. However, the battle was raging at the front and despite setting fastest times on five of the day's stages, and taking second fastest on the other three, the boss of the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki British Superbike and PBMUK MotoGP teams held only a slender 15 second lead going into the final two stages.

There, a pair of steady drives to protect his advantage ensued and at the finish, Bird had done enough to claim his debut Sol Rally Barbados victory by 12 seconds over Bourne and Bryant with Trinidadians Jeffrey Panton and Michael Fennell Jnr in third whereas Bird's friend and rival from the UK, Steve Perez and co driver Paul Spooner claimed fourth.

Paul Bird:
"I'm still in disbelief that I've actually won the best rally in the world! Having come so close so many times in the past makes this so special and it took a huge effort to pull it off. I've been suffering from an ear infection all week and I also made things harder for myself with a couple of silly mistakes, but at least one was right in front of the Greenlight TV crew! I had to drive as hard as I've ever done in my life to win but it was worth it and I'd like to say a big thanks to the whole team. To beat the likes of Paul Bourne and Roger Skeete on their home ground takes some doing but we managed it in the end and with a dozen WRCs competing, believe me it was tough! Well done to Steve Perez as well, he's not gone badly for someone who isn't used to tarmac, but he's still buying the beer!"

Fourth Place For Perez On SOL Rally Barbados

Posted: June 13, 2012 11:58 AM

Kick Energy rally driver Steve Perez just missed out on a deserved podium when he recorded a battling fourth place finish on SOL Rally Barbados at the weekend.

Along with Welsh co-driver Paul Spooner, the Chesterfield Ford Focus WRC07 driver ended up just over seven seconds behind third placed Trinidadians Jeffrey Panton and Michael Fennell Jnr (Ford Focus) after 21 hard fought stages around the Caribbean island.

A steady start on Saturday saw the former British Historic, MSA National and BTRDA Champion set a string of top six times in the BTR-prepared car as he chased the leading bunch but then on SS7, he upped the ante to record fastest time which moved him up the order at the overnight halt.

Once into his stride on Sunday for the remaining ten stages, Perez gamely battled with the Ford Focuses of eventual winners Paul Bird/Kirsty Riddick and local aces Paul Bourne/Megan Bryant and courtesy of a late charge which saw him set second fastest times on the final three stages, Perez clinched a fine fourth place and in doing so, was just over half a minute down on Bird after over an hour and 125km of competitive action on the island's roads.

Steve Perez:
"That's the fourth time I've finished fourth on this event and although I'm disappointed to miss out on a podium, I'm really pleased with the result. It doesn't really tell the whole story as I dropped some time on a couple of stages late on pushing too hard but that's what you have to do here to beat these quality drivers. The highlight, however, has got to be winning a stage and even better was beating Paul Bird on it but fair play to him on the victory, even though I'm claiming some credit for loaning him some tyres! I'm delighted my pace was good enough to run at the front as I'm no expert on tarmac and I've surprised myself that I'm in this type of company if I'm being honest."

Full Results

Posted: June 13, 2012 11:55 AM

Key to nationalities (competitor from Barbados unless shown): ENG - England; IRL - Republic of Ireland; JAM - Jamaica; NED - The Netherlands; NIR - Northern Ireland; RSA - South Africa; SCO - Scotland; WAL - Wales

1st Paul Bird - ENG/Kirsty Riddick - SCO (M8-WRC Ford Focus WRC08), 1m 02m 50.60s
2nd Paul Bourne/Megan Bryant (M8-WRC Ford Focus WRC07), 1h 03m 02.65s
3rd Jeffrey Panton - JAM/Michael Fennell Jnr - JAM (M8-WRC Ford Focus WRC06), 1h 03m 17.66s
4th Steve Perez - ENG/Paul Spooner - WAL (M8-WRC Ford Focus WRC07), 1h 03m 24.95s
5th Neil Armstrong/Barry Ward (SM10 Toyota Starlet), 1h 05m 10.34s
6th Roger Duckworth - ENG/Aled Davies - WAL (M8-WRC Subaru Impreza WRC), 1h 05m 43.25s
7th Rob Swann - ENG/Darren Garrod - WAL (M8-WRC Subaru Impreza), 1h 06m 48.70s
8th Josh Read/Mark Jordan (SM10 Toyota Starlet), 1h 07m 08.67s
9th Roger Mayers/Barry Mayers (SM9 WR Starlet), 1h 07m 32.20s
10th Logan Watson/Rhett Watson (SM11 BMW M3), 1h 07m 53.31s
11th Brian Gill/Heath Hazell (SM11 BMW M3), 1h 08m 24.90s
12th Geoff Noel/Kreigg Yearwood (P4 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX), 1h 08m 31.41s
13th Daryl Clarke/Russell Brancker (M7 Honda Civic), 1h 09m 36.18s
14th Neil Corbin/Matthew Staffner (M6 Toyota Starlet), 1h 10m 29.37s
15th Ralph White/Joe Troulan (SM10 Toyota Starlet), 1h 10m 38.74s
16th Avinash Chatrani/Martin Goddard (M8-A Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI), 1h 11m 16.93s
17th Adrian Linton/Jonathan Linton (M7 Vauxhall Astra SRi), 1h 11m 19.57s
18th Martin Stockdale - ENG/Mark Swallow - ENG (SM11 BMW M3 Compact), 1h 12m 19.82s
19th Tim Pearcey - ENG/Neil Shanks - SCO (Historic Ford Escort RS1800), 1h 12m 22.82s
20th Geoff Bell - RSA/Michael Worme (Historic Ford Escort RS1800), 1h 12m 46.17s
21st Edward Corbin/Rodney Clarke (M7 Toyota Corolla RunX), 1h 13m 08.26s
22nd Martin Donnelly - IRL/Colin Fitzgerald - IRL (P4 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX), 1h 13m 15.40s
23rd Gary Thomas - WAL/Phil Ralphs - WAL (Club-Hist Ford Escort MkII), 1h 13m 30.08s
24th Jeremy Gonsalves/Chris Corbin (M6 Opel Corsa), 1h 13m 41.44s
25th Carlos Edwards/Andre Waithe (SM9 Toyota Starlet), 1h 14m 23.98s
26th Kyle Catwell/Norman Catwell (M7 Volkswagen Golf GTI), 1h 16m 33.61s
27th Raymond Conlon - IRL/Darren McCague - IRL (SM10 Toyota Corolla), 1h 16m 40.65s
28th Allan Mackay - SCO/Mo Downey - NIR (SM10 Ford Anglia WRC), 1h 16m 56.68s
29th Simon Wallis - ENG/Carolyn Pearce - ENG (P4 Subaru Impreza N10), 1h 17m 25.99s
30th Brendon McKenzie/Sean Collett (M6 Toyota Corolla), 1h 17m 48.04s
31st Matt Shinnors - IRL/Catherine Levis - IRL (SM9 Ford Escort MkII), 1h 17m 50.69s
32nd Conor McMeel - NIR/Sean Devlin - NIR (SM10 Ford Escort MkII), 1h 18m 30.52s
33rd Freddie Gale/Kyle Proverbs (M7 Toyota Corolla RunX), 1h 18m 40.53s
34th Rob Weir - ENG/Ross Weir - ENG (M8-WRC Subaru Impreza), 1h 20m 45.74s
35th Stuart Deeley - ENG/Alistair Dodd - ENG (M5 Nissan Micra), 1h 21m 48.43s
36th Stuart McChlery/Julian Goddard (Club-Hist Ford Escort MkI), 1h 22m 35.11s
37th Jeremy Croney/Damien Johnson (Clubman Peugeot 206), 1h 23m 48.95s
38th Ding Boston - ENG/Jon Pulliston - ENG (Historic Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTV), 1h
25m 08.43s
39th Shannon Kirton/Lisa Roett (Clubman Datsun 120Y), 1m 26m 18.11s
40th Joe McQuillan - NIR/Gene McDonald - NIR (M8-A Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII), 1h 26m 55.59s
41st Fabien Clarke/Arlington Hoyte (P2 Suzuki Ignis Sport), 1h 27m 46.65s
42nd Sean Field/Darnley Rayside (M7 Peugeot 306 GTi6), 1h 27m 49.13s
43rd Peter Gallagher - IRL/Rene Forde (M5 Talbot Samba), 1h 28m 32.86s
44th Allan Maynard/Marcus Beck (SM9 Toyota Starlet), 1h 29m 59.70s
45th Martin Taylor - IRL/Eddie Taylor - IRL (M6 Proton Satria), 1h 31m 16.95s
46th Stuart White/Jason O'Neal (Club-Hist BMW 325), 1h 37m 40.82s

Highest-placed regional crew: Panton - JAM/Fennell - JAM (3rd overall)
Highest-placed international crew: Bird - ENG/Riddick - SCO (1st overall)
Highest-placed female competitor: Riddick (1st overall, co-driver for Bird)

Starters: 99 (64 Barbados, 29 International, 6 Regional)
Overall finishers: 46 (26 Barbados, 19 International, 1 Regional)

Overall Two-wheel-drive: 1st Armstrong/Ward; 2nd Read/Jordan; 3rd Mayers/Mayers; 4th L Watson/R Watson; 5th Gill/Hazell; 6th Clarke/Brancker; 7th Corbin/Staffner; 8th White/Troulan; 9th Linton/Linton; 10th Stockdale - ENG/Swallow - ENG; etc

Class results
Modified 8-WRC: 1st Bird - ENG/Riddick - SCO; 2nd Bourne/Bryan; 3rd Panton - JAM/Fennell Jnr - JAM; etc
M8-A: 1st Chatrani/Goddard; 2nd Weir - ENG/Weir - ENG; 3rd McQuillan - NIR/McDonald - NIR
P4: 1st Noel/Yearwood; 2nd Donnelly - IRL/Fitzgerald - IRL; 3rd Wallis - ENG/Pearce -ENG
Group B (not eligible for overall position): 1st Frans Verbaas - NED/Carina van Westen - NED (Mini Cooper S), 1h 12m 30.78s; 2nd Harold Morley - ENG/Graeme Finlayson - SCO (Porsche RSR GT3 Rally), 1h 14m 31.56s; 3rd Andrew Costin-Hurley - ENG/Shaun Mellett - ENG (Ford Puma), 1h 14m 44.90s; etc
SM11: 1st Watson/Watson; 2nd Gill/Hazell; 3rd Stockdale - ENG/Swallow - ENG; etc
SM10: 1st Armstrong/Ward; 2nd Read/Jordan; 3rd White/Troulan; etc
SM9: 1st Mayers/Mayers; 2nd Edwards/Waithe; 3rd Shinnors - IRL/Levis - IRL; etc
Historic: 1st: Pearcey - ENG/Shanks - SCO; 2nd Bell - RSA/Worme; 3rd Boston - ENG; Pulliston - ENG
Clubman Historic: 1st Thomas - WAL/Ralphs - WAL; 2nd McChlery/Goddard; 3rd White/O'Neal
M7: 1st Clarke/Brancker; 2nd Linton/Linton; 3rd Corbin/Clarke; etc
M6: 1st Corbin/Staffner; 2nd Gonsalves/C Corbin; 3 McKenzie/Collett; etc
M5: 1st Deeley - ENG/Dodd - ENG; 2nd Gallagher - IRL/Forde
P2: 1st Clarke/Hoyte
Clubman: 1st Croney/Johnson; 2nd Kirton/Roett

Full Results: RallyScoring.com | Results on line (Barbados 2012)
Podcasts: rallyfm.net

In Car from King of the Hill

Posted: June 7, 2012 10:20 PM

Raymond Conlon/Darren McCague (Toyota Corolla 2.0 RWD)

Final running order at June 6, 2012

Posted: June 7, 2012 12:15 PM

Key to nationalities (competitor from Barbados unless shown): ARG - Argentina; CDN - Canada; ENG - England; IRL - Republic of Ireland; JAM - Jamaica; KEN - Kenya; NED - The Netherlands; NIR - Northern Ireland; RSA - South Africa; SCO - Scotland; TCI - Turks & Caicos; TRI - Trinidad & Tobago; USA - United States of America; WAL - Wales

