Caribbean News
FIA director for The Bahamas and Caribbean on Racing for Tourism
By Diane Phillips & Associates
Apr 8, 2015 - 4:48:43 AM

Bahamas Speed Week Revival Founder and FIA Task Force Director for the region David McLaughlin is pictured April 2 between red Ferraris that are among the 200 classic cars in an event he organized for the Easter weekend in the U.K.

It’s the beauty pageant of Ferraris – some 200 classic red sporty speedsters, many capable of zipping at up to 200 miles per hour gathered today in the countryside of the UK for one of the largest Ferrari meets of the year, an event organized and run by Bahamas Speed Week Revival Founder David McLaughlin.

“Easter in the UK marks the beginning of the season for owners of Classic Cars and there are none more classic, or iconic than the Ferraris which race in the blood red colours of Italy,” said McLaughlin who reported in as the cars prepared for the Concours d’Elegance on the grounds of an historic hotel.

In 2014, McLaughlin was appointed the first FIA director for The Bahamas and Caribbean, elevating the region into the reign of the world governing body with its rules and benefits. He is currently in talks with government about land to build a permanent race circuit in Nassau that would serve a range of uses from classic car racing events to training of emergency vehicle operators and Police Force and Fire Department drivers.

“A proper race circuit can catapult The Bahamas to racing event fame once again, helping to drive the all-important arm of sports tourism as well as providing a place for Edu-karting and other recreational and training opportunities,” said McLaughlin. Edu-karting is set to resume after the Easter Break in government schools and is expected to have a significant emphasis on the World Governing Body's Road Safety Awareness Program.

Ferraris on display readying for the Concours’ d’Elegance in front of an historic hotel as part of an event organized by David McLaughlin, the FIA first task force director for the region and creator of the Bahamas government schools edu-karting program.

According to McLaughlin, investors in his business model are prepared to fund construction of the circuit which he predicted “will be a major asset to the Bahamas bringing significant positive financial impact to the economy year on year."

“I have been working with Cabinet ministers and investors for some time and I am delighted to have recently gained the support of several who see the value of this venture at little cost to the government and a significant new asset to the country,' said McLaughlin. “In racing terms this is a win-win deal so I am optimistic we can take the starting flag pretty soon. It will be a huge boost to Tourism when we get this circuit built.”

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