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Friday, February 27, 2009
MARCH SAFARI OPENS MUD DOGS SEASON
Organisers encouraged by response to practice event
Following the success of the recent Practice Safari, the Barbados Rally Club's (BRC) Mud Dogs Safari Championship gets under way for real on Saturday, March 7, with the March Safari, for which entries are now open.
More than 30 crews turned out for the Practice Safari, which impressed and surprised BRC Assistant Competition Secretary Leslie Alleyne in equal measure: "I was amazed when I drove into the Clay Target Club and saw the number of people who were there - we had 34 vehicles entered, with a total of 91 people spread between them.
"The most encouraging thing was that around 75 to 80 per cent of the entry list were people coming out to compete for the first time. This was a phenomenal turn-out, and I hope that we will able to encourage a good percentage of these folks to consider entering our events throughout 2009."
Entries for the March Safari are now open at two locations until noon on Tuesday, March 3: Autozone Inc (436-2886), Fontabelle, St Michael and Flyin' Fish Sports Wear (420-7064), #7 Newton Industrial Estate, Christ Church. The Briefing Meeting will be held on the same day, at 7.00pm at the Barbados Clay Target Shooting Association (BCTSA) Club House, Searles, Christ Church. Alleyne commented: "I would ask all Mud Dogs enthusiasts to please make a special effort to attend the Briefing Meeting as there will be a lot of new information announced pertaining to the 2009 season."
The March Safari is slated to start at 2.01pm from Windward Cricket Club and finish at the (BCTSA) Club House at approximately 10.30pm. The route has been set by Alleyne and Chris O'Neal using the Tulip navigation system for the bulk of the route, but with small amounts of both the BRC and Straight Line systems.
'Mud Dogs' was the new identity created for the BRC's 4x4 section at the beginning of last season, and Alleyne believes the turn-out for the Practice Safari was evidence of its success: "I think this is testimony to the level of popularity that we were able to generate around Barbados in 2008, and I see this as a positive sign for the months ahead. The name 'Mud Dogs' was conceived to create a fun and modern identity for our sport, and one which embodies the spirit of our members . . . and the conditions in which we compete."
The BRC Mud Dogs Safari Championship will comprise seven events, four off-road navigational rallies run under the Safari title and three challenge events known as MudFests; trophies will be awarded at each event. As before, the four Safaris will include separate Championships for Navigator and Driver, with additional special awards including highest-placed novice and female; for the MudFests, there will be one championship rewarding the highest-placed drivers.
2009 BRC Mud Dogs Safari Championship
Qualifying rounds:
Mar 7 - Mud Dogs March Safari
Apr 5 - Mud Dogs April MudFest
May 1 - Mud Dogs May Day MudFest
Jun 27/28 - Mud Dogs Shelbury June Safari
Aug 23 - Mud Dogs August MudFest
Sep 13 - Mud Dogs September Safari
Nov 8 - Mud Dogs November Safari
For further information, robin@bradfax.com
Organisers encouraged by response to practice event
Following the success of the recent Practice Safari, the Barbados Rally Club's (BRC) Mud Dogs Safari Championship gets under way for real on Saturday, March 7, with the March Safari, for which entries are now open.
More than 30 crews turned out for the Practice Safari, which impressed and surprised BRC Assistant Competition Secretary Leslie Alleyne in equal measure: "I was amazed when I drove into the Clay Target Club and saw the number of people who were there - we had 34 vehicles entered, with a total of 91 people spread between them.
"The most encouraging thing was that around 75 to 80 per cent of the entry list were people coming out to compete for the first time. This was a phenomenal turn-out, and I hope that we will able to encourage a good percentage of these folks to consider entering our events throughout 2009."
Entries for the March Safari are now open at two locations until noon on Tuesday, March 3: Autozone Inc (436-2886), Fontabelle, St Michael and Flyin' Fish Sports Wear (420-7064), #7 Newton Industrial Estate, Christ Church. The Briefing Meeting will be held on the same day, at 7.00pm at the Barbados Clay Target Shooting Association (BCTSA) Club House, Searles, Christ Church. Alleyne commented: "I would ask all Mud Dogs enthusiasts to please make a special effort to attend the Briefing Meeting as there will be a lot of new information announced pertaining to the 2009 season."
The March Safari is slated to start at 2.01pm from Windward Cricket Club and finish at the (BCTSA) Club House at approximately 10.30pm. The route has been set by Alleyne and Chris O'Neal using the Tulip navigation system for the bulk of the route, but with small amounts of both the BRC and Straight Line systems.
'Mud Dogs' was the new identity created for the BRC's 4x4 section at the beginning of last season, and Alleyne believes the turn-out for the Practice Safari was evidence of its success: "I think this is testimony to the level of popularity that we were able to generate around Barbados in 2008, and I see this as a positive sign for the months ahead. The name 'Mud Dogs' was conceived to create a fun and modern identity for our sport, and one which embodies the spirit of our members . . . and the conditions in which we compete."