1 Paul Bird - ENG/Kirsty Riddick - SCO (M8-WRC Frank Bird Poultry/Fuchs-Silkolene Ford Focus WRC08)
2 Roger Skeete/Louis Venezia (M8-WRC Sol/Michelin/Da Costa Mannings Auto Centre/Simpson Motors Subaru Impreza WRC S12)
3 John Powell - TRI/Nicholas Telfer - TRI (M8-WRC Intercontinental Shipping/Trinidad Mooring & Launch Services/FT Farfan/Shell Subaru Impreza WRC S14)
4 Jeffrey Panton - JAM/Michael Fennell Jnr - JAM (M8-WRC Ford Focus WRC06)
5 Sean Gill/Michael Cummins (M8-WRC Simpson Motors/Shell V-Power/Automotive Art/Monster Energy Drink Suzuki SX4 WRC)
6 Steve Perez - ENG/Paul Spooner - WAL (M8-WRC Kick Energy Drink Ford Focus WRC07)
7 Roger Duckworth - ENG/Aled Davies - WAL (M8-WRC Intrinsys/Kumho Subaru Impreza WRC)
8 Neil Armstrong/Barry Ward (SM10 Chefette/Lubriguard/Hankook Tyres/Nassco/Redline Fuels/ARMAG Rentals Toyota Starlet)
9 Dean Serrao/Josh Delmas (M8-WRC Sugar Ultra Lounge/Rush Restaurant Subaru Impreza WRC S9)
10 Brett Clarke/Garry Clarke (SM10 Citroen C2 S1600)
11 Roger Hill/Graham Gittens (M8-WRC Esso/Nassco/MotorMac Toyota Corolla WRC)
12 Ian Warren/Robert Warren (SM10 Automotive Art/Simpson Motors/Degree Suzuki Swift)
14 Logan Watson/Rhett Watson (SM11 Oreo/Chips Ahoy!/Club Social/Formula1 High Performance Auto Care Products/Liquid Wrench/Sign Depot/The Unknown Entity/In support of Little Pink Gift BMW M3)
15 Geoff Noel/Kreigg Yearwood (P4 Globe Finance/Sentry Insurance Brokers/Cargo Solutions International/Mix 96.9FM/CIAC Air Conditioners Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX)
16 Stuart Maloney/Trevor Perkins (SM11 Automotive Art/Sign Station/Valvoline Peugeot 306 Maxi)
17 Geoffrey Ullyett/Jason King (GpB Ullyett's Machine Shop/Algae-X Fuel Conditioner Datsun 200T)
18 Rob Swann - ENG/Darren Garrod - WAL (M8-WRC Waves Hotel and Spa/Revolution Wheels/Terra Caribbean/Digicel/R A Swann Subaru Impreza)
19 Paul Bourne/Megan Bryant (M8-WRC Chefette/LIME/Slam 101/MQI/Banks/Castrol Ford Focus WRC07)
20 Josh Read/Mark Jordan (SM10 Stihl/Gliptone/Hankook/EZone/Weetabix/SDRR/Royal Purple Toyota Starlet)
21 Sammy Cumberbatch/Nicholas Yarde (SM11 LIME/F Taylor Associates/Castrol BMW M3)
22 Mark Hamilton/Clive Howell (P4 CIBC-FCIB/Simpson Motors/MAXI Malta/PowerMaster/Boston Seasoning/Automotive Art Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX)
23 Avinash Chatrani/Martin Goddard (M8-A Electric Avenue/Hankook/Solder Seal Gunk/Niagra Water/Sign Station Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI)
24 Martin Donnelly - IRL/Colin Fitzgerald - IRL (P4 Eire Concrete Inc Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX)
25 Andrew Mallalieu/Aled Edwards - WAL (P4 Terra Caribbean Subaru Impreza N10)
26 Stuart Johnson - TRI/Chris Hoad (P4 Mitco Water Laboratories Subaru Impreza N12)
27 Joe McQuillan - NIR/Neill Finlay - NIR (M8-A Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII)
28 Tom Roberts - ENG/Nicky Marriott - ENG (M8-A Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI)
29 Roger Mayers/Barry Mayers (SM9 Chefette/Digicel/Delaware Dispensary/Illusion Graphics/Barbados Today WR Starlet)
30 Cliff Roett/Joshua Plaza - TRI (SM10 Lucky Horseshoe/Paulo's Churrasco Do Brazil/Marks Auto Spares Toyota Starlet)
31 James Betts/Geoff Goddard (SM11 Quikstart Auto/Makita Tools/Star Products/barbadostoday.bb/Champion Auto Wrecker Services Renault Clio)
32 Graham Manning/Mick Squires - ENG (SM11 Aqua Pur Ford Escort MkII)
33 Andrew Jones/Kurt Ward (GpB AP Jones Pharmacy/Panadol/Lucozade Ford Escort MkII)
34 Owen Cumberbatch/Randy Reid (SM11 BMW M3)
35 Daryl Clarke/Russell Brancker (M7 Ellco Rentals/Mom's Pasta Products/MQI/Roberts Manufacturing Honda Civic)
36 Raymond Conlon - IRL/Darren McCague - IRL (SM10 Conlon Travel/Gribben Plumbing/Clones Shavings/Skelton Travel Toyota Corolla)
37 Andrew Siddall - ENG/Carl Williamson - WAL (Historic Siddall and Hilton Ford Escort MkI)
38 Adrian Linton/Jonathan Linton (M7 Ravensden/Barbados Yellow Pages/JAD Performance/Garbage Gobbler/Innovative Security Solutions Vauxhall Astra SRi)
39 Ralph White/Joe Troulan (SM10 Barbados Villa Services/Island Safari/Amsoil Toyota Starlet)
40 Nigel Worswick - ENG/Lindsey Pilkington - ENG (SM11 Worswick Engineering Ford Escort MkII)
41 Alex Whitehead/Brian Hurley (SM11 AM Electrical Solutions/Sign Station BMW 328i)
42 Brian Gill/Heath Hazell (SM11 Coca Cola BMW M3)
43 Martin Stockdale - ENG/Mark Swallow - ENG (SM11 Divi Southwinds/Drive-a-Matic/Quarry Motors BMW M3 Compact)
44 St Elmo Cumberbatch/Kevin Cumberbatch (SM11 Carib Supply/F Taylor Associates BMW E36)
45 Ronan Curley - IRL/John McKinley - IRL (SM11 NIIB Finance/Premier Car Parts Ford Escort RS)
46 Martin Atwell/Chris King (SM11 BMW M3)
47 Neil Corbin/Matthew Staffner (M6 Nassco/Jason Jones/Auto Solutions/Castrol Toyota Starlet)
48 Tim Pearcey - ENG/Neil Shanks - SCO (Historic Willowgreen Homes/Ravenol/Dunlop Ford Escort RS1800)
49 Geoff Bell - RSA/Michael Worme (Historic Kick Energy Drink Ford Escort RS1800)
50 Gary Thomas - WAL/Phil Ralphs - WAL (Club-Hist Tsalta Motorsport/Cambrian Garages/Cambrian Land Rover Ford Escort MkII)
51 Jeremy Sisnett/Justin Sisnett (M7 Ford Fiesta)
52 Nigel Reece/David Reece (Club-Hist Subzero Services/IGM Air Conditioners/Ullyetts Machine Shop Service/Valvoline/Gatorade/Frito-Lay/Trident International Ford Escort MkI)
53 Carlos Edwards/Andre Waithe (SM9 Courts I-Finance/Enermax Toyota Starlet)
54 Frans Verbaas - NED/Carina van Westen - NED (GpB Mini Cooper S)
55 Greg Cozier/Andrew Croney (Club-Hist Hyundai Lubricants Ford Escort MkII)
56 Harold Morley - ENG/Mark Nelson - JAM (GpB Ontrac Systems Barbados Porsche RSR GT3 Rally)
57 Stuart White/Jason O'Neal (Club-Hist BMW 325)
58 John Hardman - NIR/Shaun Buckley - WAL (Club-Hist John Hardman Engineering/Ian Rodgers Bodyshop/AVO UK/PEC Tyres/Star Products/All Terrain/Chicken Pen Racing/Carole's Cakes/Brian Hardman Builders/DTA Engine Management Systems Ford Escort MkII)
59 Allan Mackay - SCO/Mo Downey - NIR (SM10 Avanti Environmental/Highland Waste Services/M Greer Motorsport/TT Graphics Ford Anglia WRC)
60 Conor McMeel - NIR/Sean Devlin - NIR (SM10 Ford Escort MkII)
61 Rommy Bamrah - KEN/Harvey Jutley - KEN (SM10 British Airways/RS Jutley Medicals/Rockplant Hitachi Ford Escort MkI)
62 Stan Hartling - TCI/Andy Proudfoot - CDN (GpB Lotus Exige)
63 Wayne Archer/Lucas Nicolao - ARG (M6 Peugeot 206)
64 Freddie Gale/Kyle Proverbs (M7 Gale's Hatcheries/Nassco/Redline Fuels/VP Racing Fuels Toyota Corolla RunX)
65 Chris Ullyett/Derek Ince (M7 Ullyett's Machine Shop/MG America/Proj-Rx/Pharmabiosource Ford Escort RS2000)
66 Edward Corbin/Rodney Clarke (M7 Valvoline/Automotive Art/Prosales Toyota Corolla RunX)
67 Eric Allamby/Sean Corbin (M7 Shelbury Construction/Blakey's on the Boardwalk/This & That Bajan/Scrap Man Recycling Toyota Corolla)
68 Kyle Catwell/Norman Catwell (M7 Chicken Pen Racing/Kumho/Valvoline/Mackeson/Ellesmere Quarries Volkswagen Golf GTI)
69 Sean Field/Darnley Rayside (M7 Field Insurance Brokers/Castrol/Ackee Tree Restaurant/AM Realty Services/Landscapes in Harmony/Beacon Insurance Peugeot 306 GTi6)
70 Kenny Hall - SCO/Fenny Wesselink - NED (M6 Halltune Garage Ford Puma S1600)
71 Rhett D'Andrade/Tristan Gibbs (M6 Daihatsu Charmant)
72 Allan Maynard/Marcus Beck (SM9 Marshal Trading/Roberts Manufacturing Toyota Starlet)
73 Matt Shinnors - IRL/Catherine Levis - IRL (SM9 www.vetcar.ie Ford Escort MkII)
74 Winston Thompson/Fiona McDonald (SM9 Chicken Pen Racing/SDRR Industrial & Hydraulic Spares/Ellesmere Quarries Toyota Starlet)
75 Sean Cox/Adam Cox (M5 Simpson Motors/Gliptone/Johnsen's Suzuki Swift Gti)
76 Paul Horton - TCI/Kristian Yearwood (GpB Sky Motor Sport/H Racing/Java Island Ford Escort MkI)
77 Jamal Brathwaite/Dario Hoyte (M6 Valvoline/Mackeson/Kumho/Ellesmere Quarries/Codgi's Customs Brokers/Chicken Pen Racing/AutoPlus Motors Mitsubishi Mirage RS)
78 Simon Wallis - ENG/Carolyn Pearce - ENG (P4 Wallis Performance Subaru Impreza N10)
79 Rob Weir - ENG/Ross Weir - ENG (M8-WRC Weir Laundry Equipment Subaru Impreza)
80 Terry Sealy/Rommel Coppin (P4 Speedline Performance Auto/Premier World Cargo Subaru Impreza N12)
81 Andrew Costin-Hurley - ENG/Shaun Mellett - ENG (GpB Earl's Performance Hoses Ford Puma)
82 Calvin Briggs/Paul Inniss (SM11 barbadostoday.bb/Sammy Lee Towing and Recovery/Erie Tyre Services Ford Escort MkII)
83 John Corbin/Owen Proverbs (M7 Valvoline/Automotive Art Toyota Corolla)
84 Ron Greaves/Stuart Leach - ENG (M7 Chicken Pen Racing/Kick Energy Drink/Ellesmere Quarries/McCarthys Garage/barbadostoday.bb/Valvoline/Kumho Honda Civic Type-R)
85 Ryan Wood/Raymond Parris (Club-Hist Propac Dog Food Toyota Starlet)
86 Stuart McChlery/Julian Goddard (Club-Hist Ford Escort MkI)
87 Jeremy Gonsalves/Chris Corbin (M6 Makita/SSP Power Tools/Quik Start Auto/Champion Auto Wrecker/Yamaha/All Terrain Plus Opel Corsa)
88 Clifford Cox/Scott Bentham (SM9 PondFly Inc/SDRR Hydraulics Toyota Starlet)
89 Vishal Dhanraj - TRI/Scott Leonard - USA (SM9 Gulf Motor Oil/Lucozade Energy/V3 Rally Team Opel Corsa)
90 Glenn Campbell - NIR/Jonathan MacDonald - NIR (M5 Nissan Micra Kit Car)
91 Brendon McKenzie/Sean Collett (M6 Budex Couriers/Blakey's on the Boardwalk/This & That Bajan/Meow Mix/MCK Motorsport Toyota Corolla)
92 Danny Williams/Syltopher Mayers (M6 Cutters Ford Fiesta)
93 Duane Johnson/Dwayne Forde (GpB Johnson's Autos/Williams Tools/Cyrus Chickens/G&G Sales & Services/Castrol Mitsubishi Lancer Turbo)
94 Stuart Deeley - ENG/Alistair Dodd - ENG (M5 Demon Tweeks Nissan Micra)
95 Ding Boston - ENG/Jon Pulliston - ENG (Historic Phillips Tyres of Oxford/Geest Line/Huzier/NGK/Virgin Atlantic/Toyo Tires/Centor Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTV)
96 Jeremy Croney/Damien Johnson (Clubman ReMax Lifestyles/Sweet Temptations/Sign Station/Gunk Peugeot 206)
97 Martin Taylor - IRL/Eddie Taylor - IRL (M6 Dublin Crystal Proton Satria)
98 Shannon Kirton/Lisa Roett (Clubman Ullyett's Machine Shop/Gomez & Western Services/Field Insurance Brokers/Cartique/Gatorade/Fritolay/Fingerprint Designs Datsun 120Y)
99 Fabien Clarke/Arlington Hoyte (P2 Barbados Business Listings/RCR Tours/Bovell Auto Repair/Simple Trucking Suzuki Ignis Sport)
100 David Brewster/Alex Kirton (Clubman SRG Engineering/Castrol/Innovative Security Solutions/Gittens & Co/USG Armstrong/Ceiling & Floor Peugeot 205GTi)
101 Rommell Martin/Christina Brandford (M5 VV&K Rentals/B3 Imaging/Leroy Body Workshop/Dallas Catering Toyota Starlet)
102 Peter Gallagher - IRL/Rene Forde (M5 Dublin Crystal/Greenspeed Motorsport/Andrew Sam Design Jewellers Talbot Samba)

Bird Wins King Of The Hill In Barbados

Posted: June 5, 2012 4:50 PM

Penrith driver Paul Bird made a successful start to his annual sortie to the Caribbean when he won the opening event of the 2012 SOL Rally Barbados.

After finishing third in 2010 and then runner-up last year, the British Superbike and MotoGP team boss made it third time lucky when he took victory in the King of The Hill contest which comprised a 3.4-km stage lined almost its full length with over 5000 spectators.

Driving the Fuchs Titan, Rapid Solicitors and Kick Energy-backed Frank Bird Poultry Ford Focus WRC08, Bird and Scottish co driver Kirsty Riddick, became the first foreign crew to lift the title and in doing so, saw off a host of top local drivers plus some of his British Championship rivals too.

Friend and rival Steve Perez, along with Welsh co driver Paul Spooner finished in sixth in their Ford Focus WRC whilst another former National Champion, Roger Duckworth and co driver Garry Digger finished in seventh in their Subaru Impreza WRC.

Paul Bird:
"We tried some new settings using suspension we hadn't used since Rally Spain in 2009 when we did a WRC round. As a result, the car was quicker and firmer as we tackled the slippy, bumpy Bajan tarmac. Rallying is for fun for me, though it gets more serious once the helmet goes on, and I probably still have a bit left in the tank for next weekend. We've never won Rally Barbados but we've now won King of the Hill so it's good for confidence going into next weekend's main event."

BIRD WINS FINAL SOL RALLY BARBADOS SHAKEDOWN

Posted: June 5, 2012 4:47 PM

Britain’s Paul Bird won yesterday’s (June 3) Sol Go Further/Scotiabank King of the Hill, the final shakedown ahead of the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport International. He is the first overseas driver to win in the five-year history of the event, and goes in to next weekend’s (June 9/10) Sol Rally Barbados in a confident mood.

With regular co-driver, Scotland’s Kirsty Riddick, alongside him in the Frank Bird Poultry/Fuchs-Silkolene Ford Focus WRC08, the former National Rally Champion was fourth in the practice run up the 3.4-kilometre Hangman’s Hill course, just over a second behind last year’s KotH winner Roger Skeete (Sol/Michelin/Da Costa Mannings Auto Centre/Simpson Motors Subaru Impreza WRC S12).

Between Skeete (1m 52.65s) and Bird (1:53.84) were fellow-Brit Steve Perez (Kick Energy Drink Focus WRC07) and local ace Sean Gill (Simpson Motors/Shell V-Power/Automotive Art/Monster Energy Drink Suzuki SX4 WRC), with Jamaica’s Jeff Panton fifth, in his first tarmac outing in his recently-acquired Focus WRC06. Having lost around 20 seconds to the leaders with a practice run spin, Trinidad’s John Powell (Intercontinental Shipping/Trinidad Mooring & Launch Services/FT Farfan/Shell Impreza WRC S14), was fastest on the first official run with 1:50.42, ahead of Bird (1:50.77), Skeete (1:51.32), Gill (1:52.17) and Panton (1:52.78).

Bird was the first (and only) driver to dip below 1:50 - his second official run would be his best, at 1:49.18; Powell and Skeete were second and third, but switched places on the final run, to complete the podium finishers. Panton improved to place fourth, ahead of Gill and Perez, who missed the final run when his oil cooler split. On his second visit, Britain’s Roger Duckworth drew appreciative cheers from spectators for his handling of the Vaucluse 90-right in the Intrinsys/Kumho Impreza WRC on his way to seventh.

Having finished third in 2010, then second last year, ‘Birdy’s victory was welcome:
“We’ve never won Rally Barbados but, now we’ve won King of the Hill, it’s good for confidence going into next week. We tried some new settings using a suspension we haven’t used since Rally Spain in 2009 and the car was quicker and firmer on the slippy Bajan tarmac.”

Skeete said:
“The anti-lag motor gave trouble, which delayed our progress - only getting it fixed for the final run which wasn’t soon enough, but it was a wonderful day.” Powell was also satisfied:
“The plan was to be right there with the boys, then back it off for runs three and four to conserve the car. We had a spin right in front of everybody in the VIP!”

Twice winner of KotH Paul Bourne (Chefette/LIME/Slam 101/MQI/Banks/Castrol Ford Focus WRC07) was not so happy:
“It couldn’t have gone much worse. The launch was fouling out on runs two, three and four and, to cap it off, I slid up a bank on the last run right in front of the VIP tent.”

The best of the two-wheel-drives were snapping at the heels of the World Rally Cars. In practice, Ian Warren (Automotive Art/Simpson Motors/Degree Suzuki Swift) was sixth, Brett Clarke (SM10 Citroen C2 S1600) seventh and Stuart Maloney (Automotive Art/Sign Station/Valvoline Peugeot 306 Maxi) 10th.

On the first official run, Neil Armstrong (Chefette/Lubriguard/Hankook Tyres/Nassco/Redline Fuels/ARMAG Rentals Toyota Starlet) moved ahead, and would not be bettered, ending the day eighth overall (1:53.53), SM10 winner and top 2wd as last year. While Warren and Clarke both ran second to Armstrong, Clarke prevailed, improving by 1.8secs on his last run (1:55.86) to finish 10th in one of the day’s most impressive drives.

Another to dig deep on the last run was Logan Watson (Oreo/Chips Ahoy!/Club Social/Formula1 High Performance Auto Care Products/Liquid Wrench/Sign Depot/The Unknown Entity/In support of Little Pink Gift BMW M3), whose 1:57.35 put him ahead of Maloney for the first time in the day, for victory in SuperModified 11 and 12th overall.

