Barrowing off to SA

Historic Mallala

Report by Phil Barrow. Pics by John Lemm & Bruce Thomas

Thanks to Phil Barrow for this snippet. The Humpy Mob decamped to the deceptively tricky SA circuit on the Anzac weekend for the whimsically named U Pull It All Historic Race Meeting. Apart from pulling it over there, the author also pushed the Barrow FJ and continued to amaze with its form. Take it away Phil…

Mallala was a great weekend away. We went over with (father in law) Rob Southouse who ran his 48-215 in Regularity. Our Group N field was small with only ten cars – five each in Over 3ltr and five in Under. We camped at the circuit and (young son) Noah did his first lap of a track on his bike just on dark (1h 30 mins lol).

Saturday practice ended with a broken RHF brake drum, damaging the brake linings. Repaired it all just in time for Race 1. Had a great race with local Don Costello in his EH Holden, finally passing under brakes on Turn 5 on Lap 3 and driving away.

Race 2 was the best race of the weekend. Every lap Don and I drove door handle-to-door handle for most of the track. On the final corner of the 5th lap I overcooked the tyres and spun on the straight. I kept her going and flicked it around, doing a huge burnout in front of the grandstand. Then Don spun at Turn 1! Last lap and it’s still on! Finished just in front of Don and I have never seen everyone in a crowd clap, cheer and wave like they did to Don and me for our antics. Very proud moment.

Sunday morning and the brake issues continued, finding the LHF brake drum broken as well. Lucky we had enough spares. Race 3 – I had a great battle with SA Historic Club President Stuart Barnes and his Cortina, which unfortunately went off song on the last lap. We finished with no problems and ready for the next.

In Race 4 I got a bad start and had to chase Don and Stuart down. Ended up half a car length off the Cortina across the line with my third broken brake drum for the weekend. But the good news – finally got a 1.28.5 – nearly four seconds faster than our last trip over! 

It was meeting full of close racing and no rubbing! We went to the presentation and received a trophy for 2nd under 3ltr and Noah was handed the trophy by Kevin Bartlett – very proud… What a great weekend.