BRITISH rally driver Rob Weir is returning to the Sol Rally Barbados in 2015 with one of the iconic rally cars of the 1980s, the Triumph TR7 V8.
Weir’s Laundry Equipment/HJ Weir Engineering Triumph TR7 V8 attracted huge attention when it first appeared last year when he and his son Ross picked up silverware in the international historic class.
But an accident while he was driving his Escort RS1800 in the Woodpecker Stages Rally last year placed him in hospital with serious neck injuries that had cast doubts over his future as a driver.
After a layoff of more than a year and countless operations and visits to top medical specialists, Weir was given the all-clear to resume competitive driving and he will be among the starters for the Caribbean’s big event next year organised by the Barbados Rally Club (BRC).
“Its been a long road to recovery and I have had to be patient, but it was my goal to bring the TR7 back to Barbados after the wonderful reception we received with it in 2013, so I am really looking forward to getting behind the wheel again,” he said.
Weir will also have a new co-driver for the 2015 event in the experienced Paul Willetts, who has been involved in rallying for over 35 years. He has been to Sol Rally Barbados on two previous occasions with the Weir rally team and has also sat with a number of top-class drivers over the years, as well being an event organiser and chairman of Forest of Dean Motor Club, England.
“When Rob asked me to co-drive for him I didn’t have to think twice. It’s a fantastic event with fantastic people and we are both looking forward to it and to have some fun,” he said.
More than 50 entries from the Caribbean and beyond have already been received through the official website www.rallybarbados.net. The event will run May 30-31.
