JEP

COVER STORY

Richard and Sue are not slowing down in retirement, staying busy hiking and motorbiking, with a 1,000-mile trip around Turkey planned for the summer, but after a lifetime in the sport, it is hard to tear their minds away – especially when the cars that they have been entwined with all their lives are celebrating such a landmark anniversary this year.

“ We went to Silverstone recently and it was nice just looking at the cars, studying anti-roll bars and Ackerman angles,” says Richard.“ As soon as we retired, another manufacturer won the championship, so it will be interesting to see what happens this year. Although retired, I am still happy to offer my advice.

“ Ray is still racing the MK2 and he’ s hoping to go to New Zealand this year with the desire to prove how good the Mallock really is. When it was around originally, there were 100 other Formula race car manufacturers producing cars, but this car has won Formula Junior front-engine titles, and he really wants to prove how Arthurs solid axle design fundamentally works!

“ One of the best things about Clubmans is how much of a leveller it is. I will never forget watching Frank Sytner racing Vernon Davis in their Mallocks at Castle Coombe, going into Quarry Bend at 130mph. One was a steelworker from Port Talbot, the other a highly-successful businessman – but at that point they were both feeling the same, absolutely loving it!”

“ I have had a wonderful career in motorsport, and I would like to thank Arthur for his obvious inspiration and giving me the fulfilling lifestyle that I have had, and my brother Ray for his continued support – but most of all Sue, for her dedication and support throughout the years.”

“ It was a family-run business and it was always run from the heart,” concludes Sue.“ It was always a bit hand to mouth, and any money we did get in went straight back into the business, because it always needed to, but at the end of the day, it was all about pleasing the customers … and beating the opposition.

“ In some cases, with the customers who really couldn’ t spend a lot of money like Vernon, it was the David and Goliath thing. There was a lot of competition at one stage and I recall once, in the Derek Bell Trophy, when we got five Mallocks in the top seven, the other drivers got together and told the organisers either the Clubman cars go or we’ re finished.

When a Mallock won at Thruxton, it didn’ t go down very well, and we got thrown out in the end – for being too good! Unfortunately, the same issue still applies to the new Thundersports Formula!

“ Whenever a Mallock won, it was just great to see how happy the customers were. In the end, I see motorsport as a therapy in a way, and just seeing happy customers, giving us a bit of thanks to us over the PA, that is what gave us the buzz and that’ s all we ever wanted. We did not do it for the money, that is for sure!”

Mallock Sports has created around 40 designs over the years, from the original U2 MK1 to the final MK37. Whether it was a Formula Ford or a Clubmans Sports Prototype, each was distinctly a Mallock – but which ones did Richard Mallock like the best?

“ A little while ago, I drove four different Mallocks from across the ages at Mallory Park,” he says.“ When I came into the pits at the end, I had actually enjoyed driving the MK2 the most – so you could argue, what the hell were we doing?! What’ s the point in all those developments if the car you enjoyed the most was one of the first you ever made?!

“ Actually, though, there is a wonderful painting that Ray commissioned of the four Mallocks driving through Copse in what are theoretically our favourite cars. You’ ve got Arthur driving his MK2, Ray driving the Nimrod, Ray’ s son Michael driving the P20 Clubmans car and me driving my Formula Ford, with Sue and Ray’ s wife Elaine as spectators!”

MK9: Formula Ford( 1969-71) Around four or five were built over several seasons and this was the last Mallock car to have a round tail. It was updated to MK9B in 1971 and a third was the MK9DD, which had a De Dion back axle, wedge shape-tail and‘ shark’ nose. Successes included nine wins and three lap records for Richard in 1971 and the first ever 100mph UK Formula Ford average, set by Richard on Silverstone GP circuit.

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Revolution- April 2025