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Paul Bird/Kirsty Riddick (Ford Focus WRC)

After five attempts since 2008, England’s Paul Bird finally emerged victorious in this year’s running of Sol Rally Barbados. Continuing his form from the previous weekend’s victory at the King of the Hill event, Bird was dominant throughout the two days of rallying, scoring 11 stage wins out of the 21 stages completed. He fought off spirited challenges from locals Roger Skeete (Subaru Impreza WRC), Sean Gill (Suzuki SX4 WRC) and Paul Bourne (Ford Focus WRC) before claiming victory by just over 12 seconds from Bourne, after Skeete and Gill retired from the rally with mechanical failures. Jamaica’s Jeffrey Panton finished an impressive third in a rally where the Ford Focus was dominant in claiming the top four positions.

The summarised results can be found at rallyscoring.com. I will post a link to the official press release when it becomes available.

My photos will be posted on my Flickr site over the next few days. There are tons of photos to sift through so keep checking for updates. I will use the blog to highlight some of my favourite photos from the weekend.

Dean Serrao (Subaru Impreza WRC)

Roger Duckworth (Subaru Impreza WRC)

Josh Read (Toyota Starlet)

James Betts (Renault Clio)

Gary Thomas (Wales) – Ford Escort

Andrew Jones – Ford Escort

Greg Cozier – Ford Escort

Jeffrey Panton – Ford Focus WRC

Related links:
My Flickr Site
Sol Rally Barbados – Day 1…Completed!!!
Sol Rally Barbados – Day 2 – Finally Started…Keep checking for updates!!!

Note: All images appearing in this post are owned and copyrighted by Ian Nicholls, unless otherwise credited. Images may not be reproduced (including on a website or in print) without specific written consent from Ian Nicholls. Please use the Contact Form to email your request for permission.

2012-06-03

Paul Bird created history yesterday when he became the first foreign driver to win the King of the Hill event. Since 2008, this event, which has become the final shakedown before Sol Rally Barbados, has been shared equally among local drivers Roger Skeete and Paul Bourne who have each recorded two victories.

Paul Bird (UK) – Ford Focus WRC at Lion Castle

This result sets up what is expected to be a hard fought battle for the top podium positions in next weekend’s Sol Rally Barbados 2012 (RB12), with at least seven WRC cars showing that they are serious contenders for victory while Neil Armstrong’s potent Toyota Starlet continues to nip at their heels.

Neil Armstrong – Toyota Starlet

Full results can be found at the Rally Barbados website.

It will be a busy week ahead as I review the hundred of shots taken to select, process and post the pictures of this event. I will add photos to my Flickr site during the next few days so please check there regularly for updates