Tommy Robb was a keen trials rider in his youth and also in later life as a racer to keep fit over the winter months
TOMMY ROBB 14 October 1934 – 12 December 2024
Tommy Robb was a well-known Ulsterman who rode for Honda, Yamaha, Seeley, Bultaco and a whole host of private sponsors, including Terry Hill in a career that started in 1950 and went on until the mid 1970s.
Tommy Robb’s first ever trophy, won on 3rd November 1951 a time trial in Ireland
In 1962, Robb was the first non-Japanese factory rider to be signed by Honda, the year he was runner-up in the 350cc World Championships. He is a five times winner of the North-West 200 and has won the Lightweight 125cc TT in 1973.
Tommy Robb in the Hurst Cup Trial of 1953 on his DOT
He wrote an autobiography called ‘From TT to Tokyo’ a fascinating recount of a works riders life on the ‘Continental Circus’
From TT to Tokyo – Tommy Robb’s autobiography
Tommy been friends with Trials Guru representative John Moffat for some years now, having been interviewed by Trials Guru at the Scottish Motorcycle Show near Edinburgh.
Part of Tommy Robb’s impressive collection of trophies, yes those are Isle of Man TT replicas! – Photo copyright: Tommy Robb
What is not generally known is that Tommy was also a keen trials competitor both in his youth and in later years to keep fit when not travelling the world racing motorcycles.
Tommy Robb on a Bultaco Pursang in 1967 at an Irish International motocross event – Photo courtesy: Tommy Robb Private Archive
Recently Tommy had a very pleasant surprise and contacted Trials Guru.
Here is what Tommy sent Trials Guru:
“Hi Big John, – A very happy New Year to you, your family and Trials Guru’s everywhere!
I thought the attached Certificate (Factory Rider) would be of interest to you. This arrived on the 2nd January 2016, from the DOT Motorcycle Club, whilst all the major personalities were getting their Knighthoods, MBE’s, and OBE’s I was delighted to receive this award, from 1954 -1958 and inscribed:
‘Special Award made to Tommy Robb, from the DOT Motorcycle Club in recognition of your Achievements as a rider representing the DOT Motorcycle Factory in the Golden age of British Motorcycle Competition’.
This, believe it or not, dates back to the mid-fifties when I rode factory 196cc and 250cc DOTS in grass tracks, scrambles (in those days) and trials in Northern and Southern Ireland. When Burnard Scott Wade was the MD of the Company.
It was a pleasure to receive this recognition some 62 years after the period concerned when I was 18 or 19 years old at the time. To have it in my trophy cabinet at 81 years of age, amongst my TT Replicas is indeed a surprise and an honour”.
The certificate presented to Tommy Robb by the Dot Motorcycle Club in 2016
We are always looking for something different, special or unusual at Trials Guru, so we thought Trials Guru readers would enjoy this.
Trials Guru’s John Moffat (left) with great friend, Tommy Robb at the Scottish Motorcycle Show at Ingliston, Edinburgh – Photo: Trials Guru/Jean Moffat
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Off-Road and Racing enthusiasts throughout Europe will be heading to Telford, Shropshire for their annual pilgrimage to the Classic Dirt Bike Show at the International Centre on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st of February.
Originally run by super-enthusiast, midlander Alan Wright, the show was bought by Morton’s Group in 2014 after many years run by Wrighty and his immediate family. Wright is still involved as a consultant, thus preserving the original ‘feel’.
Alan Wright on his BSA in the Pre’65 Scottish – Photo copyright: Iain Lawrie, Kinlochleven
For 2016 the show has a new sponsor, Hagon Shocks of Essex. Many of the show-goers are riders and ex-riders who spend as much time catching up with old friends as taking in the exhibits, listening to the speakers and hearing the bike start ups. Oh yes, they also buy stuff at the autojumble and from the variety of stall-holders!
This is the pre-season place to buy just about anything for a pre’65 or twin-shock trials or motocross (or should I also say scrambles) machine!
Special guest include top motocross rider, Scot, Jimmy Aird who rode for CZ; AJS and CCM, Nick Jefferies who rode for Honda in trials and was an accomplished road-racer, speedway legend Barry Briggs and Channel Island star Wayne Le Marquand.
On display will be Alan ‘Sid’ Lampkin’s works BSA C15T 748MOE which is the last British four-stroke to win the Scottish Six Days Trial 50 years ago in 1966.
The 1967 SSDT programme cover featured the 1966 winner, Alan Lampkin on his factory BSA 748MOE – Image from Trials Guru Archive of programmes SSDT
This machine will be ridden in this year’s Pre’65 Scottish Trial in April by Alan’s son, James Lampkin. Take a close look at it at Telford.
Gates open: 10 am to 5 pm both days with early autojumble from 9 am.
Prices are £11 adult advance booking (£13 on the gate), with under 12’s free entry. Early bird advance £14.
Mont Ventoix 2015 – Jordi Tarres (SWM), Phillipe Berlatier (Bultaco) & Steve Saunders (Honda) – Photo: Claudio Trial Pictures
Our Index page was used extensively, which shows there is a lot of interest in our archive material, free to use at any time. We pride ourselves at Trials Guru in that we don’t manage forums which distract from the real meaning of Trials Guru, to preserve trial history and celebrate all the great riders and events from all over the planet.
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We hope to bring you more photos, more articles, more facts about the great sport of motorcycle trial here on Trials Guru throughout the year.
Bultaco publicity photo of Martin Lampkin on his factory Sherpa T model 92 – Image courtesy of the John Hulme Catalogue Archive/Trial Magazine UK – Read the Bultaco -Spain page on Trials Guru
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