The BRC Mud Dogs Safari Championship will comprise seven events, four off-road navigational rallies run under the Safari title and three challenge events known as MudFests; trophies will be awarded at each event. As before, the four Safaris will include separate Championships for Navigator and Driver, with additional special awards including highest-placed novice and female; for the MudFests, there will be one championship rewarding the highest-placed drivers.
2009 BRC Mud Dogs Safari Championship
Qualifying rounds:
Mar 7 - Mud Dogs March Safari
Apr 5 - Mud Dogs April MudFest
May 1 - Mud Dogs May Day MudFest
Jun 27/28 - Mud Dogs Shelbury June Safari
Aug 23 - Mud Dogs August MudFest
Sep 13 - Mud Dogs September Safari
Nov 8 - Mud Dogs November Safari
For further information, robin@bradfax.com
Saturday, February 21, 2009
PAST SEASON IMPORTANT FOR BARBADOS RALLY CLUB
Positive start to 2009, despite economic gloom
The first full year of the Barbados Rally Club's (BRC) second half-century - 2008 - was described at the Club's Annual General Meeting last night (February 20) as one of major importance for its future. The BRC started the 2009 season on a high note, with a healthy turn-out of Members hearing a number of positive messages at the Barbados Clay Target Shooting Association Clubhouse at Searles, Christ Church.
Reading retiring Treasurer Garry Clarke's last Financial Report, Chairman Mark Hamilton said: "The significance for the club of 2008 as a major development and investment in the future should not be under-estimated. The accounts clearly indicate a major expansion of the Club's operations, specifically those associated with Sol Rally Barbados."
And, despite the current worldwide financial problems, Chairman Hamilton had further good news for members in his own Annual Report: "All of the Club's major sponsors have reconfirmed their commitment which, under the present economic climate, is testimony to this Club, its members and the way we run our sport.
"The Committee of Management (CoM) is also conscious of the fact that, although it must keep the club in good financial stead, its mandate is to invest in the Club, its activities, its infrastructure and its equipment - which all ultimately means investing in its membership. We must not lose sight of the fact that the Club is a non-profit organisation, one of the key elements which attracts sponsors not only to the Club but to individual competitors as well . . . and, as we all know, without our sponsors' support, the sport would not be flourishing as it is today.
"Our sport and Club continues to grow - the on-going development of navigational events, popularity of the MudFests, steady expansion of stage rallying and the continued interest in sprint events have all contributed to this success. Our sub-committees have worked hard through the year and it would be remiss of me not to make specific mention of Leslie Alleyne and Darrin White who oversee the Mud Dogs, Barry Gale and his team working on Sol Rally Barbados and Paul Bourne as it relates to the gravel sprint events."
Hamilton also highlighted a number of on-going developments, which will further sustain the Club's future: "The planning for Sol Rally Barbados 2009 has been under way for some time and we are confident of having an even more successful year, with European interest high.
"Promotion of the event kicks into high gear with Neil Armstrong's entry on Rallye Sunseeker in the UK at the end of this month with a Sol Rally Barbados and Barbados-branded Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII, and carrying with him all the relevant advertising material. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Neil for allowing the Club to piggy back on his trip and promote the event in this manner."
Hamilton also mentioned the re-launch of Club magazine The Horn, upgrades to the Sol Rally Barbados web site and research into improvements to timing and results: "The Horn, which has been revived through the hard work of Neil Barnard, will now act as a regular source of information for members.
"The Club has also made significant strides with the Sol Rally Barbados web site, which now accommodates on-line entry and payment, download of documentation and also acts as a significant marketing tool with our promotional DVD of Sol Rally Barbados 2008. Much credit must go to those who have been instrumental in this area, especially Sean Chandler."
On the timing front, the CoM has been investigating a transponder-based timing system that would enable the delivery of 'real-time' results demanded at events of the status of Sol Rally Barbados; the Members mandated the CoM to continue its research.
Members also debated a number of major issues, including agreeing an increase in annual membership fees to Bds $200, while votes were also taken on two changes to the Committee of Management - Jeanne Crawford replaces Garry Clarke as Treasurer, while Aymara Cummins takes over from Debbie Taylor as Secretary. In this regard, Hamilton noted: "I would like to sincerely thank the CoM for its hard work and dedication during the year. To those who leave the CoM, I can only say that it has been a pleasure working with you and I have no doubt that the club has benefited by your involvement. To Mr Clarke, I say special thanks for his stewardship for many years as Treasurer, which has been invaluable. I must also welcome the new members - we look forward to your valuable input, as the Club moves forward"
The full Barbados Rally Club Committee of Management for 2009 is: Chairman, Mark Hamilton; Vice-Chairman, Geoffrey Noel; Treasurer, Jeanne Crawford; Competition Secretary, Paul Bourne; Assistant Competition Secretary, Leslie Alleyne; Vehicle Classification Officer, Adrian Linton; Secretary, Amara Cummins; Marshal Liaison Officer, Roger Sargeant; Equipment Officer, Paul Allen; Public Relations Officer, Neil Barnard; Entertainment Secretary, Josh Read.