In Group N and Group A, the winners were Geoff Noel (Globe Finance/Sentry Insurance Brokers/Cargo Solutions International/Mix 96.9FM/CIAC Air Conditioners Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX) and Avinash Chatrani (Electric Avenue/Hankook/Solder Seal Gunk/Niagra Water/Sign Station Evo VI) for the second year in a row.

Local drivers Carlos Edwards (SM9 Starlet), Daryl Clarke (M7 Honda Civic), Neil Corbin (M6 Starlet), Sean Cox (M5 Suzuki Swift Gti) and Jeremy Croney (Clubman Peugeot 206) were all class-winners, but there was also good news for the overseas contingent.

Returnee Andrew Siddall (Ford Escort MkI) beat Tim Pearcey (Escort RS1800) to the line in the all-English Historic battle, while Welshman Gary Thomas (Escort MkII) won Clubman Historic. Glenn Campbell (NIR) and Stuart Deeley (ENG) finished second and third in M5 in their Nissan Micras, and there were third-place finishes for Irish newcomers Joe McQuillan (Group A Evo VII), Martin Donnelly (Group N Evo IX), and Matt Shinnors (SM9 Escort MkII).

Scotland’s Kenny Hall (Ford Puma S1600) started the 10th anniversary of his first visit on the wrong foot, missing the practice and first official runs to resolve fuel pump issues; he still managed third in M6, however. Meanwhile fellow-Scot Allan Mackay in the famous Ford Anglia WRC seems to have a challenger for his International Mr Entertainment crown, as Ireland’s Raymond Conlon was certainly thrilling the crowd in his sideways Toyota Corolla.

In the only major incident of the day, Graeme Finlayson rolled his Group A Evo III shortly after the finish line; while he and co-driver Orville Bruce escaped with some bruising, the car was damaged beyond immediate repair.

Sol Rally Barbados 2012 (June 9/10) and Sol Go Further/Scotiabank King of the Hill (June 3) are organised and promoted by the Barbados Rally Club, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2007; title sponsor is the Sol Group. Marketing partners are Simpson Motors, LIME, Automotive Art, Banks and Karcher; official partners are the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association, Barbados Tourism Authority, Tourism Development Corporation, Divi Southwinds Beach Resort, Geest Line and Virgin Atlantic Airways; associate sponsors are Chefette, Climate Control, Field Insurance, Glacial Pure, Little Switzerland, Redline Fuels, Scotiabank and Stoute’s Car Rental.

Results - King of the Hill

Posted: June 5, 2012 4:43 PM

Key to nationalities (competitor from Barbados unless shown): ARG – Argentina; CDN – Canada; ENG – England; IRL – Republic of Ireland; JAM – Jamaica; NED – The Netherlands; NIR – Northern Ireland; RSA – South Africa; SCO – Scotland; TRI – Trinidad & Tobago; WAL – Wales

1st Paul Bird - ENG/Kirsty Riddick – SCO (M8-WRC Ford Focus WRC08), 1m 49.18s
2nd Roger Skeete/Louis Venezia (M8-WRC Subaru Impreza WRC S12), 1m 50.26s
3rd John Powell - TRI/Nicholas Telfer - TRI (M8-WRC Subaru Impreza WRC S14), 1m 50.42s
4th Jeffrey Panton – JAM/Michael Fennell Jnr – JAM (M8-WRC Ford Focus WRC06), 1m 51.24s
5th Sean Gill/Michael Cummins (M8-WRC Suzuki SX4 WRC), 1m 51.50s
6th Steve Perez – ENG/Paul Spooner – WAL (M8-WRC Ford Focus WRC07), 1m 52.29s
7th Roger Duckworth - ENG/Gary Digger - ENG (M8-WRC Subaru Impreza WRC), 1m 53.38s
8th Neil Armstrong/Barry Ward (SM10 Toyota Starlet), 1m 53.53s
9th Dean Serrao/Josh Delmas (M8-WRC Subaru Impreza WRC S9), 1m 55.83s
10th Brett Clarke/Garry Clarke (SM10 Citroen C2 S1600), 1m 55.86s

Modified 8-WRC: 1st Bird/Riddick; 2nd Skeete/Venezia; 3rd Powell/Telfer; etc

M8-A:
1st Avinash Chatrani/Martin Goddard (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI), 2m 00.55s – 22nd o/a;
2nd Graeme Finlayson - SCO/Orville Bruce (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III), 2m 03.50s;
3rd Joe McQuillan – NIR/Neill Finlay - NIR (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII), 2m 10.44s

P4:
1st Geoff Noel/Kreigg Yearwood (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX), 1m 57.72s – 14th o/a;
2nd Mark Hamilton/Clive Howell (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX), 1m 59.69s;
3rd Martin Donnelly - IRL/Colin Fitzgerald - IRL (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX), 2m 03.02s; etc

SuperModified 11:
1st Logan Watson/Rhett Watson (BMW M3), 1m 57.35s – 13th o/a;
2nd Stuart Maloney/Trevor Perkins (Peugeot 306 Maxi), 1m 57.90s;
3rd Sammy Cumberbatch/Nicholas Yarde (BMW M3), 1m 59.15s; etc

SM10:
1st Armstrong/Ward;
2nd Clarke/Clarke;
3rd Ian Warren/Robert Warren (Suzuki Swift), 1m 56.79s; etc

SM9:
1st Carlos Edwards/Andre Waithe (Toyota Starlet), 2m 08.51s – 44th o/a;
2nd Allan Maynard/Marcus Beck (Toyota Starlet), 2m 12.40s;
3rd Matt Shinnors – IRL/Catherine Levis – IRL (Ford Escort MkII), 2m 12.91s;

Group B:
1st Geoffrey Ullyett/Jason King (Datsun 200T), 1m 58.52s – 16th o/a;
2nd Frans Verbaas – NED/Carina van Westen – NED (Mini Cooper S), 2m 08.68s;
3rd, Harold Morley - ENG/Mark Nelson – JAM (Porsche RSR GT3 Rally), 2m 09.57s; etc

Historic:
1st Andrew Siddall – ENG/Carl Williamson – WAL (Ford Escort MkI), 2m 03.00s – 30th o/a;
2nd Tim Pearcey – ENG/Neil Shanks – SCO (Ford Escort RS1800), 2m 06.74s;
3rd Ding Boston - ENG/Sophie Black – ENG (Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTV), 2m 26.35s

M7:
1st Daryl Clarke/Russell Brancker (Honda Civic), 2m 02.93s – 27th o/a;
2nd Adrian Linton/Jonathan Linton (Vauxhall Astra SRi), 2m 03.27s;
3rd Jeremy Sisnett/Justin Sisnett (Ford Fiesta), 2m 08.19s; etc
M6:
1st Neil Corbin/Matthew Staffner (Toyota Starlet), 2m 05.65s – 39th o/a;
2nd Wayne Archer/Lucas Nicolao - ARG (Peugeot 206), 2m 11.54s;
3rd Kenny Hall - SCO/Fenny Wesselink – NED (Ford Puma S1600), 2m 11.67s; etc

M5:
1st Sean Cox/Adam Cox (Suzuki Swift Gti), 2m 13.16s – 60th o/a;
2nd Glenn Campbell – NIR/Jonathan MacDonald - NIR (Nissan Micra Kit Car), 2m 18.95s;
3rd Stuart Deeley – ENG/Alistair Dodd - ENG (Nissan Micra), 2m 24.53s; etc

Clubman Historic:
1st Gary Thomas – WAL/Phil Ralphs – WAL (Ford Escort MkII), 2m 07.18s – 41st o/a;
2nd Nigel Reece/David Reece (Ford Escort MkI), 2m 08.27s;
3rd Greg Cozier/Andrew Croney (Ford Escort MkII), 2m 09.39s; etc

P2:
1st Fabien Clarke/Arlington Hoyte (Suzuki Ignis Sport), 2m 35.28s – 80th o/a

Clubman:
1st Jeremy Croney/Damien Johnson (Peugeot 206), 2m 27.85s – 77th o/a;
2nd Shannon Kirton/Lisa Roett (Datsun 120Y), 2m 34.89s;
3rd David Brewster/Alex Kirton (Peugeot 205GTi), 2m 39.08s

From Ballyclare to Barbados!

Posted: June 4, 2012 8:47 AM

Ballyclare’s Glen Campbell has travelled half way around the world with his potent Nissan Micra rally car to contest next weekend’s Sol Rally Barbados. With Donaghadee’s Jonathan MacDonald navigating, they have joined a host of British and Irish crews that have shipped their vehicles more than 4,000 miles for what is the largest annual sporting event in the Caribbean.

While the rally cars left home a few weeks ago, heading to Barbados via Portsmouth, Glen and Jonathan boarded their flight for Barbados just last week. With temperatures hovering around the 30 degrees Celsius/86 degrees Fahrenheit mark (day and night), they spent a few days becoming accustomed to the heat before jumping into their Micra.

Motorsport events in the Caribbean work a little different to rallies at home, particularly when it comes to seeding entrants for a rally. Instead of organisers taking their best guesses at where a competitor should be seeded based on their past results, at the Sol Rally Barbados, organisers lay on a hill climb the week before the event. The hill climb results determine where competitors are seeded in the rally!

Known as the Sol Go Further/Scotiabank King of the Hill, competitors tackled this year’s hill climb on Sunday 3 June. Teaming up for the first time, the partnership of Campbell and MacDonald proved to be a successful one as they claimed second in class with their 1300cc Motorcare backed Micra.

After a solid start to the day, they went 13 seconds faster on their second run over the hill. With literally thousands of enthusiastic spectators watching the action unfold on the stage, some suspension tweaks to the Micra helped the crew progress through the field.

A final run through the test saw them better their time once again, ensuring the Burn Road Trade Sales sponsored crew sealed second in class.

“We had a great run,” Campbell said afterwards. “I was a little bit worried about the car as she was off a cylinder when we left the garage in Bridgetown but she performed faultlessly through the stage.”

“We made a few tweaks to the suspension after the first run,” Campbell added, “and that helped settle the car down. I’m pleased with the result – now I’m looking forward to next weekend’s Sol Rally Barbados when the action really gets underway!”

The Sol Rally Barbados starts in earnest on Saturday 9 June. Competitors will tackle 12 stages before the overnight halt, with action resuming on Sunday 10 June for another 10 stages.

Crews will cover a total of 122 competitive kilometres during the two-day event. The Campbell Motorsport crew of Glen Campbell and Jonathan MacDonald can be followed on iRally.com during the course of the weekend where video clips are also available to view.

FINAL SHAKEDOWN FOR SOL RALLY BARBADOS 2012

Posted: June 2, 2012 8:08 PM

Competitors from a record-equalling 15 nations including host country Barbados are making last-minute preparations for Sunday’s (June 3) Sol Go Further/Scotiabank King of the Hill, the final shakedown ahead of the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport International, Sol Rally Barbados 2012 (June 9/10) . . . and Simpson Motors Scrutineering tomorrow (Saturday) will give fans their chance to see nearly 20 cars new to the island for the first time.

The provisional running order for Sunday’s event published today (June 1) lists 91 entries, missing only a handful of those entered for Sol RB12 the following weekend. These include overseas competitors who have not yet arrived in the island and local competitors battling against the clock to have their cars in full readiness for the Barbados Rally Club’s (BRC) blue riband event.

Sol Go Further/Scotiabank King of the Hill is being staged at Hangman’s Hill for the second year running, the first time a venue has been revisited since the inaugural KotH at Turner’s Hall in 2008; that was followed by Stewart’s Hill and Sailor Gully, with the 3.4-kilometre St Thomas stage, which ends shortly after the Lion Castle crossroads, first used last year.

The Service Park is at Simpson Motors, Warrens. The practice run is slated for 10.15am, followed by three official runs, the fastest of which will decide competitors’ finishing positions. Cars will run in reverse seeding order, from Clubman up to Modified 8-WRC, and the top 10 after the first official run will be held back and run in reverse order at the end of the field.

KotH victories have so far been shared equally, and in alternate years, by local drivers Paul Bourne (2008 & ’10) and Roger Skeete (’09 & ’11), so the trophy has always stayed ‘at home’; overseas drivers have been podium finishers, however, with England’s Paul Bird the most successful so far, third in 2010, then second last year . . . perhaps the start of a pattern?

The Simpson Motors Suzuki Swift was highest-placed two-wheel-drive for the first three years, with Sean Gill sixth in his last season in the car (2008), then Ian Warren ninth and fifth, the highest overall KotH finish for 2wd. Neil Armstrong was top 2wd last year, while Roger Mayers, Josh Read and Cliff Roett have also featured in the overall top 10.

