DOUBLE TROUBLE: The siblings Roger ÒHis HotnessÓ Mayers (left and inset) and Barry Mayers [inset] are now the double lap record holders at the Bushy Park racing circuit. Compliments of the Barbados Nation News

THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS. It was an exciting, action-packed day at Bushy Park Raceway yesterday for the thousands who took in the Williams Industries International racing event. There was also one moment of light amusement when one man whose responsibility was to bring the action to fans, became the centre of attention.

While this roving photographer was about to take another of his many shots, he was forced to run for cover when Guyana's Ravi Singh in a Mazda RX7 ran off the circuit and headed in his direction. (WG)

Compliments of the Barbados Nation News

July 2007 Jamaican Doug Gore burning up the track recently in Jamaica should be among the top drivers coming in for the Barbados Auto Racing League Williams Industries International meet. (Main picture by Clifton Henry; other picture GP)

Compliments of the Barbados Nation News

Date July 21, 2007 by Clifton Henry

PAUL "THE SURFER" BOURNE is on course to become the double-crown champion in the 2007 Barbados Rally Club (BRC) and the Motoring Club Barbados Incorporated (MCBI) racing season, barring no major problems for the remainder of the year. < Read more >

by CLIFTON HENRY Compliments of the Nation News

THOUSANDS OF SPECTATORS and racing enthusiasts from around the world are all geared up for the start of the annual Barbados Rally Club's (BRC's) International All-Stage Rally due to launch off at 9 a.m today from Simpson Motors, Warrens, St Michael.

The BRC , which earlier this month celebrated its 50th anniversary in motor sport, has assembled one of the most formidable teams of rally drivers ever seen in Barbados from around the world.

This year the rally promises to be possibly the most exciting ever, with the inclusion of six ex-works world rally cars entered. This is the largest number of world rally cars ever to compete in an event anywhere in the region and praise must be given to the organisers for their efforts in continuing to showcase Barbados as the leader of motor sport inthe Caribbean.

Every year the event pumps over $2 million into the Barbados economy and this year is no exception as this figure is expected to be surpassed by those of previous years, given the amount of heavy artillery on display over the two consecutive days of the competition.

Eighty-two cars are entered for this gruelling contest. Who will emerge as No.1 on Sunday afternoon when the dust finally settles on the spectacle is anyone's guess.

There is a host of high calibre national rally champions from England, Holland, Jamaica and Trinidad, who have won more than 150 motor sport championships between them. Teams will also be appearing from Spain, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, St Vincent and the Grenadines and the United States.

While last year's winners, Jamaicans Gary Gregg and Hugh Hutchinson, in their potent ex-Carlos Sainz Ford Focus World Rally Car, will start as car No.1, they will have their work cut out trying to stay ahead of Trinidad-based Jamaican John Powell who is driving an ex-Didier Auriol Toyota Corolla WRC in which Henning Solberg won the European Rally Championship in consecutive years.

The eyes of local fans will also be on Paul Bourne and Stuart Maloney in their M8-WRC BF Goodrich/Plus Subaru Impreza WRC; they placed second in last year's event.

The exciting pair of Trevor Manning and James Betts in their M8-WRC Shell V-Power/Simpson Motors/Garbage Master Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII, should also provide lots of thrills. Fans will be hoping their car holds up over the two days and bad luck stays away.

The event will officially bestarted by Minister of Tourism, Noel Lynch, for the first of six runs through the popular stage at Canefield, St Thomas.

As an added attraction spectators will be treated to a daylight screen at Canefield which will air rally DVDs from previous events in between the stages, and possibly, unedited footage of some of the action as it unfolds.

Sporting islands

Caribbean rally racing

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