Media enquiries: e-mail - robin@bradfax.com
Sol Rally Barbados web site - www.rallybarbados.bb
Positive start to 2009, despite economic gloom
The first full year of the Barbados Rally Club's (BRC) second half-century - 2008 - was described at the Club's Annual General Meeting last night (February 20) as one of major importance for its future. The BRC started the 2009 season on a high note, with a healthy turn-out of Members hearing a number of positive messages at the Barbados Clay Target Shooting Association Clubhouse at Searles, Christ Church.
Reading retiring Treasurer Garry Clarke's last Financial Report, Chairman Mark Hamilton said: "The significance for the club of 2008 as a major development and investment in the future should not be under-estimated. The accounts clearly indicate a major expansion of the Club's operations, specifically those associated with Sol Rally Barbados."
And, despite the current worldwide financial problems, Chairman Hamilton had further good news for members in his own Annual Report: "All of the Club's major sponsors have reconfirmed their commitment which, under the present economic climate, is testimony to this Club, its members and the way we run our sport.
"The Committee of Management (CoM) is also conscious of the fact that, although it must keep the club in good financial stead, its mandate is to invest in the Club, its activities, its infrastructure and its equipment - which all ultimately means investing in its membership. We must not lose sight of the fact that the Club is a non-profit organisation, one of the key elements which attracts sponsors not only to the Club but to individual competitors as well . . . and, as we all know, without our sponsors' support, the sport would not be flourishing as it is today.
"Our sport and Club continues to grow - the on-going development of navigational events, popularity of the MudFests, steady expansion of stage rallying and the continued interest in sprint events have all contributed to this success. Our sub-committees have worked hard through the year and it would be remiss of me not to make specific mention of Leslie Alleyne and Darrin White who oversee the Mud Dogs, Barry Gale and his team working on Sol Rally Barbados and Paul Bourne as it relates to the gravel sprint events."
Hamilton also highlighted a number of on-going developments, which will further sustain the Club's future: "The planning for Sol Rally Barbados 2009 has been under way for some time and we are confident of having an even more successful year, with European interest high.
"Promotion of the event kicks into high gear with Neil Armstrong's entry on Rallye Sunseeker in the UK at the end of this month with a Sol Rally Barbados and Barbados-branded Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII, and carrying with him all the relevant advertising material. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Neil for allowing the Club to piggy back on his trip and promote the event in this manner."
Hamilton also mentioned the re-launch of Club magazine The Horn, upgrades to the Sol Rally Barbados web site and research into improvements to timing and results: "The Horn, which has been revived through the hard work of Neil Barnard, will now act as a regular source of information for members.
"The Club has also made significant strides with the Sol Rally Barbados web site, which now accommodates on-line entry and payment, download of documentation and also acts as a significant marketing tool with our promotional DVD of Sol Rally Barbados 2008. Much credit must go to those who have been instrumental in this area, especially Sean Chandler."
On the timing front, the CoM has been investigating a transponder-based timing system that would enable the delivery of 'real-time' results demanded at events of the status of Sol Rally Barbados; the Members mandated the CoM to continue its research.
Members also debated a number of major issues, including agreeing an increase in annual membership fees to Bds $200, while votes were also taken on two changes to the Committee of Management - Jeanne Crawford replaces Garry Clarke as Treasurer, while Aymara Cummins takes over from Debbie Taylor as Secretary. In this regard, Hamilton noted: "I would like to sincerely thank the CoM for its hard work and dedication during the year. To those who leave the CoM, I can only say that it has been a pleasure working with you and I have no doubt that the club has benefited by your involvement. To Mr Clarke, I say special thanks for his stewardship for many years as Treasurer, which has been invaluable. I must also welcome the new members - we look forward to your valuable input, as the Club moves forward"
The full Barbados Rally Club Committee of Management for 2009 is: Chairman, Mark Hamilton; Vice-Chairman, Geoffrey Noel; Treasurer, Jeanne Crawford; Competition Secretary, Paul Bourne; Assistant Competition Secretary, Leslie Alleyne; Vehicle Classification Officer, Adrian Linton; Secretary, Amara Cummins; Marshal Liaison Officer, Roger Sargeant; Equipment Officer, Paul Allen; Public Relations Officer, Neil Barnard; Entertainment Secretary, Josh Read.
