Robbie Allan Memorial

It’s hard to believe, but it’s a year now since Robbie Allan passed away, and to mark the occasion, the family has organised a two day motor cycle sporting Memorial Weekend - with added motor cycles.

The Robbie Allan Two-Day 50/50 Memorial Classic Motorcycle Event will take place this Saturday and Sunday, the 19th and 20th July 2014 at Tinto Park Moto, at Rigside, with all proceeds going to MacMillan Cancer Support.

Never one to do anything by half, Robbie’s family have been awfy busy too. The plan was to try and fulfil a wish that Robbie had to run an event at his beloved Tinto Park that could match the success and quality of the World Championship 250cc Motocross Grand Prix that he organised at Kilmartin in Argyll way back in 1978, and looking at the entry list for this weekend, they’ve done him proud.

The 50/50 theme is derived from the fact that all participants this weekend have to be over 50 years of age and there will also be a reunion of several BBC Grandstand Trophy winners from the 1964 season 50 years ago.

Amongst those intending to make the trip this weekend are Dave Bickers, John Banks, Alan Lampkin, Arthur Lampkin, Chris Horsefield, Alan Clough, John Griffiths, Keith Hickman, Dave Nicoll, Andy Roberton, Jimmy Aird, Jim Aim, Dick Clayton, John Giles, Badger Goss, Jim Holt, Mike Jackson, Andy Lee, Bill Gwynne, Dave Curtis, Mick Bowers, Gordon Blakeway, Sammy Miller, Mick Grant and Peter Gaunt and many, many more. Crikey, what a line-up. No wonder Vic (Robbie’s brother) is so chuffed. He has been phoning around to see who fancied coming up and has been swamped with entries.

Provisional programme of events:

Saturday 26th July.

Pre. ’65, Twin-Shock Enduro (time card based). Open to all pre.’65 twin-shock enduro, scrambles, trials and trail machines using any tyres.

Pre. ’65, Twin Shock Trial to include rigid machines. Dual route section format.

There will also be a charity auction in the Marquee on Saturday night with some unusual and unique memorabilia up for sale to generate even more funds for MacMillan.

Sunday 27th July.

Scramble Event. Two Twin shock classes, one for over 50s and one for over 60s. Two Pre ’65 classes. One up to 250cc and one over 250cc. to 500cc. One Pre ’65 class up to 250cc for British bikes with leading link forks.

BBC Grandstand Series / Past Masters Parade and Presentation.

This will be a one-off event the likes of which will never be seen again up here. If you like the sight and sound of old bikes, don’t miss it. And don’t go thinking that this motley collection of auld gits on auld bikes will be there just to make up the numbers. Show this lot a Starter’s flag and you’ll be picking grit out of your skin for months from the wheelspin.

Oh, and if the weather forecast is going to put you off. Don’t listen to it. What do they know? Those predicted claps of thunder which have been forecast this Saturday morning have nothing to do with the weather. That’ll just be the angels kick-starting their own Greeves, Ariels and BSAs – and guess who’ll be at the front of the field!