Nagle full of praise for BMF and motor sport volunteers

After a weekend working with volunteers and competitors at Bushy Park, St Philip, two-time Rally Barbados-winning co-driver Paul Nagle flew home to Ireland yesterday (Monday) full of praise for a productive and successful trip to the Barbados Motoring Federation’s (BMF) Motorsport Training Weekend (February 1/2).
  Since retiring in 2022 as Ireland’s most successful co-driver, with five World Rally Championship event wins under his belt with Kris Meeke, Nagle has become an FIA Delegate at international events, with a particular focus on safety. Having won RB08 and RB09 with Meeke, then worked with the organisers of the island’s premier event for the last two years, he is well versed in rallying in Barbados from both sides of the fence.
  Nagle said: “It was a great initiative from the BMF to get everyone together before the start of the season, which is just a few weeks away. It was a very productive weekend and I was impressed to see so much enthusiasm from the marshals and volunteers. All of the attendees were very engaged and I am sure there was lots learned. It was great to be a part of this and to enjoy such a warm welcome back to the island.”
  BMF Vice-President – Sport, David Williams added: “On behalf of the BMF and our volunteers, I must say a big thank-you to Paul for his whirlwind trip. Since retiring after his wins here and then in the WRC, he has devoted a lot of time to giving back to the sport he loves . . . and it shows.
  “His insights into what we need to do to continue to enhance our organisation in the island are truly valuable and it was great to see how comfortable our volunteers felt when interacting with him over the weekend. They say that ‘every day is a learning day’ and that was certainly true at Bushy Park.”
  Based in the Open-Air Suites overlooking the circuit, Nagle worked alongside a local team, including Event Director of BCIC Rally Barbados Neil Barnard, Corey Reece and Kreigg Yearwood, with contributions from Williams and Stage Commander Dexter Griffith. There were seminars for volunteer marshals and officials, along with a special session dedicated to training for rally co-drivers, led by Nagle and Yearwood, who won First Citizens King of the Hill in 2022 alongside Zane Maloney.
  On Sunday afternoon, a short special stage was created on the circuit, including the usual timing equipment at start and finish. Drivers Kyle Proverbs in a BimmaCup and Geoff Ullyett in a BMW M3 played out a number of scenarios, including a stationary car and a blocked stage, giving marshals some practical refresher points dealing with the safety issues and the use of flags.
  The first dates on the BMF calendar for 2025 are at Bushy Park, where the Barbados Association of Dragsters & Drifters (BADD) is due to kick off its season on Sunday, February 16, with the Barbados Karting Association (BKA) scheduled to get under way a week later (February 23).

Editor’s note: the Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF) is the island’s governing body for motor sport, affiliated to the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). It also represents the interests of its Member Clubs in discussions with Government departments which facilitate the sport in the island, in particular the Ministry of Transport, which permits road closures for an agreed number of events each year. Away from motor sport, the BMF affiliate which answers the FIA Mobility remit is the Barbados Automobile Association (BAA).

For media information only. No regulatory value.

For further information, please contact:
BMF Vice-President - Sport, David Williams - e-mail: vicepresident@bmf-fia.com
web site: https://bmf-fia.com/