Provisional entry list at June 1

Posted: June 2, 2012 9:29 AM

1 Barry Mayers/Roger Mayers (SM9 Chefette/Digicel/Delaware Dispensary/Illusion Graphics/Barbados Today WR Starlet)
2 Rhett Watson/Logan Watson (SM11 Oreo/Chips Ahoy!/Club Social/Formula1 High Performance Auto Care Products/Liquid Wrench/Sign Depot/The Unknown Entity/In support of Little Pink Gift BMW M3)
3 Fabien Clarke/Arlington Hoyte (P2 Barbados Business Listings/RCR Tours/Bovell Auto Repair/Simple Trucking Suzuki Ignis Sport)
4 David Brewster/Alex Kirton (Clubman SRG Engineering/Castrol/Innovative Security Solutions Peugeot 205GTi)
5 Jeremy Croney/Damien Johnson (Clubman ReMax Lifestyles/Sweet Temptations/Sign Station/Gunk Peugeot 206)
6 Shannon Kirton/Lisa Roett (Clubman Ullyett’s Machine Shop/Gomez & Western Services/Field Insurance Brokers/Cartique/Gatorade/Fritolay/Fingerprint Designs Datsun 120Y)
7 Andrew Skeete/tba (Club-Hist Sonic Industrial & Mechanical Hand Tools/Hankook Mitsubishi Lancer GSR)
8 Greg Cozier/Andrew Croney (Club-Hist Hyundai Lubricants Ford Escort MkII)
9 Nigel Reece/David Reece (Club-Hist Subzero Services/IGM Air Conditioners/Ullyetts Machine Shop Service/Valvoline/Gatorade/Frito-Lay/Trident International Ford Escort MkI)
10 Ryan Wood/Raymond Parris (Club-Hist Propac Dog Food Toyota Starlet)
11 Stuart McChlery/Julian Goddard (Club-Hist Ford Escort MkI)
12 Stuart White/Jason O’Neal (Club-Hist BMW 325)
14 Glenn Campbell – NIR/Jonathan MacDonald - NIR (M5 Nissan Micra Kit Car)
15 Peter Gallagher – IRL/Rene Forde (M5 Dublin Crystal/Greenspeed Motorsport/Andrew Sam Design Jewellers Talbot Samba)
16 Rommell Martin/Christina Brandford (M5 VV&K Rentals/B3 Imaging/Leroy Body Workshop/Dallas Catering Toyota Starlet)
17 Sean Cox/Adam Cox (M5 Simpson Motors/Gliptone/Johnsen’s Suzuki Swift Gti)
18 Stuart Deeley – ENG/Alistair Dodd - ENG (M5 Demon Tweeks Nissan Micra)
19 Brendon McKenzie/Sean Collett (M6 Budex Couriers/Blakey’s on the Boardwalk/This & That Bajan/Meow Mix/MCK Motorsport Toyota Corolla)
20 Danny Williams/Syltopher Mayers (M6 Cutters Ford Fiesta)
21 Jamal Brathwaite/Dario Hoyte (M6 Valvoline/Mackeson/Kumho/Ellesmere Quarries/Codgi’s Customs Brokers/Chicken Pen Racing/AutoPlus Motors Mitsubishi Mirage RS)
22 Jeremy Gonsalves/Chris Corbin (M6 Makita/SSP Power Tools/Quik Start Auto/Champion Auto Wrecker/Yamaha/All Terrain Plus Opel Corsa)
23 Kenny Hall - SCO/Fenny Wesselink – NED (M6 Halltune Garage Ford Puma S1600)
24 Martin Taylor – IRL/Eddie Taylor – IRL (P2 Dublin Crystal Proton Satria)
25 Neil Corbin/Matthew Staffner (M6 Nassco/Jason Jones/Auto Solutions/Castrol Toyota Starlet)
26 Rhett D’Andrade/Tristan Gibbs (M6 Daihatsu Charmant)
27 Wayne Archer/Lucas Nicolao - ARG (M6 Peugeot 206)
28 Adrian Linton/Jonathan Linton (M7 Ravensden/Barbados Yellow Pages/JAD Performance/Garbage Gobbler/Innovative Security Solutions Vauxhall Astra)
29 Chris Ullyett/Derek Ince (M7 Ullyett's Machine Shop/MG America/Proj-Rx/Pharmabiosource Ford Escort RS2000)
30 Daryl Clarke/Russell Brancker (M7 Ellco Rentals/Mom's Pasta Products/MQI/Roberts Manufacturing Honda Civic)
31 Edward Corbin/Rodney Clarke (M7 Valvoline/Automotive Art Toyota Corolla RunX)
32 Eric Allamby/Sean Corbin (M7 Shelbury Construction/Blakey’s on the Boardwalk/This & That Bajan/Scrap Man Recycling Toyota Corolla)
33 Freddie Gale/Kyle Proverbs (M7 Gale’s Hatcheries/Nassco/Redline Fuels/VP Racing Fuels Toyota Corolla RunX)
34 Jeremy Sisnett/Justin Sisnett (M7 Ford Fiesta)
35 John Corbin/Owen Proverbs (M7 Valvoline/Automotive Art Toyota Corolla)
36 Kyle Catwell/Norman Catwell (M7 Chicken Pen Racing/Kumho/Valvoline/Mackeson/Ellesmere Quarries Volkswagen Golf GTI)
37 Miguel Toppin/Yakub Haveliwala (M7 MD Motorsports/De Limit Auto Body Repairs/Fusion Restaurant & Lounge Peugeot 205)
38 Ron Greaves/Stuart Leach – ENG (M7 Chicken Pen Racing/Kick Energy Drink/Ellesmere Quarries/McCarthys Garage/barbadostoday.bb/Valvoline/Kumho Honda Civic Type-R)
39 Sean Field/Darnley Rayside (M7 Field Insurance Brokers/Castrol/Ackee Tree Restaurant/AM Realty Services/Landscapes in Harmony/Beacon Insurance Peugeot 306 GTi6)
40 Andrew Siddall – ENG/Carl Williamson – WAL (Historic Siddall and Hilton Ford Escort MkI)
41 Ding Boston - ENG/Sophie Black – ENG (Historic Phillips Tyres of Oxford/Geest Line/Huzier/NGK/Virgin Atlantic/Toyo Tires/Centor Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTV)
42 Tim Pearcey – ENG/Neil Shanks – SCO (Historic Willowgreen Homes/Ravenol/Dunlop Ford Escort RS1800)
43 Allan Maynard/Marcus Beck (SM9 Marshal Trading/Roberts Manufacturing Toyota Starlet)
44 Carlos Edwards/Andre Waithe (SM9 Courts I-Finance/Enermax Toyota Starlet)
45 Clifford Cox/Scott Bentham (SM9 PondFly Inc/SDRR Hydraulics Toyota Starlet)
46 Matt Shinnors – IRL/Catherine Levis – IRL (SM9 www.vetcar.ie Ford Escort MkII)
47 Roger Mayers/Barry Mayers (SM9 Chefette/Digicel/Delaware Dispensary/Illusion Graphics/Barbados Today WR Starlet)
48 Vishal Dhanraj - TRI/Scott Leonard – USA (SM9 Gulf Motor Oil/Lucozade Energy/V3 Rally Team Opel Corsa)
49 Winston Thompson/Fiona McDonald (SM9 Chicken Pen Racing/SDRR Industrial & Hydraulic Spares/Ellesmere Quarries Toyota Starlet)
50 Allan Mackay – SCO/Mo Downey – NIR (SM10 Avanti Environmental/Highland Waste Services/M Greer Motorsport/TT Graphics Ford Anglia WRC)
51 Brett Clarke/Garry Clarke (SM10 Citroen C2 S1600)
52 Gary Thomas – WAL/Phil Ralphs – WAL (SM10 Tsalta Motorsport/Cambrian Garages/Cambrian Land Rover Ford Escort MkII)
53 Ian Warren/Robert Warren (SM10 Automotive Art/Simpson Motors/Degree Suzuki Swift)
54 Josh Read/Mark Jordan (SM10 Stihl/Gliptone/Hankook/EZone/Weetabix/SDRR/Royal Purple Toyota Starlet)
55 Neil Armstrong/Barry Ward (SM10 Lubriguard/Hankook Tyres/Nassco/Redline Fuels/ARMAG Rentals Toyota Starlet)
56 Paul Horton - TCI/Kristian Yearwood (SM10 Sky Motor Sport/H Racing/Java Island Ford Escort MkI)
57 Ralph White/Joe Troulan (SM10 Barbados Villa Services/Island Safari/Amsoil Toyota Starlet)
58 Raymond Conlon – IRL/Darren McCague – IRL (SM10 Conlon Travel/Gribben Plumbing/Clones Shavings/Skelton Travel Toyota Corolla)
59 Alex Whitehead/Brian Hurley (SM11 AM Electrical Solutions/Sign Station BMW 328i)
60 Andrew Jones/Kurt Ward (SM11 AP Jones Pharmacy/Panadol/Lucozade Ford Escort MkII)
61 Brian Gill/Heath Hazell (SM11 Coca Cola BMW M3)
62 Calvin Briggs/Paul Inniss (SM11 barbadostoday.bb/Sammy Lee Towing and Recovery/Erie Tyre Services Ford Escort MkII)
63 Devon Clarke/Dario Watson (SM11 DDC Cleaners/Friendly Signs/Duck Autoworks/Arron Parris Construction Toyota Starlet)
64 Graham Manning/Mick Squires - ENG (SM11 Aqua Pur Ford Escort MkII)
65 James Betts/Geoff Goddard (SM11 Quikstart Auto/Makita Tools/Star Products/barbadostoday.bb/Champion Auto Wrecker Services Renault Clio)
66 John Hardman – NIR/Sean Buckley – WAL (SM11 John Hardman Engineering/Ian Rodgers Bodyshop/AVO UK/PEC Tyres/Star Products/All Terrain/Chicken Pen Racing/Carole’s Cakes/Brian Hardman Builders/DTA Engine Management Systems Ford Escort MkII)
67 Logan Watson/Rhett Watson (SM11 Oreo/Chips Ahoy!/Club Social/Formula1 High Performance Auto Care Products/Liquid Wrench/Sign Depot/The Unknown Entity/In support of Little Pink Gift BMW M3)
68 Martin Atwell/Chris King (SM11 BMW M3)
69 Martin Stockdale - ENG/Mark Swallow – ENG (SM11 Divi Southwinds/Drive-a-Matic/Quarry Motors BMW M3 Compact)
70 Nigel Worswick – ENG/Lindsey Pilkington – ENG (SM11 Worswick Engineering Ford Escort MkII)
71 Owen Cumberbatch/Randy Reid (SM11 BMW M3)
72 Sammy Cumberbatch/Nicholas Yarde (SM11 LIME/F Taylor Associates/Castrol BMW M3)
73 St Elmo Cumberbatch/Kevin Cumberbatch (SM11 Carib Supply/F Taylor Associates BMW E36)
74 Stan Hartling – TCI/Andy Proudfoot - CDN (SM11 Lotus Exige)
75 Stuart Maloney/Trevor Perkins (SM11 Automotive Art/Sign Station/Valvoline Peugeot 306 Maxi)
76 Andrew Costin-Hurley - ENG/Shaun Mellett - ENG (GpB Earl’s Performance Hoses Ford Puma)
77 Duane Johnson/Dwayne Forde (GpB Johnson’s Autos/Williams Tools/Cyrus Chickens/G&G Sales & Services/Castrol Mitsubishi Lancer Turbo)
78 Frans Verbaas – NED/Carina van Westen – NED (GpB Mini Cooper S)
79 Geoffrey Ullyett/Jason King (GpB Ullyett's Machine Shop/Algae-X Fuel Conditioner Datsun 200T)
80 Harold Morley - ENG/Mark Nelson – JAM (GpB Ontrac Systems Barbados Porsche RSR GT3 Rally)
81 Andrew Mallalieu/Aled Edwards - WAL (P4 Terra Caribbean Subaru Impreza N10)
82 Geoff Noel/Kreigg Yearwood (P4 Globe Finance/Sentry Insurance Brokers/Cargo Solutions International/Mix 96.9FM/CIAC Air Conditioners Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX)
83 Mark Hamilton/Clive Howell (P4 CIBC-FCIB/Simpson Motors/MAXI Malta/PowerMaster/Boston Seasoning/Automotive Art Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX)
84 Martin Donnelly - IRL/Colin Fitzgerald - IRL (P4 Eire Concrete Inc Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX)
85 Simon Wallis – ENG/Carolyn Pearce – ENG (P4 Wallis Performance Subaru Impreza N10)
86 Stuart Johnson - TRI/Chris Hoad (P4 Mitco Water Laboratories Subaru Impreza N12)
87 Terry Sealy/Rommel Coppin (P4 Speedline Performance Auto/Premier World Cargo Subaru Impreza N12)
88 Avinash Chatrani/Martin Goddard (M8-A Electric Avenue/Hankook/Solder Seal Gunk/Niagra Water/Sign Station Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI)
89 Graeme Finlayson - SCO/Orville Bruce (M8-A www.racedandrallied.com Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III)
90 Joe McQuillan – NIR/Neill Finlay - NIR (M8-A Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII)
91 Rob Weir - ENG/Ross Weir - ENG (M8-A Weir Laundry Equipment Subaru Impreza)
92 Dean Serrao/Josh Delmas (M8-WRC Sugar Ultra Lounge/Rush Restaurant Subaru Impreza WRC S9)
93 Jeffrey Panton – JAM/Michael Fennell Jnr – JAM (M8-WRC Ford Focus WRC06)
94 John Powell - TRI/Nicholas Telfer - TRI (M8-WRC Intercontinental Shipping/Trinidad Mooring & Launch Services/FT Farfan/Shell Subaru Impreza WRC S14)
95 Paul Bird - ENG/Kirsty Riddick – SCO (M8-WRC Frank Bird Poultry/Fuchs-Silkolene Ford Focus WRC08)
96 Paul Bourne/Megan Bryant (M8-WRC Chefette/LIME/Slam 101/MQI/Banks/Castrol Ford Focus WRC07)
97 Rob Swann – ENG/Darren Garrod – WAL (M8-WRC Waves Hotel and Spa/Revolution Wheels/R A Swann Subaru Impreza)
98 Roger Duckworth - ENG/Gary Digger - ENG (M8-WRC Intrinsys/Kumho Subaru Impreza WRC)
99 Roger Hill/Graham Gittens (M8-WRC Esso/Nassco/MotorMac Toyota Corolla WRC)
100 Roger Skeete/Louis Venezia (M8-WRC Sol/Michelin/Da Costa Mannings Auto Centre/Simpson Motors Subaru Impreza WRC S12)
101 Sean Gill/Michael Cummins (M8-WRC Simpson Motors/Shell V-Power/Automotive Art/Monster Energy Drink Suzuki SX4 WRC)
102 Steve Perez – ENG/Paul Spooner – WAL (M8-WRC Kick Energy Drink Ford Focus WRC07)

Shinnors / Levis going to Barbados!

Posted: June 2, 2012 8:15 AM

As entries for Sol Rally Barbados 2012 (June 9/10) closed today (May 14), the last first-timers from Ireland were confirmed as Matt Shinnors and Catherine Levis. Asked how he heard about Sol RB12, Shinnors, whose previous experience includes one outing in the World Rally Championship, said:
“I was raised on a diet of rallying; you couldn’t but know of one of the ‘Meccas of Rallying’ like Sol Rally Barbados.”

Shinnors started competing in a 2-litre Fiat twincam-powered Ford Escort MkII in autocross events in 1995, then won his class in the Munster AutoX Championship in ‘99, before turning to forest rallying with the Escort on its way to Barbados. He was Best Rookie in the 2003 Irish National Forestry Championship, also nominated for the Billy Coleman Award (Irish Young Rally Driver of Year) in ‘03 & ‘05.

Shinnors’ trip to Barbados will not be his first overseas competition, having already spent time ‘down under’ as a rally tutor, where he enjoyed his one WRC drive: he finished 35th overall in Rally New Zealand 2006 in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI – those ahead of him included Matt Wilson in a Ford Focus subsequently driven by Paul Bird.

Shinnors and Levis finished in the top three in class in the Irish National Forestry Championship in 2010 in the Escort, also the National Night Navigation and Munster Night Navigation championships over last winter in their Vauxhall Astra. Shinnors said:
“We ended up joint class winners in the Munster championship, only to lose on a tie breaker. All a good craic! Old-school rallying at night with a simple map! Can’t beat it.”

The Mk II Escort, sponsored by www.vetcar.ie, Ireland’s first ever motoring web site targeting the veterinary profession, was built from a shell for forestry events in 2001; lacking recent tarmac experience, Shinnors contested round four of the Irish Hillclimb Championship in April, where he finished fifth in class of 13 starters. He said: “The Ballyallaban Hill Climb was an ideal venue to test the Escort in tarmac trim. Having not driving competitively on tarmac since 2004, I was looking forward to the event. Not having Catherine telling me where to go - on the road - was difficult, and adjusting to relying on memory was something different!”

Before becoming co-driver for Shinnors, post-Primary teacher Levis had first competed in 2007, driving a Toyota Corolla with her sister co-driving; by the time she switched sides the following year, she had claimed a class win, and numerous Best Ladies Crew Awards. Co-driving in a Group A Ford Puma with Eamonn McCafferty, Levis also won class titles in the 2009 National, West Coast and Midlands East championships.

CURLEY NEARLY MISSES THE BOAT TO THE CARIBBEAN

Posted: June 2, 2012 8:13 AM

Ireland’s Ronan Curley nearly missed Tuesday’s (May 8) trans-Atlantic Geest Line voyage from Portsmouth, as a last-minute gearbox problem threatened to ruin his plans to compete in Sol Rally Barbados 2012 (June 9/10) . . . and he has fellow-competitor Samuel Kelso and Ford Escort specialists Den Motorsport to thank that it didn’t.

Having followed the event in recent years, Curley and close friend Conor McMeel both decided to enter their Vauxhall-engined MkII Ford Escorts in the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport International. Curley said:
“Barbados clashes with the Donegal Rally, which we have competed in since 2003, but I decided to do something different this year. After watching our friend Kris Meeke win the rally twice, we decided along with another good friend Conor McMeel to go for it!”

But all did not go smoothly in the final run-up to the 1000-mile round trip to Portsmouth, as Curley explains:
“We were literally about to put the car on the trailer and our gearbox broke. Tractive was closed for holidays, so there were no spare parts. We have Samuel Kelso and Den Motorsport to thank - Samuel gave us his gearbox, so we raced down to Den Motorsport, where the boys changed it from his car to ours and put the car on the transporter to Portsmouth just in the nick of time!”

Curley, from Limavady, Co Londonderry, was born into a rallying family and this Escort is shared between himself and his brother. Father Cathal was one of the country’s top drivers in the 1970s and ‘80s, winning the Circuit of Ireland – a five-day marathon back then – plus the Donegal, Manx and Ulster rallies in a Porsche 911RS, before driving a works 240Z for Datsun and a Lancia Stratos for the Chequered Flag Team.

With co-driver John McKinley, Curley Junior has been rallying since 1998, with numerous top 10 finishes – well-driven MkII Escorts regularly finish in the top five overall in Irish National events – including a class win on the ‘Circuit’ and class podiums in Donegal and on the Sligo Stages.

Curley’s NIIB Finance/Premier Car Parts Escort, which will run in SuperModified 11, is built to what he describes as “ultimate Irish tarmac specification”, with a 2.5-litre John Read Racing Vauxhall engine, pumping out around 315bhp, Reiger fully-adjustable suspension and AP brakes on 15-inch wheels. While McMeel’s GMM Electrics-backed car, his second MkII, produces a more modest 287bhp from its 2-litre Vauxhall engine, he should still make an impression in SM10.

