LIVES ON MICK ANDREWS – THE MAGIC

Andrews was when I was at My first true recollection of Mick the prototype Ossa in 1970 that school and he had just received ‘Mick Andrews Replica’ by would eventually evolve into the of the sport as well as a rider, 1972. Being a life-long enthusiast that many including myself as a young boy it was Mick Andrews talented competitor, aspired to be like. He was an exceptionally Like many of his development rider and brand ambassador. which was employed when contemporaries he had a ‘race face’ motorcycles. However he he was doing his job riding competition for those who collected such always had time to sign autographs words to lesser riders in a memorabilia, and gave encouraging queue waiting to ride a section. the person when I started I really got to know Mick Andrews as he was a guest of the Sotobike riding in Spain some years ago International Classic Trial near Motor-club at their Robregordo realised that the Spanish Madrid. I watched him closely and a ‘trials messiah’. I am fortunate simply worshipped the man like instrumental in inviting to have been in the position of being Jill, to the Inverness & District Mick, and his wife of many years in June. Mick had expressed a Highland Classic Two-Day event to ride this event for some desire to me that he has been wanting offers of riding motocross years now and, after politely declining fortunate in securing his on the continent, the club were Edition’ of the event. attendance this year for the ‘Yamscot of the club committee, the Going by the comments and feedback felt that Mick had been a true, riders and also observers, everyone and icon. He undertook his 100 per cent sporting ambassador years or more in a most friendly ‘duties’ as he has done for forty company – still with his serious manner. The riders enjoyed Mick’s but with more of a ‘grin factor’ ‘race face’ when riding the sections another clean ride, which was as he exited the ends cards with gave M.J. Andrews the ‘best enhanced by the final results which machine’ to take home along performance by a rider of a Yamaha from the club. with a bottle of the hard stuff ran like clockwork and there were The trial was a great success, it trial hospitality on the Sunday many smiling faces at the post- that made it just that bit afternoon. But it was Mick Andrews to it. After all, when he had special; he added the ‘magical’ touch he was won five Scottish Six Days Trials not only called ‘Magical Mick’ he was also dubbed the ‘Monarch of the Glen’ by the press of the day. At the Alvie shooting estate he certainly lived up to his nom-deplume, and his reputation. John Moffat