News

A record 98 cars are listed on the running order published today (Thursday) for Sunday’s (May 26) First Citizens King of the Hill. The starters list has exceeded 90 only twice since 2008 - the previous record was 95 in KotH 2019 – and this year drivers and co-drivers from 12 nations are set to contest the final shakedown before BCIC Rally Barbados 2024 (May 31-June 2), the 34th edition of the Barbados Rally Club’s premier event.

Next Saturday’s Auto & Rally Show, now in its third year at Bushy Park Barbados, is set to be the biggest yet. Rally fans have an unrivalled opportunity to pore over more than 100 cars entered for First Citizens King of the Hill (May 26) and BCIC Rally Barbados (May 31-June 2), while hundreds of patrons have already signed up for road car test drives offered by the island’s automotive sector, new for this year.

The Geest Line freighter Baltic Klipper docked at the Bridgetown Port early yesterday (Tuesday) with a cargo including 22 rally cars shipped from the UK and Ireland . . . but it was almost only 21, as last-minute delays nearly ended British driver Tom Stockdale’s childhood dream of competing alongside his father Martin, who this year participates in the Barbados Rally Club’s (BRC) premier event for a record 22nd time.

The provisional entry list for the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport international lists more than 100 local, regional and international rally crews for only the second time in its 34-year history. With a new title sponsor, BCIC Rally Barbados 2024 has attracted 103 entries, the most in 12 years, including the first Volkswagen Polo GTi R5 to compete in the island, being flown in by returning Irish driver Barry McKenna.