by KIRK CORBIN

BARBADIANS will get a very exciting once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when SOL, producers of the new Shell V-Power gasoline, back their claims.

On Sunday, the Ferrari Formula One Racing Team, which former world champion Michael Schumacher represented, will test drive one of their race cars on 3 kilometres of road from Warrens to Redmans Village, using the V-Power gasoline, which was introduced to the market last week.

The team will be led by test driver Marc Gene.

SOL, who acquired Shell's petroleum marketing business in 13 countries throughout the Eastern Caribbean, Guyana, Suriname and Belize in 2005, launched the Shell V-Power gasoline last Wednesday across 11 of those countries.

Stewart Gill, executive director of the SOL Group, said it was the best performing fuel ever marketed by Shell in this market.

"Shell V-Power gasoline was developed by the scientists at Shell Global Solutions, and is the only fuel available in this market created with technology developed for Ferrari Formula One racing fuel and then adapted for road cars," Gill stated.

He likened the event to the first arrival of the Concorde in Barbados.

Gill allayed fears that residents and businesses in the surrounding areas would be inconvenienced, pointing out that SOL had gone to great lengths to keep businesses and residents advised of plans for the event and in publicising the road closure.

"SOL has ensured that residents are provided with access to and from their homes during the event, in one case building a temporary road," he said.

He added that hearing protection was donated to a nursing home in the area.

"We have advised the public that these cars are extremely noisy and strongly encourage all spectators to bring ear plugs with them for themselves and especially children and those with sensitive hearing."

He urged patrons to arrive well ahead of the 10 a.m. start of the event, park with due consideration for residents of the area, and not to block entrances to people's homes.