"We had a great time last year; the atmosphere they have there is like rallying used to be in the UK 30 years ago." Telling words from five-times British Rally Champion Jimmy McRae, speaking about the Barbados Historic Rally Carnival.
The most successful British Rally Championship competitor of all time is hooked, for more reasons than just competitive historic rallying and scoring a better finish than his 2010 second place overall: "They make you so welcome; everybody there - you're part of the family. It was very nice."
A substantially extended Historic Rally route for 2011 increases the asphalt tests and the mileage contested at night on the second weekend of the 12-day Barbados Rally Carnival.
The historic motor sport adventure begins with a RallySprint on the first weekend, followed by the rally on the next. Between motor sport events, there's lots of recce-time, beach-time, party-time and good relaxation. McRae wholeheartedly embraced the concept last year, looks forward to this year's Carnival, describes the motorsport as "bloody competitive," and considers the event to be "a good craic."
Similar to last year, Jim is entered in an historic Porsche 911, prepared by the renowned competition Porsche specialists Tuthill Porsche. As in 2010, company founder Francis Tuthill will also compete in his own 911.
Co-driven by a Bajan local last year, Francis' own 911 was hastily-prepared, with a 2-litre engine which proved very reliable but somewhat short of performance, compared with what turned out to be a very quick field. This year he's driving his London-Sydney Marathon-winning car again: "Except now that I know what to expect by way of competition, I'll put a proper engine in it - it'll be 2.7-litre at best; or a 2.5 - I've got a couple of options. I shall get my car going properly," he promises.
Tuthill Porsche owns an impressive 'pool' of competition 911s, many allocated to its impressive arrive-and-drive Rally Challenge. McRae's car has yet to be selected, but may be from that pool. Francis insists, however: "The Challenge engines are very good [in Barbados] - it would go perfectly well with a Challenge engine, but if we have a more powerful engine handy at the time, then I'll probably pop that in for the trip."
A very talented and affable gentleman, Francis' expert knowledge goes beyond Porsches. One of the many social highlights of the Historic Rally Carnival is a Sunday devoted to party-time and a traditional Bajan 'Hog Roast'. Last year, while drinks as pleasant as the assembled company slipped down and the spit-roaster cooked Mr Oink, Mr Tuthill spent some time explaining his view of how best to roast pig underground, Maori-style. . .
Hungi or Hangi - depending on the preferred spelling - involves many hours of preparation and cooking. So the challenge has been thrown down; according to Francis: "I've held my hand up, so I've got to do it."
Socially-seasoned rally champion McRae concluded: "I think Francis is more interested in doing his pig thing than doing the rally!"
For overseas competitors and spectators, the 2011 Barbados Historic Rally Carnival runs from 14 to 26 July - see the website for full details.
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