Glassesco Valvoline John 'Tiny' Harrison Race Meet set for Easter

Saturday 19th March, 2016

Bushy Park Motor Sports Inc (BPMSI) will launch its 2016 Championship next Thursday (March 24) with a Meet & Greet at Automotive Art, Welches, ahead of the Glassesco Valvoline John 'Tiny' Harrison Memorial Race Meet scheduled for Easter weekend (Saturday & Monday, March 26 & 28).

Thursday's event is planned for three hours from 4.30pm, featuring DJ Ras, with race bikes and cars on display and the chance for fans to mix with the riders and drivers to hear their plans for the new season; food and drinks will be on sale, and race fans will be able to purchase tickets for the weekend's race meet.

BPMSI has revised its vehicle regulations during the close season, bringing the Group titles and eligibility more in line with those of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC); the new rules will first come in to play over Easter weekend. Alongside the opening round of the BPMSI's 2016 Championships for Cars and Bikes, the Easter fixture will include the Suzuki Challenge Series, with one round on Monday for the SR3 Cup and a double-header on both days for the Swift Cup.

BPMSI Chairman Sean Maloney said: "It has been a long time since most of our members last saw action, so everyone is really looking forward to the start of the new season. We have 17 races planned over the two days, that's more than 150 laps of racing, so I think we've got a great package to offer competitors and fans.

"I must thank our sponsors for the second year, Glassesco and Automotive Art, through the Valvoline brand, for helping us honour 'Tiny's name. He was a legend in island motor sport, a passionate believer in giving back, and someone who would always do anything in his power to help a struggling competitor."

In addition to aligning the Groups more closely to those of the CMRC, the revised structure of rules being introduced by BPMSI is intended to create closer competition and encourage more participation in the lower-capacity classes. While using one of last year's titles, Clubman is a new class for standard cars up to 1400cc.

Group 1, split into Classes 1 & 2, replaces the former up to 2-litre Clubman 1 & 2 classes, although multi-valve modified engines are no longer allowed; Group 2, split into Classes 1, 2 & 3, replaces the former Modified Production 1, 2 & 3, catering for over 2000cc cars semi-modified cars.

Group 3, Class 2 falls in line with CMRC Group 2, while Group 3, Class 3 is for CMRC Group 3 cars; Group 4 remains as before, with the CMRC now falling in line for 2016 and adopting a split of classes between 2wd and 4wd.

BPMSI Competition Secretary Simon Gillmore says: "We felt it made more sense to return to using Group titles, rather than the new names we had introduced in 2014, having heard feedback from members and spectators. It also helps to bring us in line with the CMRC, which we hope will encourage everyone in the region to eventually do the same. In addition, modifications to engines and cars allowed in some classes have been changed to tighten the performance of the different models."

Glassesco Valvoline John 'Tiny' Harrison Memorial Race Meet Saturday, March 26, 11.00am - 3.00pm (gates open at 10.00am): viewing from Open Air Suites only, access through the Pits - $5. Monday, March 28, 10.00am - 6.00pm (gates open at 9.00am): General Admission $20; Clubhouse (food and drink on sale) $40; children 12 and under are free; Hilti 4 x 4 Hammer Zone - vehicle pass $25, plus $20 per person. Tickets available on-line at www.bushyparkbarbados.com, from the Bushy Park Circuit Office or from Automotive Art Wildey, CS Pharmacy, Sol Redmans, Speightstown, Warrens & Wildey

For more information on Bushy Park Barbados:

www.bushyparkbarbados.com or Facebook.com/BushyParkBarbados For more information on Bushy Park Motor Sports Inc:

www.bushyparkmotorsportsinc.com or Facebook.com/BPMSInc

For further media information, contact Bushy Park Barbados Media Team:

e-mail: media@bushyparkbarbados.com

Glassesco Valvoline John 'Tiny' Harrison Memorial Race Meet Timetable

Saturday, March 26

8.00 - 11.00am: Scrutineering

11.00am: Practice - Suzuki Challenge Series Swift Cup

11.15am: Practice - BPMSI Bikes

11.30am: Practice - BPMSI Clubman, Group 1 & Group 2

11.45am: Practice - BPMSI Group 3 & Group 4