The Sol Rally Barbados is bringing a top Welsh pair back into competition.
The father and son combination of Rob and Ross Weir from Chepstow, Monmouthshire, South Wales, had heard about Sol RB12 on a previous visit to Barbados, and will be returning to rallying after a long break, having enjoyed ten years in the sport from 1975, as driver or co-driver in a variety of Opels: Ascona, Kadett and Manta.
They are among several newcomers who make up the early entries since organisers, the Barbados Rally Club (BRC), opened entries for the Caribbean’s largest motor rally more than a month ago.
And to emphasise their seriousness, the pair debuted a brand new 300bhp Weir Laundry Equipment/HJ Weir Engineering Subaru Impreza in the recently-held WLE Rally Time Trial. They finished 25th overall and seventh in class, in what was Rob’s first event for 26 years, while Ross was making his competition debut as co-driver.
Speaking after the event, Rob said he was pleased to finish, that it was the plan.
“It was a superb event, well organised, with great stages. It’s nice to be back,” he said.
Ross said the car ran faultlessly all day and they had both enjoyed the event.
Organised by the Forest of Dean Motor Club and sponsored by their family business which sells refurbished industrial laundry machines to cruise lines, hotels and hospitals globally, the event was staged at the Sweet Lamb Complex in mid-Wales, where fast gravel tracks blend some technical twisty bits to offer a challenging venue.
Preparation for the Weirs will include a two-day test at Walters Arena, after which the car will be fully-liveried in time for the Team GMF Motor Factors Wyedean Forest Rally in February 2012.
The official website for the Barbados Rally Club (BRC) Sol Rally Barbados 2012 is www.rallybarbados.bb