Media enquiries: e-mail - robin@bradfax.com
Sol Rally Barbados web site - www.rallybarbados.bb
Monday, February 16, 2009
CEREMONIAL START FOR SOL RALLY BARBADOS
Final preparations for Armstrong's British debut near completion
The Barbados Rally Club (BRC) is once again raising the bar of its blue riband event, Sol Rally Barbados, with the introduction for 2009 of the Ceremonial Start at Simpson Motors on the evening of Friday, May 29. This addition to the schedule reflects the structure of events in the World Rally Championship and will be welcomed by the island's thousands of motor sport fans.
Final details of the evening's programme are yet to be confirmed, but the outline plan provides the best chance yet for fans to mingle with competitors in the Caribbean's biggest annual international motor sport event, and hear their thoughts in the final hours before competition begins.
A purpose-built start ramp will be sited in the grounds of Simpson Motors at Warrens, St Michael; crews will pass over the ramp in start number order and stop briefly for interviews. The evening will also offer a better environment in which the media can meet and interview crews than the bustle of the last-minute preparations on Saturday morning.
Sol Rally Barbados chairman Barry Gale says: "The Ceremonial Start is a concept we have been considering for some time, based on my own experiences in Corona Rally Mexico back in 2002 - the atmosphere generated by spectators and drivers before they set off into the thick of competition is electric, and makes for a great start to the rally.
"Simpson Motors has been fantastic as usual - one of our long-standing sponsors, the company never fails to support the event significantly. In addition, Crane & Equipment, another long-time friend of the club, has come up with a great design for a ramp for us to show off the cars as they 'start' Sol Rally Barbados 2009.
"We hope, as with some of our other planned changes for 2009, that spectators will appreciate the new ideas, while continuing to enjoy all that has made our premier event popular over its lifetime. It is this mix of the familiar and the new that has drawn 20,000 locals and hundreds of overseas guests to the rally every year."
Final preparations for Armstrong's British debut near completion
Triple Barbados Rally Club Group Champion Neil Armstrong's preparations for Rallye Sunseeker (February 27/28), based in the English south coast resort of Bournemouth, are nearly complete, with the car's livery promoting Sol Rally Barbados now confirmed and the seeded entry list published on the official web site (www.rallyesunseeker.co.uk) on Friday.
The 70-strong entry for the opening round of the UK's Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship includes 13 Group N crews, many contesting the 2009 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge, with a brand new Lancer Evolution X RS on offer for the Champion; Armstrong and Rally Barbados 2005 winning co-driver Max Ferri have been seeded 10th of the 13 in their MSR Motorsport Evo VIII, starting at number 35 overall, and will face an international cast of crews from England, Iceland, Ireland, Sweden and Wales.
At least Armstrong and Ferri will be among friends - last year's Sol Rally Barbados Group N-winning crew of Ryan Champion and Craig Thorley will be both be in Bournemouth, Champion working on the management team for Armstrong, while Thorley will be co-driving for Charlie Payne, whose Lancer Evo WRC is also run by MSR. In addition, a number of UK-based Bajan enthusiasts are already making plans to drive down and support.
Leading Group N seeds include last year's Evo Challenge runner-up Nik Elsmore and third-placed Daniel Barry, winner of the PIAA Junior Award for under 25-year olds: both will arrive in Bournemouth in good spirits, having finished first and second overall on the tricky, snow-bound Wyedean Forest Rally two weeks ago in their Evo IXs.
Along with Welshman Simon Hughes (Evo IX), the opposition will include Andreas Magnusson (Evo IX) and Hans-Erik Weng (Evo X), who finished first and second in the inaugural year of the Swedish Evo Challenge last year, and two of last year's front-runners in the Irish Evo Challenge, Owen Murphy (Evo IX) and Alan Carmichael (Evo IX).
Sol Rally Barbados 2009 (May 29-31) and Shell V-Power King of the Hill (May 23) are organised by the Barbados Rally Club, which celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2007; title sponsor is the Sol Group, the Caribbean's largest independent oil company, and both events are rounds of the Virgin Atlantic BRC Driver's Championship. Associate sponsors include the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association.
Media enquiries: e-mail - robin@bradfax.com
web site - www.rallybarbados.bb
Final preparations for Armstrong's British debut near completion
The Barbados Rally Club (BRC) is once again raising the bar of its blue riband event, Sol Rally Barbados, with the introduction for 2009 of the Ceremonial Start at Simpson Motors on the evening of Friday, May 29. This addition to the schedule reflects the structure of events in the World Rally Championship and will be welcomed by the island's thousands of motor sport fans.
Final details of the evening's programme are yet to be confirmed, but the outline plan provides the best chance yet for fans to mingle with competitors in the Caribbean's biggest annual international motor sport event, and hear their thoughts in the final hours before competition begins.
A purpose-built start ramp will be sited in the grounds of Simpson Motors at Warrens, St Michael; crews will pass over the ramp in start number order and stop briefly for interviews. The evening will also offer a better environment in which the media can meet and interview crews than the bustle of the last-minute preparations on Saturday morning.
