For the second consecutive year, the father and son team of Rob and Ross Weir (pictured) returned from the Caribbean with more silverware, after a very successful Sol Rally Barbados.

After last year's success in the Subaru Impreza, the duo returned in a full historic spec Triumph TR7 V8. The new 450 bhp machine had taken 12 months to build at Rob Smith's RSR preparation company in Towcester, Northamptonshire, from a bare shell.

The week-long Barbadian rally carnival started with the Scotiabank King of the Hill. This consists of three timed runs over the 3km Mount Gay test, with your fastest time counting to your overall finishing position, which is your seeded number on the following weekend's event.

With Rob Weir not even having chance to drive the Weir Laundry Equipment-backed TR7 before it was shipped out to Barbados, Rob Smith, a former British champion stepped in to co-drive on King of the Hill, given it was the first time the car would be driven in anger, but the duo had a trouble-free day and got quicker with every run.

"The car is fantastic, a credit to Rob Smith and his RSR team," said Weir senior. It has attracted so much attention and it is a pleasure to drive this iconic rally car."

Son Ross stepped in to co-drive for twice British national champion Roger Duckworth in his Subaru WRC in the absence of Roger's co-driver Alun Cook, who would be arriving later in the week.

These two gelled from the off, getting quicker with each run to finish fifth overall, first in class.

"I really enjoyed sitting with Roger, he is a class act and it was a very good experience for me sitting in a WRC car for the first time," said Ross.

This year's Sol Rally Barbados had attracted a top quality entry of 100 cars, including 30 overseas entries.

Last year's winner Paul Bird returned to defend his title in his 08 Focus WRC and joining him were quick locals, 12-time winner Roger Skeete Subaru S12 WRC, the very popular Neil Armstong now armed with a Suzuki SX4 WRC, Jamician Jeff Panton in his 06 Focus WRC, plus a host of quick drivers right throughout the field.

Day one consisted of 11 special stages in the north of the island totalling 60kms with the final two tests of the day in darkness.

This year's rally included three runs of the notorious Dark Hole test, know locally as 'iceland' due to its slippery nature.

But the duo had a trouble-free day, building their speed over the more technical stages of the opening day to hold 59th overall, second in class overnight.

Day two offered another 11 tests totalling some 55kms, on the smoother faster roads in the south of the island, but after warm, dry conditions on day one, Sunday dawned very overcast with a threat of rain late morning.

The first two stages of the morning loop went well, but as they sat waiting to start ss14, the heavens opened with torrential rain, leaving them to pick their way through 6kms of the Uplands test on slick tyres before arriving in service somewhat relieved.

"That was sheer hell, it was like driving up a river, and on slicks we were all over the place," said Rob.

"Not nice that, we had a few big moments, but we're here to tell the story."

Now armed with a set of intermediates, the remainder of the event passed without incident, getting quicker as the faster stages suited the car, and they climbed the leaderboard to finish an excellent 46th overall, second international historic home and second in class.

"Well pleased, the car has gone like a dream, credit to RSR, been a much tougher rally than last year, especially this morning in the heavy rain on slicks," said Rob.

"Ross and myself would like to thank all the rally organisers, officials and marshals for an excellent event."

Such was the popularity of this car that island media supremo, the legendary Robin Bradford, said: "Everyone should have one of these." The event was won for the second year running by Paul Bird and Aled Davies in the Focus WRC from Jeffrey Panton and Michael Fennell jnr in a similar car with Roger 'the sheriff' Skeete and Louis Venezia taking the final podium position in the Sol-backed Impreza S12 WRC.