BRAZILIAN DRIVER NELSON Piquet Jr, of the SH Racing Rally Cross team, and at the wheel of a Ford Focus is the pole-sitter for the Red Bull Global RallyCross final of the Top Gear Festival which goes into its final day at Bushy Park tomorrow.
After Minister of Tourism and International Transport Richard Sealy described the spanking new facility as ‘a dream come true’, and efforts of private enterprise and Government in bringing the 2.2 kilometre track to fruition, and declaring it open, Piquet (Jr), the son of former three-times Formula I champion Nelson Piquet mastered the new surroundings with guile and precision to return the fastest time of 43.248 seconds.
He was 0.143 seconds faster than Scott Speed of the Volkswagen Andretti RallyCross team, driving a Volkswagen, and whose best time was 43.391 seconds and ahead of (1981, 1983, 1987) teammate Tanner Foust, who returned a time of 43.999 seconds and in a similar machine.
In three hotly-contested heats, Jon Wiman in a Ford Focus with a time of 44.148 and the fancied Ken Block, also in a Ford Focus, and with a time of 44.302 seconds, had to be content with fourth and fifth places respectively, while Austin Dyne also in a Ford Focus and of the Barracuda Racing team rounded out the top six places on tomorrow’s grid.
The first time that the event is being held outside Europe, the Minister told the packed VIP Marquee stand and the clubhouse that it was a great moment for Barbados, which is poised to become the mecca of motor sport in the Caribbean.
“I have to thank the private sector, and all those associated with the development of Bushy Park, but more importantly Mark Maloney, as it is his vision and untiring efforts that have caused us to be here today”.
Maloney, in his remarks called it history in the making, but a facility that came from humble beginnings from the efforts of Ralph ‘Bizzy’ Williams and others and Government, and the history will record that the Top Gear Festival is the first event to be held at the new Bushy Park.
“What we are seeing here is just phase one and I call on all of you to stay with us for the ride”, Maloney declared.
He thanked the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA), the Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF), the investors and Government for their assistance for giving the chance to show the world what cooperation can do.
Apart from the RallyCross, Formula 1 World Championship leader, Mercedes AMG Petronas driver Lewis Hamilton brought the crowd to its feet as he negotiated the new track, before taking on Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond in a face off. Hammond was at the wheel of a road-going Mercedes AMG.
He also showed the awesome speed of the FI car against James May in a JCB Digger and Ken Block in a RallyCross Ford Focus.
At the end of the days’s racing Bunji Garlin, Biggie Irie and Edwin Yearwood brought music to the facility until way into the night.
Tomorrow’s action will include drifting by the Japspeed Racing team, Geoff Ullyett and Andrew Jones; and powerlaps by ‘The Stig’, a Supercar Showdown, a Cricket Bowling challenge before Lewis Hamilton returns for a return match with Richard Hammond, a ‘Star in a Car celebrity ride of their life’ and the Red Bull Global Rally Cross final.