Jamaica’s premier international motorsport talent, Fraser McConnell, is set to embark on a major milestone in his career this weekend as he begins his preparations for the BCIC Rally Barbados (RB26), scheduled for May 29-31, 2026.
Alongside co-driver Justin Morin, McConnell will take to Barbados roads in preliminary events designed to fine-tune their performance ahead of the island’s most prestigious rally.
Weekend warm-up for the Caribbean stage
Before tackling the BCIC Rally Barbados, McConnell and Morin will compete in two preparatory events: Saturday’s Vaucluse Raceway Motorsports Club (VRMSC) Double-Header Sprint and the Motoring Club Barbados Inc. (MCBI) Spring Blaze on Sunday.
These sessions will provide crucial seat time, allowing the duo to test their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX on local tarmac surfaces while strengthening their coordination with the co-driver and support crew.
“I am so excited to finally check Rally Barbados off my bucket list. I have always wanted to compete ever since I went to watch in 2015. Very rarely do you see fans with as much passion for motorsports as you do in Barbados, and I can’t wait to give them the show that they came to see,” McConnell said.
Team Frazzz: Jamaican pride on display
Running under Team Frazzz, McConnell’s Evo IX sports a striking livery inspired by the black, green, and gold of Jamaica’s national flag. The car also carries sponsorship from the Jamaica Tourist Board, JustBet, Barita, TruShake, and Uncle Saaaal, signaling strong national support.
Co-driver Justin Morin, who previously competed in RB07 alongside Jeff Panton, expressed similar enthusiasm:
“I am super excited to be back rallying in Barbados in 2026 after a 20-year hiatus and look forward to teaming up with Fraser, who is a tremendous talent. It will be interesting to see how we stack up.”
McConnell follows in the footsteps of fellow Rally Jamaica winners Jeff Panton and Kyle Gregg, becoming the third RJ champion to take on the BCIC Rally Barbados challenge.
Facing a competitive field
McConnell’s Evo IX will run in Modified 4, the category with the largest entry in recent years, featuring crews from England, Scotland, and Wales competing against local talent, including brothers Kurt, Mark, and Neil Thompson.
“I won’t be able to fight at the front of the rally with my Group A machine, but I will definitely be trying to get in the mix when I can,” McConnell said. “I have a lot to learn about Bajan roads and hearing pace notes again will be a bit different from what I have been used to. However, I am looking forward to the challenges that Justin and I will face, and you can count on us having a blast the entire way.”
Rally Barbados: The road ahead
The BCIC Rally Barbados, running May 29-31, is a tarmac-based event featuring around 20 special stages on the island’s intricate network of public roads, all under official road closures granted by the Ministry of Transport, Works & Water Resources.
Ahead of the main event, the King of the Hill on May 24 will see four timed runs on a roughly four-kilometer stage, with results determining the seeding order for RB26. For McConnell and Morin, these runs will serve as a vital rehearsal for tackling one of the most celebrated rallies in the Caribbean motorsport calendar.
