The Bahamas Speed Week Revival is going from strength to strength. Having proved it could be done in 2011, the organisers have expanded and refined the programme for 2012 with extended support from their 2011 Partners/Sponsors and the Bahamian Government. What’s more, 2011 Patron Stirling Moss had such a good time he asked to be allowed to do it all over again – how could they refuse!
The core of this year’s event will still be the five days from the Opening Ceremony on the Wednesday to the Sunday Sprint, both with the backdrop of the picturesque Arawak Cay Heritage Village on an extended circuit from last year. New to this year’s event will be a Gala Concert and Auto Trade Show on the preceding Saturday, followed on Sunday by the continuation of the Trade Show, the Bahamas Antique Auto Club Show and the Miss Speed Week Pageant. On Monday and Tuesday, early-adopters will have the opportunity of complimentary Tourism Flights, experiencing the unique beauty of the outlying Bahamian Islands and another addition to the programme will be a lunch-time Beach Party on the Friday of the event.
After a briefing and get-together with the BSWR Team on Tuesday evening, the programme officially kicks off on Wednesday with the Opening Ceremony followed by an infectious Junkanoo Celebration, traditional Fish Fry Cook Out and ‘sampling’ of local tipple – scene of much ‘hilarity’ in 2011. A tad more decorum will be required for the evening when the Entrants will be guests of Governor General Sir Arthur and Lady Foulkes in the glorious colonial-style Government House, former home of Edward VIII following his abdication.
Thursday brings one of the highlights of the event with, thanks to the assistance of the local police, the opportunity to ignore every conflicting right of way, red traffic light and speed limit as Entrants allow their cars ‘stretch their legs’ on the 007 Island Tour en route to the Ultra-exclusive Lyford Cay (home of Sir Sean Connery) – cameras in ‘sports’ mode! Whilst a superb lunch is consumed, their cars will be judged for the Concours awards. The day finishes with fabulous hospitality at the astonishing Graycliff, originally built for a wealthy pirate in 1740 and now boasting the world’s third best wine cellar, cigar and chocolate factories and five-star dining.
Friday’s lunch-time Beach Party will be followed by more fine hospitality that evening at the Bay Street Roadshow, with the colonial buildings of high-end retailers forming the backdrop.
Another highlight, Saturday’s challenging hillclimb to the highest point on the island is followed by the Gala Charity Ball, with Sunday’s Sprint on the full beach-front circuit bordering a beautiful turquoise sea, guaranteed to blow away any cobwebs/hangovers!
Each entry package is for TWO people and includes shipping the car to the Bahamas (containerised from Felixstowe for UK Entrants and on a specially-chartered Roll-On/Roll-Off ferry from West Palm Beach for US Entrants), event entry fees and all hospitality. For 2012, entries will strictly be limited to 60 and spaces are filling fast so for the opportunity to have some high-octane fun in the sun, please contact Entrant Co-ordinator Carol Mason – carol_mason@btinternet.com / +44 (0) 7710 877770. www.bahamasspeedweekrevival.com
