BIDDY BARBER’S car racing days are now in the rear view, but her love for the sport will never go away.
Barber began blazing a trail in competitive motorsport at the age of 17 when she joined the Barbados Rally Club. She was introduced to the club by its then chairman, Trevor Gale, and remained an active member for over 50 years. It was for this dedication that she was honoured by the club, which made her an honorary life member.
During her driving career, she had never shied away from a challenge and certainly refused to be easily overtaken by her competitors, who were mainly men.
Today at 66 years old, Barber has won the profound admiration from fans, many of whom affectionately call her Rally Granny.
The SUNDAY SUN visited the motor sport stalwart at her St Philip home recently.
It was just before dusk when the team arrived and Barber was returning home from a neighbour’s house.
It was not surprising that the motoring enthusiast steered her orange-coloured 1990 Pajero, which had “Rally Granny” printed across the windscreen, with swift precision.
She hopped out of the vehicle with bare feet and wind-tussled hair, then warmly welcomed the team on to the patio.
While sitting on a lounge chair, Barber spoke of her lifelong fondness for motor sport and outstanding memories from her glory days.
“I was always fascinated by cars. I could drive from the time I was ten years old. I used to get in the ol’ man’s car and take it through cart roads,” she said, folding her lips into a sly smile.
It was only after she joined the club, however, that she enhanced her driving skills. At the time, Barber worked at Sam Lord’s Castle and relied heavily on sponsorship to fund her “expensive” hobby.
“The first rally I ever did was a June rally and I navigated for an English fellow in Mini Cooper S . . . I’m not good at navigating though so we didn’t do anything,” she said, sipping the beer in her hand.
It was no accident that for the rest of her career, Barber opted for the driver’s seat.
“I like driving. I like putting my foot down,” she explained.
Barber, who mainly participated in Mud Dog 4×4 events, said she was satisfied with her achievements, which included almost a dozen trophies. If given the chance, however, she said she would compete again in a heartbeat.
“I would like to do more. I’d like to carry on in rallying but you get old and your eyesight goes and your reflexes go and all that, everything slows down. I’ve done a lot but I would love to do more,” she said.
Nevertheless, the mother of two said she was “still very much involved” with motor sport. A lot of her time is dedicated to assisting the Mud Dogs with organising various events and activities, including the upcoming Mud Fest slated for May 2.
Barber’s bravery and independent spirit was not limited to the off-road tracks, but to other aspects of her life as well. She said that when motor sport in Barbados had “died down” due to a hike in oil prices, she started an all-women rally. Barber also owned a shop in Chattel House Village, St Lawrence Gap for 20 years, before closing it about three years ago.
Although she was always highly competitive, Barber said her most enjoyable races were those that offered the most thrill. Barber cited a race in Jack in the Box Gully that was organised by the Motoring Club as one such race.
“We got a very good timing because we didn’t have to press breaks. The Subaru I drove was only a 600 so it didn’t go very fast. [But] when all the big cars had to keep slowing down all the time, we didn’t . . . I think that stands out to me more than any other race,” she said.
Though she has been a spectator at rallies across the region, she had only competed in Barbados until age 60, when she got an opportunity to navigate for her son-in-law in a Dukeries rally in England. The daring 66-year-old said her only regret was that the vehicle could not drive any faster, adding that she kept prompting him to go “faster, faster”.
Despite a few health challenges, Barber said she was determined to keep active. In fact, for the past year, Barber has been repairing furniture as a source of income.
Rallying has been her tool of influence and motivation for others, including her son and daughter who would’ve driven by her side occasionally.
Now her dream is to see her grandsons, Austin and Tyler, grow up with a passion for the sport and continue the legacy she has started. (LT)