It’s official.
Barbados’ Paul “The Surfer” Bourne will be partnered by Scottish co-driver Stuart Loudon in the Sol Rally Barbados which starts with a power stage at Bushy Park today from 6:30 p.m.
The announcement was made on Wednesday during a Press conference at multi-brand automotive dealer McEnearney Quality Incorporated (MQI) which was attended by officials of Banks Holdings Ltd, Chefette Restaurants Ltd., Flow and MQI, sponsors of Bourne’s Chefette/Banks/MQI/Flow Ford Focus WRC07.
McEnearney’s marketing manager Margaret Hoyte, in welcoming the officials, said Rally Barbados always brought a great buzz to all Barbados and Barbadians and they were happy to be associated with Bourne.
“He not only has a Ford as his racing car, but his private vehicle is also a Kuga and he is not only a good ambassador for the brand, but also a focused winner,” Hoyte said.
The Scottish rally co-driver will be competing at the highest level of the sport for the first time and has just completed his most successful year yet, contesting the WRC Academy with fellow Scot, John MacCrone, aboard a Ford Fiesta R2.
The pair secured numerous stage wins, with several visits to the podium resulting in Stuart claiming fourth in the co-driver standings. In addition, he finished an incredible second overall on the famous Mull Rally with a performance that provided great satisfaction and drew significant praise.
Of the pairing, Bourne said he and Loudon had been preparing for the weekend’s event and brushed aside questions of the Scotsman’s unfamiliarity with Barbados.
“Local knowledge is a great factor in Sol Rally Barbados and the new co-driver will serve to complement my (Bourne) grasp of the local conditions,” Bourne said.
He also said the combination were working well together and were ready to take on the competition in the WRC-1 group.
But he pointed out that they were not taking anyone lightly and had a flexible rally plan in place.
Engineer Martin Wilkinson said he and the “works” crew were all awaiting the start of the rally as the car was ready for whatever came its way.
“The car is ready. We know that they are others in the group, but the Focus has been prepared for the rigours of the rally and we are satisfied. All we have to do now is await the results,” Wilkinson said.
Bourne is not the only driver fielding a new co-driver as former Trinidad and Tobago champion driver, John “Penti” Powell will have Hugh Hutchinson alongside in the Ford Focus WRC08. Regular co-driver withdrew at short notice.