Sunday's Rallysprint also saw the debut of Budget Racing. This is an attempt the build motorsport from the grassroots level and progress upward. BARL (Barbados Auto Racing League) Chairman Geoffrey Ullyett is spearheading this project. The section comprised Groups 1 and 2, and competitors in this group were Geoffrey Ullyett (Nissan), Graham Manning (Nissan), Stuart White (Toyota), Sean Corbin (Datsun), Shaun Alleyne (Toyota), Mark Thompson (Toyota) and Balchand Geberdhan (Nissan). The drivers in these 2 groups performed admirably, and the newcomers showed great resolve around the circuit.

Sunbeach Rallysprint points were up for grabs, and the drivers showed their commitment to obtain these valuable points in their quest to place that #1 sticker on their door for next season. Group 1 was keenly contested, with Geoffrey Ullyett taking group honours. Stuart White in his Toyota was 2nd, with Balchand Geberdhan (Budget Nissan) took 3rd place. Group 2 honours went to Sean Corbin (Datsun) with Graham Manning (Nissan) and Shaun Alleyne (Toyota Starlet) placing 3rd. In Group 3, it was Freddie Gale (Gale's Hatcheries Toyota Starlet) placing 1st in the group, Tristan Gibbs in his Datsun 160J was second and 3rd place went to Chris Alleyne driving a Toyota Starlet. Kirk Watkins (Sunbeach Toyota Corolla) drove his way to Group 4 victory. Watkins has shown a great improvement in his skill at tackling the Vaucluse circuit. While last season's Barbados Rally Club Rookie Of The Year, Lindsay Farmer (Nassco/Phillips Lighting/St James Travel/Mobil 1 Toyota Starlet Turbo) placed 2nd. Sliding ace Geoffrey Ullyett (Ullyett's Machine Shop/Good year Tyres/Argent Lubricants/Sikkens Nissan) drove to Group 5 victory, followed by Greg Cozier (Carib/Valvoline Oil Ford Escort RS2000), John Corbin (Corbin's Garage/Klark-Odio Toyota Corolla) and Adrian Linton (AutoZone/Crane & Equipment/Williams Trading Inc Vauxhall Astra) respectively. Crowd favourite Sean Gill piloting the Simpson Motors/DaCosta Mannings Autocentre/Pirelli Suzuki Ignis was the winner in Group 6, while Barry Gale (Sunbeach Toyota Corolla) was second, with another crowd favourite Jonathan Still (left) behind the wheel of his Nescafe/Phillips Lighting/Castrol BMW M3 coming 3rd. This was Jonathan's first time at the Vaucluse facility with his new machine, and Stillo seemed quite relaxed and in control as he navigated the course. Graham Gittens (Nassco/Phillips Lighting/St James Travel/Mobil 1 Toyota Starlet Turbo) took the final position in this group. In Group 7 it was crowd favourite Trevor Manning who took group honours. Manning, driving his Simpson Motors Racing Team Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V was flawless on each of his runs. In second was the in-form Paul "The Surfer" Bourne in the Banks/Pirelli/Texaco/Williams Industries Subaru Impreza WRC. Bourne drove quite well too, with he and Manning providing a great display of controlled and committed driving. Bourne's teammate Brian "The Iceman" Gill (Banks/Pirelli/Texaco/Williams Industries Subaru Impreza) took the final position in the group.

The real excitement came in the Knock-Out Handicap section of the day's racing. This is where each of the group winners would square off against each other. Geoffrey Ullyett was up against and Sean Corbin (who was making his Vaucluse Raceway debut) and Ullyett was his usual sideways self as he drove his way to victory. Seeing Ullyett toss the budget Datsun around the track was quite amazing, and the crowd enjoyed it thoroughly. Freddie Gale (right) defeated Kirk Watkins, much to the surprise of the crowd. Sean Gill (Suzuki Ignis) then proceeded to defeat Ullyett (driving his Open Modified Datsun), the Ignis hustling around the circuit thus setting up a clash between Gill's Ignis and the Evo V of Manning. Before that, however Geoffrey Ullyett (Budget Datsun) defeated Freddie Gale, to set a clash with the winner of the Gill versus Manning showdown. Manning had to cope with Gill having a 12-second head start, and that is just what he did. Gill launched from the start pad, knowing that even though he had a 12-second head start, Manning would eat into it in no time at all. As Manning propelled his Evo from the start pad, the crowd was on its feet. Would Manning be defeated today? Gill was clean around the course, with the ever-present threat of a Manning comeback looming. At the end of the first lap, Manning had closed the gap significantly. From there Manning took control and went on to defeat Gill in a thrilling race. The crowd was absolutely euphoric as Manning crossed the line, and that euphoria doubled as Manning flashed the lights at the crowd on the North bank. Ullyett was already at the start pad, and as Micey rolled to join him, the aural volume was mind-blowing. Two sliding aces together in the same race, on a course which suited their driving styles. One would think, however that Ullyett had the advantage…a healthy 25-second head start advantage. Every eye was focused on the lights at the starting pad. Ullyett rocketed away…knowing that even though he had a healthy advantage, Manning can never be counted out on the Vaucluse circuit. After what seemed to be an eternity, Manning was given the green light. From the time Manning took the long sweeping right-hander at the northern section of the track, it was clear that Micey was a man on a mission. Approaching the final hairpin at the southern section, Manning flicked his Evo in the opposite direction, and as quickly as he did this, he flicked it to the right…an example of cornering at it's best. Ullyett was still in the lead, and as Manning crossed the line at the end of the first lap, Ullyett's advantaged had been shaved down to 10 seconds. The race was on, and everyone knew it. As Manning approached the hairpin on the inside track to the North, he put down a well-executed scandi. This allowed him to make up some time on Ullyett. Manning drove aggressively down the straight and caught Ullyett at the hairpin to the south. Another well-executed scandi (right) gave Manning the lead and he never looked back, winning a thrilling race.

It was a great day of fun and excitement. Kudos must be given to all those concerned with getting the track into such a great condition. It was a day well spent at the St.Thomas facility and even more excitement is promised for Round 2 on May 4th. Congratulations to Trevor "Electric Micey" Manning on another stellar performance. Is this a sign of things to come? We can only wait and see.