In the late eighties Bob Halpin was told that CAMS wanted scrutiny for the ARC to be improved and that he needed Barry Habgood to be the Chief Scrutineer. Barry agreed as Iong as he could still do setup. That only lasted for a couple of years when Barry reluctantly stopped doing setup to concentrate on the Chief Scrutineer role.
It was during this time Barry decided he was a better co-driver than driver and competed with Matt Williamson, the son of the local Toyota dealer owner, in the ex Wayne Bell Toyota T18. Matt and Barry enjoyed a fair deal of success winning numerous rallies.
Habgood also proved that he hadn’t completely lost it as a driver by being equal winner with Matt of the Group 6 Autocross series, both driving the T18.
In the early 1990s CAMS invited the Chief Scrutineers of ARC events to attend Rally Australia. After an intensive training day they then worked as scrutineers during the rally. Barry has not missed a Rally Australia since, working as a scrutineer and for a few years Chief Scrutineer at Rally Australia in Coffs Harbour.
During the 1990s and early 2000s he was also Chief Scrutineer at The International Rally of Canberra working with Mike and Sarah Bell.
In 1997 Barry worked with Jeremy Browne and Dean Rainsford to get Classic Adelaide running and was Chief Scrutineer for 5 years.
Habgood was appointed CAMS ARC Technical Delegate in 1995, a position he still holds and in 2019 he was appointed FIA Technical Delegate for the two rounds of the APRC Pacific Cup rounds held in Australia.
In 2002 Barry was awarded life membership of the Coffs Harbour and District Sporting Car Club.
Barry Habgood has during his career made a difficult job look easy, and made many friends in the process. He is a great addition to the Australian Rally Hall of Fame
NEXT: Scott Pedder
* Citation reproduced courtesy of the Australian Rally Hall of Fame.
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