Bushy Park, ROC and Terry Grant go back to school

Bushy Park Barbados and the organisers of next weekend’s annual Race Of Champions (December 13/14) have joined forces with world record stunt driver, England’s Terry Grant, who arrived in the island on Tuesday, to reach out to a new generation of motor sport fans . . . and to give something back to the community in the process.

Grant holds a total of 19 driving world records and, before he tries to make it 20 in front of the crowds at ROC, he is already touring Barbados to show off his skills. In addition to a number of public shows, he is visiting secondary schools as part of the ‘The Barbados School Tour - Inspiring a New Generation’ initiative, to educate pupils about motor sport and emphasise what it takes to be a true Champion - courage, dedication and hard work.

Fans will be treated to displays of his unique trickery on four wheels – that’s when he bothers to use all four – at 6.30pm on Friday at Simpson Motors, then at Sheraton Mall at midday on Saturday. His high-adrenaline show will feature amazing stunts in a Legend Race Car, a 400-horsepower TVR Tamora sports car and one of the ROC Ariel Atoms in which motor sport legends will contest the Race Of Champions at Bushy Park.

Executive Chairman of Bushy Park Circuit Inc (BPCI) Mark Maloney explained: “Here at Bushy Park, we have an ambition to inspire a new generation of motor sport fans and I have a personal desire to create a legacy for the sport. The upcoming Race Of Champions is bringing to the island some of the world’s most accomplished motor sport champions, along with the amazing Terry Grant.

“This has presented us with an fantastic opportunity to educate and inspire youngsters across the island, by giving them the chance to see Terry in action – only where there’s space for him to do it safely – and to learn from him how important dedication, hard work and commitment are to success . . . not just in motor sport, but in life.”

Bushy Park has also made additional seating available and offered complimentary tickets to students, subject to their parents or guardians attending, so they can experience a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to enjoy a world-class event and a full weekend of family entertainment. In addition, two lucky winners will earn Scholarships for the 2015 Bushy Park Kart Programme, while a host of other benefits are on offer, including a number of behind-the-scenes tours.

Grant has embraced the School Tour with enthusiasm: “This is a great initiative to take the cars and motor sport spirit to schools. It has been an amazing experience in the schools I have visited so far. The students are so knowledgeable and enthusiastic . . . perhaps a Terry Grant Stunt Academy needs to be set up at Bushy Park!”

With an incredible 19 world records to his name, Grant has wowed crowds all over the world for decades, his tally including such feats as the fastest-ever mile in reverse and the tightest parallel parking. At the Race Of Champions at Bangkok in 2012, he took the mark for the most ever ‘donuts’ while standing on the roof of a car to an incredible 25.

At Bushy Park this year, he is going to attempt to make that 20 world records with yet another crazy feat: he will bid to set a record for the most people in a car on two wheels. He is aiming for a scarcely-believable 14 people - and the fans he is meeting on the tour of the island could be among the lucky participants and reach the pages of the Guinness Book of Records.

Along with his world record attempt, Grant will be putting on a stunt show in front of the crowds at ROC, as part of a package of entertainment supporting the main event that includes the FMX4Ever Freestyle Motocross riders, rally great Stig Blomqvist in the mighty Group B Audi quattro S1 rally car, DJs, cheerleaders and much more.