Barbados Historic Rally Carnival - 20 Aug-1 Sep 15

Posted: January 12, 2015 7:47 PM - 4552 Hits

Rallysprint - 22 Aug 15
Historic Rally - 29 Aug 15

THE GOLDEN RULE . . . IS THAT THERE ARE NO GOLDEN RULES

Posted: January 12, 2015 7:47 PM

If he was referring to motorsport, George Bernard Shaw could not have been more accurate.

In the same vein, Thomas Edison got pretty close when he said: "Hell, there are no rules here - we're trying to accomplish something."

Yet every sport must have its rules and regulations, and it becomes more complicated in motorsport, where not only are sporting rules required, but there must also be rules - or regulations - concerning the cars involved.

And cars are undoubtedly more complicated than, say, a football. The 2015 World Rally Championship cars are hidebound by a near-plethora of old, recent and new technical regulations, demanding the talents of experienced engineering sleuths to understand fully.

Historic motorsport has somewhat more complicated technical regulations, as currently interpreted by the FIA and its scrutineers; not only are period FIA Appendix J regs and period homologation papers applied, but a 'period proof' burden is placed on the competitor, with regard to the way his car has been modified for rallying. Essentially, even if a modification was permitted by period Appendix J and period homologation papers, competitors still have to prove that the modification was used 'in period' on a rally car which actually competed in an international event. Sleuths indeed!

As always, things are somewhat less complicated in the tropics. The Barbados Historic Rally Carnival runs to a set of technical regulations derived from the period FIA Appendix J, but without the need for model homologation or period proof; only period commercial availability of the model entered and period technology is required; with the exception of rollcages, which can be constructed to modern spec.

So, how does an aspiring historic rallyist get started on the road to one of the best motorsport holidays on the planet? The easiest way would be to enter a car which already has an FIA Historic Technical Passport (HTP) or an MSA Historic Rally Vehicle Identity Form (HRVIF); both of which satisfy a higher 'burden of proof' regarding the way the cars are modified.

But that would be boring, especially since one of the main reasons Barbados doesn't require such is the proliferation of old cars which were rallied in period in the Caribbean, but were not necessarily rallied extensively in Europe, especially Japanese cars with unusual engine options. The opportunity therefore exists to build a car cheaper than might be the case if using parts which were homologated, or maybe choose something completely different, especially since Barbados' asphalt is somewhat more forgiving than British forests.

The Barbados Historic Rally Carnival vehicle categories use the same date-breaks as those in UK historic rallying. For example, 'Historic' is UK Category 1: for cars marketed before 31 December 1967 - the fastest cars here would likely be Sunbeam Tiger, Triumph TR5, Lotus Elan, or Lotus Cortina. Cheapest would be Mini, Spitfire, MGB or Midget. It is unlikely that a Category 1 car would be capable of overall victory and wheels are limited to 6in-wide, albeit with the same modern, low-profile, moulded rally tyres as the other categories.

In Barbados, like UK, 'Post-Historic' category is for cars marketed between 1 January 1968 and 31 December 1974. Cars from category 2 are definite contenders for overall victory and the island's notoriously slippery asphalt surface eliminates the advantages of later Porsches and Escorts. Fastest in this category would likely be Escort RS1600, BMW 2002, Ford Capri Perana or RS3100, Mazda RX3 and Porsche 911. One of the most economical options would probably be the Hillman Avenger.

When he won the 2014 Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Rally and secured a free trip to the 2015 Barbados Historic Rally Carnival, Denis Moynihan proved that Category 2 Escort RS1600s don't show their age differential in 'modern' asphalt historic rallying; a victory for Denis in Barbados certainly couldn't be discounted.

The third Category is 'Classic', for cars marketed between 1 January 1975 and 31 December 1981. Here, the front runners for class and overall victory would likely be pedalling a Ford Escort RS1800, Vauxhall Chevette HSR, Fiat 131 Abarth, Porsche 911 or Talbot-Sunbeam Lotus. Other cost-effective strong contenders would likely be something Japanese, like the Toyota Corolla, Daihatsu Charmant or Mazda RX7.

