“It is going to be amazing for spectators. They will be able to see almost the whole course.”
That’s the view of gravel specialist Trevor “Electric Micey” Manning as he prepares for the Barbados Rally Club’s (BRC) Autumn Double-header Gravel Sprint at Black Bess, St Peter, on Sunday.
Manning, who was instrumental in securing the use of the popular venue, has won two of the six most recent events at Black Bess between 2002 and 2006.
He said that as long as his Ford Escort WRC allows him to, he would be among the starters.
“We’ve been working some long hours on it, and all of what didn’t work now does. We have some electrical issues, more than anything else, but I’m really hoping for the best,” Manning said.
Many of the former roads no longer exist, but the course is mostly hard-packed gravel, smooth and about three kilometres long, and different from that of the past, and expected to be good for competitors.
“We believe that the chosen course will be entertaining for both drivers and spectators,” Manning said.
BRC competition secretary Neil Corbin acknowledged Manning’s role.
“The stage has not been used in some time, due to the land development in the area, and I was quite sure that we would never see another event in this location . . . however, thanks to the efforts of Trevor Manning, we have gained permission to use Black Bess once again,” he said.
Entries for the BRC Autumn Gravel Sprint are open at Motorsport Services in Haggatt Hall, and will close at noon tomorrow.
Competitors are expected to arrive at Black Bess by 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, with the event slated to start at 9:15 a.m.
Service is planned for the traditional area on the grass and under the trees on the approach to Mangrove Plantation.
Entrants will be allowed one practice run and three timed runs in the first direction, with a one-hour break for lunch, after which the course will be reversed, again with one practice run and three timed runs.
Competitors will have the chance to drive through the course twice before the start of the event. However, those drivers who arrive late may not be able to take advantage of the drive-through.