'Watershed Season' for Barbados Motor Sport

Circuit race and rally fans in Barbados can look forward to a "watershed season" for their favourite sport in 2014, according to the island's National Sporting Authority, the Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF) . . . and the months of May and June look set to break all previous records for motor sport's contribution to the island's vital sports-tourism product.

In addition to Sol Rally Barbados (May 31/June 1) and the previous weekend's Scotiabank King of the Hill (May 25), which already inject significant foreign exchange annually into the economy, Top Gear Festival Barbados (May 17/18) will mark the worldwide launch of the re-developed Bushy Park Circuit.

The BMF's 2014 Calendar, published today (February 11), lists more than 40 events to be organised by the Federation's sporting Member Clubs between Sunday, February 23, and the penultimate weekend of November. A broad cross-section of motor sport disciplines is covered, from grass-roots autocross and dexterity tests through circuit race meetings for cars and karts, drag racing and off-road 4x4 events to special stage rallies.

BMF President Andrew Mallalieu said: "Since the BMF was founded in 2000, we have worked to achieve a number of key targets: the licensing of competitors, creation of the Training Committee, standardising of vehicle safety regulations, central negotiation of competition insurance and the introduction of a duty free scheme for importation of eligible competition cars and certain components.

"While the journey is not over, 2014 promises be a watershed season, and I believe that the ripples will spread across the Caribbean. After years of diligent work, the vision of a permanent home for island motor sport is about to be realised, aided in the planning stages by the world governing body, the FIA, and the Government of Barbados. Funded by a group of local investors, the redevelopment of Bushy Park got under way last August and its reopening as a world-class facility presents new opportunities for island motor sport, and for the region. I hope that the Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship at Top Gear Festival Barbados is the first of many international series to be attracted to the island.

"Off-track, the Barbados Rally Club marks the 25th running of its premier event, Sol Rally Barbados, the region's biggest annual motor sport international, and I'm told that there will likely be a record number of countries represented in this year's entry. But it is not just the headline events that matter . . . all our Member Clubs have worked hard to keep pace with fast-developing world of motor sport, particularly on the safety front, and we all look forward to a successful season."

As the start of the new season draws closer, the BMF Motorsport Training Committee is planning a series of training courses and workshops to be held throughout the year, with a long-term plan of creating a standard format; these sessions will fall into three broad categories - Marshals, Senior Officials and Competitors Safety Training.

BMF Vice-President John Sealy said: "Following the training conducted last year by the UK's governing body, the Motor Sports Association (MSA), the BMF now has four in-house trainers, who will be responsible for these courses, working under our Training Committee Chairman Warren Gollop.

"We enjoyed an excellent first committee meeting for 2014 last week, at which all persons who were invited attended, including our three regular Stage Commanders, the four trainers and representatives from our sporting Member Clubs, who may be called upon to assist in the co-ordination with their individual members. I was extremely pleased with the turn-out and am very encouraged as we look forward to the new season."

BMF 2014 Calendar at February 11, 2014

Feb 23 - Autocross (BRC)
Mar 1/2 - Kart Race Meet (BKA)
Mar 8 - Dexterity Driving Challenge (BARL)
Mar 16 - Navigational Rally (BRC MudDogs)
Mar 23 - Speed Event (MCBI/BRC)
Apr 5/6 - Kart Race Meet (BKA)
Apr 6 - Navigational Rally (BRC MudDogs)
Apr 13 - Special Stage Rally (BRC)
Apr 21 - Drag Racing (BADD)
Apr 26 - Autocross (BRC)
Apr 27 - Speed Event (MCBI)
May 3/4 - Kart Race Meet (BKA)
May 4 - MudFest (BRC MudDogs)
May 25 - Speed Event (BRC)
May 31/Jun 1 - Special Stage Rally (BRC)
Jun 7/8 - Kart Race Meet (BKA)
Jun 14/15 - Race Meeting (BARL)
Jun 21 - Drag Racing (BADD)
Jun 22 - Speed Event (MCBI)
Jun 28/29 - Navigational Rally (BRC MudDogs)
Jul 5/6 - Kart Race Meet (BKA)
Aug 10 - Autocross (BRC)
Aug 16 - Drag Racing (BADD)
Aug 17 - MudFest (BRC MudDogs)
Aug 30 - Special Stage Rally (BRC/MCBI/VRMSC)
Sep 6/7 - Kart Race Meet (BKA)
Sep 13 - Special Stage Rally (MCBI)
Sep 21 - Navigational Rally (BRC MudDogs)
Sep 27/28 - Race Meeting (BARL)
Oct 4/5 - Kart Race Meet (BKA)
Oct 11 - Drag Racing (BADD)
Oct 12 - Special Stage Rally (BRC/MCBI)
Oct 18/19 - Race Meeting (BARL)
Oct 25/26 - Kart Race Meet (BKA)
Oct 26 - MudFest (BRC MudDogs)
Nov 1 - Autocross (BRC)
Nov 2 - Speed Event (MCBI)
Nov 8 - Drag Racing (BADD)
Nov 9 - Navigational Rally (BRC MudDogs)
Nov 15/16 - Kart Race Meet (BKA)
Nov 22/23 - Race Meeting (BARL)

NB: events are described by the generic names under which they are granted a BMF permit. Organising clubs may apply different titles to their events, for instance to reflect individual sponsorship commitments

Key to abbreviations:
BADD - Barbados Association of Dragster & Drifters (www.baddmotorsports.com)
BARL - Barbados Auto Racing League (www.barl.com.bb; Facebook - BarbadosAutoRacingLeague)
BKA - Barbados Karting Association (www.barbadoskarting.net)
BRC - Barbados Rally Club (www.barbadosrallyclub.com; www.rallybarbados.net; Facebook – BarbadosRallyClub, SolRallyBarbados); BRC MudDogs (www.muddogsbarbados.com; Facebook - MudDogsBarbados)
MCBI - Motoring Club of Barbados Inc (Facebook - Motoring-Club-Barbados-Inc)
VRMSC - Vaucluse Raceway Motor Sport Club (www.vaucluseraceway.com; www.barbadosrallycarnival.com)