Category 4 was recently added to BHRC regs to accommodate two-wheel-drive normally-aspirated cars marketed between 1 January 1982 and 31 December 1985, as rallied internationally during the 'Group A' period. Cars in this category can be built and bought economically, especially models such as the Peugeot 205, Vauxhall/Opel Astra, Vauxhall/Opel Nova/Corsa... and, of course, that clubman's favourite: the Toyota Corolla AE86.

Referring to this comparatively cheap option, Bajan rallyman himself and Barbados Historic Rally Carnival organiser Greg Cozier opines:
"A proper pedaller could win overall from this class, for sure. Our roads don't have enough grip for a 'big power' advantage; low weight and nimble handling are hugely important. Peugeot 205s have been winning here since the model was launched."

Barbados Group B is for FIA-homologated Group B cars marketed between 1 January 1982 and 31 December 1986, as well as cars from Groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 which do not conform to the Barbados technical regulations. This category is simply for owners of these mega machines to enjoy some sideways fun in the sun, provide immense entertainment and enjoyment for themselves and the local petrolhead spectators, while competing for class awards and bragging rights.

And, like all category competitors, enjoy a cheap two-week Caribbean holiday into the bargain. . . which could be a full family affair, as the Carnival happens before post-summer break school terms begin.

Who could make it fairer than that?

But wait. Who can say cheaper than this? The US$4,900 entry fee includes: return shipping of one rally car from Portsmouth, UK, to Barbados, entry to the Historic Rally and the Rallysprint, two return flights from London, one double hotel room for 12 nights and free entry to all Carnival social events. Yes, you read correctly: all that for US$4,900.

SCHEDULE

More Details on Event Website - Link Below:

Regulations Available

Posted: December 21, 2014 6:17 PM

Barbados Rally Carnival

WINNER OF EPIC IRISH ESCORT EXTRAVAGANZA NETS TRIP TO BARBADOS HISTORIC RALLY CARNIVAL

Posted: December 21, 2014 6:12 PM

Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland, Saturday 29 November 2014. Well over one hundred classic rally cars set off in the early morning mist to tackle the famous and demanding special stages within the Ring of Kerry on the Rentokil Initial Killarney Historic Stages rally.

Cars were entered in three classes: Historics (FIA and UK-MSA), Modifieds and Juniors, spanning a wide variety of the usual classic rally car suspects - Minis, Porsches, Toyotas, Volvos, a Manta, a Saab; even an Avenger... but by far the vast majority were Mk1 and Mk2 Ford Escorts.

Due to a shared promotional agreement, the winner of the Killarney Historic Stages Rally's Historic Class also wins a free trip to compete next Summer (20 August to 1 September) in the Barbados Historic Rally Carnival.

If a non-Barbadian wins the 'King of the Carnival' prize for best combined results on the International RallySprint at Vaucluse Raceway and the Barbados Historic Rally on closed asphalt public roads the following weekend, he/she wins a free return trip in 2016. Should a Bajan win, he/she gets to contest the Killarney Historic Stages next year gratis.

To personally promote the Barbados Historic Rally Carnival as well as answer any logistical or technical questions prospective competitors might have had, Rally Carnival organiser Greg Cozier entered an Appendix K Historic Mk2 Escort RS1800 in the Killarney Historic this year, with local co-driver Brian Duggan. The collaboration arrangement between Barbados and Killarney started in 2011; having spent a 'lost weekend' in Killarney bars with a Bajan posse that year, due to the event's cancellation through severe winter weather, Greg was keen to return this year with a car to get first-hand experience of the legendary stages, such as Molls Gap and Ballaghbaema.

This year, the pace was hot from the off, as 2014 Irish Historic Rally Champion Denis Moynihan, with Kerry man Gerard Conway on the notes, pushed his pristine Post-Historic 2-litre BDA-powered Mk2 Ford Escort RS1600 into the lead immediately. With Welsh crew Tomas Davies/Eurig Davies (the winning co-driver in Barbados in 2011) snapping at their heels in their Classic RS1800 Mk2 Escort, Moynihan maintained his advantage from start to finish. . . deploying a canny tactical manoeuvre on the final stage.

