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.
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