Sol Rally Barbados chairman Barry Gale says: "The Ceremonial Start is a concept we have been considering for some time, based on my own experiences in Corona Rally Mexico back in 2002 - the atmosphere generated by spectators and drivers before they set off into the thick of competition is electric, and makes for a great start to the rally.
"Simpson Motors has been fantastic as usual - one of our long-standing sponsors, the company never fails to support the event significantly. In addition, Crane & Equipment, another long-time friend of the club, has come up with a great design for a ramp for us to show off the cars as they 'start' Sol Rally Barbados 2009.
"We hope, as with some of our other planned changes for 2009, that spectators will appreciate the new ideas, while continuing to enjoy all that has made our premier event popular over its lifetime. It is this mix of the familiar and the new that has drawn 20,000 locals and hundreds of overseas guests to the rally every year."
Final preparations for Armstrong's British debut near completion
Triple Barbados Rally Club Group Champion Neil Armstrong's preparations for Rallye Sunseeker (February 27/28), based in the English south coast resort of Bournemouth, are nearly complete, with the car's livery promoting Sol Rally Barbados now confirmed and the seeded entry list published on the official web site (www.rallyesunseeker.co.uk) on Friday.
The 70-strong entry for the opening round of the UK's Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship includes 13 Group N crews, many contesting the 2009 Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge, with a brand new Lancer Evolution X RS on offer for the Champion; Armstrong and Rally Barbados 2005 winning co-driver Max Ferri have been seeded 10th of the 13 in their MSR Motorsport Evo VIII, starting at number 35 overall, and will face an international cast of crews from England, Iceland, Ireland, Sweden and Wales.
At least Armstrong and Ferri will be among friends - last year's Sol Rally Barbados Group N-winning crew of Ryan Champion and Craig Thorley will be both be in Bournemouth, Champion working on the management team for Armstrong, while Thorley will be co-driving for Charlie Payne, whose Lancer Evo WRC is also run by MSR. In addition, a number of UK-based Bajan enthusiasts are already making plans to drive down and support.
Leading Group N seeds include last year's Evo Challenge runner-up Nik Elsmore and third-placed Daniel Barry, winner of the PIAA Junior Award for under 25-year olds: both will arrive in Bournemouth in good spirits, having finished first and second overall on the tricky, snow-bound Wyedean Forest Rally two weeks ago in their Evo IXs.
Along with Welshman Simon Hughes (Evo IX), the opposition will include Andreas Magnusson (Evo IX) and Hans-Erik Weng (Evo X), who finished first and second in the inaugural year of the Swedish Evo Challenge last year, and two of last year's front-runners in the Irish Evo Challenge, Owen Murphy (Evo IX) and Alan Carmichael (Evo IX).
Sol Rally Barbados 2009 (May 29-31) and Shell V-Power King of the Hill (May 23) are organised by the Barbados Rally Club, which celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2007; title sponsor is the Sol Group, the Caribbean's largest independent oil company, and both events are rounds of the Virgin Atlantic BRC Driver's Championship. Associate sponsors include the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association.
Media enquiries: e-mail - robin@bradfax.com
web site - www.rallybarbados.bb
Sunday, February 8, 2009
BARBADOS REPRESENTS IN BRITISH CURTAIN-RAISER
Armstrong to promote Sol Rally Barbados
Neil Armstrong, one of the rising stars of rallying in the island, is joining forces with the Barbados Rally Club (BRC) to promote its premier event, Sol Rally Barbados 2009, in the UK; the hat-trick BRC Group Champion is entered for the opening round of the Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship, Rallye Sunseeker 2009 (February 27/28), based in the English south coast resort of Bournemouth.
Driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII, prepared by North Yorkshire-based MSR Motorsport, Armstrong will represent the island against a multi-national cross-section of Group N drivers from England, Iceland, Ireland, Sweden and Wales, many of whom are competing in the ninth year of the UK's Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge, targetting the year-end prize of a new Evo X.
Armstrong's car will carry Sol RB09 livery, as part of the BRC's extended programme of promotion, while his management team for the event will include Ryan Champion; winner of Group N on Sol RB08, Champion has a long-standing relationship with MSR, with whom he won the Evo Challenge in 2005, so Armstrong is in good hands.
It is not only 27-year-old Armstrong's first rally in the UK, but also his first trip to Europe, although he has done his homework: "I've been checking the area out on Google Earth, and I've downloaded every bit of in-car footage I could find on YouTube, so I think I'm reasonably well-prepared. I just need to get into the car as soon as I can."
Armstrong's co-driver will be fellow-countryman Max Ferri, who currently lives in England; an accomplished co-driver, he is a former winner of Rally Barbados, having sat alongside Roger Mayers in his Ford Focus in 2005. Ferri, who has also played a pivotal role in rally timing in Barbados, is looking forward to the experience: "I've never rallied outside the island, so it's a first for me, too! I think it should be a great experience."
