Anniversary tribute to tragic biker Andy

A TRIBUTE to a Tayside man who died in a motorcycle race will take place on the first anniversary of his death.

Andy Lawson, 25, from Arbroath died after coming off his bike at the Ulster Grand Prix on August 8 last year.

He was a rising star in the sport, having won the Junior Manx Grand GP in 2014, and hoped to turn professional.

Andy was debuting at the second Supersport race on the Dundrod circuit in County Antrim when his bike clipped another and he fell at the Deer’s Leap section.

His loss devastated the racing community and inspired a “homecoming” ride-out for his funeral, involving an estimated 400 bikers in an impressive display from Dundee Ice Arena to the West Links in Arbroath.

The organisers of that event have decided to commemorate Andy with a 101-mile pilgrimage to Knockhill on August 7, in memory of his race number.

A commemorative plaque will also be placed at Scotland’s national motorsport centre.

Friend and former sponsor, George Stewart from Carnoustie, said he would be on one of the racing bikes for the journey from the Tay Road Bridge to west Fife, along with Andy’s father Mike and friend Alan Cumming.

The organisers said all of Andy’s bikes would be present for the ride, including the GSR-600 Suzuki on which he won the Manx.