Super Modified - 2 | Epic Cars, Drivers and Battles!

BCIC Rally Barbados is just about 8 weeks away but already things are getting spicy. Earlier last week it was revealed that Simon Jean Joseph is returning to compete. The twist is, instead of bringing WRC or R5/Rally 2 machinery, he will be driving a Porsche 991.  To say this has created a buzz would be a gross understatement. The crazy thing about it though, is his entry just adds the cherry on top of what is the mouthwatering prospect of an all out two-wheel drive battle. Before the big show kicks off in June, there's the not so small matter of the Shakedown Stages Rally to get through.

At the time of writing this, the full two-wheel drive entry list for Rally Barbados has not been revealed. The entries for the Shakedown Stages Rally, however, are out and it makes for interesting reading. Supermodified 2 is ground zero for what is shaping up to be the most intense fight for fastest two-wheel drive we have seen for a while. Roger Mayers is the local favourite in his Toyota WR Starlet. He will be absent from Sunday's event as the engine for the Starlet isn't back on island as yet. Rhett Watson behind the wheel of his BMW M3 is another strong contender. He had a good start to 2025 with his win at the Spring Blaze double header. Sunday's Shakedown Stages rally presents another opportunity for him to continue building momentum before BCIC Rally Barbados. 

The Ford Escort Mk II of Andrew Jones is rapid and oncce reliability stays in check, there's no reason why Jonesy won't be a serious contender for group honours.  Barry Mayers will hope that the mechanical gremlins which reared their head at the VRWMSC have been banished, so that he can truly take the fight to his brother Roger and the other competitors. Like his brother Roger, the engine for Barry's car is also absent and he misses the Shakedown Stages. 

After a decade away from the sport, Nigel Reece is back and he's piloting a car with plenty of rallying pedigree: the ex-Josh Read Toyota Starlet. Nigel looked comfortable in his first event back out, MCBI's Spring Blaze. There's surely more to come from both car and driver. Mark Kinch has his sights set on causing an upset. Speaking to him at Spring Blaze, Mark said he was awaiting some parts for his BMW but his aim was to be fastest two-wheel drive. 

If you've been paying attention to the provisional entry list for BCIC Rally Barbados, you would have realized Tremaine Forde-Catwell is now entered in Supermodified 2. He's engaged in some fierce battles with Edward Corbin in Supermodified 1 but now he's really jumped into the fray. His committed driving certainly makes him one to watch in this group. 

Suleman Esuf caused a bit of a stir with his entry. Known for his exploits in either  BMW M3 or a BMW 1M, "Sol"  has chosen an immaculate Ford Escort MK II as his weapon for Rally Barbados. This car will get it's local tarmac debut on Sunday and it will be interesting to see where it lands in the final standings. It's been nothing short of amazing watching Calvin Briggs' Ford Sierra's development.  Better handling and braking, while still being quick the car is no slouch and Briggs keeps improving with every event. Lest I forget the absolutely wonderful engine note the car has. C'est magnifique.

The 9 stages of Sundays Shakedown Stages Rally will give crews a brief preview of what can be expected when BCIC Rally Barbados rolls around. The four-wheel drive boys won't have all the fun, as the two-wheel drive entries will no doubt be locked in a dogfight. Sure, they won't be going all out as they'll want to save something for the rally, but there's nothing quite like sending a message to the competition.