More than fifty years after it first roared onto The Bahamas’ social calendar, Nassau Speed Week is set to be revived this year with events spanning November 30 until December 4.

Originally scheduled to attract visitors to the island during a traditionally slow vacation period, for 13 years from 1954 the event ran successfully, drawing big name racers and iconic vehicles.

“This is an incredible opportunity to revisit an era in Nassau’s history that was considered magical by many,” says Jimmie Lowe, president of Bahamas Speed Week Revival. “Speed Week was once a gateway to prominent international racing and we see the revival of the event as a new beginning in sporting and tourism events in The Bahamas with a global reach.”

With mini-races set for Arawak Cay and some $100-million worth of cars–most of them one-of-kind–scheduled to go on display at Rawson Square, as well as a round of parties and celebrity get-togethers, Speed Week is being billed as a major draw for high-end visitors and vintage car enthusiasts.

Speaking at the press conference announcing the event yesterday, the Minister of Tourism and Aviation Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace said that Speed Week could help inject life into sports tourism in The Bahamas.

“Motor racing attracts one of the largest audiences of any sporting event on the planet,” he said. “It also attracts an upscale audience. We had no hesitation to embrace the idea immediately.”

The revival will take place over five days, commencing with a ceremonial Le Mans start at Arawak Cay, setting the tone for a string of activities including an island tour and charity gala dinner hosted by His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes. Legendary British racing driver Sir Stirling Moss has accepted the invitation to attend as the first patron.

For more information visit www.bahamasspeedweekrevival.com