Bike team tackle charity challenge

Apr 17 2008 By George Topp

TWO Lanarkshire men are to tackle one of the UK’s toughest sporting competitions to raise money for charity.

Robbie Head from Bothwell and Robbie Allan from Boghead, near Lesmahagow, will compete in The Scottish Six Days Trial in May.

Accompanied by two other motorcyclists, they’re raising money for the ‘Make a Wish’ charity, through the Colin McRae Vision Foundation, a cause which was close to the late world rally champion’s heart.

Robbie Head, himself a former international rally driver, started his mootorsport career in motorcycle trials alongside Colin, a friend from schooldays.

Robbie Allan, the oldest man to ever tackle the daunting Dakar Rally on a motorcycle, has been competing in motorcycle sports across the world ever since he was old enough to ride a motorbike. He is a long-time friend of the McRae family.

The Six Days is an event which Colin McRae himself had often talked about contesting but sadly never got the chance.

And perhaps this was one of the reasons that inspired Robbie Head to take up the challenge.

“Colin and I went to the same school and started competing in motor cycle scrambles and trials when we were schoolboys,” said Robbie.

“Then we both took up rallying and although our careers took different paths, we still retained a passion for two wheels. The Scottish Six Days Trial was one of those events we always aspired to do, but never got around to doing — until now.”

With that in mind, Robbie thought about contesting this year's event and in mentioning it to other like-minded friends, the idea was hatched to contest the event as a four-man team to raise money for the charity ‘Make A Wish’ which grants magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses.

Robbie Allan, and the other two team members, have all tackled the tough Six Days before.

All four have been practising hard and competing in local events and Scottish Championship events.

Already their ambitions have attracted support from specialist clothing firm Alpinestars, tyre manufacturer Michelin, vehicle manufacturer Renault and the Glasgow based Mickey Oates Motorcycles firm.

All four members of the TrialsVision Team are also looking for donations to help them raise as as possible.

More information can be found on their website at www.trialsvision.com.

During the course of the event which takes place from May 5 to 10, the riders intend to complete a daily blog so that supporters and followers can find out how they are getting on — providing they are fit enough at the end of each day's riding to do it!

The Scottish Six Days Trial has been taking place on the mountainsides around Fort William since 1909, annually attracting hundreds of riders from across the world. This year there are more than 270 entrants.