The Barbados Motoring Club of Barbados Inc (MCBI) was forced to abandon its rally on Sunday due to safety concerns, after a group of spectators opted to watch the event from a dangerous area.
The spectators’ reluctance to relocate resulted in the MCBI bringing an abrupt halt to Spring Blaze 26 at the halfway stage.
The incident occurred while volunteer marshals and timekeepers were preparing for the change of direction after the four morning runs from Kendal Woods to Cherry Grove in St John.
During that time, several spectators removed caution tape delineating ‘no-go’ areas to establish what they considered to be a better viewing position.
Despite a number of requests from officials to move to a place of safety and being informed that their persistent behaviour would endanger the continued running of the event, the spectators refused.
As a result, the event’s management team cancelled the remaining four runs.
The MCBI’s decision was endorsed by the island’s governing body, the Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF) and the Barbados Rally Club (BRC), which organises the island’s premier event, Rally Barbados.
Last April, at least five people were injured during the BRC’s Shakedown Stages Rally in St Peter after a vehicle driven by one of the competitors skidded off the roadway and ploughed into a group of spectators.
MCBI president David Williams said while they were disappointed with the result, he maintained that safety was paramount.
“We were faced with a situation which could have endangered any number of persons, competitors or spectators, so we had to close down.
“For drivers looking forward to the start of the season, it is a huge disappointment, and for fans as well, but when our decision was announced in the service area, there was a big cheer and applause. Safety is always our goal,” Williams said.
President of the BMF, Senator Andrew Mallalieu, said he fully supported the MCBI’s decision to cancel the event.
“While we do not involve ourselves in the day-to-day running of our member clubs, we fully support the MCBI’s decision today. Despite the disappointment it will have caused for fans and competitors who have worked during the off season to prepare themselves and their cars, safety is always the paramount priority, a lesson I hope has been learned,” he said.
Also lending his support was BCIC Rally Barbados Event Director, Neil Barnard, who added: “Together with the MCBI and BMF, the Rally Club remains sharply focused on all aspects of safety – including competitors and spectators. We support any member club’s efforts in this regard.”
(PR)
