Drivers have been making good use of free practice as preparations move into high gear for the Barbados Auto Racing League’s (BARL) Williams Digicel International Race meet at Bushy Park on Sunday.
While scrutineering for local drivers is at an advanced stage, the track has been a hive of activity, with drivers either testing suspension settings, tweaking the handling of their respective machines or just trying to record as much seat time as possible in preparation for what is expected to be a keenly contested meet.
Soon after dawn last Sunday, Doug Maloney, in the Paint Plus Audi Quattro, and Mark Maloney, in the Automotive Art/Valvoline/RBC/Digicel Mazda RX3, were among the early drivers seen out, while AMSOIL Group 2B Champion led a collection of drivers after lunch.
Robert Gill, in the Save-Alot/Kandy King/Castrol Toyota Starlet, who has moved up to Group 2B, looked good as he lapped the course.
He was followed by fellow Group 2B driver Greg Catwell in the Cheeze AutoGlass Nissan, Peter Small, in a Honda Civic, and Clyde Best.
The following day a confident Edward Corbin, in the Kumho Tyres/Automotive Art/Corbins Garage/Klark Odio/JVM Signage Starlet, said he was pleased with the way his test went for him.
“I had not started the car since the last race meeting, so I went out to make sure everything was still in place and tight and I am comfortable with the car and how it feels”, Corbin told the DAILY NATION.
It was a midday exercise for the defending overall champion, but he was still not very clear of his position with regards to the Caribbean Motoring Racing Championship (CMRC) for Group 2 competitors where he is also the defending champ.
Corbin added that he was not clear as to what he might do or where he was going with regards to the CMRC, as he was currently leading the title chase for the League’s overall champion driver’s title and he did not want to jeopardise his changes of making it two in a row.
Corbin, and three-time overall champion Karl Waterman who will also be in a Starlet, Mark Thompson, in the Glassesco/NKM Clothing/Bio Beauty Day Spa/KDJ Auto Parts/Lucozade Energy/Global Produce Toyota Starlet, Kenrick Husbands, at the wheel of the Williams Equipment/
Hilti Starlet, complete the home team for the Seaboard Marine GP2 Championship, which will run concurrently with BARL Group 2C.
Drivers will continue unofficial practice until Friday when the organisers will stage the third and final Meet and Greet promotion lime for the race meet at Bushy Park.
They will re-assemble for qualifying at the same venue on Saturday, starting 9 a.m.