That last stage start had been held back until it was fully dark. It was a fast test, lined with stone walls and thick, close hedges. Cork businessman Moynihan, originally from Millstreet, had already won the Historic class on the Gleneagle Rally of the Lakes this year (also run out of Killarney), and thought hard about pressing his advantage. He chose to drop 10 seconds to Davies in that eighth and final stage. . . and won the rally by 20.9 seconds: "It was max attack until the last stage," he sums-up.

"I wasn't expecting to win this rally, so this Barbados prize was something I didn't even consider," said Denis at the Killarney prizegiving, just after Barbados Historic Rally Carnival organiser Greg Cozier announced to the celebrating rallyists that Denis had won a free trip for himself, his car and co-driver to the 2015 Barbados Historic Rally Carnival. Cozier shook his hand and presented the crew with their prize certificate, BHRC caps and bottles of Bajan rum.

After discussing the wonderful Killarney craic going on at the prizegiving, Moynihan laughed and said: "The craic here in Killarney is one great night out; but I've been told the party is never-ending over there, though, isn't it?"

He's right.

As for the Barbados Historic Rally Carnival organiser Greg Cozier, he scored a highly encouraging Killarney result of tenth Historic home on his first time on Irish tar, after a few gearbox and fuel pump technical issues; but was he impressed with the Irish event?

In his own words: "Hot pace in Killarney on roads with a level of grip completely foreign to this Caribbean island-boy. Epic, very intimidating stages, great organisation and a great night stage. The winner of this event has to be some kind of nutter and the entry list is fantastic.

"FIA Appendix K cars have doubled in number since I was last here as a spectator; it seems obvious to me that - at the current rate of growth - historic rallying will be the saviour of club rallying around the world, as modern front-running cars become an even more unrealistic aspiration for 99.9percent of us. I'm happy with my top-ten place; I would've been happy with top-20 on my first trip to the very intimidating Molls Gap and Ballaghabaema stages.

"The Irish rally fans loved our car and we stopped along the way for many 'Kodak Moments'. I can safely promise the Irish visitors to BHRC 2015 a memorable time supporting Moynihan."

Now you can't say fairer than that.

If you're not Denis Moynihan, there's a bargain inclusive entry deal for the 2015 event.

US$4,900 secures: return shipping of one rally car from Portsmouth UK to Barbados, entry to the Historic Rally and Rallysprint, two return flights from London, self-catering accommodation for two for 12 nights and free entry to all - the many - Carnival social events.

And, of course there's the fantastic opportunity for families, friends and rally fans to catch some great historic rallying action, mix with the rallyists and have a fun-filled, relaxing Caribbean holiday, with a proper party atmosphere.

Check-out the sun-kissed island; there's room for everyone; this is the sort of event the wife and kids won't want to miss.

AUGUST 2015 HISTORIC RALLY CARNIVAL DATES

Posted: November 25, 2014 10:38 AM

As previously advised, this magnificent, mega-deal Caribbean motorsport holiday event will indeed take place between Thursday 20 August and Tuesday 1 September 2015, inclusive.

These are the dates:

Thu 20 Aug: Arrive at GAIA airport, coaches to hotel, 'meet & greet' at hotel at 5pm.
Fri 21 Aug: Scrutiny at 5pm; welcome party at 7pm.
Sat 22 Aug: RallySprint at noon; prizegiving party after.
Sun 23 Aug: Ian Grindrod Invitational 20/20 cricket match and Hog Roast at noon.
Mon 24 Aug: Rally Recce.
Tue 25 Aug: Rally Recce.
Wed 26 Aug: Late scrutiny and unrestricted testing at 3pm.
Thu 27 Aug: Rally briefing meeting and party at 7pm.
Fri 28 Aug: Rally Recce.
Sat 29 Aug: Historic Rally starting at noon (11.00am sign-on).
Sun 30 Aug: Historic Rally official results posting and prizegiving on Jolly Roger pirate ship in Bridgetown; Careenage at noon.
Mon 31 Aug: Pack-up cars to ship out.
Tue 1 Sep: Coaches from hotel to airport for trip home.

