With Bahamas Speed Week Revival just a little less than a month away, the international media buzz about the event is in high gear with magazine writers, daily and Sunday newspapers, radio, TV and online publication writers showing “extraordinary interest” in covering the five-day series of time trials, exhibitions and social events set to start November 30.
“The media response has been nothing short of amazing,” said Tyrone Sawyer, manager of sports tourism. “From as early as three months out, the media frenzy was on. We could have more than one dozen respected travel, auto, lifestyle and racing publications just from the UK alone in Nassau for up to a week to cover Bahamas Speed Week Revival. Several have already discussed side trips to the Family Islands to write or produce pieces about vacationing, diving and property in The Bahamas.”
With similar sentiments being expressed in the United States with car enthusiasts and luxury websites such as Hemmings’ Blog, JustLuxe.com and Thrillist running articles and photos, media enthusiasm appears to be a clear indication that Bahamas Speed Week Revival is poised to be more than a one-time happening.
According to the Ministry of Tourism’s agency in the U.S., writers from Road & Track, JustLuxe.com, Vintage Racecar Journal and JustLuxe.com are on tap to attend and cover the event.
Heightening the elevated interest is the much-anticipated presence of racing legend Sir Stirling Moss who will serve as honorary patron. At 81, Sir Stirling Moss, OBE is considered one of the greatest racing drivers of all time, winning 16 grand prix races and finishing runner-up four times in Formula One World Championships. Moss is set to lead the pack of more than $100 million worth of classic and racing cars during the opening cereomony on November 30 and on exhibit under the stars, bright lights and tight security on Bay Street December 2.
“Bahamas Speed Week Revival has every element of excitement — time trials, exhibitions, social and charitable components, classic cars and famous drivers gathered in one place where people can actually rub elbows with legends. And every event is set against a backdrop harbour, sea or coastline, showing extraordinary views of The Bahamas,” Sawyer said. “You cannot pay for this kind of international exposure. With such coverage, it makes all the sense in the world to begin planning for Bahamas Speed Week to become a highlight on the exciting calender of events.”
District Stales Manager of the Bahamas Tourist Office Giovanni Grant agrees.
“We are delighted with both the UK and US media response and look forward to bringing a group of writers over,” Grant said. “We aniticipate a broad range of features, blogs and web material to appear in the months following Speed Week and what adds to the interest is that some of the writers have already gotten commitments to produce other pieces, including real estate and travel.”
Bahamas Speed Week Revival is a 5-day series that includes a hill climb at Fort Charlotte, individual time trials at Arawak Cay, the Paddock Club for sponsors and guests, a gala banquet and Auction of Promises to benefit Bahamian charitites under the patronage of Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes and the display of vehicles in the heart of historic Nassau for the general public. Bahamas Speed Week Revival is organised by a team headed by Jimmie Lowe in The Bahamas and race car driver and event organiser David McLaughlin’s Force One company in the U.K.
Sponsors include the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture, Carlo Milano, Pictet Bank & Trust, EFG International, Graycliff, Bahamas Ferries, Sun Oil, Bahamas Waste, Ardastra Gardens, Callenders & Co., Rockstar Energy Drink and Red Bull among others.
Tickets for all Bahamas Speed Week Revival events are available at: www.bahamasspeedweek.com.
