Sport News

With safety paramount at all times, motor sport made a stand against unruly spectators today (Sunday). Competitors cheered when the Motoring Club Barbados Inc (MCBI) abandoned Spring Blaze 26 half-way through, despite it bringing their opening weekend of the year to an abrupt halt.
The decision was endorsed by the island’s governing body, the Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF) and the Barbados Rally Club (BRC), which organises the island’s premier event, Rally Barbados.
While volunteer marshals and timekeepers were preparing for the change of direction after the four morning runs from Kendal Woods to Cherry Grove in St John, a body of spectators removed caution tape delineating ‘no-go’ areas to establish what they considered to be a better viewing position.
Despite a number of requests from officials to move to a place of safety and being informed that their persistent behaviour would endanger the continued running of the event, they refused. As a direct result, the event’s management team cancelled the remaining four runs.
MCBI President David Williams said: “We were faced with a situation which could have endangered any number of persons, competitors or spectators, so we had to close down. For drivers looking forward to the start of the season, it is a huge disappointment, and for fans as well, but when our decision was announced in the service area, there was a big cheer and applause. Safety is always our goal.”
BMF President Senator Andrew Mallalieu said: “While we do not involve ourselves in the day-to-day running of our Member Clubs, we fully support the MCBI’s decision today. Despite the disappointment it will have caused for fans and competitors who have worked during the off season to prepare themselves and their cars, safety is always the paramount priority, a lesson I hope has been learned.”
BCIC Rally Barbados Event Director Neil Barnard added: “Together with the MCBI and BMF, the Rally Club remains sharply focused on all aspects of safety - including competitors and spectators. We support any member club’s efforts in this regard.”