BARBADOS RALLY CLUB OPTIMISTIC FOR NEW SEASON

The Barbados Rally Club (BRC) is approaching the 2016 season in a mood of optimism, with revised Vehicle Regulations about to come into force and members anticipating continued high levels of competition. This was the message from Chairman Mark Hamilton in his annual report at last night’s (Thursday) AGM at the Barbados Clay Target Shooting Association (BCTSA) Clubhouse at Searles, Christ Church.

  As the island’s oldest motor sport organisation heads toward its 60th Anniversary in 2017, Hamilton reflected on the year ahead: “I look forward to this season with some optimism. Rumours of new machinery arriving on the scene, a compact but high-quality event schedule, huge overseas interest in Sol Rally Barbados, the continued support of our partners, marshals and other volunteers all speak well for the immediate future.”

  Earlier in his address, Hamilton had touched on some of the Club’s challenges, including “the on-going meetings relating to the Vehicle Regulations, which have been determined earlier tonight. These have stimulated much thought, discussion and action which, in my view, will benefit the Club, its members, the current management and those who will be part of - and oversee - the Club’s future.”

  On a positive note, he added: “I am pleased to report that we have negotiated renewal terms on several of our long-term partnerships, which will result in a greater flexibility and ability to respond to an unforeseen financial challenges between 2016 and 2020.”

  There are some major changes in the Club’s class structure in the revised Vehicle Regulations now finalised for the next three-year cycle, from 2016 to 2018. These will be available as a PDF download on both the Club (www.barbadosrallyclub.com) and Sol Rally Barbados (www.rallybarbados.net) web sites shortly.

  In the four-wheel-drive classes, World Rally Cars will once again be combined in a single class, while Group A and Group N remain largely as before. The most noticeable changes come in the SuperModified and Modified classes: SM will now run as three classes (up to 1600cc, 1601-2500c, over 2500cc), M as two (up to 1600cc, 1601-2000cc), with a number of changes in the rules governing weight.

  In both Historic and Clubman, there will now be two classes, divided by engine capacity - up to 1600cc, and 1601 to 2000cc. Group B remains as before, with entries eligible for class awards only.

  During the evening, Hamilton also thanked the large band of volunteer marshals and Stage Commanders for their hard work and dedication, the print, broadcast and on-line media for their extensive coverage of motor sport, the Club membership for their continued support, along with “all of those who quietly lend a hand without any acknowledgement or fuss.”

  Election of the Committee of Management (CoM) was a simple affair, with all members returned unopposed: 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.

Barbados Rally Club Vehicle Regulations 2013-16 – at-a-glance:

WRC - previously WRC-1 & WRC-2

Group A – as before

Group N - as before

SuperModified 1 - up to 1600cc, previously SM9; SM2 – 1601-2500cc, previously SM10 & SM11; SM3 - over 2500cc, previously SM12 Modified 1 - up to 1600cc, previously M5 & M6; M2 – 1601-2000cc, previously M7 Historic 1 - up to 1600cc; H2 – 1601-2000cc (Historic, now split by capacity) Clubman 1 - up to 1600cc; C2 – 1601-2000cc (Clubman, now split by capacity) Group B - as before; these cars remain eligible for class awards only

BRC Driver's & Class Championships; BRC 2wd & 4wd Championships: Round 1 – Mar 20, Spring Blaze Speed Event (MCBI); Round 2 – Apr 24, Shakedown Stages; Round 3 – May 29, King of the Hill; Rounds 4 & 5 – June 3-5, Sol Rally Barbados 2016; Round 6 – Aug 27, Autumn Tarmac Stages; Rounds 7 & 8 – Oct 2, Winter Tarmac Sprint Chefette MudDogs Safari & Chefette MudDogs Safari Novice Championships: Round 1 - Mar 6; Round 2 - May 14; Round 3 - Jun 25/26; Round 4 - Sep 18; Round 5 - Nov 13. Non-championship: May 1 - MudFest BRC Autocross Championship: Round 1 - Feb 21; Round 2 - Apr 2; Round 3 - Aug 13; Round 4 - Nov 6