McMeel, who lives an hour or so from Curley in Toomebridge, Co Antrim, which is also home to British Superbike Championship front-runners John and Michael Laverty, began rallying in 1991 in his first MkII. He has been partnered by co-driver Sean Devlin for 15 years, tackling similar events to Curley, including the ‘Circuit’, Donegal International and Ulster Rally. Devlin, who lives in Magherafelt, Co Derry, is also currently competing in a works Nissan Micra, in which he has been both driver and co-driver.

British regulars help load precious cargo at Portsmouth

Posted: June 2, 2012 8:12 AM

A record shipment of rally cars and equipment set sail from Portsmouth on the British south coast yesterday (May 8) heading for Sol Rally Barbados 2012; the precious cargo of 30 vehicles aboard the Geest Line freighter Benguela Stream is the most valuable ever shipped for the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport International.

On Monday, a Bank Holiday in the UK, a stalwart band of regular British competitors assisted port handlers with loading the cars, a task not completed until well into the evening. The crew included Andrew Costin-Hurley and wife Melissa, John Hardman and co-driver Sean Buckley, Martin Stockdale, assisted by long-time crew members Christine and Julian Lockwood, and Simon Wallis, some of whom faced homeward journeys of more than 200 miles once the job was done. Stuart Deeley e-mailed to report:
“It was a pretty thankless task, I have to say, with rain on and off all day. The boat was loaded by 8.45pm UK time, with every care taken to ensure cars were manoeuvred as safely as possible.”

Sol Rally Barbados Chairman Barry Gale said:
“I must offer a massive vote of thanks to all those of our regulars, who have year after year made it their business to ensure the safe handling of our competition cars at Portsmouth. From what I have heard, Monday was a pretty miserable day all round, as the UK is suffering some unseasonal cold and damp weather. We’ll make sure they get a warm welcome when they get here - the only thing that’s cold will be the Banks Beer!”

Sol Rally Barbados and Shell V-Power King of the Hill are organised and promoted by the Barbados Rally Club, which celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2007; Sol RB12 is the 23rd running of the Club’s annual International All-Stage Rally and marks the fifth year of title sponsorship by the Sol Group, the Caribbean’s largest independent oil company.

FLYING TRIP FROM KENYA TO SOL RALLY BARBADOS

Posted: June 2, 2012 8:11 AM

Kenyans Rommy Bamrah and Harvey Jutley are shortly to make the 17,000-mile round trip from hometown Nairobi to Sol Rally Barbados 2012 (June 9/10) for their first-ever tarmac rally together, and the driver’s first event outside Kenya. They will miss two local events, but were not going to turn down the chance to replace Harvey’s UK-based brother Raj, whose work commitments mean he now can’t take up his entry.

To compete in the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport International, they will spend more than 35 hours in the air - Nairobi to London, then London to Barbados are each something over 4,200 miles - but they are undaunted by the prospect, particularly as British Airways has come on board as a team sponsor, covering all their flights.

They are entered in a MkI Ford Escort, prepared by Jordan Rally Prep and also sponsored by R S Jutley Medicals in the UK, along with East African earthmoving equipment dealer Rockplant Hitachi; following recent modifications, it will take the local Scrutineering session on Saturday, June 2, to clarify in which class they will run.

Harvey said:
“I appreciate Raj giving us this opportunity to do Sol Rally Barbados in his Escort. Barbados will be an interesting challenge for Rommy and I, and we look forward to seeing our performance on tarmac. We have done a very short special stage on tarmac in Nairobi during one of the past Safaris, but driving a car set up for gravel on tarmac is very different from what we shall experience in Barbados.”

Having first rallied a Datsun 1200 pickup in 1989, Bamrah is a multiple winner of Kenya’s famous Quattro Charge, a challenging off-road competition - a mix of wet and dry river beds, swamps, large deep dams, sheer climbs and oversized boulders – which has raised millions towards protecting the Aberdare Forest and its wildlife.

In recent years, he has concentrated on classic rallying in a Datsun 260Z on the rough, loose-surface roads of Africa. Since 2007, Bamrah and Jutley have had three classic podium finishes in mixed events, also claimed overall finishes in the East African Classic Safari Rally in 2007 (23rd) and last year (38th). While Sol RB12 will be Bamrah’s first event outside Kenya, Jutley has twice ventured beyond its borders, once as co-driver to brother Raj in the Dubai International Rally and once as driver in the Qatar International, both events part of the Middle East Rally Championship.

To contest Sol RB12, the crew are missing two events in Kenya. Over Shell V-Power King of the Hill weekend is the Rhino Charge, an even more outrageous version of the Quattro Charge, while the following weekend is the KCB Safari Rally.

OXFORD STUDENTS RETURN TO SOL RALLY BARBADOS

Posted: June 2, 2012 8:08 AM

The Oxford Universities Motorsport Foundation is returning to the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport International for the fourth time in five years . . . and that is roughly the time it has taken the student body to rebuild from a bare shell its ‘new’ race and rally car, a 1966 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTV.

Sol Rally Barbados 2012 (June 9/10) represents a return to international rallying for the first time in a decade for the Italian sports saloon, which was spotted in 2006 as an abandoned shell, awaiting the scrap man. OUMF founder Ding Boston recalls: “It looked exactly like the kind of lost cause that would provide huge amounts of practical experience for the students!”

The car, which spent the first 30 or so years of its life in the dry, high veldt in South Africa, was converted for endurance rallying for Guernsey couple Geoff and Jennie Dorey. After a couple of shakedown events, including the 1999 Classic Marathon, they embarked on the famous Inca Trail round South America in 2001. Despite a major incident on the very first stage and a later 80mph collision with a llama, they completed the 15,000-mile epic in 55 days.

On their return, the Doreys decided that the Alfa was too tired to continue, so stripped everything they could use to have a similar Alfa rally car built from scratch, leaving the shell . . . and that is what the OUMF discovered five years later.

Boston continues:
“The first move was to have the shell assessed on an Alfa chassis jig. Not only was the car straight, but it was comparatively rust free, so would make an excellent basis for a project. Every bit of paint, Peruvian filler and underseal was stripped, along with any remaining components. Each stress crack was traced, drilled, and welded, with additional strengthening added where appropriate. An appeal for missing parts and running gear was launched, and advice and help from the best companies throughout the UK motor sport industry was sought in the renovation of parts found or kindly donated.”

OUMF is an independent, student-run initiative providing the encouragement and facility for 'hands-on' engineering experience. Of the Alfa project, Boston concludes: “Every aspect of the car provided a hands-on learning experience second to none, whether in the OUMF shed or at firms who generously welcomed the students to bring components to their workshops to teach and demonstrate their skills.”

Completed part-way through last year, the Alfa made its debut at the 2011 Goodwood Revival Meeting, and was subsequently raced at Snetterton in the east of England in October, where Boston finished fourth in class, and 10th overall! Over the winter - with Sol RB12 in mind - the car has undergone more modifications.

Sponsored by Phillips Tyres of Oxford/Geest Line/Huzier/NGK/Virgin Atlantic/Toyo Tires and Centor, the Alfa will be driven in Historic 1 by Boston, co-driven by Jon Pulliston, who sat with Boston twice in the OUMF’s 1965 Riley 1.5. After failing to complete all stages on its first two visits, the Riley finally achieved an overall finish in RB10, 46th and second of the four historics that started the event.

WELSH CREWS LINE UP FOR SOL RALLY BARBADOS

Posted: June 2, 2012 8:07 AM

British rally engineer John Hardman will compete in Sol Rally Barbados (June 9/10) for the fifth time in 2012, as part of a three-car contingent from Wales, which brings to 25 the number of International crews now confirmed on the on-line entry list at www.rallybarbados.bb.

Born in Northern Ireland and based in Wales, Hardman won Group B on his debut in RB04 in the John Hardman Engineering Ford Fiesta 4wd; this year, he drives the same Ford Escort MkII, borrowed from nephew, ‘Dangerous Brian’ Hardman, which he used to finish third in SuperModified 10 in 2008. His co-driver in the Ian Rogers Bodyshop/AVO UK/PEC Tyres/Star Products/All Terrain/Chicken Pen Racing/Carole’s Cakes/Brian Hardman Builders and DTA Engine Management Systems-backed car, Welshman Sean Buckley, competes in Barbados for the first time after several visits to spectate.

Hardman won his class every time out last year in his Nissan Micra, the car which Bajan James Betts drove in last year’s Trackrod Rally in the UK; that car is also shipping to Barbados, where Hardman has made many friends, and found new customers.

Hardman took Gary Thomas and Phil Ralphs along to RB05, when they finished second in SM12 in a Mk II Escort, with Hardman-built Vauxhall engine; on their return in 2010, the Welsh crew retired. Thomas’s rally car rental business, Tsalta Motorsport, has restricted the former Welsh Road Rally and Tarmac Stage Champion’s rallying of late, while co-driver Ralphs has been busy organising events. Whichever car from the Tsalta fleet they bring, it will be backed by Cambrian Garages/Cambrian Land Rover.

England’s Stuart Deeley will compete for the first time, having learned of the event from Hardman, and travelled out in 2007. Three-time Association of North West Car Clubs (ANWCC) Stage Champion, most recently last year in his unique Lotus Europa – another Hardman creation – he will drive the Micra, backed by Demon Tweeks. His co-driver will be Alistair Dodd, also English, but living in Wales; he won three ANWCC titles last year, including Junior Co-Driver, and has sat with both Deeley and Hardman.

IRISH ATTACK SOL RALLY BARBADOS FROM TWO SIDES

Posted: April 23, 2012 2:44 PM

As Irish entries for Sol Rally Barbados 2012 (June 9/10) approach record numbers, the latest crews confirmed reveal an attack on the event from both sides of the Atlantic. As County Antrim's Joe McQuillan confirms his entry in Group A, the country's four-wheel-drive contingent is boosted in Group N by New York-based Martin Donnelly, both newcomers to the Caribbean's biggest annual motor sport international.

McQuillan has been rallying since the late 1990s and has won Mid Antrim Championship titles five times in the past nine years; the early wins came in a modified Honda Civic, but the most recent - in 2011 - was in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII prepared by McGrath Motor Sports Ireland, which he will be shipping to Barbados.

Bought in 2009, the former Group N car has since been converted to clubman Group A, which will slot into the island's Modified 8-A category. McQuillan says: "I have had a couple of overall wins, plus podium finishes - it has approximately 340 horsepower and we're capable of setting times against early WRC cars up to, say, 2003." For his Barbados debut, the Ulster farmer's co-driver will be Neill Finlay, who sat with Glenn Campbell in his Nissan Micra Kit Car last year, when they finished second in Modified 5.
. Donnelly started his competition career in the mid-1990s driving a Ford Mustang. A regular competitor in events on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, he has twice won the Atlantic Rally Cup in the United States. Champion in 2008 & '09, he has been a regular podium finisher on events in Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee and has won the Black River Stages in up-state New York three years in a row.

Over the Easter weekend, he and co-driver Colin Fitzgerald tackled the Donnelly Group Circuit of Ireland Rally, at which the Barbados Rally Club (BRC) enjoyed a major presence as the final element of its European promotion for Sol RB12. Donnelly and Fitzgerald, who is a former Junior Champion Co-driver in the Irish West Coast Rally Championship, were in the Evo IX in which they will contest Sol RB12; run by Liam Ryan, boss of Ryan Rally Preparations, the car is sponsored by Eire Concrete Inc.

The entries from McQuillan and Donnelly now posted on-line at www.rallybarbados.bb have brought to a total of six those from Ireland, which is among the most rally-centric countries in Europe. Details of further entries are yet to be confirmed, as competitors make preparations for the shipping date from the British south coast port of Portsmouth in a little over two weeks' time.

Countdown steps up a gear with Valvoline Shakedown Stages

The countdown to Sol Rally Barbados 2012, the Caribbean's biggest annual motor sport international, steps up a gear on Sunday, May 6, with the Valvoline Shakedown Stages, round three of the Barbados Rally Club's (BRC) Virgin Atlantic Driver's and Class Championships.

In advance of entries opening next Monday (April 23), Sol RB12 Chairman Barry Gale was at pains to emphasise the importance of the event: "Local competitors new to Sol Rally Barbados are reminded of the ASRs, which state that those who have not driven in a special stage rally before are required to drive in at least one such event before being considered eligible for Sol RB12 . . . the Valvoline Shakedown Stages is the last chance to tick this box."

Entries can be made on-line under the Competitor tab at www.barbadosrallyclub.com, or at Motorsport Services, Haggatt Hall, St Michael, where all entry fees must be paid before the closing time of 4.00pm on Friday, April 27. The running order will be published at the Briefing Meeting, which will be held at 7.00pm on Thursday, May 3, at the Barbados Clay Target Shooting Association Club House, Searles, Christ Church.

Scrutineering will be held between noon and 5.00pm at Automotive Art's Welches premises on Saturday, May 5, with the start of the Valvoline Shakedown Stages slated for 9.00am the following day; the service area will be in the Pool Plantation Yard, St John, which will also be the venue for the start, lunch halt, finish and planned post-event social. Twelve stages are scheduled, at two venues - Society to Pool and Bonwell to Malvern - each of which will be used six times, with three runs in each direction.

WRC TOP 10 FOR SOL RALLY BARBADOS 2012 / Duckworth confirms second trip to the Caribbean

Posted: March 9, 2012 1:16 PM

A record-equalling 10 cars have now been confirmed by the organising Barbados Rally Club (BRC) for the Modified 8-WRC class of Sol Rally Barbados 2012, following recent on-line entries received from former local, regional and international Rally Champions on the event’s official web site - www.rallybarbados.bb.
As entries for the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport international approach 110, local interest has been boosted by news that Paul Bourne, twice winner of the island’s premier event (2003 and ’07), has entered, after much speculation about whether he would return to action this season.
With backing from Chefette, LIME, Slam 101, MQI, Banks and Castrol, Bourne will again campaign his ex-works Ford Focus WRC07, first seen in the island in 2009 in the hands of British regular Paul Bird. Bourne has finished second to Roger Skeete for the past two years, with another seven podium finishes to his credit since 1993.
Six times the Champion in the BRC’s premier class, Bourne has finished outside the event’s top 10 only once – 14th in 2001 in a Subaru Impreza WRX – and missed an overall finish only three times, the first in 2002, after a major accident on stage one in his Impreza WRC. In 2005 and ’08, after Saturday problems, he won the Sunday Cup.
Jamaica’s John ‘Pentti’ Powell, who rallies under the flag of his adopted homeland Trinidad & Tobago, is also confirmed in his Intercontinental Shipping Ltd/Trinidad Mooring & Launch Services Ltd/FT Farfan/Shell Impreza WRC S14. He has twice finished second in Rally Barbados (2005 and ’07 in Toyota Corolla WRCs) and has just missed the podium for the past two years, fourth in an Impreza WRC S12. Last September, on the S14’s debut, he finished third to Skeete and Bourne in the Motoring Club of Barbados Inc’s Rally of the Sun & Stars, then went on to win Rally Jamaica for the first time. Having won Rally Trinidad in 2010, he will be keener than ever to add victory in Barbados to his tally.
He has started his year well, winning last month’s opening round of the Trinidad & Tobago Rally Club’s 2012 Championship in his Shell-backed Group N Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X. He was co-driven by the experienced Jamaican, Mike Fennell Jnr, who will also sit alongside him in an Evo IX in this year’s NACAM Rally Championship, which kicks off in April in Mexico. In Barbados, his co-driver will be Trinidad’s Nicholas Telfer, as last year.

Duckworth confirms second trip to the Caribbean

Former UK National Rally Champion Roger Duckworth is the latest to confirm his participation, having claimed his second consecutive Rallye Sunseeker National victory last month. His fourth win on the UK’s popular south coast event earned him a repeat all-expenses paid trip, presented by the Barbados Rally Club (BRC) in association with the Tourism Development Corporation (TDC).
On his first visit last year, Duckworth and Welsh co-driver Aled Davis – he will co-drive again this year - finished seventh in the Intrinsys/Kumho/Autosportif Impreza WRC, after they had dropped out of the top 10 early on day one. He was regularly in the top six by the end of Sunday, claiming the final stage win at the Shell V-Power SuperSpecial.

