With a visually scenic course being promised, this weekend’s Barbados Rally Club’s Autumn Double Header Gravel Sprint is expected to draw large numbers of motoring fans to the parish of St Peter.
“It is going to be amazing for spectators; They will be able to see almost the whole course,” local gravel specialist Trevor “Electric Micey” Manning told the WEEKEND NATION during his preparation for Sunday’s event at Black Bess, St Peter.
And Manning, who was instrumental in securing the use of the popular venue, and has won two of the six most recent events at Black Bess between 2002 and 2006, 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. 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,” said BRC competition secretary Neil Corbin.
Competitors are expected to arrive at Black Bess by 7:30 a.m on Sunday, with the event slated for a 9:15 a.m start. Service is planned for the traditional area near the approach to Mangrove Plantation.
Competitors 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. One practice run and three timed runs will get the attention of the drivers for the start of the second part of the double-header.
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.
