2019 promises to be an exciting year for for the Chefette Speed Team, following a 2018 which brought success. The team comprising brothers Roger & Barry Mayers and Rhett Watson, using a Toyota WR Starlet, Ford Fiesta and BMW M3 respectively, competed in a variety of sprints and rallies throughout the year.
Roger perhaps faced the most challenging year of the three drivers. Delayed in starting the year due to late delivery from the engine builders, he first tackled King of the Hill where he was fast out of the box, but was then troubled by a throttle issue. He then endured a miserable Rally Barbados with a Day 1 spin, Day 2 puncture and Day 3 crash after consistently setting Top5 times. Though intent on changing his fortunes in the year's final event, a mechanical issue forced his early retirement to conclude a year he would hope to put firmly behind him. Looking towards 2019 his focus is on being better prepared doing what he does best, maximum attack from SS1!
Rhett started his 2018 season on the Barbados Rally Club's Shakedown Stages in April. Fastest 2WD on this event showed that the combination of Rhett, co-driver Bradley and the BMW was one to be reckoned with in the 2WD category. Rhett went on to improve on a 2nd place group finish on King of the Hill by taking the group win in SM3 in Rally Barbados along with 2nd fastest 2WD overall on the premier event of the motorsport season. He wrapped up his year with a fun outing in a BMW Compact rental car as the M3 was undergoing a full rebuild. In summing up his year, Rhett was happy with the successes that came despite missing two rounds of the season. Looking to the 2019 season he said we can expect a fresh E36 M3 which would be carrying only a few minor changes aside from the body shell.
Barry had a very competitive year which was filled with success. Having started with fastest 2WD in the season opening MCBI Sprint before heading into the Shakedown Rally where he finished first in group, all indications were there that 2018 was going to be a good year for Barry and co-driver Ben in the Fiesta. Things fell into place nicely for King of the Hill and Rally Barbados as the team grabbed fastest 2WD honours with a run of form that continued through to the end of the season. Barry noted that they were optimistic starting the year having shed some weight from the car. Closing out the year having won the Super Modified group on each outing, being fastest 2WD and second in the overall championship he said was an unexpected but fantastic achievement for the team. For 2019 the goal set is to increase engine output in order to be able to lock horns with Roger who he still holds as his benchmark.
The 2019 season will soon be on the way and the Speed Team will be looking again to be the top contenders in the 2WD class. There are still some long nights ahead as the guys work steadily to have the cars well prepped for the rigours of the coming season.
