ENGLISHMAN PAUL BIRD is the unofficial 2014 Scotiabank King of the Hill champion.
According to provisional results released by organisers, the Barbados Rally Club, Bird was first on the course from Hangman’s Hill to Lion Castle, St Thomas, earlier today in 1 minute 57.68 seconds.
If the result stands, it would be Bird’s second title. He also won in 2012.
Barbadian Roger “The Sheriff” Skeete, the 2009 and 2011 champion, was splits behind in second place in 1:57.80 while Jamaican Jeff Panton was listed third in 1:59.42.
England’s Rob Swann was in fourth place in 1:59.67 and Barbadian Paul “The Surfer” Bourne fifth in 2:00.03. He is also a former champion, having won in 2008 and 2010.
Defending champion Neil Armstrong was among today’s non-starters, which also include Winston Thompson, Rhett D’Andrade, Neil Corbin, Norman Catwell, Graham Manning and Dean Serrao.
The results of Scotiabank King of the Hill will be used to seed starters for next weekend’s Sol Rally Barbados. Cars which did not compete will be seeded behind the last car in their class, unless safety considerations dictate otherwise. (SAT/TT)