Greater Support for Marshals, thanks to Sol and the Barbados Rally Club

The willingness of volunteers to give freely of their time and energies in support of Sol Rally Barbados 2008 was recognised on Thursday evening (May 15) during the final Marshals Briefing in advance of this year's event, as samples of the equipment that will be distributed to all marshals over rally weekend were handed over to the Stage Commanders.

Stage Commanders Ernest Brewster (left) and David Reece(right) of Sol Rally Barbados accept their new gear from Aymara Cummins, Sol’s Group Marketing and Communications Manager.

Working together, the sponsors and the organising Club have sourced both safety items - safety scissors, clearly-marked bright shirts and tabards (reflective vests) and whistles - and equipment to made the two long days in the hot sun more comfortable to bear, including coolers, caps and umbrellas. In addition, the Club has invested in 12 tents, which will be stationed at stage starts and finishes, to protect not only the marshals and timing crews, but also their valuable equipment. Come rally weekend, the marshals will also receive a number of products from event marketing partner B&B Distribution to keep them cool and refreshed.

Sol's Group Marketing and Communications Manager Aymara Cummins said: "The marshals and other volunteers are the backbone of any big motor sport event like this. Sol is very pleased to be able to make a direct contribution to providing for them in ways that will help them work more efficiently and in greater safety but, just as important, in more comfort."

BRC Chairman Mark Hamilton added: "Our marshals who work the all-day stages will be at their posts for anything up to 12 hours, so it is only right that we should do our best to provide for them. The long-term commitment from Sol has given the Club a chance to invest in some capital equipment, which we can build on in years to come."

Sol Rally Barbados and Shell V-Power King of the Hill are elements of the eighth Barbados Rally Carnival. Each day of Sol Rally Barbados, organised by the Barbados Rally Club, is a separate qualifying round of the BRC Rally Championship. The title sponsor is Sol and associate sponsors and marketing partners are McEnearney Quality, Simpson Motors, Automotive Art, Banks Holdings, DaCosta Mannings Auto Centre, Digicel, Nassco, Consolidated Finance, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Crane & Equipments, Little Switzerland, Armag, the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association and the Barbados Tourism Authority.

Programme of key events

Friday, May 23 - 4.00pm to approx 8.00pm

Scrutineering at Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium, Wildey, St Michael

Saturday, May 24 - 11.30am to approx 6.00pm

Shell V-Power King of the Hill, Turner's Hall, St Andrew

Monday to Friday, May 26 to May 30 - 4.00 to 6.00pm each day

Meet the Drivers at Shell Warrens (Mon-Weds) and Shell Banyans (Thurs-Fri)

Saturday, May 31 - Sol Rally Barbados 2008 - day 1

Start from Simpson Motors, Warrens, St Michael, at 9.30am

Twelve stages at three venues

Sunday, June 1 - Sol Rally Barbados 2008 - day 2

Restart from Bushy Park, St Philip, at 7.30am

Twelve stages at three venues

Shell V-Power SuperSpecial at Bushy Park

Monday, June 2 - approx 3.30pm - Sol Rally Barbados 2008 Prizegiving

The Boatyard, Bay Street, St Michael

For further media information - robin@bradfax.com

Web site - www.rallybarbados.bb