Great article on Mack the master

Dear CR

Really enjoyed the Niall Mackenzie article in the latest issue of Classic Racer –it reminds me very much of my times following Grand Prix racing in the 1980s and 90s and latterly the British Superbike championship, of which Niall was champion three times.

I spent a lot of my time on the road on both two wheels and four in a bid to take in as many foreign Grand Prix rounds as I could – when I could afford it and get around easier than I can now!

On a few occasions I was lucky enough to get into the paddock itself – mainly at some Italian events (friends ‘knew’ the right people) and at a few Dutch TTS (a nice, laid-back lot, the Dutch…)

On a few of these occasions I would happen upon Niall and he always was polite enough to chat for a few minutes if he could.

Years later – at shows like the Ally Pally Road Race Show – he’d have more time to talk and he was always generous with his time for his fans. Although I was always gutted that he just never quite made that final hop up onto the top step of a 500cc podium, look at who he was racing against… truly he was up against (and sometimes beating) the very best racers we’ve probably ever seen.

It was a joy to see him ‘come home’ to Britain and kick everyone’s backsides and take three British Superbike titles.

These days I’m not as mobile as I used to be, but I love watching the bike racing on the telly, and love cheering on Niall and Jan’s two lads Taylor and Tarran. Thanks for the memories, Niall!

Dave Smith

The Editor says: “Lovely sentiment Dave, have a Duke goody bag for your scribblings!”