What I did on my not-Summer Holiday
by Frank N. Healey aged 47 3/4
Part 1
I got on the big silver bird to fly to the Carribean knowing the car was already in place and hadn't been damaged in Hurricane Sandy. After an uneventful flight we landed in glorious 27 degree weather and all I could think of is 'she's going to overheat like a bitch'
The Venue
All the competitive stuff was based in Arawak Cay (pronounced Arawak Key), colloquially known as 'Fish Fry', just outside the capital Nassau, for the pursuit sprint and the hillclimb. The Bahamian government supported the event to increase their media presence and increase tourism hence the UK, USA, Swiss and Kart contingents. There are no circuits or dedicated venues on New Providence (or the rest of the Bahamas) so it was basically cones and street racing. Road surfaces were variable to the point that some goat tracks on the old Acropolis Rally were probably smoother. Just made it more interesting really. After Sandy had put the preparations back by 10 days the locals were working through the night to put up Armco and finish the circuit.
The Competitors
Both Stirling Moss (Event patron) and Derek Bell were in attendance. Had a nice chat with Derek who told me his first car was a 100 but mine seemed to be considerably quicker. From the UK we had Jonathan Turner's orginal Jaguar C-type that Stirling had rolled comprehensively at Silverstone in a previous life. Stirling was driving his Osca, Ron Gammons was there with his Devin and there was a Bristol Cooper. The US contingent brought a BoCar XP-5, a Viper SRT10 with all tricks, a DeLorean that never managed 88mph (no Mr. Fusion either), a Daimler SP250 and a couple of Ferraris in their own semi-trailers (makes the Goddess look a bit sick). The locals produced a couple of 'continuation' Speedsters, an E-type racer, three Cobras, a wedge TVR. The Swiss brought some touring classics including a Merc 180SL, Healey 3000 and another earlier Viper. There was other stuff but you'll hopefully spot them in the pictures.
The non-competition bit
As the event was partly to promote the Bahamas we had 5 days of junkets before the weekend competitive sections. First thing to do was to sign on and pick up the magic BSWR number plates.
Official number plate
These would probably do as well
The Bahamas Government issues these to all entrants which means that we were all road registered, insured and safety vetted (policeman came and slammed my tyres and kicked the doors) and this allowed us to all ignore any traffic laws (most Bahamian drivers follow
this course anyway). When asked about drink driving laws a policeman admitted that it was allowed. "So you can have a drink and then drive afterwards" I asked, "Yes" he replied, "You can also drink while driving". I can assure you that the Clerk of the Course was not
taking such a relaxed attitude when he saw me with a beer :nightmare::nightmare:
Some entrants
More to follow later