MARCH SAFARI OPENS NEW MUDDOGS SEASON

  Crews contesting the Barbados Rally Club (BRC) MudDogs Safari Championship and the Chefette MudDogs Safari Novice Championship are making final preparations for the launch of the new season. The BRC MudDogs March Safari next Saturday (March 17) is the first chance to dust off the cobwebs since last year’s Nassco October Safari.   Competitors can expect a tough start the year: not only have the recent unseasonal rains made for some challenging terrain, but the route-setters know pretty much every trick in the book, as both have experience on both sides of the cab. Champion Navigator and Driver respectively in 2010, Ryan Corbin and Dustin Edwards then swapped seats for last season – Edwards finished second in the Navigator points, Corbin third among the Drivers.   While details of the route are still being finalised, the BRC MudDogs March Safari will start at Mahogany Ridge, St Thomas. The first crew is scheduled to leave at 2.01pm for route one in the northern parishes of the island; the Stop-Over will be at approximately 6.30pm at Chefette Speightstown, with details of the second route still to be confirmed.   MudDogs Chairman Warren Gollop commented: “Where is the year going to? The first event of the 2012 season is already nearly upon us. I hope to see all those who competed in the practice rally come out for the March Safari, also the new faces from our recent meeting. Oh, and I would like to see the regulars, too, of course!   “We’re all delighted that Chefette are on board with us once again, not only as sponsor of the Novice Championship, but also the Chefette Rookie of the Year Award. In addition, they will sponsor the April Safari and will again be feeding our marshals. A big thanks for Chefette’s continued commitment to motor sport at all levels.”   Entries are now open at Motorsport Services in Haggatt Hall and will close next Tuesday (March 13) at 2.00pm; the Briefing Meeting will be at 7.00pm the same evening, at the Barbados Clay Target Shooting Association House at Searles, Christ Church, after which the entry list will be released. The Prizegiving for the BRC MudDogs March Safari will be held at the same venue on Monday, March 17, once results are made final.   The pricing structure for competitors remains the same as last year: entry fee $45.00, insurance $40.00, Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF) annual license fee $60.00 (restricted license); in addition, BRC membership fees are $200.00 for annual subscription or $50.00 for temporary membership.   BRC MudDogs Safari Championship & Chefette MudDogs Safari Novice Championship Round 1 - March 17 - BRC MudDogs March Safari Round 2 - April 14 - Chefette April Safari MudFest - May 1 Round 3 - June 23/24 - BRC MudDogs June Safari Round 4 - September 16 - BRC MudDogs September Safari MudFest - October 20 Round 5 - November 11 - BRC MudDogs November Safari   For further media information, robin@bradfax.com Web sites: www.barbadosrallyclub.com, www.muddogsbarbados.com