Drivers of yesteryear were formally recognised as stalwarts of motorsport during the 40th anniversary celebrations of Bushy Park last Sunday.
Drivers such as Wayne Hive, Pat Gonsalves, Ralph “Bizzy” Williams, Ralph “Braggadung” Johnson, Trevor Hutchinson, Ben Graham, Don Hunte and Mike Atwell were recognised for their early efforts at getting the sport to the position it has reached today.
Even British racing legend Gordon Spice, who was the first European driver to race at the well-known 0.8 mile track was on hand for the occasion.
Rain prevented organisers from giving the former stars a lap of honour, but they were driven around the track in enclosed vehicles.
Minister of Sport Stephen Lashley told the drivers and the large race-day crowd that he was pleased to welcome everyone, especially the motorsport legends.
He said Government was working with the Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF) to get the upgrading of Bushy Park underway.
“I hope that we can get things moving and I should be meeting next week with officials of the BMF to see if we can get things going by the end of this year,” Lashley said.
The minister said, too, that some vehicle parts should also be covered in the new initiative which is aimed at getting maximum benefits for all concerned.
“We as a Government would like to see not only sports, but sports and culture come together when the facility is completed, and I would like the BMF and the NCF to work together on this aspect of our development,” he added.
Sports tourism, he said, stood to benefit from this exercise as it had far-reaching possibilities for motorsport in general and Barbados in particular.
Lashley welcomed the visiting drivers and all the teams and invited the fans to return.
The tribute was organised by the Barbados Auto Racing League (BARL) to coincide with the staging of the Williams Digicel International Race Meet, which also featured Round 2 of the Seaboard Marine Motor Racing Championship (CMRC).
