Digicel joins Williams to promote regional motor racing

Two of the leading brand names in the Caribbean, Digicel and Williams Industries, have joined forces to further the development of circuit racing in Barbados and across the region through co-sponsorship of the Barbados Auto Racing League's (BARL) eighth annual international race meet, slated for the weekend of August 28/29.

Feature event of the Digicel Williams International at Bushy Park, St Philip, will be round two of the 2010 Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC). The programme will also include the CMRC Motorcycle Championship, the first round of which was contested between Guyana and Jamaica in May, and the first of two rounds of a new ‘Mini' CMRC Group 2 Championship between Barbados, Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago.

In welcoming Digicel's commitment to join long-term sponsor Williams Industries, BARL Chairman Adrian Mayers said: "This additional support has given the Club the resources to bring quality, quantity and variety to this year's International - the addition of CMRC races for 600cc bikes and Group 2 cars is an important part of the steady expansion of the regional series, but there are other ‘added extras' for fans to look forward to.

"We have more announcements to make during the coming weeks, as we are still awaiting the final names of the regional teams, but I can confirm that a number of competitors from England and Ireland have accepted invitations to compete. The first International was run at Bushy Park in 1972, in the days when legendary British drivers such as Mike Crabtree, Alec Poole and Gordon Spice used to race here and in Guyana.

"With the plans to upgrade Bushy Park to an internationally-licensed circuit currently under discussion, BARL decided to act early in reviving interest from Europe, so we could start to develop relationships as close as those of nearly 40 years ago."

Following the Opening Ceremony at 8.00am on Sunday, August 25, the provisional timetable lists a total of 25 races, culminating in the HottFM Handicap; qualifying is scheduled for 2.00pm on Saturday, while another change in format is the switch to Monday evening for the Prizegiving, now falling in line with the practice in Guyana and Jamaica.

Digicel chief executive Barry O'Brien said: "Digicel, ‘The Bigger, Better Network', is pleased to partner with Williams Industries for the Digicel Williams International Race Meet 2010, for the benefit and enjoyment of the thousands of motor racing fans across the island.

"Our brand has become synonymous with innovation, superior service, top-of-the line products and unrivalled customer care, all of which have propelled us into pole position as the preferred mobile telecommunications service provider in Barbados and the region. We are proud to be involved with this international race meet, which epitomizes our tag line as it gets bigger and better each year."

Williams Industries director Stuart Williams added: "As a family, and as a business, our love for motor sport and our willingness to assist wherever we can to promote its growth and popularity has not wavered for nearly 40 years. To be successful, motor sport requires not only talented drivers, but also skillful mechanics, enthusiastic supporters and sponsors. In the Caribbean, we have no shortage of enthusiasm for what has become the most popular spectator sport in Barbados. Motor sport is like an incubator that hatches technicians whose skills, developed through enthusiasm for the sport, contribute to the success of many industries in the region.

"None of this would be possible without the financial support of Wendy Williams and the enthusiastic work of her team, which maintains the circuit and its surroundings. Nor would motor racing be the success it has been over the years without the work of successive BARL committees and the marshals and volunteer workers who help to run racing events. Thanks to them all for their dedication."

BARL's pre-event build-up continues tomorrow (Friday, August 6) with the first of three weekly after-work limes opposite H & B Hardware at Warrens, St Michael; cars will be on display from around 4.00pm, refreshments will be on sale, and there will be entertainment and driver interviews.

Digicel Williams International Race Meet timeline

Friday, August 6 – 4:00pm: Meet the Drivers promo, Warrens, St Michael

Friday, August 13 – 4:00pm: Meet the Drivers promo, Warrens, St Michael

Friday, August 20 – 4:00pm: Meet the Drivers promo, Warrens, St Michael

Saturday, August 28 – 2:00pm: Qualifying, Bushy Park, St Philip

Sunday, August 29 – 8.00am: Digicel Williams International Race Meet

Monday, August 30 – 7.00pm: Prizegiving