A “Power Stage” and a return to the traditional post-event social have been added to Sol Rally Barbados this year.
Organizers, the Barbados Rally Club (BRC), in confirming the plans, said it would be a fitting climax to the 2012 running of the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport international event.
The Power Stage will be the 7.8-kilometre Sol Stewarts Hill stage which is comfortably the longest in the event.
At 39 kilometres over five runs, this stage represents nearly one-third of the entire stage distance and will play a key role in the outcome of the rally.
Alternating with five runs of LIME Kendal, it will run northbound from Padmore Village twice in the morning, then southbound three times after lunch. The final run south is the Power Stage.
“Once each crew has completed the stage, a short ten-minute transit will take everyone directly to the finish,” said Neil Barnard, the club’s public relations officer.
“Competitors will be able to gather right alongside the stage for one big lime, see some action and share the stories of the last two days.
“It should be a fantastic way for everyone to relax after a long, hard weekend. That it is what the end of a rally used to be.”
The fastest driver in each class on the “Power Stage” will win a case of Banks beer, while the top three local finishers will also earn bonus points towards the Virgin Atlantic BRC Class Championship.
The focal point throughout the day will be to the south of Bushy Park, where the BRC will have a large bar area selling food and beverages, and there will be live commentary.
Designated parking areas will be marked out for competitors, including parc ferme (closed park) for end-of-rally technical checks, and also for service crews and spectators.
Sol Rally Barbados will be decided on June 9 and 10 over 22 stages.
