MOTOR SPORT SPONSORSHIP HITS NEW HIGH

Members of the Barbados Rally Club (BRC) enjoyed an up-beat Annual General Meeting at Kendall Sporting on Wednesday night (February 16), with confirmation of unprecedented levels of sponsorship for the Club's 2005 championships, and news of a return to profit for Rally Barbados.
In stark contrast to last year's AGM, at which a number of senior members pressed the committee of management for reassurances that the Club's financial position was sound, Wednesday's meeting was extremely positive.
Club treasurer Garry Clarke reported that the significant loss on Rally Barbados 2003 had been turned into a profit on Rally Barbados 2004. He said: "The Club has really made a remarkable turnaround with regards to its finances, and I am pleased to report that Rally Barbados 2004 ran at a profit."
Chairman Bruce Lambert was similarly optimistic in his address, welcoming a number of new members to the Club, some of whom had been attracted to join following their participation in navigational events last year. After thanking those who assisted in the running of the Club's events in 2004, he highlighted the unprecedented level of support for this year's activities:
+ Texaco West Indies Limited has agreed a three-year title sponsorship deal for the BRC's new Rally Championship; this championship will reward overall success, rather than class position, in five rounds, all organised by the BRC
+ with newly-confirmed backing from Virgin Atlantic, the BRC's long-established Driver's Championship will continue, taking in an additional three events, organised by the Motoring Club of Barbados Inc or the Vaucluse Raceway Motorsport Club. As before, there will be a champion for each class, plus an overall champion driver and champion co-driver
+ Barbados Industries Ltd is returning for a second year to sponsor the BRC 4 x 4 Navigational Championship under its brand name Ruf 'N' Tuf
+ in addition, the Navigational Championship will benefit from the support of other companies, including AutoZone, McEnearney Quality Inc, Nassco and Neptune Tours
Former British road rally champion Harold Morley, who has been competing regularly in Barbados for the past four seasons, congratulated all concerned on the Club's progress during the past 12 months. He said: "I back the committee of management 100 per cent in the direction they have taken with the creation of the new Rally Championship, and also in securing the unprecedented levels of sponsorship we will enjoy this year."
Morley did, however, urge the Club and all its members to ensure that the right level of attention was paid to the position of the island's marshals, their support and recognition; in some other countries in the region, where such interest in their welfare has lapsed, there is now a dire shortage of marshals, which impacts significantly on the safe running of events.
The committee of management was re-elected in almost the same form, although Robert Warren did not stand again for the position of assistant classifications officer; he has been replaced on the committee by Roger Mayers, whom he beat in last year's ballot. Lambert thanked Warren for his contribution, and welcomed Mayers to the committee.
The BRC's committee of management is as follows: chairman Bruce Lambert, vice-chairman Harry Watkins, treasurer Garry Clarke, secretary Geoff Noel, competition secretary Barry Gale, assistant competition secretary Jonathon Still, public relations officer Mark Hamilton, classifications officer Adrian Linton, assistant classifications officer Roger Mayers, equipment & records officer Lindsay Farmer, entertainment officer Kirk Watkins.

Barbados Rally Club - 2005 calendar:

February 20 - BRC Loose Speed Event
Virgin Atlantic BRC Driver's Championship, round 1

February 26 - Toyo Tires 4 x 4 Safari
Ruf 'N' Tuf BRC 4 x 4 Navigational Championship, round 1

March 6 - BRC Gravel Stage Rally
Texaco BRC Rally Championship, round 1
Virgin Atlantic BRC Driver's Championship, round 2

April 17 - BRC Tarmac Stage Rally
Texaco BRC Rally Championship, round 2
Virgin Atlantic BRC Driver's Championship, round 3

May 21/22 - VRW International RallySprint (organised by VRMSC)
Virgin Atlantic BRC Driver's Championship, round 4

May 28/29 - Rally Barbados 2005
Texaco BRC Rally Championship, rounds 3 & 4
Virgin Atlantic BRC Driver's Championship, rounds 5 & 6

June 19 - BRC Autocross

June 25 - June 4 x 4 Safari
Ruf 'N' Tuf BRC 4 x 4 Navigational Championship, round 2

August 27 - Ruf 'N' Tuf BRC 4 x 4 Navigational Championship, round 3

September 10/11 - Tarmac Stages Rally (organised by MCBI)
Virgin Atlantic BRC Driver's Championship, round 7

September 25 - BRC Autocross

October 16 - BRC Tarmac Stage Rally
Texaco BRC Rally Championship, round 5
Virgin Atlantic BRC Driver's Championship, round 8

November 12 - Nassco 4 x 4 Safari
Ruf 'N' Tuf BRC 4 x 4 Navigational Championship, round 4

November 26 - BRC Annual Prize-giving

For further information, robin@bradfax.com