STILL A STUNNING ENTRY DEAL
The event remains fantastic value. Return shipping of one rally car from Portsmouth UK to Barbados; entry to the Historic Rally and Rallysprint; two return flights from London; one self-catering suite for 12 nights; and free entry to all Carnival social events costs just US$4,900. No surprise, then, that there is massive UK and interest in contesting the event.

JUST GOT EVEN BETTER! Classic RallySprint venue returns to Carnival

Posted: November 25, 2014 10:35 AM

Sitting in a 50-acre, natural 'amphitheatre' in the middle of Barbados, with epic views of countryside, the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea in all directions, Vaucluse Raceway made a huge impression on competitors and spectators alike when first used as a rallysprint venue in 2000.

With its sinuous curves, over challenging, very fast, kinked straights, nadgery hairpin sections, over crests and the bridge and through the tunnel, the layout and surface changes on this three-kilometre course soon built a very strong reputation for fierce competition and pure driver enjoyment.

Indeed, while assessing the track as a venue for the Race of Champions in 2001, Michele Mouton, runner-up to the 1982 WRC drivers' champion, creator of the sport of RallySprint and current FIA WRC manager, commented: "It's a real drivers' track. If the drivers like it, the fans will come!"; and so they did.

After a bureaucracy-beleaguered break of some seven years, Vaucluse Raceway is back in use for the 2015 Barbados Historic Rally Carnival. The surface is made up of concrete, compacted coral aggregate and traditional hand-laid asphalt, resembling the ancient roads used for special-stage rallying on Barbados.

Vaucluse Raceway's reputation as a track with proper craic was cemented when international rally crews arrived there for the first Barbados Rally Carnival in 2001 and every subsequent year until 2007. It was the venue for the first event in the two-weekend Carnival - the International Rallysprint - and was used again as the final stage in Rally Barbados back when the Carnival was an event for modern cars.

Prizegiving and rally finish parties at Vaucluse Raceway's Pig 'n' Likka Bar have become the stuff of legend, with international barrel-rolling, mud-sliding, beer-drinking and rum-shotting competitions lasting into embarrassingly-early morning hours.

The Barbados Historic Rally Carnival will visit Vaucluse Raceway twice in 2015: for the International Rallysprint on Saturday 22 August and again as part of the Hangman Hill special stage, used three times going north during daylight hours on 29 August and twice going south in darkness.

Organiser Greg Cozier said:
"Many Barbados Rally Carnival competitors who've been coming here for years have said that the fiercely-competitive, family-friendly, overtly-social atmosphere at Vaucluse Raceway really made their visit here special, especially since it always provided new visitors a chance to test their cars in a forgiving environment before the rather-more-serious rally the following weekend.

"Many days between the RallySprint and the Rally have been spent adjusting cars to go faster, longer; it is a great test, as well as serious competition. We're obviously very happy to have it back and looking forward to seeing some old faces from across the pond enjoying it again as well. Some of the parties we've had here we probably shouldn't talk about!"

'OVER THE MOON'
Darren Moon, outright winner of the 2011 Barbados Historic Rally Carnival, is more than delighted to return to the island next year to contest the event in his Mk2 Escort RS1800. The UK historic rally stalwart's clear victory earns Moon the prize of the 2015 Caribbean trip for him, his co-driver and his car for free. Understandably, Darren is extremely happy and looking forward to the challenge: "My daughter Nicole would go anywhere there's motorsport, but since Nicole was born, my wife Jane prefers the comfort of home," says Darren.

"For all of you out there unsure about taking the family on a rally holiday, Jane's words on returning to the UK were; 'That is the best holiday we have ever had'.

"Unbelievable; a holiday with rallying. . . and she says that! We made some great new friends and met local people, organisers and competitors, who really do have a genuine love of the sport and know how to party. . . big time!"

