In the Community

Over 20,000 spectators made their way to the five stage venues to take in this year's biggest annual motorsport event in the Caribbean - Sol Rally Barbados 2012.

Former UK National Rally Champion Paul Bird claimed the top spot with his Focus WRC08, as winner of the weekend's exciting events (June 9/10).

Bird and Scottish Co-driver Kirsty Riddick received their trophies at a prize-giving event from the Hon Richard Sealy, Minister of Tourism and  Country Manager of SOL (BARBADOS) LTD, Ezra Prescod.

Receiving second and third place prizes were  Barbadian Rally driver Paul Bourne (Focus WRC07) and Jamaica's Jeff Panton (Focus WRC06).

After his fifth attempt at this event, Bird was finally able to take the title as winner of Sol Barbados Rally, but not without a challenge from drivers like twelve-time winner Roger Skeete (Subaru Impreza WRC S12) and Sean Gill (Suzuki SX4 WRC), who both encountered mechanical issues after displaying promising performances.

Mr. Ezra Prescod, expressed his gratitude to both the local and international drivers for their exhilarating performances during Sol Rally Barbados 2012 and further added that the anticipation was already building for next year event, "As a long-standing rally enthusiast I was pleasantly overwhelmed by the fans’ excitement leading up to the event at Scutineering and King of The Hill. I am also pleased the event delivered on expectations by proving to be extremely entertaining to the many who came out to see their favourite drivers compete. Altogether the professional showmanship by the ladies and gentlemen driving and navigating in their impressive motorsport vehicles was remarkable. The bar has definitely been raised for the drivers entering next year's event."

Sol Rally Barbados 2012 (June 9/10) and Sol Go Further/Scotiabank King of the Hill (June 3) were organised and promoted by the Barbados Rally Club, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2007; title sponsor is the Sol Group.