Barbados Mud Dogs Shelbury Construction September Safari 2012
After a hot, dry and dusty week, it was an unexpectedly rainy morning for the Mud Dogs at the Barbados Rally Club (BRC) Mud Dogs Shelbury Construction, September Safari on Sunday, September 16. However, those who predicted all day rains would have been mistaken because around midday, the weather bounced from one extreme to the next as the dark clouds gave way to the sun which blasted a formidable heat on competitors and spectators for the rest of the rally.
With 23 competitors, the Safari began at Pool Plantation Yard, St. John at 8:00 a.m. and traveled east for the morning session, visiting Blackman’s Gully, Easy Hall and Consett. After breaking for lunch, they toured the southern parishes of St. Philip and Christ Church through Six Roads, Four Square, Yorkshire and Searles.
There were two challenges, one was a timed mud pit challenge at Yorkshire, Christ Church and the much talked about dexterity/navigational challenge which took place at Four Square St. Philip.
When the dust had settled, competitors made their way to the Barbados Clay Target Shooting Association on Monday, September 17, for the event’s award presentation ceremony. The event started early as there were not many protests and the route-setters were congratulated on a job well done.
In the Chefette Novice Class, it was Damien Johnson and Daniel Christie who claimed top honors in their Suzuki Samurai with John Pinto and Nick Branson (Suzuki Jimny) placing second and Dominic Straker and Matthew Ward (Nissan Patrol) third.
In the Pro Class, the consistent team of Chris Armstrong and Wayne Clarke did not disappoint as they took their Toyota Hilux nicknamed “Precious” to victory over 2nd placed, Mark Western and Robin Hinds (Toyota Hilux) and third placed, Ryan Corbin and Dustin Edwards (Nissan Patrol).
As a Mud Dogs veteran, Armstrong told Adrenaline Sun was very impressed by the planning of the rally. “It was a fantastic rally. There were a few tricks that I’ve never seen before that had a lot of big men baffled. It’s always good to see something new.”
Safari winners, Chris Armstrong and Wayne Clarke making their way around the dexterity challenge
One of the memorable moments of the rally was the navigational/dexterity challenge. Armstrong’s navigator, Clarke described the experience, “It was a challenge to be sliding around in such a big vehicle to then point and tell him (Armstrong) which poles to circle and which to skip. Thankfully, we got it right”.
The next challenge the team has ahead of them is setting the route for the upcoming Safari on November, 11. Clarke sheds some light on what competitors can expect. “We plan to have a big BRC section to give newer people a longer route plotting exercise than what has been recently done. There’s going to be some straight line, and we plan to have a challenge possibly at Armag Quarry. We’re looking forward to it.”
Several drivers praised route setter, Warrick Eastmond for his creativity and organization of the Safari and he took an opportunity to acknowledge his co-route-setter, Biddy Barber. ”She was the driving force behind all of this. She would just say, Warwick, I’ll be there at 7:00 to discuss the rally and although I might be tired, she would keep me going.”
The next event on the muddy calendar is the Mud Fest (October 20), President of Barbados Mud Dogs, Warren Gollop gave some details on how things are shaping up. “This Mud Fest will be our first night event. We’re facing a few challenges, but we really hope that we can get everything that we have planned to come together. In some ways, a mud fest can be a little more difficult to organize that a safari but we’re working really hard to ensure that it comes off well.”
Adrenaline Sun thanks Shelbury Construction and all of the sponsors for making this Mud Dogs Barbados, September Safari Event possible and we congratulate the entire organization committee for a job well done.
See photos from the event below and hop over to our Facebook Page to see the complete album for the Barbados Mud Dogs Shelbury Construction September Safari 2012 and Like us while you’re at it.
Adrenaline Sun
Adrenaline Sun is a new-media action sports magazine that gets inside the world of Caribbean extreme sports to bring you every thrilling event through original content, videos, e-publications and social media. We don’t focus only on the biggest sporting events. We engage regional and international fans and athletes in key action sports niches including skateboarding, paintball, BMX, and off-roading. We also attract a highly enthusiastic local fan base that includes avid sailors, surfers and motorsports junkies.
Follow:
