We’re pleased to continue sponsoring our very own Colin Ralph, a home-based Vehicle Image Engineer, who has been proudly displaying the Copart logo on his Mallock MK16 since 2018.
The Mallock’s are the longest surviving family-owned racing car manufacturer in the UK with Major Arthur Mallock selling his first U2 MK 1 in 1958. His son Richard runs Mallock Sports, and his other son Ray was a Le Mans driver and Touring Car Team Manager for Vauxhall and Chevrolet.
Having received a Mallock MK16 as a 50th birthday present, Colin undertook an 8-year restoration project so he could realise his dream of returning to racing, which he had done as a teenager.
“I have been involved with Classic Clubmans as a part of a pit crew for over 10 years and the natural progression was to have my own car.” Colin said. “The project took 8 years to get it to the start line and in 2018 I raced as a novice licence holder at the 1st race meeting at Snetterton.”
Colin has since raced at the HSCC Classic Clubmans Championships in Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire, the Croft circuit in North Yorkshire (which marked the debut of Copart branding on his car) and at the HSCC Legends of Brands Hatch Superprix.
The 2021 Classic Clubman’s season kicked off on Sunday 18th April at Snetterton in Norfolk.
After a winter of rebuild and renovation, Colin enjoyed a fantastic start to the season, despite a few challenges on the track.
Colin said: “The 1st race I started near the back of the grid but progressed into the middle of the group, finishing 5th in class and 9th overall. In the 2nd race, despite being held up by a failing car, the race went really well, and I finished 4th in class and 6th overall.”
This season, BMTR Avon have donated 4 tyres to Classic Clubmans, to be awarded to drivers who excel themselves during this year’s races. We’re delighted to say that Colin was the recipient of the first of these tyres for his performance at Snetterton, where he was praised for being ‘the spirit of Clubmans’.
Colin said: “Having this support from Copart has enabled me to develop the car, which has resulted in me competing further up the grid. I’m proud to have the Copart logo displayed on the side of the car and trailer, and to have the opportunity to explain to people who we are and what we do.”
The next race weekend takes place over the weekend of 5th-6th June at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire.
“As part of the automotive industry, it’s no surprise that many of our teammates have a personal interest in cars and the racing world. At Copart, we’re known for our partnership with Euroformula Open driver Louis Foster, but we’re also thrilled to be able to provide sponsorship opportunities for our own people.
This not only helps teammates pursue their personal racing ambitions, but it’s also a perfect demonstration of the Copart Value ‘Celebrate our People’ and a fantastic opportunity to raise Copart’s profile in local communities.”
Mark Godfrey – Director of Strategy, Marketing & Copart Automotive Divisions
More about Classic Clubmans
Main image courtesy of Jeff Bloxham