BMF releases 2021 calendar

More than 50 events planned by the Barbados Motoring Federation’s (BMF) seven sporting member clubs are listed on the provisional 2021 calendar released on Monday.

After a year in which many events were cancelled or postponed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the motor sport community – in common with the memberships of island clubs in many other disciplines – are hoping that the effects of COVID-19 will start to abate early in the New Year.

BMF vice-president Mark Hamilton said despite the ongoing pandemic which had hampered the sporting fraternity during the year, the BMF was hoping 2021 brought a change in fortunes.

“With the release of the 2021 calendar, the BMF and its member clubs are approaching motor sport next year with a positive outlook,” said Hamilton.

“Recent news on the various vaccines becoming available and the positive effect of the continued Barbados government-led Protocols will no doubt place Barbados in a good position to benefit from increased travel opportunities for those who want to participate from overseas, facilitate an improved environment on the ground for local competitors and spectators, while at the same time fostering a slow return to normalcy during 2021 in all aspects of Barbadian life.”

He continued: “In our view, these important factors will allow for a gradual return of both the smaller events supported primarily by local competitors as well the larger events which attract additional regional and international entrants.

“If 2020 has taught us anything, it is to acknowledge our ability as a motor sport fraternity to adapt, to make the best of the environment and to plan events around unique challenges . . . and to do so in a responsible manner.

“I am confident that the clubs, with the recently-gained experience, are much better informed and ready to deal with 2021, notwithstanding the unknowns that will remain until the coronavirus pandemic is under control.”

The programme of planned events to be run under permits issued by the BMF stretches from early February to early December, including a number of regional and international events, attracting overseas visitors to the island.

From grass-roots autocross and karting events, through circuit racing and drag racing to off-road 4×4 navigational safaris, rallycross, rallysprints, special stage rallies and speed events, the domestic calendar lists a broad cross-section of motor sport disciplines.

They are organised by the BMF’s seven sporting member clubs – the Barbados Association of Dragsters & Drifters (BADD), Barbados Auto Racing League (BARL), Barbados Karting Association (BKA), Barbados Rally Club (BRC), Bushy Park Motor Sports Inc (BPMSI), the Motoring Club of Barbados Inc (MCBI) and the Vaucluse Raceway Motorsports Club (VRMSC).

(PR/BT)