Formula E driver set to compete in Rally Barbados for the first time in three years

12:30 p.m. on Saturday and for the first time we are heading into the night on day two of the rally,” he said.

Barbados’ racing sensation Zane Maloney is returning to BCIC Rally Barbados.

The 22-year-old Formula E driver is among 123 crews confirmed to take part in this year’s highly anticipated event, which runs from May 29 to 31 over 19 special stages.

Maloney last took part in the Caribbean’s biggest annual motor sport event in 2023, where he won the Friday night Sol Super Special at Bushy Park before ultimately bowing out of the main action after crashing on the second day of action.

He is also the youngest winner of the King of the Hill event, having raced to victory in 2022 at the age of 18.

Speaking during today’s media briefing at the Bushy Park Circuit, Rally Director Neil Barnard revealed that Maloney, who is currently representing ABT Yamaha Lola in the ongoing FIA Formula E World Championship, will be back in action, this time behind the wheels of a Porsche.

Maloney will be among those trying to dethrone last year’s champion duo of Jamaican driver Kyle Gregg and Barbadian co-driver Kreigg Yearwood in their Ford Fiesta Rally2. 

The First Citizen King of the Hill, the seeding event for Rally Barbados, is set for May 24 at Stewart’s Hill, St Philip.

“I’m very pleased to announce that Zane Maloney will compete in both King of the Hill and Rally Barbados 2026 in a Porsche 992 Rally GT backed by Rock Hard Cement, Bushy Park Barbados, MJT FBO, Stone Atelier, Flo and Maloney Racing, with co-driver Luke Staffner. 

“Zane is now a professional driver with Lola Yamaha in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship [and] he was the youngest winner of King of the Hill in his Skoda Fabia Rally 2 in 2022 aged just 18,” Barnard said.

Barnard also revealed that this year’s Rally Barbados was shaping up to be one of the biggest in its history.

He disclosed that with a provisional entry list of 123 cars, featuring 29 newcomers and 74 local crews, it was on par to equal or even overtake last year’s record number of 126 entries.

Barnard promised fans a feast of motorsport activity ahead of the Rally Barbados and King of the Hill events.

“Friday night we start with the floodlit Ridara Super Special, which will run in reverse order of seeding. It will feature two cars side by side on the 2.5 kilometer race of champions course. This year we’re starting at 

Meanwhile, Kamal Springer, Manager of Sport at the Barbados Tourism Management Inc (BTMI) congratulated the organisers for continuing to deliver one of the most successful sports tourism events on the calendar.

“Last year they broke records with over 600 visitors to the island, this year they’re set to do so yet again. So far they have 123 crews listed, surpassing the record last year of 121 starters and that is remarkable. Year on year to see sustained growth for any event, any business, any entity is fantastic.

“It is also very important to us to make sure we are addressing the off-peak periods of tourism, and at the very start of that off-peak period we have BCIC Rally Barbados,” Springer noted.

“We could not ask for a better boost to start that off-peak season, so we’re very happy to have it exactly where it’s placed.”

Branch Manager of BCIC Barbados, Alexandra Leacock said the company was thrilled to be the title sponsor for Rally Barbados once again.

“For us, this is more than a sponsorship. It’s a partnership with one of the Caribbean’s most iconic sporting events, but just as importantly, Rally Barbados is an event that is deeply rooted in Barbadian culture, one that brings communities together, creates excitement across the island, and showcases the energy, passion, and pride that Barbados is known for. 

“That connection matters to us and we are proud to continue supporting an event that means so much to so many people across the island,” Leacock said.

Rodney Mayers, Area Manager at First Citizens Bank, said the King of the Hill event was one of the most anticipated on the local racing calendar.

“King of the Hill has evolved into a premier showcase of skill, discipline, and resilience, and that is exactly why this partnership continues to make sense for us. It is about aligning with excellence and contributing to something that performs at the highest level,” Mayers said.

(KH)