GOODBYE,?BARBADOS; hello, Trinidad and Tobago!
Local motoring fans will not see James Betts competing here next year.
That’s because the Group A driver, who has already won three rallies in Trinidad this year in the company of Trinidadian co-driver Jason Costelloe, will be competing in the Land of the Hummingbird in the ex-Sean Dowding and Kirk Watkins Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. IV.
“The car was first built in [Britain] for gravel, and I bought it and shipped it to Trinidad where my wife lives and where I go to enjoy motorsport.
“It is not that expensive for me, the stages are longer and the cost is much lower and it is much easier getting sponsorship,” Betts told NATIONSPORT.
“The courses in Trinidad are long and good,” he said. “Rallies are contested over eight to ten stages, well run and a joy to drive and you can really enjoy motorsport competing in Trinidad and Tobago and you will not see me competing in Barbados.”
According to Betts, the entry fee is about US$100 and he gets much more driving in Trinidad and Tobago than here and therefore it does not make sense competing here and doing short gravel events and then a few tarmac events with a Group A and Group N car.
“It is costly,” he said.
But Betts’ services to Barbados would not be all lost as he is in the Barbados team for the upcoming Rally Jamaica from December 7 to 9.
“I was not going to do Rally Jamaica, but sponsorship was secured and that is the reason awhy I am taking part in the event.
“The car will be prepared and shipped to Jamaica for the event,” explained Betts, who has driven with Trevor “Electric Micey” Manning and Jeremy Gonsalves.
Sean Gill and Michael “Zippy” Cummins, in the Simpson Motors/Shell V-Power/Automotive Art/Monster Energy Drink Suzuki SX4 WRC, and Harold Morley are the other members of the team.
