Rally

Local, international and regional competitors are making last-minute preparations for Sunday’s (May 25) Scotiabank King of the Hill, the final shakedown ahead of the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport International, Sol Rally Barbados 2014 (May 30-June 1) . . . and Simpson Motors Scrutineering tomorrow (Saturday) will give fans their first chance to see more than 10 cars new to the island.

The final countdown is well under way for Sol Rally Barbados 2014. Competitors, their families and supporters have been arriving at the island’s Grantley Adams International Airport daily since the weekend, with the cargo hold of two inbound Virgin Atlantic Airways flights also carrying a Ford Focus rally car, one each for Trinidad’s John Powell and Britain’s Paul Bird, who is aiming for a hat-trick of victories in this year’s event.

As competitors in the Barbados Rally Club (BRC) Driver’s and Class Championships prepare for the two most important weekends of their motor sport season - Scotiabank King of the Hill and Sol Rally Barbados 2014 - Daryl Clarke has edged into the lead in the Champion Driver’s title chase, just two points ahead of Eric Allamby and Rhett Watson, who are tied in second place.

Despite suffering what he describes as “the biggest crash I’ve ever had” in the Manx National Rally on Saturday (May 10), England’s Paul Bird remains set on a hat-trick of wins in Sol Rally Barbados. ‘Birdy’ was on course for a fourth victory on the Isle of Man but, with three stages to go, crashed out of the lead in spectacular fashion.

All stages run in a single direction; times indicate Car 0 due

Friday, May 30

1830  SS1 – Bushy Park Circuit Stage 1 (1.8km)

Saturday, May 31

1000  Restart – Andrews Factory

1030  SS2 – Karcher Sailor Gully 1 (4.50km)

1105  SS3 – Automotive Art Canefield 1 (6.50km)

1130  SS4 – Spring Vale 1 (5.90km)

1245  SS5 – Karcher Sailor Gully 2 (4.50km)

1320  SS6 – Automotive Art Canefield 2 (6.50km)

1345  SS7 – Spring Vale 2 (5.90km)