ENGLISHMAN Paul Bird is returning to defend his Sol Rally Barbados title.
After winning last year’s event, Bird had said it was unlikely he would return to Barbados as a competitor because his commitments to his Super Bike team may have been too time-consuming.
However, Bird, who is fresh from winning the recently concluded Manx National Rally 2013 on the Isle of Man, has had a change of heart.
His participitation in the island’s biggest motorsport event was made public by Barbados Rally Club public relations officer Neil Barnard during a Press conference on Monday at Hilton Barbados.
Barnard also spoke of other high-level entries coming from Britain, with 14 having Irish connections.
There are about 30 international competitors among the 98 provisional entries for the June 1-2 event.
An interesting route is planned for the rally. All but one stage is tweaked and this allows the event to have a new appearance.
Unlike previous years, the stages will all run in one direction, which allows for improved spectator safety and a more timely event.
There will be 11 stages on the opening day with four runs at the Luke Hill to Pickerings stage, a further four at Sailor Gully and three from Dark Hole to Spring Vale.
The second day will have another 11 stages, with four at Kendal, four at Golden Grove and three at Tappy Pond.
It gives a total stage distance of 114 kilometres.
Sol Rally Barbados will be preceded by the Scotiabank King of the Hill on May 26.
The event will have four runs on the ever popular Luke Hill stage which will run in the reverse from Fairfield Factory. The stage is short but very tricky with a few fast sections.
The real treat for that event is a planned shuttle service where spectators will park their cars in an allocated area near St Lucy Parish Church and be shuttled to Hairpin at the start of the stage.
It is expected that this service will help the event to run smoothly and facilitate the large number of spectators expected.
Monday’s press conference was also attended by BRC chairman Barry Gayle, vice-chairman Mark Hamilton and country manager of Sol Barbados Ezra Prescod.