Late last year, Duckworth was a front-runner in three of the UK’s most competitive events, the Woodpecker, Trackrod National and Wales Rally GB National. Against very stiff BTRDA competition, he finished third on the Woodpecker, then enjoyed a titanic battle with Charlie Payne (Ford Focus WRC07) in Yorkshire:
“I really enjoyed the event, due to the close battle with Charlie until he retired, although we lost out on the win by a navigation error on the way to the finish control. The finale for the year was great - after two days of rallying in mid-Wales, we just pipped Nigel Griffiths (Impreza) to the win by 2.2 seconds.”

Of his second trip to Barbados, Duckworth says:
“I am looking forward to returning to Barbados with at least a little experience, but probably still a long way from knowing enough to fight for the podium (maybe my slightly vintage equipment has a minor competitive disadvantage, as well as me!). However, I could say that I hope to continue my form from the last stage of Sol Rally Barbados 2011- where we were fastest!”

Sol Rally Barbados and Shell V-Power King of the Hill are organised and promoted by the Barbados Rally Club, which celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2007; Sol RB12 is the 23rd running of the Club’s annual International All-Stage Rally and marks the fifth year of title sponsorship by the Sol Group, the Caribbean’s largest independent oil company.

PEARCEY TAKES UP SOL RALLY BARBADOS PRIZE DRIVE

Posted: March 5, 2012 2:43 PM

Tim Pearcey and Neil Shanks, who finished second in last December's Roger Albert Clark Rally, will enjoy an all expenses-paid trip to Sol Rally Barbados 2012 (June 9/10), the Caribbean's biggest annual motor sport international. The prize includes free entry and shipping for the rally car, return flights and accommodation for 14 nights for driver and co-driver, plus a rental vehicle for the duration.

Valued at US $9,000 (around £5,600), the prize was offered to the winners of Britain's most demanding historic event by the Barbados Rally Club (BRC) and the island's private-sector Tourism Development Corporation. Gwyndaf Evans and John Millington were unable to make the trip, however, despite a major effort by Viking Motorsport boss Phil Mills to ensure the availability of the winning Pirelli Ford Escort MkII.

BRC Vice-Chairman Mark Hamilton explained:
"Phil had been working with us on the logistics for some weeks, looking at cars and schedules. Sadly, he simply could not get a car for the period of time necessary, so had to turn down the prize. We are sorry that it didn't work out, particularly as Gwyndaf has something of a following in Barbados . . . but we look forward to welcoming Tim and Neil and making sure they have a good time in the island, with some serious motor sport in between for good measure."

Pearcey and Shanks also compete in a MkII Escort, sponsored by Willowgreen Homes, Dunlop and German company Ravenol, which recently became Official Oil and Lubricant Partner to the MSA British Rally Championship as part of a move into the UK market. Pearcey started rallying around 15 years ago in a self-built Davrian kit car, then progressed to a Vauxhall-engined MkII Escort, in which he won the Kuhmo Tyres Clubman's title in the 2004 ANCRO National Rally Championship.

His major achievements also include a double win on the 2005 Trackrod Rally in his native Yorkshire in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI: with co-driver Ian Windress - he sat with Paul Bird on his first two visits to Barbados - Pearcey won the National Rally on Saturday, then the Clubman's Trophy on Sunday, beating John Bannister (Subaru Impreza) by more than 50secs on Saturday, but by less than four on Sunday.

In 2007, the same event did not go so well, explains Pearcey: "I misheard a pacenote at the end of a 120mph straight, the car hit a bank and launched into a tree, roof first. It took two hours to cut us out and I was airlifted to hospital with a broken neck. Without the skill and care of the crews on the scene, I don't think I would still be here - it made me realise the dangers of our sport." Four months later, however, Pearcey was fit enough to win his local event, the Riponian Stages, with Seb Marshall in an Evo IX.

Pearcey's co-driver, Scotland's Neil Shanks, is also an accomplished competitor: in 2001, he won the Scottish International Rally with Dave Weston, then the British Rally Championship Production Cup with Barry Clark (2005) and the British Junior Rally Championship (2007) with Darren Gass, who was also the first Pirelli Star Driver.

In the 2011 Roger Albert Clark, a faltering start left the pair 13th and playing catch-up after stage one; by SS4, they were fourth, where they remained until the retirement of third-place Paul Griffiths. A stage win on the event's final 17.27-mile test saw them take nearly two minutes out of David Stokes, for a second-place finish behind Evans.

Chairman presents positive report at Rally Club AGM

Members of the Barbados Rally Club (BRC), which celebrates its 55th Anniversary in 2012, heard a positive report from Chairman Geoff Noel at the AGM on Monday (February 27); the Club posted a profit, despite the prevailing economic climate, while Sol Rally Barbados played a major role in promoting the island worldwide.

"Among the targets we set ourselves for 2011 was to continue to be proactive in our approach to getting sponsorship for the Club. This is on-going and our success is evident in the continued commercial arrangements with our long-term partners.

"We also significantly improved on our existing marketing plans in Europe by partnering with the Tourism Development Corporation. The International TV coverage provided by GreenlightTV, with a total viewership of 771 million homes across the world, resulted in unprecedented exposure for our island and the rally - this achievement is truly phenomenal!"

DUCKWORTH FOR SOL RALLY BARBADOS AGAIN? / Entries hit a century six weeks earlier than 2011

Posted: February 28, 2012 11:23 AM

Former UK National Rally Champion Roger Duckworth claimed his second consecutive Rallye Sunseeker National victory on Saturday (February 25) and, with it, the chance of a repeat all-expenses paid trip to contest Sol Rally Barbados in his Subaru Impreza WRC. It was his fourth win in the popular southern England event, making it his "best rally".

Centred around the seaside resorts of Bournemouth and Poole, Rallye Sunseeker International, organised by Southern Car Club, is the opening round of the MSA British Rally Championship, the UK's premier rally series, which runs under an International licence; Challenge, Historic and National events run concurrently.

Should he take it up, Duckworth's package includes free entry, shipping for the Impreza, flights for driver and co-driver, plus accommodation and rental car; the prize trip to the Caribbean's biggest annual motor sport International, presented by the Barbados Rally Club (BRC) in association with the private sector Barbados Tourism Development Corporation (TDC), is valued at around £5,500 (Bds $18,275).

For Rallye Sunseeker 2012, Duckworth was reunited with long-term co-driver Mark Broomfield; in front of thousands of spectators, brought out by the warmest day the UK had recorded for the year, they won every stage, steadily increasing their advantage from a little under two seconds to more than a minute by the finish. Throughout the event, they were chased by father and son Mike and Dan O'Brien, driving Ford Focus WRC08 and WRC02 respectively, and Anthony Willmington (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI), who had looked set to win the National event in 2011 - Duckworth incurred a two-minute penalty from which he was unlikely to recover - until 'Willmo's' wheel studs failed.

Following their victory, Duckworth and Broomfield received their awards at Rally HQ, the Bournemouth Marriott Highcliff Hotel, during a Charity Dinner and Auction organised by the International Rally Drivers Club (IRDC) to raise funds for The Children's Trust, chosen charity of Rallye Sunseeker 2012. The awards were presented by event patron Lord Somerton and Elle, winner of the inaugural Miss Rallye Sunseeker competition.

Among the items auctioned by well-known British motor sport television presenters Louise Goodman and Tony Jardine was a seven-day holiday for two in Barbados, donated by the London office of the BTA. It sold for £2,700 (Bds $8,480), helping the charity realise a total of £6,700 (Bds $21,045) from the auction, a significant percentage of more than £10,000 (Bds $21,045) raised over the weekend.

After receiving his awards, Duckworth commented:
"Claiming a fourth win makes Rallye Sunseeker my best event; the lads at Autosportif prepared a car that ran faultlessly . . . and fast! We've had a good day with no problems. Now we just need to work out the timing, school holidays and so forth, to see whether we can make the trip a second time."

Duckworth's victory was his fourth on the south-coast event - he also won in 1998, 2004 and last year - moving him into second place in the roll of honour behind multiple National Champion Marcus Dodd, who claimed a seven Sunseeker wins between 1999 and 2010.

Entries hit a century six weeks earlier than 2011

Entries for Sol Rally Barbados 2012 posted on the event's official web site, www.rallybarbados.bb, have already hit a century, six weeks earlier than last year . . . and with 11 weeks to go before the closing date. Of the current total of 104, there are 29 International entries - not including Rallye Sunseeker National winner Roger Duckworth, until he confirms - plus 68 from Barbados and seven from the wider Caribbean. At the end of February last year, the entry total was 61, with 100 not reached until early April.

Sol RB12 Chairman Barry Gale noted:
"I am completely stunned at the rate at which entries have flowed in this year - not just the rate, but the number of new names as well! Of course, some of these may withdraw, as usually happens when so many people enter so early, but I still feel we could be facing our maximum start list of 100 for the first time this year."

The record number of starters for the island's premier event is 90 - this was achieved in 2003, when there were 38 entries from the wider Caribbean and further afield, and 2010, when the overseas entry total was just 28.

PEREZ BACK TO WRC CLASS FOR SOL RALLY BARBADOS

Posted: February 20, 2012 12:19 PM

After an outing in the historic category last year, Britain's Steve Perez will return to the World Rally Car class in Sol Rally Barbados 2012 (June 9/10) in his ex-Marcus Gronholm Kick Energy Drink Ford Focus WRC07 with regular co-driver Paul Spooner on the notes; it will be the third different ex-works Focus he has driven in the island and is the seventh entry received for the event's M8-WRC classification.
His entry was posted on the event's official web site, www.rallybarbados.bb, along with those of fellow historic rally enthusiasts Geoff Bell and Andrew Siddall, whom he introduced to the Caribbean's biggest annual motor sport International event last year; their entries bring to 15 the number of overseas crews confirmed by the Barbados Rally Club (BRC), out of a total of 97 entries so far received (February 17).

Sol RB12 Chairman Barry Gale said:
"We were hoping to confirm Steve's entry off the back of a successful outing on last Saturday's opening round of the BTRDA Championship, the Team GMF Wyedean Forest Rally, which he won on his last trip there in 2010 . . . but things did not go so well!"

Extreme weather in the UK meant icy conditions for the Wyedean (February 11); of 180 starters, nearly one-third retired, and the surface was such a leveller of power and grip that a crew in a 1400cc Vauxhall Nova finished third overall. As Perez explains: "It was very icy but despite that, I really enjoyed it . . . after all, that's what rally driving is all about. Like most, we ended up a bank in the first stage but were fastest by 17 seconds on SS2 and I loved it. The puncture on SS3 dropped us back but, when we got yet another puncture on SS4, it ended up breaking the wheel and the half-shaft and, although I tried to continue, it was game over. Not scoring this weekend isn't ideal and we know we will miss the Dukeries, too."

There was some consolation for Perez, as the winning Focus WRC07 also carried Kick Energy Drink stickers; it was driven by Charlie Payne, who was seeded at three and co-driven by Craig Thorley, Group N winner with Ryan Champion in RB08. Roger Duckworth, who finished seventh in Sol RB11 in his Subaru Impreza WRC, retired with suspension damage, while Rob and Ross Weir, who will compete in Barbados for the first time this year, successfully continued the shakedown of their new Impreza B13 with a finish in difficult conditions.

Perez will miss the Dukeries because it clashes with Sol RB12, which is his seventh visit to the island's premier event. After an unsuccessful debut in 2004, when he retired early on day one following an accident in his ex-Hannu Mikkola Audi Quattro Sport, Perez did not return for two years. When he did, his fortunes improved, fourth in his ex-Markko Martin Focus WRC05, a result repeated in RB07, also highest-placed European crew.

Having established a pattern, despite bringing his older Focus WRC03 to Sol RB08, Perez claimed a hat-trick of fourth places; the following year, an early problem left him a long way off the leading pack, so he concentrated on entertainment for the rest of the weekend, throwing the Focus into every corner, much to the delight of the spectators.

Perez was absent in 2010, concentrating on the immensely popular BTRDA Championship in the UK, from which he emerged Champion, adding that title to his 2003 Armajaro British Historic Rally Championship (Porsche 911) and the 2004 ANCRO National Rally Championship (Focus WRC03).

G-WRC introduced newcomers to the island

When he returned last year, Perez introduced South Africa's Geoff Bell and fellow Brit Andrew Siddall to Sol Rally Barbados, as part of the G-WRC, a champagne challenge that took in iconic events on three continents; in the Kick Energy Drink Porsche 911 RSR, Perez and Spooner finished 17th overall, highest-placed historic entry, a little under two minutes ahead of the others.

It was a much closer fight between Siddall and Bell; co-driven in the Siddall and Hilton Ford Escort RS2000 by Carl Williamson, Siddall finished less than a second ahead of South African Bell, with Kenya's Tim Challen on the notes in the Kick Energy Drink Ford Escort RS. Both Bell and Siddall are returning to Barbados for a second visit, although they will no longer have Perez to battle with for G-WRC 'points and honour', as he has reverted to the WRC class.

Sol Rally Barbados and Shell V-Power King of the Hill are organised and promoted by the Barbados Rally Club, which celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2007; Sol RB12 is the 23rd running of the Club's annual International All-Stage Rally and marks the fifth year of title sponsorship by the Sol Group, the Caribbean's largest independent oil company.

HALL AND VERBAAS RETURN TO SOL RALLY BARBADOS

Posted: February 13, 2012 3:02 PM

Four more regular visitors from Europe have confirmed their entries for Sol Rally Barbados 2012 (June 9/10) through the event's official web site, www.rallybarbados.bb, bringing to more than 30 their combined total of visits to the island in the past decade.

Scotland's Kenny Hall returns to compete for the 10th time - he has only missed one year since his 2002 debut - and has become a regular visitor for family holidays, too. This year, Holland's Fenny Wesselink returns as his co-driver, making her seventh trip.

When Wesselink first visited the island in 2003, it was as co-driver to fellow-countryman Wim Wermink in his historic Opel Ascona; also in the Netherlands party that year was Frans Verbaas with an Opel Astra, co-driven by Kees Hagman. They return together in 2012, Verbaas for his sixth visit, Hagman for his third.

Hall has three times won the Modified 5 classification, in his Opel Corsa, in 2004 with Colin Smith as co-driver, then twice with Wesselink on the notes: in 2007, 22nd overall was also good enough for them to claim the trophy as the highest-placed crew including a female, and they won again in Sol RB09.

The four-time Scottish class champion is back for the third time with his ex-works Super 1600 Halltune Ford Puma; he is hoping for better fortune than on the car's two previous visits - in Sol RB10, 'Kenny & Fenny' were just a few hundred yards away from another class win, until a wrong slot on the first run of the Shell V-Power SuperSpecial at Simpson Motors dropped them to second in M6.

Last year was one to forget, with an 'off' in the early part of Saturday, followed by a number of mechanical problems, and eventual retirement. Hall's disappointment was compounded when teenage son Alex, making his island debut in his father's former Corsa, had an accident on Sunday.

Hall says: "It is good to be returning again this year; business here is brutal, it has been the longest January that I can remember. Still, we've got May to look forward to - bring it on! We've got some fixing to do before we leave, though - we attempted the McRae Stages last October; it was pouring with rain and the stages were rougher than I can remember. We had to pull out after the sump split, the engine mounting split, the sumpguard bent and the lower suspension arm bushes popped out . . . it even tore the sills and fibre glass rear quarters to bits!"

Dutch Mini enthusiast Verbaas - the family have more than 20 examples between them - is bringing his distinctive self-built Group B Mini, which was dubbed 'The Clockwork Orange' by Britain's popular Mini Magazine, for the fourth time. Created to mark the 50th Anniversary of the iconic marque in 2009, it is built around much of the running gear from his former Opel Astra Kit Car. On his first visit in 2003, driving that Astra, in which he had won the Dutch Rally Championship in four consecutive years (1998 to 2001), he retired with overheating; four years later, he finished 27th overall and fifth in M7 in a newly-built Opel Astra Sport. On the brand-new Mini's debut in 2009, despite very little chance to test before the event, Verbaas finished second in Group B; he went one better the following year, claiming the Group win, but slipped back down the order in Sol RB11, finishing seventh.

