The Bob Mac trophies

Fans of road racing in the ‘fifties and ‘sixties will know of the late great Bob McIntyre – the first man to lap the TT course at 100 mph on his way to winning the seven-lap Senior TT in 1957 on the works Gilera. Unfortunately Bob lost his life at Oulton Park in 1962, but his exploits are still legendary today.

Reader Craig Robertson was great friends with Bob’s only brother, David McIntyre when they both lived in Canberra. “David was nine years Bob’s junior. In the mid ‘80s in poor health he moved to Brisbane and we maintained contact via phone. He died in 1996 and I was informed by a mutual contact some time after and thus missed attending his funeral. Before he left Canberra he gave me the Silver Replica trophy from Bob’s 1954 Senior TT ride aboard a works AJS. Naturally I felt extremely honoured at David’s gesture. The inscription reads: ‘AUTO-CYCLE UNION 1954 SENIOR RACE 14th R McINTYRE 1hr 53mins 01secs 80.13 mph’. I have always considered myself only a custodian of such a significant piece of history and after some searching have recently made contact with Bob’s daughter Eleanor Quigley with the intention of returning the trophy to her, the rightful owner. David had a few other TT rep. trophies, maybe four but I am unable to recall their details and also a magnificent photo album with large format shots of Bob in action. “I have no idea what may have happened to those other objects and suspect I was David’s only motorcycling oriented friend or contact. Eleanor, now being aware of her father’s trophies, having being brought to Australia by her uncle, has asked me about those others. So, playing what is likely a ‘long shot’ my contact with you is in the hope that an item in OBA would be the best chance of publicising this matter and may result in some clue as to their whereabouts. Of course even if some light is shed it may be that an owner may not wish to part with those things. In any case I feel sure Elanor would appreciate that an effort has been made, so I would be most grateful if you would include something in an upcoming issue on this matter. Eleanor informs me there is to be an exhibition of Bob McIntyre memorabilia arranged at the I.O.M TT Museum opening on May 25.” If anyone can help, Craig can be contact by email on craig.robertson49@yahoo.com.au

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