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A Mallock in more familiar guise, Clubmans racing in the mid eighties.

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One of the legendary names of UK club racing Colonel Arthur Mallock began racing as a hobby after the finish of World War 2 and like many of his contemporaries in the race car manufacturing business he started his motorsport career as an accomplished driver. Arthur had a long-term love affair with Austin 7s and many of his early specials were based upon these cars and one of his first racers, built to to the 1172 Formula, was 7 based. In 1958 the first Mallock U2 appeared, a light space frame with square bodywork, that carried Arthur to many race wins. Formula Junior racing was also undertaken and a Mallock won a minor FJ race at the Nurburgring in 1960. In 1965 the new Clubmans formula was created which suited Arthur and his creations perfectly and over the years Mallock U2s have won numerous races although today they are highly sophisticated machines in comparison with those early days. Both of Arthur’s sons Richard and Ray had successful racing careers and are still involved in motorsport today. During the years Mallocks have appeared in other classes including F3 and amazingly, in the 60s, in F2 when many a Brabham, Matra or Lotus driver would be embarrassed at trying to keep up with one of these front engined devices.

1971

This U2 Mk11B was a development of the Clubmans chassis with suitable adaptations for F3, wider wheels and F3 slicks, remove the mudguards, drop in a 1600cc F3 lump and off you go! Many people may have laughed when they saw this apparent anachronism in a F3 paddock but in a handful of races at the end of the year Ray Mallock had a 6th place at Castle Combe, a fifth at Thruxton, and a 4th at Oulton Park, all three in very good company indicating the car had real potential.

1972

For 1972 a new chassis, the Mk12 was developed, compared with the 11B the main change was the switch to a De Dion rear axle which allowed the fitting of disc brakes for the first time as well as helping to reduce the unsprung weight. Front suspension geometry was revised with fabricated front uprights (instead of the usual Triumph Herald ones) and the chassis was modified to allow the engine and gearbox to sit lower. Despite the disadvantages of a larger frontal area and having to change the entire gear box when altering gear ratios once again the Mk12 was surprisingly competitive and Ray had an early season 4th at Silverstone despite not having the best engines. Sadly though the usual lack of finance meant development lagged behind the works teams and the Mallock F3 challenge sadly evaporated.

Drivers

1964 Mk3
John Harwood.

1971 Mk11B
Ray Mallock, Richard Mallock.

1972 Mk12
Ray Mallock.

Mallock
Ray Mallock in the paddock at Thruxton.
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Ray Mallock on the grid at Silverstone.