BIRD AND SWANN FLOCK TO SOL RALLY BARBADOS / International entries approaching record numbers

Posted: February 3, 2012 7:43 PM

Two of the most successful British visitors to the Caribbean in recent years, Paul Bird and Rob Swann, have confirmed their entries for Sol Rally Barbados 2012 (June 9/10) through the event’s official web site, www.rallybarbados.bb. Entered for the fifth consecutive year, both have also become regular visitors to the island for family holidays outside rally season.

Their entries bring to four the cars now confirmed by the organising Barbados Rally Club (BRC) for the Modified 8-WRC category, with a number of other entries from home and abroad known to be intending to fight for overall honours in the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport international.

After Ulstermen Kenny McKinstry and Kris Meeke, each of whom has won the island’s premier event twice, ‘Birdy’ has comfortably the best record of any European visitor; he finished second to Meeke, the margin around 17secs each time, in 2008 (Subaru Impreza WRC S9) and ’09 (Ford Focus WRC07), then third for the last two years in his Focus WRC08 with Scotland’s Kirsty Riddick, now his regular co-driver.

ANCRO National Rally Champion in 2005, Bird started his 2012 campaign with a fourth straight win on the Jack Frost Stages at the Croft racing circuit in the north of England two weeks ago. He said:
“It's great to win this event for a record-breaking fourth time, especially as I've not driven the car on tarmac since Rally Barbados last June. The opening couple of stages were not perfect by any means, but once I got into my stride, everything started flowing and we got vital testing time with the car.”

Bird is contesting the MSA Asphalt Rally Championship this season, his first attempt at a tarmac series; before that starts, his next outing in the Frank Bird Poultry/Fuchs Titan Race Focus is this weekend’s Legend Fires North West Stages, where he is seeded at number two, behind last year’s winner, another successful Barbados visitor, Kevin Procter, co-driven by Dave Bellerby in his Impreza WRC S7.

Swann and Welsh co-driver Darren Garrod, fifth in Sol RB11 in a rented Impreza WRC S12, face a new challenge, as the Revolution Wheels/Waves Hotel Impreza N14 in which they won Group N in both Barbados and Jamaica in 2010 – the only crew to have done so – is undergoing a major upgrade at TEG Sport in England. Swann explains:
“The WRC hire option was not possible due to a lack of cars so, with future events in mind, I decided to build a B13 spec Impreza. My prodrive N14 is being stripped to a bare shell, lightened, then dipped and re-sprayed. The engine will be WRC build spec, with a six-speed sequential gearbox, active centre diff and programmeable diff controller. I have tested a similar car built by TEG and feel with some of the upgrades we are fitting to ours, it will be very competitive . . . and a lot of fun!”

The build should be complete by the end of March, followed by a tarmac test programme and entry on the Circuit of Ireland at the beginning of April for a final shakedown before sailing to Barbados:
“Simple as that,” smiles Swann. Since his last visit, he is proud to have claimed his maiden overall rally win, on last November’s SA Gas Premier Rally, a forest event in the British Midlands.

International entries approaching record numbers

Of the 80 entries for Sol Rally Barbados 2012 that have been posted on the official web site (www.rallybarbados.bb), 27 are from International crews; adding the prize packages offered to the winners of the 2011 Roger Albert Clark Rally and 2012 Rallye Sunseeker National in the UK brings the total to 29, which equals the highest-ever European turn-out for the island’s premier event in 2003.

Sol RB12 Chairman Barry Gale said:
“We are only just into February and we’re now less than 20 away from our entry ceiling of 100 cars. I am aware of three or four more overseas cars that are making serious plans to come, and I am also getting enquiries pretty much every other day, either directly, or through the web site.

“I realise that there is scope for one or two to drop out, as happened last year, but in the current climate, this sort of response is nothing short of remarkable.”

IRELAND FOCUSES ON SOL RALLY BARBADOS / Shipping dates confirmed for European competitors

Posted: January 27, 2012 10:09 PM

even crews with Irish connections, including two new to the event, are among the 21 International entries already received for Sol Rally Barbados 2012 (June 9/10) through the event’s official web site, www.rallybarbados.bb . . . and the organising Barbados Rally Club (BRC) has thanked the media for the part it plays in spreading the word.

The latest newcomers confirmed for the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport international are Raymond Conlon and Darren McCague from County Monaghan in the Irish Border Region. Their 270 horsepower 2-litre Conlon Travel Toyota Corolla, prepared by KMS Motorsport and Powertune, is entered in the BRC’s SuperModified 10 category.

Conlon started competing – in a standard production 1600cc Corolla – almost as soon as he was old enough to hold a driving licence. He won the Junior Event at the Killarney Rally of the Lakes in 2005, with four out of five stage wins, and is now a regular overall top 10 finisher and class-winner in events north and south of the border.

His best finishes include third overall, with the class win, on the toddsleap.com Ulster National Rally in 2008, a result repeated on the UTV Drive Circuit of Ireland National Rally in 2010. After more than two hours of stage time, Conlon finished just 20 seconds adrift of Emma McKinstry’s Subaru Impreza WRC and 26 seconds behind winner John Waring’s Ford Escort MkII . . . a result that would have been very different but for a 30-second road penalty Conlon and McCague had incurred early in the day.

Although this will be the crew’s debut in Barbados, they are already familiar with the event, having seen the TV coverage aired in recent years in Ireland, where the monthly Pacenotes Rally Magazine is also a popular read. Last year, in conjunction with the private sector Tourism Development Corporation in Barbados and the BRC, Pacenotes ran a hugely successful competition with a prize trip for two readers to Sol RB11. Details of its 2012 promotion will be announced shortly. Sol RB12 Chairman Barry Gale said: “There is little doubt that the major increase in media coverage we have enjoyed over the past couple of years has helped our cause enormously, especially in these difficult times . . . and Pacenotes has certainly played its part in keeping our event at the forefront of competitors’ minds.”

Among those confirmed for Sol RB12 are popular Celtic entertainers, Ballyclare’s Glenn Campbell in his Nissan Micra Kit Car and Allan Mackay from Brora in the north of Scotland, whose unique Ford Anglia WRC is prepared by Mark Greer Motorsport in Northern Ireland, where Mackay’s co-driver for the event, Mo Downey, is also based. The current Sol RB12 entry list can be found on the official web site, www.rallybarbados.bb (under the Competitor drawdown), although some names are withheld for promotional purposes.

Shipping dates confirmed for European competitors

The Barbados Rally Club (BRC) has confirmed shipping dates for Sol Rally Barbados 2012 competitors travelling from Europe – the cars will leave Portsmouth on the English south coast on the Geest Line freighter Benguela Stream on May 8 for the 11-day Atlantic crossing to the Caribbean, with the return trip scheduled for June 16, to make landfall in the UK on July 4.
Sol RB12 Chairman Barry Gale said:
“It has taken us a little longer this year to confirm our arrangements with our shipping partner, the Geest Line, as we have shifted our dates back a week or so, also there are extra Bank Holidays in the UK around that time. We know it is important to our European friends to know how long their cars are going to be away, so we have been working hard to secure the best possible schedule.”

The BRC is also investigating favourable shipping rates from the United States. Gale added: “We have always been interested in promoting our event in the US, but the shipping costs have presented challenges. We have had more than one enquiry from potential competitors this year, so we’re working towards an arrangement that might make it attractive for them to come down, too.”

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BARBADOS RAISES THE BAR AT RALLYE SUNSEEKER

Posted: January 27, 2012 8:48 PM

Rallye Sunseeker, next month’s opening round of the MSA British Rally Championship, will be the focus of a major push for Sol Rally Barbados 2012 (June 9/10) and its island home. The organisers and tourism backers of the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport international will use the award-winning event for the third consecutive year as a key part of its overseas promotion, while stepping up the level of involvement.

Supported by the island’s private sector Tourism Development Corporation (TDC), the Barbados Rally Club (BRC) will reward the winners of Rallye Sunseeker National with free entry and shipping to Sol RB12, flights and accommodation for driver and co-driver, plus rental car, a prize valued at around US $8,500 (£5,500). In addition, the Barbados Tourism Authority’s (BTA) London office has this week signed an agreement to become a direct Marketing Partner of Rallye Sunseeker; key among a raft of value-added benefits is title sponsorship of an exciting new component of the event, a travel exhibition to run alongside Scrutineering, a first in UK rallying.

After 25 years as round one of the ANCRO National Rally Championship, Rallye Sunseeker became the opening round of the MSA British Rally Championship in 2011; it was voted ‘Rally of the Year’ by drivers, co-drivers and officials in only its first season in the UK’s leading championship. Based in the English south coast towns of Poole and Bournemouth, this year’s event is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, February 24/25.

The innovative ‘Rallye Sunseeker featuring the Barbados Holiday Show’ will be staged on Friday in the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC), which won the Outstanding Customer Service of the Year category at the Bournemouth Tourism Awards 2011. Among the best-known venues in the south of England and only a few hundred yards from the Town Square, the BIC is a big draw for local people, who have turned out in large numbers for an ‘up-close-and-personal’ look at cars and drivers at previous out-of-town scrutineering venues.

Once this new event has attracted the Friday shopping crowd in Bournemouth, attention will turn to the Ceremonial Start on Poole Quay, where thousands more families will gather for a further three hours of rally-themed entertainment after sunset. On Saturday, Somerley Park will host the keynote spectator stage, with one run each in the morning and afternoon, with the popular Motorfair to maintain interest throughout the day. Barbados and Sol RB12 will also be well represented at these venues.

BTA vice-president, marketing & sales UK, Petra Roach said: “Sol Rally Barbados is a key element of our sports-tourism product; there is great synergy between it and Rallye Suneeker – both earn vital tourist income in ‘slower’ months, winter in the UK and summer in Barbados, both are organised by really professional teams, and both attract huge crowds, so I am delighted to take our relationship to the next stage.”

Event Director Rick Smith said:
“Rallye Sunseeker has always been about innovation, so our plan to use the BIC as the venue for Scrutineering and Documentation was always on the wish list. Now that the Barbados Tourism Authority has continued - and increased - its support for 2012, we are pleased that the novel plan to link the two activities has culminated in a motor sport event allied to a holiday show."

Sol Rally Barbados 2012 entries double up

Sixty entries for the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport international have now been posted on the official Sol Rally Barbados 2012 web site (www.rallybarbados.bb), almost double the total at the same time last year. Of those 60, 21 are from overseas, including the prize packages offered to the winners of the 2011 Roger Albert Clark Rally and 2012 Rallye Sunseeker National in the UK.

Sol RB12 Chairman Barry Gale said:
“By this time last year, we had 32 entries – to be at a total nearly double that now is remarkable. What interests me is that there are nearly 40 local or regional crews who were entered last year, but are not yet on this year’s list. The ASRs explain in detail the order in which we accept entries, and the ratio of international, regional and local. What can I say, other than make sure you get your entry in fast!”

Sol Rally Barbados and Shell V-Power King of the Hill are organised by the Barbados Rally Club, which celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2007; Sol RB12 is the 23rd running of the Club’s annual International All-Stage Rally and marks the fifth year of title sponsorship by the Sol Group, the Caribbean’s largest independent oil company.

Rally Barbados

REGIONAL CREWS SUPPORT SOL RALLY BARBADOS / On-line Overseas Competitor Information document now available

Posted: January 13, 2012 9:21 PM

For the third year in a row, the Turks & Caicos Islands will be represented in Sol Rally Barbados . . . but with a difference. For the 2012 running of the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport international on June 9/10, Paul Horton is shipping his Ford Escort MkI, to replace the Honda Civic which he has driven for the past two seasons.

Based in TCI, British-born Horton was the first regional entry received via the event’s official web site, www.rallybarbados.bb, which is now displaying the current entry list under the Competitor heading; this will be updated regularly, although the organisers may hold back some entries for promotional reasons. With the closing date for entries – Monday, May 14 – still four months away, the total currently stands at 44, including 18 from overseas.

Horton so enjoyed his 2010 debut that the Civic stayed in the island, contesting other rounds of the Barbados Rally Club’s (BRC) Virgin Atlantic-sponsored Championship in 2011. He has also competed successfully in recent years in Targa Newfoundland in North America; in 2008, he won his class in the Civic, 24th overall, then moved up the order in 2009 to fifth, with another class win, in the Java Island/H Racing/Sky Motor Sport Escort, which is already on its way to Barbados to be readied for competition this year.

In 2010, he finished 55th overall and sixth in Modified 6 in Shell V-Power King of the Hill, but retired from Sol RB10 with mechanical problems; last year, he was 42nd overall, fourth in M6 in King of the Hill, but gearbox problems from stage one of Sol RB11 dropped him out of contention, as he and co-driver Kristian Yearwood missed many stages. On Sunday morning, however, Horton set the fastest M6 time on the opening stage of the day, only for further gearbox issues to result in their retirement.

The other regional entries so far confirmed are both from Trinidad & Tobago, and run in Group N, known locally as Production 4. Stuart Johnson will drive his Mitco Water Laboratories-backed Subaru Impreza N12, co-driven by Lee Quesnel, while David Coelho and James Harris are entered in the Subway/Total Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX.

Of the two, Johnson fared better on Sol RB11, his first attempt as a driver, having failed to finish RB03 as co-driver for Wayne Persad. He finished fourth in P4 last year, with an old school friend, Barbados restaurateur Chris Hoad, as his co-driver. Regularly in the top 20 overall stage times, their best came mid-way through day two, when they were 10th, with Geoff Noel (Evo IX) the only local Group N driver ahead of them.

Coelho, who had failed to finish Sol RB10, suffered another weekend of dramas last year, missing a number of Saturday stages, then retiring with an ‘off’ just four stages into Sunday. His best stage results were 11th overall on Saturday, then 15th on Sunday, with eventual winner Mark Hamilton (Evo IX) the only local Group N driver to beat him.

On-line Overseas Competitor Information document now available

Additional detailed information is now available for international competitors, with the publication on the official web site of the Overseas Competitor Information Document; available as a pdf download, it can be found by scrolling down from the Competitor heading and clicking on Event Information.

This document not only outlines the entry package on offer, including the discounts available for returning competitors – up to nearly 40 per cent for competitors who have participated four or more times – but also provides details of flights, accommodation and vehicle rental.

Competing cars from Europe will be shipped from Portsmouth on the English south coast on a Geest Line freighter, while Virgin Atlantic Airways is the event’s Official Airline Partner and Stoute’s Car Rental the Official Vehicle Rental Partner. The Divi Southwinds Beach Resort in St Lawrence Gap, Christ Church, is the Official Hotel Partner and will also provide facilities for the Rally HQ office and a number of key official and social events during the two weeks surrounding Sol RB12.

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STOCKDALE RETURNS FOR SOL RALLY BARBADOS 2012

Posted: January 10, 2012 2:19 PM

Popular British ace Martin Stockdale heads the list of returning international drivers whose names are among more than 40 entries so far received via the event’s official web site - www.rallybarbados.bb - for the 2012 running of the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport international, Sol Rally Barbados (June 9/10).

Nicknamed ‘Mad-dale’ by island fans for his flamboyant driving style in a string of BMWs, Stockdale will be making his 12th consecutive appearance in the Barbados Rally Club’s (BRC) premier event; his co-driver in the Divi Southwinds Beach Resort/Drive-a-Matic Car Rentals/Quarry Motors BMW M3 Compact will be Mark Swallow, who will be competing in the island for the eighth time.

Three times a class-winner in the past decade, Stockdale is entered in the hotly-contested SuperModified 11 class, in which he finished fourth in 2011 and 18th overall. His opposition will include another returning crew from Britain, Nigel Worswick and Lindsey Pilkington, who finished 26th overall and fifth in SM10 on their first visit to the island last year. For 2012, the Worswick Engineering Ford Escort MkII has received an engine transplant, moving it up a class.

The rallying careers of both Stockdale and Worswick date back many years, both of them having entered – and finished – Britain’s round of the World Rally Championship more than once during the 1990s. At the time, Stockdale drove an Opel Monza-engined Vauxhall Carlton, unique in British rallying, while Worswick was more conventional, missing out on a top 10 finish by just one second in 1996 in a Ford Sierra Cosworth 4 x 4, having finished in the top seven on the last five of 26 special stages.