A similar arrangement is in place for the 2015 Barbados Historic Rally Carnival, which is partnered with the 2014 Killarney Historic Rally. Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. will provide a full free entry deal to the 2015 Caribbean event for the winning historic rally car in Ireland: a superb prize.

Additionally, the 2015 Barbados Historic Rally Carnival victor wins a free trip back to the Barbados event in 2016 if he/she is not a Barbadian. If the Rally Carnival winner is a local Bajan, there's a paid trip to the Killarney event next year up for grabs.

There's still time to arrange to take in some top-level Irish historic rallying over classic stages as historic competitors vying for victory in Killarney this year will start on Saturday 29 November. The first stage is also one of the most well-known: the 20km of Molls Gap. First car starts SS1 at 08:30; then there's SS2, 15.29km of Ballaghabaema at 09:19 and SS3 Carragh Lake's 14.2km at 13:16. The cars are then back for service in Killarney, repeat the same three stages again as SS4, SS5 and SS6 before second service, then head east for SS7 and SS8 at Gorthnagane at 15:30 in daylight and 17:00 in darkness, before the finish back in Killarney.

Of course, there's the massive craic of the rally prizegiving dinner at the Gleneagle Hotel rally HQ in the evening. . . and on!

A veritable roll-call of top Irish historic rally drivers are on the entry list for the event. Sadly, last year's winner Mark Falvey is sidelined, because repairs to his accident-damaged car won't be completed in time, but Denis Moynihan - one of the fastest historic asphalt drivers in Ireland - will be there with his FIA Appendix K Mk1 Escort; the only Mk1 in the event, driven by a man who is very familiar with the route: hard to beat. Last year, Melvyn Evans ran a UK MSA-specification Mk2 Escort; this year, he's competing under FIA Appendix K rules, as are Garreth Lloyd, Tomas Davies and Rob Smith.

Notable is the Barbados Historic Rally Carnival-sponsored entry of Greg Cozier. Engineer, driver, Rally Carnival organiser, enthusiastic historic rallying devotee and handy Escort peddler, this year Cozier is running an Appendix K Escort RS1800 Mk2 in the Killarney event. Ever the pragmatist, however, Cozier doesn't set his sights too high:
"I would be overwhelmed with joy and unquenchable thirst if we made it back to the bar without a scratch on the car and a few good hairpin pictures!"

Also sponsored by the Barbados Historic Rally Carnival for the Killarney event is Welshman Rupert Lomax in his Category Two Escort RS1600, navigated by Dave 'Squeak' Alcock. Lomax is enamoured with historic rallying and Barbados. Rally Carnival organiser Cozier explains that his Caribbean sponsorship came about: "Because Rupert's been competing here for years and thinks rallying historic cars in Barbados is better than the affection of his farmyard critters."

STUNNING BARBADOS ENTRY DEAL
The 2015 Barbados Historic Rally Carnival offers amazing value to competitors. Return shipping of one rally car from Portsmouth UK to Barbados, entry to the Historic Rally and the Rallysprint, two return flights from London, one self-catering suite for 12 nights and free entry to all Carnival social events, all for just US$4,900. Hardly surprising that there is massive UK interest in contesting the event.

FEELIN'. . . HOT! HOT! HOT!

Posted: November 25, 2014 10:33 AM

'What to do on a night like this? Music sweet, I can't resist', sang Arrow in that famous Caribbean song.

Next August, there's plenty of tropical partying and relaxation time for competitors, family and friends on the Barbados Historic Rally Carnival.

Those Carib rhythms change tone on two Saturdays, 22 and 29 August, when the beautiful Barbados tropical countryside will echo to the evocative sounds of Weber carburettors, BDAs and the distinctive bark of flat-six Porsches; the wide-ranging cacophony of pedal-to-the-metal historic rallying machinery. Music sweet indeed.

The International Rallysprint and its prizegiving are on the first Saturday, followed on Sunday by the Ian Grindrod Invitational 20/20 cricket match and hog roast, which - before being so-named for 2015 - produced some tremendous entertainment for players and spectators alike in previous years.

