DOWN THE PUB
WITH PAUL BARRETT
BHRC champion Age: 44 Lives: Omagh
He came back in 2018 “I sat out last year because I really hadn’t got a car. I’d sold my Pinto car to Josh Browne. I thought I’d use the money sensibly, which is not like me. But that didn’t last long! This time last year I hired a Group N car for our home rally, the Bushwhacker, and finished fourth overall.”
His father encouraged him “My father Pat was unwell and he said he wanted me to win the Bushwhacker and get back in an Ford Escort and win the British Historic Championship. This was last November, so I bought a bodyshell the next day and it was flat out to get it ready for the first round, Rally North Wales. Fair play to Ray Mcmanus: he put a lot of work into the car. He worked endlessly. John Mclean did an engine with a lot of help from Alan Sherwood. John is an old family friend who built engines for dad many years ago.”
He wanted to do the BHRC “I love the championship. It’s a great craic with great people and you are made to feel very welcome. The camaraderie with people like Matthew Robinson, Ieuan Rowlands and Steve Bennett is amazing. That’s what makes me go rallying: I go for the craic, but I’m very competitive. In fact, we’re a very competitive family and my brother Ryan would be one of my biggest rivals.”
It was tight for the first round “It was important for me, [brother and competitor] Ryan and dad to be at the first round but it was very much touch and go with my car. The car came off the axle stands, into the back of the lorry and straight onto the ferry. The car was very new and we had an iffy run on the first round. We found a few problems when we were getting the car ready for the Isle of Man and the car has never been as good as it is now.”
He’s had a ball “The battle we had with Matthew Robinson on the Pirelli was very special and that was one of the best rallies I had all year. Then we won the Bushwhacker two-wheel drive against the modified cars. I’m over the moon to win the title. I could not do any of this without the boys who help me. I could not go rallying without the people around me.”