Rallying mourns loss of ‘Rally Granny’ Biddy Barber

Island motor sport enthusiasts of all generations are mourning the loss of Brigid ‘Biddy’ Barber, who passed away at home yesterday (Tuesday) aged 75. Her active role in the sport began when she joined the Barbados Rally Club (BRC) as a 17-year-old in the 1960s and lasted well into her 70s, her passion and encouragement, particularly for newcomers, earning her the affectionate nickname ‘Rally Granny’.
  As Brigid Austin, her first recorded event was as a navigator, before she started driving, first in a Mini Countryman, then an Alfa Romeo, with Joan Alleyne her navigator. She steadily developed more of an interest in helping to organise events, however, as marshal, route-setter or stage commander, and later ran tours for fans to support local drivers competing in regional events.
  Married to Chris Barber, who passed away in June, she juggled all this voluntary motor sport activity with raising two motor sport-crazy offspring, Ali and Brett. In later years, she returned to competition, initially driving for son Brett on 4 x 4 navigational events, now known as MudDogs Safaris. More recently, she competed alongside Brett’s son Austin, proudly introducing a third generation to the sport.
  BRC Trustee David Edwards, who was also active in the Club’s early years, said: “I had known Biddy Barber for decades and seen at first hand her selfless dedication and commitment. We appreciate all she has done for the MudDogs in encouraging youngsters to participate and her pioneering work in the representation of Women in Motorsport.
  “On behalf of my own family, the Barbados Rally Club and the island’s whole motor sport community, I extend condolences to Ali, Brett and their extended families at this very sad time. They can rest assured that Biddy’s lifelong contribution to motor sport in Barbados will never be forgotten.”
  Biddy had been recognised a number of times for her commitment to the sport: at the Rally’s Club 60th Anniversary Celebrations in 2018, she joined John Corbin, John Sealy and Roger Skeete in receiving Lifetime Achievement Awards; then last year at the inaugural Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF) Night of Champions, she was the first recipient of the Women in Motorsport Award. Ahead of that event, asked for her favourite motor sport memory, she said “Rallying with my two kids and grandson.”
  RIP ‘Rally Granny’.

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Web site: www.barbadosrallyclub.com