Motor sport enthusiasts across Barbados and beyond are gearing up for an unmissable day of automotive excitement this Saturday, as the fifth annual Auto & Rally Show returns to Bushy Park in the parish of St. Philip. A staple opening event on the Caribbean motor sport calendar, this year’s showcase promises fresh attractions and behind-the-scenes access that will delight casual fans and dedicated followers alike, serving as the official curtain-raiser for two of the region’s most anticipated annual motor sport weekends.
Building on the momentum of four successful previous editions, the 2024 show brings a host of new elements to the table: freshly tuned competition vehicles, rising star rookie drivers, and eye-catching new livery designs that give each entry a distinct on-track personality. In total, more than 120 rally cars are registered to compete across the two upcoming flagship events – Sunday’s First Citizens King of the Hill (KotH) challenge, followed by BCIC Rally Barbados the subsequent weekend. Of this field, 16 international entries are making their Barbados debut, bringing global competitive experience to the island’s iconic circuit.
Running from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., the showcase offers far more than just static displays of speed machines. For the first time, attendees will get an exclusive, up-close opportunity to meet every competing driver and team ahead of the main races, putting faces to the names that have dominated regional motor sport headlines for months. The car lineup itself spans more than six decades of automotive engineering, ranging from a well-preserved classic 1960s Saab 96 that helped define early rally racing to cutting-edge modern competition vehicles like the Porsche 992 Rally GT, built for peak performance on mixed terrain.
Beyond the rally competition entries, top local automotive importers including BYD, CAR, Inchcape and Megapower will also set up displays featuring their latest consumer vehicle lineups. A unique interactive perk for attendees is the chance to test drive select models right on the northern half of Bushy Park’s circuit, giving guests a hands-on taste of new automotive technology in a controlled environment.
Organized by the Barbados Rally Club (BRC), the event adds a range of practical and engaging extras for attendees. The BRC’s on-site tent will distribute free copies of the event’s comprehensive 36-page Official Programme, packed with competitor background profiles, event history, and the full provisional entry list for both upcoming rallies. Later in the day, the tent will also serve as the official pick-up point for competitor race numbers for the First Citizens King of the Hill. The event’s main stage, relocated this year to a central spot in the display area for better visibility, will host live interviews with competing drivers and special motor sport guests throughout the afternoon. Dozens more competitors will be on hand at team sponsor tents across the grounds, ready to chat with fans, sign autographs, and share insights into their upcoming race strategies.
Sponsor tents featuring participating drivers include spots for Automotive Art (with Edward Corbin and Dane Skeete), Bushy Park (Mark, Stuart and Zane Maloney), Cargo BGI/Do Henrique Tequila (Logan Watson), Chefette (Barry Mayers), Fun Miles (Kyle Gill and Natya Soodeen), Rentokil (Ireland’s Mick Smith) and Subzero (Nigel Reece). In a special community-focused addition to this year’s event, British driver Rob Swann will join the Ocean Acres stand to raise awareness for the shelter’s rescue dog adoption program, encouraging attendees to consider giving a homeless animal a forever home.