SOL RALLY BARBADOS 2012 – Safety, Safety and more Safety, watchword for Organisers

by AirBourne / May 22nd, 2012

The region’s largest independent oil company, Sol was represented by Barbados Country Manager, Ezra Prescod, who said {CLICK ON FOLLOWING LINK FOR FULL AUDIO};-

“Sol is pleased to have partnered with the BRC to grow the event over the past five years. We recognize the value it brings to the island’s sports-tourism product, particularly in these very difficult times, and are happy to contribute to its further development.”

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

Sol hosted the function to coincide with the official opening of its re-branded Sol Redmans service station and the start of its ‘Rally Up’ promotion: fans can win rally gear or tickets to VIP Hospitality by visiting Sol’s island-wide outlets, or by buying the official Sol RB12 programme

During the Q&A session, Sol Rally Barbados Chairman Barry Gale told the assembled media strict steps have been taken to make sure there are no mishaps with spectators nor those who cover the event {CLICK ON FOLLOWING LINK FOR FULL AUDIO};-

“50% of what we do is enhancing safety, not just for spectators nor media but the drivers and navigators. There are numerous meetings but not everyone can anticipate all faults, however the Committee does all in its power to make sure everyone is removed from most dangers.”

This concern was echoed by Committee member, Neil Barnard {CLICK ON FOLLOWING LINK FOR FULL AUDIO};-

“There are extreme lengths which the Committee takes to make sure nothing untoward emerges, with ambulances on standby – run by the former head of the QEH’s A&E, Bryan Charles…”

According to President Jeffrey Knowle, for the third straight year, the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport International, Sol Rally Barbados, has attracted a record number {CLICK ON FOLLOWING LINK FOR FULL AUDIO};-

“121 entries were posted on-line at the event’s official web site of which 108 remain on the provisional entry list, published by the Barbados Rally Club (BRC) with 63 International and 26 new entries.”

Title sponsor since 2008, Sol hosted the function to coincide with the official opening of its re-branded Sol Redmans service station and the start of its ‘Rally Up’ promotion: fans can win rally gear or tickets to VIP Hospitality by visiting Sol’s island-wide outlets, or by buying the official Sol RB12 programme, available from Wednesday.

(L to R) Neil Barnard, BRC President Jeffrey Knowle, (12 times the winner of the island’s premier event since 1990) Roger "The Sherriff" Skeete, SOL B'dos Country Mgr - Ezra Prescod & BRC Chairman - Barry Gale

It is one of the strongest sporting brand names in the Caribbean, particularly for visitors from Europe, and a key player in the island’s sports-tourism product. Each year, the event contributes comfortably in excess of Bds $2 million to the economy, much of it in valuable foreign exchange, and accounts for around 2,500 visitor nights at a traditionally quiet time in the tourism calendar.

In this season’s local events, overall wins have been shared equally between Skeete, 2003 and ’07 RB winner Paul ‘Surfer’ Bourne (Ford Focus WRC07) and Sean Gill (Suzuki SX4 WRC).

Sol has expanded its support for motor sport with sponsorship of Roger ‘The Sheriff’ Skeete, 12 times the winner of the island’s premier event since 1990. Skeete is chasing a third hat-trick of wins – his previous record includes consecutive triumphs in 1990-92 and 2000/02 – and his recent victory in the Valvoline Shakedown Stages is a good omen.