2011/03/16th
Article by Glenn Beckles
Photos by Kirk Watkins
Andrew Mallalieu is a Barbadian motorsport legend. Whenever his name is mentioned, spectators who have witnessed his driving displays start to stroll down memory lane. After being away from the competitive aspect of motorsport for over a decade, Andrew Mallalieu has made a return. When his name popped up on the entry list for the Motoring Club of Barbados Inc’s (MCBI) Double Header at Ellesmere, more than a few eyebrows were raised and hearts skipped a few beats. Red265 Rally Media caught up with Mr.Mallalieu at the service area during the lunch stop of today’s event.
Just how long has Andrew Mallalieu been out of action? “The last rally I did was the Texaco All Stage rally was in 1997, so that’s fourteen years. I’m back having some fun. I don’t know for how long, but I’m going to have some fun for the next few weeks and see how we get through in Rally Barbados and see what other rallies we do from there.” While he was away from the forefront of the motorsport scene, Andrew wasn’t totally removed from the sports – he was actually working behind the scenes. “I’ve spent fourteen years working on the sport as president of the BMF (Barbadian Motoring Federation). Actually, I agonized a bit as to if should compete this year. I’m amazed to see how much the sport has grown since I was last a competitor.”
Andrew Mallalieu is revered for his exploits behind the wheel of Suzukis. Upon his return he has chosen a new steed…a Subaru. What influenced this choice? “I’ve had a couple WRXs and road-going STIs. I love the cars they’re really great. From what everyone had told me it was a very good car and was available at a very decent price. To be honest, I bought it without any intention of competing. I was planning on having a nice STI, but then I quickly learnt that it was not a car that you could drive on the road regularly. We changed up a few bits – installed a new roller-bearing turbo. It’s best spec that you can get in Group N spec. We put on the best Group N brakes that you can get for it, because us old boys may not be the most daring, but as least we can stop quicker than others. Truthfully the car’s an extremely good car. We had a gentleman come down from England and map the engine with the new turbo and fuel that we’re using. We went up to Bushy Park and the car’s extremely quick. It was faster around Bushy Park than I was in my Suzuki when I first went around there!”
There’s no doubt that tongues were wagging when Andrew’s name appeared on the entry list. Some may have even questioned his ability to ‘still have it’ after being off of the scene for such an extended period of time. Just what are his intentions upon his return? “Well goal number one is not to hit the car, goal number is not to hit the car and goal number three is not to hit the car. In all seriousness though, it’s left-hand drive so learning to drive left hand drive is interesting. I think that the learning curve on that is over. Understanding where the corners of the car are from the left seat as opposed to the right seat is important as well. Truthfully my goal is to have fun. I don’t have any aspirations to win Rally Barbados or anything like that. I think I’ll be entertaining. Truthfully, I’m participating, I don’t think competing would be the right word – yes, I’m participating.”
So with the car all stickered up, entry confirmed and all that was left to do was arrive and drive, were there any nerves before Sunday’s event – even as he was at the start line on Sunday morning? “Well there weren’t nerves while I was on the start line. However, I don’t know how much sleep I actually got last night! I was wondering if it was the right thing to do. It’s a little different when you’re 18, 19 years old and there’s no wife, children, mortgage or business and people relying on you. At 46 years old with four little children running around, I was really wondering if it was the right thing to do. Make no mistake, these cars are extremely quick and Todds to Ellesmere being the first stage to be out doing is no laughing matter. This stage is probably the most technical stage that we have in Barbados and has a history of accidents. So I think last night there was a fair amount of nervousness. However, once that you put on that suit, strap on those belts and put on that helmet there are no more nerves.”
After placing 6th and 5th overall in the Easterly and Westerly runs respectively in Sunday’s double header, it’s safe to say that Andrew Mallalieu knocked off quite a bit of rust. He was particularly impressive in the ‘esses’ by Todds junction for the post-lunch runs. The motorsport fraternity as a whole can’t wait to see what else is in store for the coming events. Red265 Rally Media wants to thank Andrew Mallalieu for his time to give us this exclusive interview and welcomes him back to the front lines of Barbadian motorsport.
