News

For local competitors chasing points in the Barbados Rally Club (BRC) Driver’s and Class Championships, Flow King of the Hill and Sol Rally Barbados are always the two most important weekends of the year. More so than usual in 2017, however, with the total number of rounds reduced from eight to seven, adding extra emphasis to the already pressure-cooker atmosphere of the upcoming events.

Former Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button will headline the second Barbados Festival of Speed, which is today (May 12) confirmed for Saturday, October 14, at Bushy Park Barbados. The one-day event will run from day into night, promising an epic new experience for spectators, thanks to the full-arena lighting currently being installed at the St Philip facility.

Panton, Procter, Skeete & Swann head record 17-nation entry

Sol Rally Barbados 2017 (June 2-4), which will cover the longest route since 2004, could prove to be the toughest in the 28-year history of the Barbados Rally Club’s (BRC) blue riband event, according to the organisers. From Friday night’s Ceremonial Start at Sol Warrens to Sunday’s final timed stage at Bushy Park Barbados, the pressure will be relentless for the 93 crews confirmed on the provisional entry list at today’s (Wednesday) Media Briefing at the Accra Beach Hotel & Spa in Rockley.

Two-car Peugeot entry from Marshall Motorsport

Former New Zealand Junior Rally Champion Craig Marshall will make his Sol Rally Barbados debut this year, following in the wheel-tracks of his father, Kiwi rallying legend Mike Marshall, and brother Nick, who have each made the 28,000-kilometre round trip over the past couple of years. He will be joined by cousin David Proud in a two-car entry with a 13-strong family group travelling to support them . . . and to celebrate ‘Proudy’s birthday, which falls during the trip.