ISLAND’S OLDEST MOTOR SPORT EVENT NEXT WEEK

Preparations are now under way for the June Safari, to be run by the Barbados Rally Club on Saturday, June 28. Details were announced this week of a navigational classroom session to answer questions on the types of navigation to be used in the Safari; this will be held at 1.30pm on Saturday, June 21, at Kendal Sporting.
This year’s June Safari will be the 46th running of the event since its inception in 1957, making it the oldest organised motor sport event in Barbados, possibly even in the Caribbean. Originally called the June Rally, this event has slowly evolved into its present format.
Originally a navigational event, with the drivers required simply to follow a pre-drawn route on a map, it became a navigational rally, with special stages at undisclosed points along the route. It reverted to the navigational rally format, although now involving timing and so challenging navigator, driver and machine; three years ago, it evolved into a 4 x 4 off-road event.
Saturday’s (June 21) classroom sessions will be conducted by experienced rally co-drivers Robert Warren and Leslie Alleyne. There is no charge for this class, and interested persons are reminded that the bar will be open during the class to provide refreshments. If there should be any questions regarding the class or the format of the event, please direct them to Lindsay Farmer at e-mail address hardseed@yahoo.com.
The format for this year’s June Safari is a blend of the 4 x 4 element and the more traditional navigational event. Starting at the ITC building in Warrens on Saturday (June 28) at 1.00pm, the first route covers approximately 50 kilometres; set by Robert Warren, it uses Tulip navigation to carry the 4 x 4 competitors through various gullies and tracks on their way to the dinner stop at The Cove Restaurant in Cattlewash, with the first crew due to arrive at around 5.00pm.
The second route was set by Lindsay Farmer; this uses Tulip and BRC navigation systems, and will take competitors, in both 4 x 4s and cars, over approximately 60 kilometres in the north of the island, ending at Harbour Lights on Bay Street approximately four hours later.
The entry fee for Barbados Rally Club members is $30 per vehicle, with non-members required to pay a temporary membership fee of $35 per person in addition to the entry fee; each vehicle is permitted to carry only two persons.
Entries will open at the briefing meeting, to be held at Kendal Sporting, St. Philip, on Wednesday (June 25) at 7.30pm and will close at the end of the meeting. Both driver and navigator must attend.

For further information: robin@bradfax.com