Rallye Sunseeker is the first of eight rounds of the Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship, organised by ANCRO, the Association of National Championship Rally Organisers; the biggest event of its type in the south of England, it is recognised as one of the UK's best-organised and promoted rallies and presents an ideal opportunity for the BRC to promote Sol Rally Barbados to both potential competitors and spectators, not least because two of the event's most enthusiastic supporters, Steve Perez and Paul Bird, will be on hand to help. Both are former ANCRO Champions (Perez in 2004, Bird in 2005), but neither has yet won in Bournemouth, something each is hoping to change.
The event is the only mixed-surface round of the ANCRO Championship, with two short floodlit tarmac stages in the centre of Bournemouth on Friday evening, which attract thousands of spectators; on Saturday, there are 11 stages in the nearby Ringwood and Wareham forests, plus Somerley Park, where an all-day Motorfair will feature a display of MG Metro 6R4s, marking the 25th Anniversary of the iconic Group B car's launch.
Since his debut in a front-wheel-drive Toyota Starlet in 2002, Armstrong has earned the respect of Barbados fans with his press-on driving style; he won the local Modified 6 category in Rally Barbados 2004, and was lying in the top 10, harassing some much more powerful machinery, two years later when he was removed from the event, and the Starlet severely damaged, following an accident on a road section.
The Starlet was replaced with a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI, Armstrong's first experience in competition of four-wheel-drive; he quickly put his stamp on the production category, with Group N wins in Rally Jamaica 2006 and Rally Barbados 2007, also winning Group N in the BRC's Driver's Championship in both years.
The Evo was upgraded to Group A spec for 2008, but teething problems in the early part of the season threatened his continued success; despite that, with backing from Shell V-Power, he went on to claim a Group title for the third consecutive year, winning the Club's M8-A category with his regular local co-driver, Barry Ward.
Sol RB09 entry at world-class level!
As the one-month mark since entries for Sol RB09 opened was passed earlier this week, the total had reached 36, the same number that started Rally Ireland, first round of the World Rally Championship, last weekend. Rally Chairman Barry Gale noted: "We are making good progress, we're now up to 14 four-wheel-drives including five World Cars, most of them from overseas, and there's still a long, long way to go before entries close on May 1!"
Sol Rally Barbados 2009 (May 29-31) and Shell V-Power King of the Hill (May 23) are organised by the Barbados Rally Club, which celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2007; title sponsor is the Sol Group, the Caribbean's largest independent oil company, and both events are rounds of the Virgin Atlantic BRC Driver's Championship. Associate sponsors include the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association.
Media enquiries: e-mail - robin@bradfax.com
web site - www.rallybarbados.bb
Armstrong to promote Sol Rally Barbados
Neil Armstrong, one of the rising stars of rallying in the island, is joining forces with the Barbados Rally Club (BRC) to promote its premier event, Sol Rally Barbados 2009, in the UK; the hat-trick BRC Group Champion is entered for the opening round of the Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship, Rallye Sunseeker 2009 (February 27/28), based in the English south coast resort of Bournemouth.
Driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII, prepared by North Yorkshire-based MSR Motorsport, Armstrong will represent the island against a multi-national cross-section of Group N drivers from England, Iceland, Ireland, Sweden and Wales, many of whom are competing in the ninth year of the UK's Mitsubishi Ralliart Evolution Challenge, targetting the year-end prize of a new Evo X.
Armstrong's car will carry Sol RB09 livery, as part of the BRC's extended programme of promotion, while his management team for the event will include Ryan Champion; winner of Group N on Sol RB08, Champion has a long-standing relationship with MSR, with whom he won the Evo Challenge in 2005, so Armstrong is in good hands.
It is not only 27-year-old Armstrong's first rally in the UK, but also his first trip to Europe, although he has done his homework: "I've been checking the area out on Google Earth, and I've downloaded every bit of in-car footage I could find on YouTube, so I think I'm reasonably well-prepared. I just need to get into the car as soon as I can."
Armstrong's co-driver will be fellow-countryman Max Ferri, who currently lives in England; an accomplished co-driver, he is a former winner of Rally Barbados, having sat alongside Roger Mayers in his Ford Focus in 2005. Ferri, who has also played a pivotal role in rally timing in Barbados, is looking forward to the experience: "I've never rallied outside the island, so it's a first for me, too! I think it should be a great experience."
Rallye Sunseeker is the first of eight rounds of the Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship, organised by ANCRO, the Association of National Championship Rally Organisers; the biggest event of its type in the south of England, it is recognised as one of the UK's best-organised and promoted rallies and presents an ideal opportunity for the BRC to promote Sol Rally Barbados to both potential competitors and spectators, not least because two of the event's most enthusiastic supporters, Steve Perez and Paul Bird, will be on hand to help. Both are former ANCRO Champions (Perez in 2004, Bird in 2005), but neither has yet won in Bournemouth, something each is hoping to change.
