Something for all the family at Williams International

The Williams Industries International Race Meet at Bushy Park Barbados (August 31/September 1) promises patrons a weekend to remember, with something for all the family. In addition to an action-packed 19-race programme organised by Bushy Park Motor Sports Inc (BPMSI), the grounds of the St Philip facility will be alive with other attractions including a Kidz Zone, the Cultural Village and a lunchtime drifting demonstration.

  The Club’s plans were revealed today (Wednesday) at a Media Briefing in the venue’s Open-Air Suites. After a welcome from BPMSI Chairman Sean Maloney, Vice-Chairman Adrian Mayers outlined the programme for the weekend, ahead of remarks from ‘Bizzy’ Williams, Digicel’s Head of Marketing Janelle Germain and Chairman of the Tourism Development Corporation (TDC) Martin Ince. The media also heard by audio link from Kyle Gregg of Jamaica and Guyana’s Kristian Jeffrey, who lead the regional contingent, and in person from local drivers Ross Callender and Andre Walcott.

  During the Q & A session, former racer and Bushy Park lap record holder Williams said: “Williams Industries and Digicel are both keen to bring back the fans. This event has been designed for family entertainment, so everyone can eat their food and drink some beverages up on The Hill, while the ‘petrolheads’ argue and scream at one another. That is what used to prevail and that is what we are looking forward to again now.”

  TDC Chairman Ince said: “Our primary focus this year was to promote this event in the region and increase visitor numbers. We’ve done it with football, swimming, hockey and rugby and there’s no reason why we can’t further develop this event.”

  In thanking all of the event’s partners, BPMSI Chairman Maloney added: “It is easy to remember to thank the sponsors, but I must thank Bushy Park and its staff for all that they are doing. There is no better facility in the Caribbean to host a motor sport event - I thank them not just for the facility, but for the never-ending work that they do to help our Club make this event happen.”

  With Friday Testing followed by Practice & Qualifying on Saturday, ahead of the Sunday race programme, the Williams Industries International Race Meet will encompass more than 15 hours of action on the 2.01-kilometre International Circuit; the schedule includes three races each for BPMSI’s Groups 1 to 4, the Radical Caribbean SR3 Cup, the BimmaCup Challenge, Rally Cars and Bangers, with the traditional Hilti Handicap rounding off the Sunday programme.

  The highlight of the venue’s 2019 circuit racing season, the meet has been staged with additional backing from Digicel Barbados and the Tourism Development Corporation (TDC), along with Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI), Ace H&B Hardware, BRC, Burger King, Crane and Equipment, Rock Hard Cement, SBRC, Structural Systems and Williams Solar.

  Off-track, there will be plenty on offer to keep the whole family occupied. The organisers of Rep Ya Ride, which was a huge success at the venue in April, are returning to Bushy Park with approaching 100 cars on display and a drifting demonstration during the lunchbreak. The Cultural Village, organised in conjunction with the Guyanese Association, will be serving food from around the region, while jumping tents, an obstacle course and more will keep the little ones entertained in the Kidz Zone. For children under 12, admission is free.

  Ahead of the Race Meet itself, there will be a Pop-Up Lime at the Sky Mall Car Park between 5.00pm and 10.00pm this Friday (August 24). A display of race cars will include an F4 single-seater similar to the car in which Bushy Park-sponsored Zane Maloney currently leads the F4 British Championship. There will also be a Digicel promotion and an appearance by the Miss Universe Barbados contestants, while a DJ will keep things lively. Food and beverage will be on sale at Sky Mall.

Williams Industries International Race Meet details:

Friday, August 30 (Gate 3 opens at 10.00am) – Testing: admission free. Pop Up Lime from 5.00 to 10.00pm. Meet the drivers, see the regional cars and enjoy some F&B at Bushy Park ahead of the event

Saturday, August 31 (Gate 3 opens at 12.30pm) – Practice & Qualifying: admission free

Sunday, September 1 (gates and ticket booths open at 9.30am) - Race Day: General Admission, Bds $20; Clubhouse (food and drink on sale, no coolers allowed), Bds $50; Vehicle Parking Bds $25, plus General Admission pass for each occupant. Children aged under 12 are free of charge in all areas

Tickets are now available on-line at www.bushyparkbarbados.com and at the Bushy Park Circuit Office, also Sol Speightstown, Sol Warrens, Glassesco and NKM

Timetable at August 21

These scheduled starting times may be changed by the Race Director

Saturday, August 31

11.45am: Track Inspection

12.00pm: Practice 1 – Groups 1 & 2

12.20pm: Practice 2 – Rally Cars

12.40pm: Practice 3 – Groups 3 & 4

1.00pm: Practice 4 – BimmaCup

1.20pm: Practice 5 – Radical Caribbean SR3 Cup

1.40pm: Practice 6 – Bangers

Lunch break & Drivers’ Briefing

2.20pm: Qualifying 1 – Groups 1 & 2

2.40pm: Qualifying 2 – Rally Cars

3.00pm: Qualifying 3 – Groups 3 & 4

3.20pm: Qualifying 4 – BimmaCup

3.40pm: Qualifying 5 – Radical Caribbean SR3 Cup

4.00pm: Qualifying 6 – Bangers

4.20pm - 5.00pm: Free Practice

Sunday, September 1

10.30am: Drivers’ Parade – Herringbone - National Anthem

11.00am: Race 1 – Crane & Equipment Groups 1 & 2, Race 1 (8 laps)

11.20am: Race 2 - Burger King Rally King of the Track, Race 1 (8 laps)

11.40am: Race 3 – Williams Solar Groups 3 & 4, Race 1 (8 laps)

12.00pm: Race 4 – BimmaCup Challenge, Race 1 (8 laps)

12.20pm: Race 5 – Radical Caribbean SR3 Cup, Race 1 (15 laps)

12.40pm: Race 6 – Rock Hard Cement Bangers, Race 1 (8 laps)

1.00pm: Race 7 - Crane & Equipment Groups 1 & 2, Race 2 (8 laps)

1.20pm: Race 8 - Burger King Rally King of the Track, Race 2 (8 laps)

Lunch break

2.00pm: Race 9 - Williams Solar Groups 3 & 4, Race 2 (8 laps)

2.20pm: Race 10 – BimmaCup Challenge, Race 2 (8 laps)

2.40pm: Race 11 – Radical Caribbean SR3 Cup, Race 2 (15 laps)

3.00pm: Race 12 – Rock Hard Cement Bangers, Race 2 (8 laps)

3.20pm: Race 13 – Crane & Equipment Groups 1 & 2, Race 3 (8 laps)

3.40pm: Race 14 – Burger King Rally King of the Track, Race 3 (8 laps)

4.00pm: Race 15 - Williams Solar Groups 3 & 4, Race 3 (8 laps)

4.20pm: Race 16 - BimmaCup Challenge, Race 3 (8 laps)

4.40pm: Race 17 – Radical Caribbean SR3, Race 3 Cup (15 laps)

5.00pm: Race 18 – Rock Hard Cement Bangers, Race 3 (8 laps)

5.20pm: Race 19 – Hilti Handicap for Cars (10 laps)

6.00pm: Prizegiving in the Open-Air Suites