A Roaring Rally
Assignment written for The London School of Journalism
Photo credit to Sol Rally Barbados
Dane Skeete won the 32nd Rally Barbados last Sunday. After battling through the two day rally driving event, local driver Skeete, son of 13-time winner Roger Skeete, was victorious with a one minute and ten second lead. Josh Read placed second, making this the first time two locals have reached the podium since 2011. Britain’s Rob Swann placed third.
The weekend was full of high drama and close calls. Skeete (Subaru) spent Saturday’s 14 stages fighting Stuart Maloney (Skoda), with the latter leading at the end of the first day. Zane Maloney (Fabia) was a close third, and Read (M-Sport Ford), fourth.
However, by Sunday morning things had changed dramatically. During the first stage of the day, Z.Maloney crashed out of the competition by speeding off the road into a pole. The second stage added another twist with S.Maloney hitting a kerb and losing a wheel, also knocking him out of the rally.
With both Maloneys eliminated, Skeete raced ahead for the remaining 8 stages. Read followed behind him putting in an impressive fight for second place. British driver Frank Bird (Ford Fiesta), was a favourite for third place. However, extreme temperatures proved too much for his co-driver who passed out in the cockpit, causing them to go over the time limit and become disqualified.
This pushed Rob Swann (Subaru) into third and Britain’s Kevin Proctor (M-Sport Ford) into fourth. Also finishing in the top ten were Andy Scott, Mark Thompson, Roger Hill, Mark Maloney, Tom Preston and Andrew Mallalieu.
Final Positions:
1. Dane Skeete (Subaru) 1h 10m 44.66s
2. Josh Read (M-Sport Ford) +1m 09.75s
3. Rob Swann (Subaru) +1m 46.47s
4. Kevin Proctor (M-Sport Ford) +1m 47.77s
5. Andy Scott (M-Sport Ford) +1m 50.80s
6. Mark Thompson (Mitsubishi) +2m 13.73s
7. Roger Hill (Skoda) + 2m 14.34s
8. Mark Maloney (Skoda) + 2m 32.78s
9. Tom Preston (M-Sport Ford) + 2m 34.83s
10. Andrew Mallalieu (M-Sport Ford) + 2m 44.39s