The event is the only mixed-surface round of the ANCRO Championship, with two short floodlit tarmac stages in the centre of Bournemouth on Friday evening, which attract thousands of spectators; on Saturday, there are 11 stages in the nearby Ringwood and Wareham forests, plus Somerley Park, where an all-day Motorfair will feature a display of MG Metro 6R4s, marking the 25th Anniversary of the iconic Group B car's launch.
Since his debut in a front-wheel-drive Toyota Starlet in 2002, Armstrong has earned the respect of Barbados fans with his press-on driving style; he won the local Modified 6 category in Rally Barbados 2004, and was lying in the top 10, harassing some much more powerful machinery, two years later when he was removed from the event, and the Starlet severely damaged, following an accident on a road section.
The Starlet was replaced with a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI, Armstrong's first experience in competition of four-wheel-drive; he quickly put his stamp on the production category, with Group N wins in Rally Jamaica 2006 and Rally Barbados 2007, also winning Group N in the BRC's Driver's Championship in both years.
The Evo was upgraded to Group A spec for 2008, but teething problems in the early part of the season threatened his continued success; despite that, with backing from Shell V-Power, he went on to claim a Group title for the third consecutive year, winning the Club's M8-A category with his regular local co-driver, Barry Ward.
Sol RB09 entry at world-class level!
As the one-month mark since entries for Sol RB09 opened was passed earlier this week, the total had reached 36, the same number that started Rally Ireland, first round of the World Rally Championship, last weekend. Rally Chairman Barry Gale noted: "We are making good progress, we're now up to 14 four-wheel-drives including five World Cars, most of them from overseas, and there's still a long, long way to go before entries close on May 1!"
Sol Rally Barbados 2009 (May 29-31) and Shell V-Power King of the Hill (May 23) are organised by the Barbados Rally Club, which celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2007; title sponsor is the Sol Group, the Caribbean's largest independent oil company, and both events are rounds of the Virgin Atlantic BRC Driver's Championship. Associate sponsors include the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association.
Media enquiries: e-mail - robin@bradfax.com
web site - www.rallybarbados.bb
Monday, February 2, 2009
PROCTER RETURNS TO BARBADOS WITH THE SAME CAR!
European entry list rises steadily
Britain's Kevin Procter, the latest European front-runner to confirm his entry for Sol Rally Barbados 2009, will break with tradition this year: for the first time since his debut in the island in 2003, he will tackle the Barbados Rally Club's (BRC) blue riband event in a car he has rallied there previously.
He returns with the Procters Coaches Subaru Impreza WRC S7, in which he set the overall fastest time at the Shell V-Power SuperSpecial at Bushy Park last year; he also finished third in the Sunday Cup, after smashing a rear hub on the third Automotive Art Canefield stage on Saturday morning and dropping out of overall contention, while lying in fourth place.
His ex-works Impreza was campaigned by Subaru factory drivers Toshihiro Arai and Markko Martin in the 2001 World Rally Championship, the first season for the new, four-door car; along with Petter Solberg, they were team-mates to the late Richard Burns, who became England's first World Rally Champion that year, having finished runner-up in 1999 and 2000.
Procter's co-driver will again be Dave Bellerby, himself an accomplished driver; they started their preparations for Sol RB09 with an outing on the Specsavers Christmas Stages Rally, a British single-venue tarmac event at the Croft motor racing circuit in North Yorkshire in December; despite a strong late challenge from Impreza WRC S9 of Paul Bird and Ian Windress, second-place finishers in Sol RB08, Procter and Bellerby claimed the victory.
Having campaigned six different cars in Barbados between 2003 and 2008, Procter has collected a good haul of trophies; always among the strongest challengers from overseas, he has been a top 10 finisher three times, first in 2004, when he was fifth overall and highest-placed overseas driver, co-driven in his Ford Escort Cosworth by Mike Gilby.
The following year, again with Gilby, he was ninth overall and highest-placed European driver in his rare Ford Puma Evo 4 x 4, despite a fire during the early stages of Saturday; he repeated his fifth place in 2007, when experienced local co-driver Stewart Gill joined him in the ex-works Hyundai Accent WRC formerly campaigned by Alister McRae.
He dropped out of overall contention on his first visit in 2003, with Gilby the co-driver in the rumbling Ford Sapphire Cosworth, but his only total retirement came in 2006, when a series of turbo failures - four in all - on his Prodrive-built Group A Impreza resulted in his retirement after the fourth stage of Saturday, while lying in fourth place; that year was his first with Gill as co-driver.
