Motorcycle men raise £5000 in memory of Colin McRae

May 27 2008 By George Topp

TWO county men have completed the world’s toughest motorcycle trial, the Scottish Six Days Trial, and helped raise more than £5000 in memory of their late friend, Colin McRae.

Robbie Allan, from Strathaven, and Bothwell’s Robbie Head joined 275 competitors from 22 countries for the tough test, now in its 99th year.

Run over six days in some of the wettest, steepest, rockiest terrain that Lochaber and Fort William has to offer, this event is as much a trial of strength and stamina as it is skill and stubbornness.

But for the two Lanarkshire men, and two friends, there was an additional target.

They were riding for charity and aiming to raise funds and contributions for the ‘Make A Wish Foundation’ and the Colin McRae Vision Foundation.

The two Robbies, accompanied by Findlay White (Galston) and Gavin Johnston (Inverness) all completed the course and won their coveted ‘Finisher’s Awards’. More importantly, they raised over £5000 for charity.

Robbie Allan, who is second in charge of the police college at Tulliallan, and former international rally driver Robbie Head, were friends of Colin.

Robbie Head said afterwards: “Everyone knew why we were doing this. It was an event that Colin McRae and I had often talked about but never got around to doing.

“I’m just so pleased to have done it, to have finished it and to have raised money for Colin’s charity and the Make A Wish Foundation.

“There’s just one drawback. I won’t be able to sit down for a week!”

Former Scottish Trials Champion Gavin Johnston finished 58th overall from a field of 275 competitors from 22 countries around the world.

“Not bad for an old man,” said Gavin, who used to be a top-ten contender in his youth, “but to run with the Number 1 plate on the bike was both an honour and a privilege and the organisers were really good to us. The four of us were given the numbers 1 to 4 at the head of this impressive field of riders.”

Robbie Allan also achieved additional personal success. He won a Second Class Award to go with his Finisher’s Award, which complemented Gavin’s First Class Award.

Findlay White too was pleased with his efforts.

“I beat Robbie!” he exclaimed.

There was an emotional finish too for the four ‘cycle-ateers’. Lanarkshire’s former motor cycle racing champion Jim Moodie was at the finish ramp with Colin McRae’s British Rally Championship winning Subaru Legacy on display to welcome the four men home.