The following week sees free recceing and more social activities, then the 55 stage-mile Historic Rally on Saturday 29, which runs in daylight and dark until midnight.

After some well-earned rest, competitors will gather the next day on the infamous Jolly Roger pirate ship at Bridgetown Careenage, to collect prizes and drown sorrows, before continuing the festivities during a Jolly Roger cruise along the Barbados West coast.

Bargain inclusive entry fee
Thirteen days of fun in the sun plus proper historic motor sport are attractive in themselves, but - thanks to the Carnival organiser's collaboration with Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. and the BTMI's generous wisdom - a bargain inclusive entry deal has been secured for the 2015 event.

Representing stunning value for competitors, the US$4,900 entry fee includes: return shipping of one rally car from Portsmouth UK to Barbados, entry to the Historic Rally and Rallysprint, two return flights from London, one self-catering suite for 12 nights and free entry to all Carnival social events. Yes, you read it correctly: all that for US$4,900. Bargain indeed.

Families, friends and rally fans can also take the opportunity to catch some great historic rallying action, mix with the rallyists and have a fun-filled, relaxing Caribbean holiday with a proper party atmosphere; there's room for everyone and it's the type of event the wife and kids won't want to miss.

Winner in Killarney gets free entry in Barbados
The Barbados Historic Rally Carnival organisers have teamed up with the Killarney Historic Rally and the official launch will be in Killarney during the weekend of 29/30 November. Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. has generously donated a free full entry deal to the 2015 Barbados Historic Rally Carnival, to be presented to the fastest pukka historic rally car in Killarney; possibly the richest prize in the Irish rally calendar.

Conversely, the winner of the 2015 Barbados Historic Rally Carnival gets a paid trip to Killarney if he or she is a Barbadian local and a free trip back to Barbados in 2016 if not. What's not to like?

Multiple rally champion already entered
The first two entries to this Caribbean historic rallying spectacular are already in place. After podium finishes and fully enjoying the experience of competing in 2010 and 2011, Jimmy McRae will be back next year.

In the days when the British Rally Championship was proper, manufacturer-supported international motorsport, Jim won that Championship no fewer than five times. He also won the Circuit of Ireland seven times, when the event included over 1,000 miles of special stages over five days.

His is a strong rallying heritage and the Scot has ever been a long-term supporter of historic rallying. As he enters his seventh decade, McRae Senior is still enjoying the sport which made him famous. And Jim knows what he likes: to celebrate an ages-old anniversary of his first and only Tour of Mull, Jim took his 44-year-old Mk1 Escort and his co-driver of old, Ian Grindrod - a legendary pairing - to the Scottish island this year.

Sadly, fuel delivery problems scuppered their rally, but Jim explained:
"Aye, definitely we'll be in Barbados next year; Grinnie's looking forward to it; he's already pencilled it in. When we got back down from Mull on the Sunday; after we'd had a few drams we put the world to rights and [one of those rights is] we're definitely going to do the Barbados Historic Rally Carnival next year.

"But, ha-ha; I'll have to get my glasses polished-up again," said Jim, in a reference to the natural reduction in visual acuity experienced by drivers of a certain age on night stages.

The other Historic Carnival stalwart already entered is also of an age at which this condition can exist. In 2010 and 2011, Francis Tuthill of renowned Porsche rally car preparation firm Tuthill Porsche shipped his own Historic 911 rally car, and one for McRae Senior to Barbados for the Historic Rally Carnival. He agrees with Jim on the night stage issue:
"Somehow we're going to have to get two sets of good lights, so we can see in the dark. He got the good lights last time and I got the good engine.

"But we'll try and give him something fast enough, so that he can beat me round the track.

"Anyway, we'll have a great time, so I'm looking forward to it."

Vehicle regulations at a glance
There are five classes competing for awards in Barbados:

More Details on the Event Website: Link below

Event Website

Posted: November 25, 2014 10:30 AM

Barbados Rally Carnival

Topics: Barbados Rally Carnival