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MCBI Bushy Park Super Special,
Bushy Park Raceway,
Sun, July 13, 2003
 
Index
Intro Page Day's Report 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
 
The Day's Report
By Glenn "Evo Thug" Beckles
 
The Bushy Park racing circuit was a hive of activity as Roger "His Hottness" Mayers got his first victory of the season, winning the Super Special held by the Motoring Club Of Barbados Incorporated (MCBI). Driving his Shell Helix/Automotive Art Ford Focus WRC, Mayers upset the in form Paul "The Surfer" Bourne (Banks/Texaco/Pirelli/Williams Industries Subaru Impreza WRC) and Roger "The Sheriff" Skeete (Texaco/Michelin/McEnearney Quality/Consolidated Finance/Carib Ford Escort WRC). There were no drives from Group A or Group N, so these three were the only drivers with 4WD machines participating. Despite this, the huge crowd that turned up were thrilled. After all, with Geoffrey Ullyett (Ullyett's Machine Shop/Goodyear Datsun 200Y), Andrew Jones and Graham Manning (both in Mark II Ford Escorts) sliding through every corner at the track, who wouldn't be thrilled?

The track wasn't driven in the normal fashion. The track was driven in "figure of eight" style, with the drivers utilizing the go-kart section. They started and proceeded up the front straight, then turned right through the go-kart section, turned left upon exiting (hence travelling in the reverse direction) down the front straight, left through the go-kart section, this time turning right as they exited (now running the track in the normal direction). Manoeuvring through the go-kart section called for quick hands, fast feet and level-headed thinking. The drivers made generally light work of this part of the course, with Paul Bourne, Sean Gill (Sunbeach/NP/Kerridge/Pirelli/Simpson Motors Rally Team Suzuki Ignis), Jonathan Still (Nescafe/Castrol/Phillips Lighting BMW M3), Geoffrey Ullyett, Andrew Jones and Graham Manning being the ones who made it look extremely easy. Some Barbados Auto Racing League (BARL) drivers were also participated and were quick through the aforementioned section. These drivers namely being Peter Riley (right) and Sean Russell (both driving Honda Civics), Orville "Sluggy" Blackman (Nissan Datsun 120Y), Kenrick Husbands, Trevor Whitehall and Stuart Williams (all driving Toyota Starlets).

Bourne was the most impressive of the 4WD competitors, especially in the way he handled the go-kart section. Flicking his Impreza from side to side through the S's with amazing speed and versatility, he was, without a doubt, the quickest through that section. However, on one of his runs, he made a mistake exiting that section and that cost him a chance at victory. Mayers too was impressive, though much slower than Bourne through the S's, his Focus showed lightning-quick acceleration on the straights and precise handling. Roger attributed his being considerably slower through the S's was the dust which had been swept on to that particular section. During the warm-up drive through, Roger tossed and flicked his machine with ease through the S's and if he had done this during the official runs, his times would have been significantly quicker. Roger said that he couldn't flick the car and really use the torque of the Focus was because if he did, he would have more likely spun. The instantaneous throttle response from him having his antilag system turned on, coupled with the dust on the course provided a catalyst for him spinning. So to avoid such, he utilised the art of left-foot braking.

Sean Gill (right) was the fastest competitor in a 2WD car. His Ignis is simply amazing with respect to its acceleration and handling. Its braking system is very impressive as well. Despite almost rolling on his second run through the S's (the Ignis was on 2 wheels with almost the entire undercarriage of the car exposed to the crowd), he kept his composure and continued on. He took group honours in F3 and placed 2nd overall. Karl Waterman gave a good account of himself. Driving a Toyota Starlet, he utilised his quick hands and feet and natural talent, which endeared him to the hearts of many at the Dexterity Tests held earlier this year. His car control was good and he is definitely one for the future. Jonathan Still was impressive behind the wheel of his BMW M3 as well. Using the raw power of his RWD beast, Stillo manoeuvred around the circuit with ease. Still was locked in an intense battle with Stuart Williams (right) throughout the day, which provided for some extremely exciting moments. Their 2nd and final runs were especially enthralling, especially when Stuart caught Stillo approaching the final corner before the finish. Stuart's Starlet is indeed quick, but Still managed to hold him off. There was one minor incident, however. Brett Clarke rolled his Suzuki Swift upon exiting the final turn of the go-kart section. The car sustained very minimal damage, and Clarke was unhurt.

The final run of the day saw 3 sliding aces Andrew Jones, Graham Manning and Geoffrey Ullyett putting down an incredible demonstration of RWD sliding. Joined by "Sluggy" Blackman they provided some sweet eye candy for the spectators who turned out to watch the event. One word sums up what fans were about to witness…mesmerising. Manning, Jones and Ullyett flicked their machines and slid them through every corner, offsetting and scandying at will. The crowd was jumping and screaming. After Manning spun in the S's, it became the Jones and Ullyett show, with both drivers matching each other slide for slide. Ullyett (right) pushed the envelope with every slide, but nothing was as spectacular as his entries into the S's. Upon approaching the Rally Timing tents which were located about 20 feet from the entry to the S's, Ullyett offset his Datsun 15 feet before reaching the tents and then proceeded to flick and slide his car right into the S's. The crowd became engulfed in unbridled elation as "Team Sideways" put down these displays.

The Super Special was a success and everyone who attended was pleased. Thanks are extended to the marshals, organisers, competitors and everyone else who made this event possible. Congratulations once again to Roger "His Hottness" Mayers on his first win of the season, and may this be a sign of things to come.

 
 
Index
Intro Page Day's Report 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
 
 
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