BARBADOS RALLY CLUB LAUNCHES NEW SEASON

The Barbados Rally Club (BRC) heads into the new motor sport season in a positive frame of mind, despite 2013 having been “a year of mixed fortunes”. Chairman Mark Hamilton offered this assessment to members in his annual report at last Thursday’s (February 13) AGM at the Barbados Clay Target Shooting Association (BCTSA) Clubhouse at Searles, Christ Church.

On the plus side, he said: “Our membership base remains stable, corporate and Government support continues, with long-term financial commitment already confirmed for the period 2014 to 2016, and the sport itself continues to be the sport of choice for the public . . . one of its greatest assets.”

Of the challenges faced in 2013, Hamilton admitted that the prevailing economic climate had made for a difficult year financially, despite which the Club had continued to work on its long-term viability: “We have once again invested heavily in additional equipment, to the tune of approximately Bds $70,000 during 2013, and will soon be making further investment in timing equipment to ensure the integrity of those systems for 2014.”

Among the changes for this season is a restructuring of the BRC Driver’s and Class Championships, which are reduced to eight rounds; given continuing economic challenges, the Club expects competitors will be more selective in how many events they contest. Hamilton added: “A decision has been made to abandon all gravel events from the sprint and rally calendar given the interest/cost/reward scenario that has played out over the past three years. I believe this is the correct decision under these circumstances.”

The Club’s 2014 calendar will get under way this Sunday (February 23), with the opening round of the BRC Autocross Championship; it is also the island’s first motor sport event for the season, after two other Member Clubs of the governing body, the Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF), had to abandon events planned for two weeks ago because venues were unavailable.

The BRC’s off-road division, the MudDogs, has an expanded calendar for 2014, with eight events listed: the first of the usual five rounds of the Chefette MudDogs Safari and Safari Novice Championships is slated for Sunday, March 16, while a third date has been added to the MudFest calendar, with events planned for May, August and October.

Election of the Committee of Management (CoM) was a largely simple affair, with only minor changes: a motion to amend the Club Rules to accommodate an additional Assistant Competition Secretary was passed and Kreigg Yearwood voted in unopposed, while Ricky Holder has replaced Darnley Rayside as Assistant Competition Secretary (MudDogs) and will also chair the separate MudDogs committee.

During the evening, Hamilton thanked the large band of volunteer marshals, Stage Commanders, the media and the Club membership for their continued support, along with “all of those who quietly lend a hand without any acknowledgement or fuss.” He also made special mention of Audley Croney and his family for their contribution to the “great success” of the Club’s Annual Prizegiving, hosted at their home at Chapel Plantation last November.

The Barbados Rally Club Committee of Management for 2014 is: Chairman, Mark Hamilton; Vice-Chairman, Geoffrey Noel; Treasurer, Jeanne Crawford; Competition Secretary, Neil Corbin; Assistant Competition Secretary, Kreigg Yearwood; Assistant Competition Secretary (MudDogs), Ricky Holder; Vehicle Classification Officer, Adrian Linton; Secretary, Jamal Brathwaite; Marshal Liaison Officer, Roger Hill; Equipment Officer, Roger Sargeant; Public Relations Officer, Neil Barnard; Entertainment Secretary, Sean Gill.

BRC Driver's & Class Championships

BRC 2wd & 4wd Championships

Round 1 - March 23 – MCBI Speed Event

Round 2 - April 13 – Valvoline Rally

Round 3 – May 25 - Scotiabank King of the Hill Rounds 4 & 5 – May 31/June 1 - Sol Rally Barbados Round 6 - August 30 - BRC Summer Nights Tarmac Rally Rounds 7 & 8 - October 12 - BRC Winter Tarmac Sprint

Chefette MudDogs Safari Championship

& Chefette MudDogs Safari Novice Championship Round 1 - March 16 - BRC MudDogs March Safari Round 2 - April 6 – BRC MudDogs April Safari MudFest - May 4 Round 3 - June 28/29 – BRC MudDogs June Safari MudFest - August 17 Round 4 - September 21 - BRC MudDogs September Safari MudFest - October 26 Round 5 - November 9 - BRC MudDogs November Safari

BRC Autocross Championship

Round 1 - February 23

Round 2 - April 26

Round 3 - August 10

Round 4 - November 1