The Turks and Caicos name has once again gained attention in the world of competitive motorsports as Paul Horton and Stan Hartling took their “H Racing” teams to compete in the Sol Rally Barbados event earlier this month.
Sol Rally Barbados is the Caribbean’s biggest international motor sport event that celebrated its 25th year this season.
The rally consisted of approximately 100 teams from over 30 countries across the globe. Over the three days of competition, the event attracted an estimated 20,000 dedicated spectators who lined the roadside in a carnival style atmosphere to catch the action as some of the finest prepared rally cars available screamed by.
Competitors include several WRC class professionals including well-known Paul Bird, Rodger Duckworth, Jeffery Panton and many more.
The Turks and Caicos Motoring Club covered two competitive classes this year. Paul Horton and co-driver Kris Yearwood competed in Super Modified 7 with his well-prepared classic Ford Escort Mk 1, while Stan Hartling with co-driver Andy Proudfoot competed in Super Modified 12 in a BMW M3.
Both teams placed strongly with Horton finishing in second place in his SM 7 division and Hartling coming fourth overall in the SM 12 group.
Hartling and Horton remain very committed to one day seeing competitive motor sports being hosted in the Turks and Caicos Islands. “We hope that over time we can show the government the positive impact that this sport has had on other Caribbean islands and how it benefits not only the government, but the youth and people of the Islands”, stated Hartling.
Horton has had discussions with FIA officials in trying to establish the parameters for getting a long term plan for a phased facility that may start with youth based motorsports and then expand. “We want to try and promote a safe venue for the youth on the island to become involved in racing and motorsports that gives them an outlet and helps them become future competitors we can mentor.”
Horton and Hartling also extended thanks and appreciation for those that traveled to Barbados this year to support and cheer on the Turks and Caicos team.
The motoring club’s next events will include Horton’s team competing in August for the Summer Nights Rally event in Barbados. The Event is 12 Special Stages, consisting of six during the day and six at night. Hartling is preparing his Super Charged Lotus Exige to compete in Canada this September in the five day endurance rally know as Targa Newfoundland.