Procter, who married his long-term partner Paula in Barbados in 2005, is looking forward to his return. With Britain currently enduring its worst weather for nearly 20 years, he comments: "I say it every year, but why wouldn't you go back? Especially now, when you look out of the window at snow as far as the eye can see!
"We have made so many good friends on the island in the past six years, and the good time we have down there is matched by the level of competition. It isn't easy in Barbados, with so many good cars and drivers, but it sure is fun trying to stay on terms with them. And its one whole lot warmer than here, certainly at the moment!"
Procter's name is added to a growing list of European competitors confirming their decision to return to the event, despite the challenging economic climate; the four-wheel-drive entry also includes Steve Perez (Ford Focus WRC), while Andrew Costin-Hurley (Ford Puma), Kenny Hall (Opel Corsa) and Martin Stockdale (BMW M3) have all gone home Group-winners in the past.
Sol Rally Barbados 2009 (May 30/31) and Shell V-Power King of the Hill (May 23) are organised by the Barbados Rally Club, which celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2007; title sponsor is the Sol Group, the Caribbean's largest independent oil company, and both events are rounds of the Virgin Atlantic BRC RallySport Championship. Associate sponsors include the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association.
Media enquiries: e-mail - robin@bradfax.com
web site - www.rallybarbados.bb
European entry list rises steadily
Britain's Kevin Procter, the latest European front-runner to confirm his entry for Sol Rally Barbados 2009, will break with tradition this year: for the first time since his debut in the island in 2003, he will tackle the Barbados Rally Club's (BRC) blue riband event in a car he has rallied there previously.
He returns with the Procters Coaches Subaru Impreza WRC S7, in which he set the overall fastest time at the Shell V-Power SuperSpecial at Bushy Park last year; he also finished third in the Sunday Cup, after smashing a rear hub on the third Automotive Art Canefield stage on Saturday morning and dropping out of overall contention, while lying in fourth place.
His ex-works Impreza was campaigned by Subaru factory drivers Toshihiro Arai and Markko Martin in the 2001 World Rally Championship, the first season for the new, four-door car; along with Petter Solberg, they were team-mates to the late Richard Burns, who became England's first World Rally Champion that year, having finished runner-up in 1999 and 2000.
Procter's co-driver will again be Dave Bellerby, himself an accomplished driver; they started their preparations for Sol RB09 with an outing on the Specsavers Christmas Stages Rally, a British single-venue tarmac event at the Croft motor racing circuit in North Yorkshire in December; despite a strong late challenge from Impreza WRC S9 of Paul Bird and Ian Windress, second-place finishers in Sol RB08, Procter and Bellerby claimed the victory.
Having campaigned six different cars in Barbados between 2003 and 2008, Procter has collected a good haul of trophies; always among the strongest challengers from overseas, he has been a top 10 finisher three times, first in 2004, when he was fifth overall and highest-placed overseas driver, co-driven in his Ford Escort Cosworth by Mike Gilby.
The following year, again with Gilby, he was ninth overall and highest-placed European driver in his rare Ford Puma Evo 4 x 4, despite a fire during the early stages of Saturday; he repeated his fifth place in 2007, when experienced local co-driver Stewart Gill joined him in the ex-works Hyundai Accent WRC formerly campaigned by Alister McRae.
He dropped out of overall contention on his first visit in 2003, with Gilby the co-driver in the rumbling Ford Sapphire Cosworth, but his only total retirement came in 2006, when a series of turbo failures - four in all - on his Prodrive-built Group A Impreza resulted in his retirement after the fourth stage of Saturday, while lying in fourth place; that year was his first with Gill as co-driver.
Procter, who married his long-term partner Paula in Barbados in 2005, is looking forward to his return. With Britain currently enduring its worst weather for nearly 20 years, he comments: "I say it every year, but why wouldn't you go back? Especially now, when you look out of the window at snow as far as the eye can see!
"We have made so many good friends on the island in the past six years, and the good time we have down there is matched by the level of competition. It isn't easy in Barbados, with so many good cars and drivers, but it sure is fun trying to stay on terms with them. And its one whole lot warmer than here, certainly at the moment!"
Procter's name is added to a growing list of European competitors confirming their decision to return to the event, despite the challenging economic climate; the four-wheel-drive entry also includes Steve Perez (Ford Focus WRC), while Andrew Costin-Hurley (Ford Puma), Kenny Hall (Opel Corsa) and Martin Stockdale (BMW M3) have all gone home Group-winners in the past.
Sol Rally Barbados 2009 (May 30/31) and Shell V-Power King of the Hill (May 23) are organised by the Barbados Rally Club, which celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2007; title sponsor is the Sol Group, the Caribbean's largest independent oil company, and both events are rounds of the Virgin Atlantic BRC RallySport Championship. Associate sponsors include the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association.
Media enquiries: e-mail - robin@bradfax.com
web site - www.rallybarbados.bb
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