If ever there is a statement that Motorcycles are in your blood, then this must be true in Vic Allan’s case. Born in Scotland in 1945, he could be described as a talented rider from a very early age. After becoming double Scottish Champion in 1965 & 66, he was noticed by fellow Scot, Jock (Peter) Wilson, who was an established employee at the well known motorcycle shop called Comerfords, which was based in Thames Ditton.

Jock later became the British ISDT Team Manager and for several years encouraged the young Vic to head south and start a successful motorcycle career by riding as a Comerfords supported rider. After successful rides with Greeves and BSA, Vic started the 1974 British MX Championship rounds, campaigning both a 250 and 360 Bultaco MK7 Pursang. At the end of the season he was crowned the 500 and 250 class British champion, known as the double, the only rider able to achieve this.

Vic also rode Bultaco’s for Comerfords right up until the late 70’s in both MX & Enduro events. As a young man, I used to go to the local scramble tracks like Tweseldown and the Fox & Hound track at Newbury to watch Vic ride. You could always spot Vic because his helmet had a tartan stripe, the original ones painted by Jock!

I now live in the local area only a few miles from the old Comerfords site (as does Vic), which was on the Portsmouth Road in Thames Ditton. At that time I started buying spares from Comerfords for my own Bultaco Matador in order to carry on with my own clubman campaigning. If you were lucky, you could hang around the back yard behind the old brick wall (which is still standing on the original site) and see some well known riders, fettling and starting up the work’s bikes. Until, that is, you were told to clear off!

During this time I got to know Jock, together with Reg May, the chief Bultaco mechanic. Jock used to carry out repairs and give me advice on my own bikes at his home workshop in Tolworth. He was an ace mechanic and wheel builder, continuing to work long after Comerfords closed its doors for the last time.

Vic had also a successful career in journalism, together with motorcycle testing for an assortment of motorcycle press. He was awarded the MBE for his completely unselfish and sterling work which he carried out at Motoparc in Tolworth. He ran this voluntary organisation for underprivileged children for many years, giving them a taste of dirt bike riding, often for the first time. He soon built up a popular following and made many young people develop a real interest in this sport.

Over the last 30 years I have had the privilege to be on the start line alongside Vic at some of the classic MX events. I can confirm that he still rides with very wide elbows, once quick always quick! More recently he has ridden a little MV trials bike and has been spotted riding the Talmag, still winning his class and taking part at the Canada Heights Trials last year. Now that’s dedication to the sport!