The Tribune

DAVID Mclaughlin, chairman of the Bahamas Speed Week Revival, has been named a director of world motor sport’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). He is the first representative from the Bahamas to be appointed to such a high level post.

“This is indeed an honour,” said Mr McLaughlin. “Over the past 60 years the FIA has been at the heart of virtually every seminal development across the global motor sports industry. I could not be more proud to accept this privilege and look forward to doing all I can to help craft a bright and innovative future for the industry that I love.”

Mr McLaughlin has had a long and storied involvement with auto racing spanning more than three decades. An enthusiastic driver, owner and collector, he brought his experience as a graduate engineer and successful international commodity broker and businessman to the field of motor sport event 
management in 1980 and soon became a leader in the field.

He owned and raced such iconic cars as the Lotus 72, McLaren M23, Williams FW07, Lola T70 and many others, winning some races and enjoying historic motor sport at the top level.

Through his company FORCE he established the historic Formula 1 Series in 1986, which was later officially recognised by the FIA.

He also created the FORCE Classic Grand Prix Series with rounds in nine European countries.

In 2011, McLaughlin took a central role in the re-launch of the iconic Bahamas Speed Week which graced the streets of Nassau in the 1950s and 1960s.

As chairman and event director, he has re-established Bahamas Speed Week Revival as a centerpiece of the New Providence events calendar.

“History is somewhat repeating itself as the original Speed Weeks were held under the auspices of the FIA,” said Mr McLaughlin. “To return real international racing to the Bahamas I had to obtain affiliation once again to the world governing body so we are now ready to go for the next Speed Week Revival.”