A COLLECTION of bikes once owned by the late Scottish motorcycle champion, Bob McIntyre, will be showcased in Scotland for the first time since his death at the Sir Jackie Stewart Classic this weekend.
And visitors to Scotland’s biggest new motoring event at Thirlestane Castle, which is being held in aid of global charity Race Against Dementia, will have the chance to see them on display alongside hundreds of classic and contemporary vehicles.
In the display will be the 500 Manx McIntyre Norton which took Bob to victory at the 1959 Formula 1 TT and the North West 200. It will be accompanied by the 500cc 4-cylinder Gilera which Bob used to set the first 100mph lap at the world-famous Isle of Man TT races in 1957.
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They will be joined by a 350 Manx McIntyre Norton, known as the “Potts Norton”, which was used by Bob’s best friend and teammate, Alister King, who rode it to win the 1959 North West 200 350 class. It is also the famous machine on which Bob won four races on, including the 1959 Scarborough gold cup.
Bob McIntyre of Glasgow was a legendary Scottish motorcycle racer and close friend of Sir Jackie Stewart. He was best known for his five motorcycle Grand Prix wins between 1957 and 1962 before he was tragically killed in a racing accident at Oulton Park in August 1962.
Following Bob’s death, Sir Jackie Stewart has worked tirelessly to improve safety regulations within motorsports. His crusade has saved countless lives and he was knighted for services to the sport in 2001.
He returns to Scotland next week for the Sir Jackie Stewart Classic, a festival of motoring, with exhilarating live action from the Scottish Motor Racing Club, including a Red Bull Formula 1 car, and a display of more than 1,000 classic cars from the Borders Vintage Automobile Club plus food and drink galore.
The family-friendly event will showcase the career and achievements of the three-time FIA Formula 1 Drivers’ World Champion, Sir Jackie Stewart OBE, and give visitors the chance to explore his remarkable career with displays of his cars and memorabilia.
Race Against Dementia is the global charity founded by Sir Jackie to raise money for research into prevention and treatment for dementia, a disease that affects 50 million people worldwide including his beloved wife, Helen.
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Sir Jackie Stewart OBE added: “Bob was a great friend and mentor to me, and his death was an untimely tragedy. He is one of the biggest reasons I have spent so much time championing for more precautions for race drivers in sport – it is the best sport in the world, but not without its dangers.
“To see Bob’s bikes back in Scotland after all this time feels like a small piece of him will be with us. Given the event is so personal to me, it’s fitting to have him close by and I know visitors will enjoy the remarkable efforts to restore his beloved bikes back to their former glory.”
Tickets are on sale at www.sirjackiestewartclassic.com/tickets
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