COMMITTEE RESHUFFLE AT AGM

The Committee of Management of the Barbados Rally Club (BRC) has undergone some changes as a result of its recent Annual General Meeting, held at the Barbados Clay Target Shooting Association’s clubhouse in Christ Church. Mark Hamilton, who had been serving as the BRC’s public relations officer, is the new chairman, while former competition secretary Barry Gale is vice-chairman.
Outgoing chairman Bruce Lambert told the large gathering that the BRC was looking forward to a successful season. He said: “I would like to thank Barry Gale and Garry Clarke for their efforts in leading the team that worked on Rally Barbados 2005, which came off brilliantly.
“I have received tremendous support from the Committee of Management in my time as chairman; we worked together and, even when decisions were hard to take, there was healthy debate and respect shown around the table. As far as I can see, I shall be leaving the running of the Club in good hands and believe we should have another successful year.”
Club treasurer Clarke echoed Lambert’s sentiments and reported that the finances of the Club continued to recover from the losses incurred in staging Rally Barbados 2003. Specific items he mentioned included the growth in income from temporary memberships arising from the popularity of navigational rallying, also the monies raised by the Spectator Prize 05 draw, which had contributed significantly to Club funds. Lambert had earlier thanked McEnearney Quality and Aqua Pur for making the prize draw possible.
Clarke added: ”Two years ago, I anticipated that we would need longer to recover from the Rally Barbados losses, but we have already recouped more than 80 per cent of that loss, and are one-and-a-half years ahead of schedule.”
During the evening, incumbent vice-chairman Harry Watkins withdrew his name from consideration for the post, so nominations were called for. Gale and Harold Morley were nominated, the vote going in favour of Gale.
At the previous AGM last February, Morley had urged 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.
At the same time, the former CoM position of assistant vehicle classification officer was replaced with that of marshal liaison officer – Roger Sergeant, who received one of two Chairman’s Awards at last year’s BRC Annual Prizegiving recognising his total dedication to the sport, now holds that position.

The BRC's committee of management for 2006 is as follows: chairman Mark Hamilton, vice-chairman Barry Gale, treasurer Garry Clarke, secretary Geoff Noel, competition secretary Jonathon Still, assistant competition secretary Lindsay Farmer, vehicle classification officer Adrian Linton, marshal liaison officer Roger Sergeant, equipment & records officer Paul Allen, public relations officer Neil Barnard, entertainment officer Joshua Delmas.

Barbados Rally Club - 2006 calendar (remaining events only):

April 9 - BRC Carnival Warm-up Tarmac Rally
+ Texaco BRC Rally Championship, round 2
+ Virgin Atlantic BRC Driver's Championship, round 2

April 23 - BRC April Safari

May 7 - BRC Navigational Practice

May 20 - Barbados Rally Carnival, local scrutineering
May 26 - Barbados Rally Carnival, international scrutineering
June 1 - Rally Barbados Shakedown
June 3-4 - Rally Barbados 2006
+ Texaco BRC Rally Championship, rounds 3 & 4
+ Virgin Atlantic BRC Driver's Championship, rounds 4 & 5

June 10/11 BRC Toyota June Safari
+ BRC Safari Championship, round 2

July 9 - BRC Autocross

July 22 - BRC Navigational Practice

July 29 - BRC Summer Nights Tarmac Sprint
+ Virgin Atlantic BRC Driver's Championship, round 6

August 20 - BRC Autocross

August 27 BRC August Safari
+ BRC Safari Championship, round 3

October 22 - BRC Last Call Gravel Stages
+ Texaco BRC Rally Championship, round 5
+ Virgin Atlantic BRC Driver's Championship, round 8

October 28 - BRC Navigational Practice

November 12 - BRC November Safari
+ BRC Safari Championship, round 4

November 24 - BRC Annual Awards

December 10 - BRC Autocross

For further information, robin@bradfax.com