Nagle joins local instructors for BMF Training Weekend

Two-time Rally Barbados-winning co-driver, Ireland’s Paul Nagle, will join the Barbados Motoring Federation’s (BMF) instructors for the upcoming Motorsport Training Weekend (February 1/2) at Bushy Park. Nagle and fellow-countryman Kris Meeke won RB08 and RB09, then the 2009 Intercontinental Rally Challenge before graduating to the World Rally Championship, winning five WRC rounds between 2015 and ’17.
 Since retiring in 2022 as Ireland’s most successful co-driver, Nagle has taken a keen interest in the organisational side of the sport, attending international events as an FIA Delegate. He has joined Event Director Neil Barnard and Clerk of the Course Barry Gale at Rally Barbados for the last two years, first as Deputy Safety Officer, then International Safety Delegate, so is well versed in island rallying from both sides of the fence.
 Nagle said: “I am really looking forward to returning to the island and helping the BMF with the weekend’s training. Marshals are a vital part of all events and without these volunteers there would be no rallying.”
 At Bushy Park this weekend, Nagle will join Barnard, Corey Reece and Kreigg Yearwood on the panel of instructors. Saturday afternoon will be dedicated to training for Officials conducted by Barnard, Nagle and Reece, with the final afternoon session concentrating on rally co-drivers, led by Nagle and Yearwood.
 On Sunday, the focus will be on marshals, with all four instructors on hand, starting with morning seminars. After the lunchbreak, everyone will move outside, where a short special stage will be created on the circuit, including timing equipment at the start and finish. Various scenarios will be played out giving practical tuition in dealing with incidents such as a blocked stage, also refreshing marshals on the use of flag signals.
 BMF Vice-President - Sport, David Williams said: “This year is focussed on rallying, as our last big training exercise in July 2022 was heavily weighted towards circuit racing as we were hosting marshals from around the region. After we announced our scheme to reward one of our volunteers for their commitment with a trip to marshal at a Grand Prix or World Rally Championship event next year, we are expecting a good turn-out.
 “While this weekend is our chance to update everyone on the organising teams and give them a pre-season refresher course, we would also be happy to welcome drivers on Sunday. Flag signals play a very important part in how everyone deals with an incident, competitor or volunteer, and we have had feedback from drivers who have attended these sessions in the past saying it was a valuable learning experience.”
 The final stage of training for BMF and individual club Stewards, which will be conducted by BMF President Senator Andrew Mallalieu, is scheduled for early March, ahead of the first closed-road Sprint of the season.

Editor’s note: the Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF) is the island’s governing body for motor sport, affiliated to the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). It also represents the interests of its Member Clubs in discussions with Government departments which facilitate the sport in the island, in particular the Ministry of Transport, which permits road closures for an agreed number of events each year. Away from motor sport, the BMF affiliate which answers the FIA Mobility remit is the Barbados Automobile Association (BAA).