News

  Trevor ‘Micey’ Manning is back! A former winner of the island’s premier event, popular with fans for his flamboyant driving style, he will compete in Sol Rally Barbados for the first time since 2009 . . . he replaces the injured Logan Watson in his BMW M3, nick-named ‘Crackers’, a rear-wheel-drive car that ideally suits Manning’s persona.

Mark Western and Robin Hinds won Saturday’s (April 13) Chefette April Safari by the smallest possible margin - one penalty point. The result was the closest finish in a navigational event since the Toyota November Safari of 2005, when they were also involved . . . but as the losers, by two points, to Lindsay Farmer and Megan Blades.   Aboard the Kar Parts Store/GWS/Esso Barbarees Hill/Yardman Nissan Patrol, Western/Hinds were trailing at the end of route 1, 69 penalty points behind Audley and Jeremy Croney (CC Motorsports Suzuki Vitara).

  One lucky spectator at the inaugural London Rally for Heroes next weekend (April 19/20) will win a VIP trip for two to Sol Rally Barbados 2013, the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport International. With Rally HQ at Brooklands, the birthplace of British motor sport and aviation, the first major rally to be staged so close to London for nearly 20 years is raising funds in support of Help for Heroes.

  Former UK National Rally Champion Roger Duckworth will make his third trip to Sol Rally Barbados this year, bringing to a record-breaking 11 the number of entries in the two classes catering for World Rally Cars. In doing so, he will break a personal record, too – he has rarely rallied outside the UK, twice in Ireland and twice in Portugal, so competing in a country for a third time is a new experience!   Having thoroughly enjoyed his two previous visits – both were prize drives for winning Rallye Sunseeker National – he was quick to enter again, once he knew his car would be ready . . .