Column: Andy Lloyd’s Perfectly Content In His Role As A Racing Underdog
Column By: JIM CLARKE / ANDY LLOYD RACING – SYNDENHAM, ONT – Some people get together with friends for a softball game after work or on the weekends, while others enjoy swearing a little white ball for an afternoon of golf. From his first ever laps, back around the 2005 season, Andy Lloyd has found strapping in behind the wheel of his DIRTcar Small Block Modified the perfect way to relax.
The 45-year-old from Sydenham, Ontario – who works as a driver/labourer with the City of Kingston – is a throwback to a time when weekly racing was less about the pressure of getting to the front of the pack and more about the pure love of the sport.
Lloyd – who has only good friend and former driver Lawrence Austin as his raceday pit crew – is grateful for the help and support of fellow racers; including Danny O’Brien and his crew who scale the car, along with Randy and Bobby Herrington who pitch-in with assistance and advice behind the scenes. He says the Mike Blok/Engine Research powered Bicknell Racing Products machine he brings to the weekly wars at Brockville Ontario Speedway is a definite low budget operation that gets more from less year-after-year.
“Its all about the people and I’ve made some great friends over my years in the sport,” said the driver, whose car carries #31x in tribute to the memory of his mother, who was killed in an automobile accident in 1986. “I don’t have a garage, so I have to wait for the nice weather to work on my car. Or take it to a friend’s shop where we can get things ready for the weekly action. It’s a bit of a struggle, but nothing we can’t overcome.”
Andy Lloyd – who scored the only feature event win of his more than 15 year career on August 3rd, 2013 – is a long-time supporter of the annual Kingston Area Racing Preview Show and is looking forward to this year’s edition, which takes place March 29th and 30th at Frontenac Mall. He’ll show-off his ride for the upcoming season at Brockville Ontario Speedway, with returning sponsors Wylie Electric, Mega Bus – Cincinnati, Len Corcoran Excavating, Collins Trucking/Clark’s Water and Wilson Stables. The team is also proud to welcome new partners 401 Limousine, Catch All Bait & Tackle and DPH Service Station Maintenance to the fold for the upcoming schedule. Potential sponsorship inquiries can be sent to Andy Lloyd, 31Crazy@hotmail.ca.
“Like all of the other drivers at the track, I enjoy the chance to talk to the fans and answer their questions about the car,” Andy Lloyd said. “We all have to do our part to help introduce some new people to the sport and this a good way to begin that process and maybe meet some new sponsors along the way.”