Back for his ninth visit is Britain’s Andrew Costin-Hurley, who will again contest Group B in the Earl’s Performance Hoses Ford Puma, in which he won the class in Rally Barbados in 2007 & ’08, and in Shell V-Power King of the Hill in ’09; fellow-Brit Shaun Mellett returns for his third visit as co-driver since 2009, when he came to celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary. An experienced Indy car and F1 engineer, Costin-Hurley created the Puma himself with 300bhp 2-litre turbo, rear-wheel drive, Sierra running gear and Escort WRC suspension.

Sol Rally Barbados Chairman Barry Gale said:
“It is always a pleasure to welcome our repeat visitors, and ‘Mad-dale’ is right there at the top of the list, as he hasn’t missed a year since his first visit in 2001. Not only has he been one of the most entertaining to watch, as our fans really do enjoy a sideways BMW, but he’s also been very competitive, taking a trophy back on the plane with him nearly every time.”

Island motor sport celebrates record season

Motor sport in Barbados is in good health, and making a growing contribution to the island’s sports-tourism product. Last year, for the first time since the Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF) was established in 2000, more than 400 local competitors took part in BMF-sanctioned events, a total boosted to nearly 500 by a record number of overseas competitors, bringing with them worldwide publicity and valuable foreign exchange.

Affiliated to the FIA, which rules the sport worldwide, the BMF is the island’s governing body for motor sport; it also represents the interests of its six sporting member clubs in discussions with Government departments which facilitate the sport in the island, in particular the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.

Announcing the provisional calendar for 2012, which ratified the already-published dates for Sol RB12 and its associated events, BMF President Andrew Mallalieu noted: “Despite the prevailing financial climate, interest in motor sport from participants and spectators alike continues to rise. For the last two years, Barbados has hosted three International motor sport events, which not only help motor sport make an important contribution to the island’s economy, much of it in valuable foreign exchange, but are also the key to massively-increased worldwide television coverage.”

The BMF issued 415 competition licences, nearly three times the total issued in 2011 by Jamaica’s governing body, the Jamaica Millennium Motoring Club (JMMC), and more than twice the number issued by the BMF in 2006. The record total of 85 overseas competitors – the previous highest was 81 in 2007 – included 25 from the wider Caribbean and 60 from 12 more countries as far afield as Australia and South Africa.

Sol Rally Barbados and Shell V-Power King of the Hill are organised by the Barbados Rally Club, which celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2007; Sol RB12 is the 23rd running of the Club’s annual International All-Stage Rally and marks the fifth year of title sponsorship by the Sol Group, the Caribbean’s largest independent oil company.

SOL RALLY BARBADOS BACKS ‘ROGER ALBERT CLARK’

Posted: November 28, 2011 10:03 AM

he Barbados Rally Club (BRC) has made an early start on its International promotion for Sol Rally Barbados 2012 (June 9/10) by announcing that the winners of next month’s Roger Albert Clark Rally, Britain’s most demanding historic event, will receive an expenses-paid trip, valued at US $9,000 (around £5,600), to compete in the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport international.

The prize includes free entry to Sol RB12 and the previous weekend's Shell V-Power King of the Hill 'shakedown' and free shipping for the rally car on the Geest Line. The driver and co-driver will enjoy free return flights on Virgin Atlantic, accommodation for 14 nights at the Divi Southwinds Beach Resort Rally HQ, and a rental vehicle for the duration, which can double as a service barge for the two weekends.

Colin Heppenstall, Rally Manager of the Roger Albert Clark, said:
“We are pleased to partner with the Barbados Rally Club, and I am looking forward to working with them. It is an excellent prize, which I’m sure will find a worthy winner.”

Sol Rally Barbados Chairman Barry Gale said:
“The Roger Albert Clark is an iconic event that attracts the pick of the crop in historic rallying circles, many of whom are already familiar with our event. Having heard of the incredible lengths that Colin and his team went to last year to keep the event running in some of the worst weather in living memory, I just hope the winners will not be disappointed that the rallying mix in Barbados offers sun, sea, sand and special stages . . . but no snow!”

There is already a link between the two events, as both are rounds of the G-WRC – Gentleman's World Rally Class - an informal competition between island regular Steve Perez and fellow historic rallying enthusiasts, South African Geoff Bell and Britain’s Andrew Siddall. After visiting Spain, Barbados, Belgium and Sweden, the Roger Albert Clark (December 2-5) will host the final showdown, back-to-back with the previous weekend’s East African Safari Classic.

Perez, who finished 17th last year, will drive his Lancia Stratos, while Siddall, who was 12th, will be aiming for back-to-back class wins in the Ford Escort MkI, in which he also had a debut class win on Sol RB11. Bell (Escort MkII) is new to the Roger Albert Clark.

Among more than 60 entries already received are the winning crews from the past two years: in 2010, Belgium’s Stefaan Stouff and Joris Erard (Escort MkI) prevented Gwyndaf Evans and John Millington claiming two consecutive wins. Third last year were Andrew Haddon and Mark Crisp in the famous ex-Ari Vatanen MkII DKP 191T.



From Wales to the Caribbean . . . via Dubai and Spain!

Adding four more names to the list of international first-timers entered for Sol Rally Barbados 2012, the Bettinson brothers from Wales are busy preparing cars specifically for the event . . . at their A2B Garage premises in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

Younger brother Lloyd (21), who saw TV coverage of the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport international on Sky Sports, is currently re-shelling a former Renault Clio Cup race car, while Gareth (27) is building a Ford Escort MkII from the ground up. Both cars will be sponsored by A2B Garage and Motor Sport Wheels Dubai.

Both started rallying in Wales, Gareth in a Talbot Sunbeam in 2005 before moving to MkII Escorts; his recent competition experience, however, has been racing a BMW M1 at Yas Marina, the venue for last weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and Dubai Autodrome. Gareth says:
“Over the last few years I have been competing on the track, due to lack of rallying in the UAE. We hope to have the new car completed in our workshops before year-end, to give us a few months testing and set-up time.” Adding even more International flavour to their trip to the Caribbean, Gareth’s Welsh co-driver, marine service engineer Edwin Venville, now lives in Spain.

Although Lloyd only started competing last year, in a Peugeot 106XSi, he has already claimed a hillclimb record in the rally car class and been the best young driver on a National B road rally. Completing the Welsh quartet is co-driver Christian Coleman.

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ENTRIES SPEED UP FOR SOL RALLY BARBADOS 2012

Posted: November 28, 2011 10:00 AM

Entries for Sol Rally Barbados 2012, the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport international, are flowing into the event’s official web site, www.rallybarbados.bb, faster than last year . . . and the organising Barbados Rally Club (BRC) reports that half of the International entries received are newcomers.

Sol Rally Barbados Chairman Barry Gale said:
“I realise it is early days, but I am very encouraged by the entries received so far. We have reached one-fifth of the entry cap almost two months earlier than last year and, while there are already familiar names on the International list, four crews so far are new to the event.”

Those include father and son Rob and Ross Weir from Chepstow in Monmouthshire, south Wales; Rob, who heard about Sol RB12 on a previous visit to the island, is returning to rallying after a long break, having enjoyed 10 years in the sport from 1975, as driver or co-driver in a variety of Opels, Ascona, Kadett and Manta.

The crew debuted their brand new 300bhp Weir Laundry Equipment/HJ Weir Engineering Subaru Impreza last Sunday (October 30) in the WLE Rally Time Trial. Organised by the Forest of Dean Motor Club and sponsored by their family business, which sells refurbished industrial laundry machines to cruise lines, hotels and hospitals globally, the event was staged at the popular Sweet Lamb complex in mid-Wales, where fast gravel tracks blend some technical twisty bits to offer a challenging venue. This was Rob’s first event for 26 years, while Ross was making his competition debut as co-driver; they finished 25th overall and seventh in class. Afterwards, Rob said: "I was really pleased to finish, that was the plan. It was a superb event, well organised, with great stages. Its nice to be back . . . more match practice before the Wyedean, now."

Ross added:
“The car ran faultlessly all day, we both really enjoyed the event. The Forest of Dean Motor Club is our local club, this being one of the reasons we decided to sponsor the event, we feel that our contribution to the event was a way of putting something back into the sport.

“Dad struggled to find the pace he wanted, but this was his first event in 26 years, and the first time out in the Impreza! It will take some time to get back to the pace he was used to, also he used to rally rear-wheel-drive Opels and, of course, the technique required to drive the Impreza is totally different. Overall, we were happy with the day, seeing Dad's times getting faster on every stage . . . and it was a great chance for us to work as driver and co-driver for the first time on an event.”

The Weirs are now planning a two-day test at Walters Arena, the popular spectator stage that features in Wales Rally GB, Britain’s round of the World Rally Championship; they aim to arrange this before the end of November, after which the car will be fully-liveried in time for the Team GMF Motor Factors Wyedean Forest Rally in February 2012.

The Impreza was built by Rob Smith Rallying Ltd in Towcester, close to Silverstone, venue for the British Grand Prix – the firm’s web site, www.robsmithrallying.co.uk, includes a page following the car’s build, shakedown and first event.

Smith himself is a successful competitor, having rallied a range of Imprezas, winning the BTRDA Production Cup in 2005, then the ANCRO Production Cup and the Prodrive Subaru Trophy in 2006. More recently, he has driven a Vauxhall Chevette HSR in the British Historic Rally Championship - he was Category 3 Champion last year - and was battling for victory in Britain’s biggest historic event, the Roger Albert Clark Rally last November, until he went off on stage 20 out of 22.

Subject to final ratification by the island’s governing body, the Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF), Sol RB12 will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 9/10, with Scrutineering and the Shell V-Power King of the Hill the previous weekend, June 2/3.

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Incentives for returnees to the Caribbean’s biggest motor sport event

Posted: November 28, 2011 9:59 AM

Nearly 200 International competitors can benefit from the incentive programme on offer from the Barbados Rally Club (BRC) for next year’s running of the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport international, Sol Rally Barbados. On-line entries open on Saturday (October 1) on the event’s official web site, www.rallybarbados.bb.

Subject to final ratification by the island’s governing body, the Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF), Sol RB12 will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 9/10, with Scrutineering and the Shell V-Power King of the Hill ‘shakedown’ the previous weekend, June 2/3.

While first-time overseas visitors will pay the standard entry and shipping package from Europe of US$2,600 per car, the real costs of which are already subsidised by the BRC by around one-third, those who have participated before will enjoy further discounts ranging from around 10 to nearly 40 per cent.

Of the 199 competitors from outside the Caribbean who have taken part since 2001, 35 have visited three or more times, clocking up an impressive total of 163 trans-Atlantic trips between them; of these, English BMW ace Martin Stockdale stands out as the event’s most loyal supporter – he has not missed an event in 11 years - while Scotland’s Kenny Hall has competed nine times, England’s Andrew Costin-Hurley eight.

Even the 115 competitors who have visited just once, and there were 21 newcomers in 2011, can benefit from a US$250 discount; the rising scale offers discounts of US$500 (two previous visits), US$750 (three) and US$1000 (four or more), the highest level representing around 38 per cent off the standard package.

Sol Rally Barbados Chairman Barry Gale said:
“We introduced our incentive programme when our premier event celebrated its 20th Anniversary in 2010, in part to thank those Clubmen competitors from Europe whose contribution had played such a major role in our event’s success. The feedback was so good that we decided to maintain tiered entry fees for 2011, and again for 2012.

“The good thing is that our initial fears that the policy might result in an overseas entry list filled only by repeat visitors were unfounded; over the past two years, we’ve had the chance to host 40 first-timers to our event, and a good number of the enquiries about 2012 have come from names that are new to us, so it certainly looks as though we’re going to continuing making new friends.”

Sol Rally Barbados is a two-day tarmac rally, with 24 special stages run on the island’s intricate network of public roads, temporarily closed by permission of the Ministry of Transport & Works; Shell V-Power King of the Hill, run under a similar arrangement, features four timed runs on a stage that will not feature the following weekend and is used to seed the running order for the main event.

This year, the maximum entry was increased from 90 to 100 cars after Sol RB10 had been over-subscribed by 20 per cent; this new cap was reached one month before entries closed for 2011, with the total finally reaching 113 entries, with 31 from overseas. A combination of financial and preparation difficulties for local, regional and international crews, however, meant that number had diminished by the time Sol RB11 started, and it was not necessary to enforce the 100 cap.

Gale concluded:
“Our decision to move up to 100 was largely made to ensure that we could accommodate the continued regional and international interest, even though financial and other factors mean we have not yet had to apply the cap and disappoint any prospective competitors. There is a structure to the entry process that guarantees fairness for local and overseas competitors, and I really can’t wait for entries to open to see how it is balancing out.”

Rally Barbados

DATES ANNOUNCED FOR SOL RALLY BARBADOS 2012 / Entries open on October 1

Posted: November 28, 2011 9:57 AM

On-line entries for Sol Rally Barbados 2012 will open on Saturday, October 1, on the event’s official web site, www.rallybarbados.bb. Subject to final ratification by the island’s governing body, Sol RB12 will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 9/10, with Scrutineering and the Shell V-Power King of the Hill ‘shakedown’ the previous weekend, June 2/3.

From small beginnings in 1990, the Barbados Rally Club’s (BRC) premier event has grown into the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport international; it is one of the strongest sporting brand names in the region, particularly for visitors from Europe, and a key player in the country’s increasingly-important sports-tourism product. Annually, the event contributes in excess of Bds $2 million to the island’s economy, much of it in valuable foreign exchange, and accounts for around 2,500 visitor nights at a traditionally quiet time in the tourism calendar.

Over the past two years, no fewer than 40 first-time visitors have carried to 257 the number of overseas competitors hosted by the event; drivers and co-drivers from the wider Caribbean now number 58, from four territories, while the International list now stands just one short of 200. Newcomers from Australia, Germany and South Africa also increased to 18 the number of countries outside the region represented in recent years.

Rally Chairman Barry Gale is looking forward to 2012 with interest:
“I admit to having been surprised, and delighted, by the response from competitors over the past two years, when we have all been facing such tough economic challenges. As well as welcoming back Barbados regulars, we made new friends from around the world – among the 21 overseas competitors tackling the event for the first time, one even made a round trip of more than 36,000kms from Australia!

“Our first enquiry about next year’s event came within hours of the Prize-giving for Sol RB11, since when we have received many more by e-mail, and through our web site, and I’m pleased to say that, once again, many are names that are new to us.”

Sol Rally Barbados is a two-day tarmac rally, with 24 special stages run on the island’s intricate network of public roads, temporarily closed by permission of the Ministry of Transport & Works; Shell V-Power King of the Hill, run under a similar arrangement, features four timed runs on a stage that will not feature the following weekend and is used to seed the running order for the main event.

For 2011, the maximum entry was increased from 90 to 100 cars after the previous year’s event had been over-subscribed by 20 per cent; this new cap, which was reached one month before entries closed this year, will remain in place for 2012. Gale added: “Our decision to move up to 100 was largely made to ensure that we could accommodate the continued regional and international interest. There is a structure to the entry process that guarantees fairness for local and overseas competitors, and I frankly can’t wait for entries to open to see how it is balancing out.”

Beyond announcing the opening of entries, the Club will not confirm any further details until later in the year, as Gale confirms:
“As we do every year, we are having a good, close look at how the event ran, studying those changes that we made to see what worked, and what could perhaps be improved . . . and I have to say that getting through the two days without the cancellation of a single stage was testament to the hard work put in by everyone involved in the event.

“On behalf of the entire organising team, I would like to congratulate our title sponsor, the Sol Group, all our other Marketing Partners, the volunteer marshals and, of course, the competitors for enabling the Barbados Rally Club to put on such a fantastic show.”

Sol Rally Barbados and Shell V-Power King of the Hill are organised by the Barbados Rally Club, which celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2007; Sol RB12 is the 23rd running of the Club’s annual International All-Stage Rally and marks fifth year of title sponsorship by the Sol Group, the Caribbean’s largest independent oil company.

Event Website

Posted: November 28, 2011 9:57 AM

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