The Tribune

DUE to the growing economic benefits from Bahamas Speed Week Revival, Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis announced that a new racetrack will be built at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre to facilitate the 60th anniversary of the event in 2014.

Officially opening Speed Week yesterday at Arawak Cay, Mr Davis said the track would complement the hot rod racing track which the government previously built at the sports centre.

“I trust that the various organisations, representing car enthusiasts will work together to expose an even larger audience to this exciting sport at this motor sports arena and to continue to enhance safety and security,” he said.

Racing

“Yes, Speed Week will return to a racing circuit which the government plans to build at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre.”

The minister said he was happy to confirm that the government is renewing its commitment to lending support to cultural and sporting life in the Bahamas.

“During the six months of activity preceding the event itself, a great benefit to our community is the boost provided to our economic life represented by the expenditure by the Speed Week organisers with business and contract services, totalling almost one million dollars and rising,” Mr Davis said.

Hotel room nights have increased by 20 per cent, with an attendant increase in income to hotels, restaurants, bars and shops.

In congratulating the organisers for bringing back the excitement of Speed Week, he noted the impending 60th anniversary of the original event at Windsor Field in 1954.

Plans

Mr Davis said Speed Week organisers and the civil engineering team from the Ministry of Works and Urban Development, led by David Bullock and Fred Horton, are completing plans for the new track.

This week marks the third year the Bahamas has been hosting what the minister described as “this wonderful gift to our pre-Christmas celebrations”.

Yesterday, Mr Davis welcomed the organisers and race car enthusiasts to Arawak Cay, one stop on the Speed Week course which continues along the cruise ship harbour and out to Paradise Island, incorporating the Western Esplanade, the historic Fort Charlotte and two cultural sites – the Cricket Pitch and the world famous Fish Fry.

Mr Davis acknowledged the presence of racing legend Derek Bell, who serves as Speed Week Revival Patron.

And for the first time, Formula Juniors and Minis participated. There are a dozen Bahamian entrants/drivers.

Almost 50 cars and 40 karts, including those that are part of the British Historic Kart Club that raced here in the 1950s, will be featured this week.