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Ian McGregor

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Ian grew up, went to school with and raced against his Great Friend (and Rival) Raymond McCullough. They live less than 1 mile apart and are still good friends. At the age of 13 Ian got his first bike, a 125cc Royal Enfield. In 1958 he began racing grasstracks on a Triumph Cub.

 

 

 

 

 

 

1961 saw the start of a very successful Road racing career. Ian's first race was at  Cookstown, on a 125cc BSA Bantam. On the last lap whilst leading he broke down. Ian’s speed in the early 60’s caught the attention of local tuning guru Joe Ryan. Having secured a ride on the famous Ryan Norton he repaid his sponsor with a Win at the 1965 International North West 200. It was a very exciting race in which Ian beat John Cooper, Len Ireland and Rob Fitton. In this race Ian had the Fastest lap and won the “Best First Time” award.  

In the late 60’s Ian was considered a “dominant” rider on the local scene. Double wins and lap record were the order of the day. At the Temple 100 one of Ian’s friends, Ernest Kerr, was killed in a multi bike incident. Ian and Ernie had been sharing a bike that day. Ian was given the nick name “The Dromara Destroyer” by journalist Dermot James. However, he was never part of the famous Dromara Destroyers (which came later).

Ian took a break from racing during the later part of the 60s. He began racing Greyhounds. His dog Spacewalker was narrowly beaten at Dungannon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ian resumed racing in the 70s with a less serious approach. With his Friend Michael McGinn as mechanic, he still notched up formidable local successes. In 1971 Ian won the prestigious “King of Kirkistown”, shortly after the birth of first son Brian and in 1972 he won the UGP held at Bishopscourt, 3 weeks after the birth of his second son Alan.

In 1974 Ian starred along side Abe Alexander in the “Title Trail”, a film by the James brothers. The film was shown in halls across Northern Ireland and was highlighted on the BBC recent programme “The Charge of the Bike Brigade”.

In 1976 Ian broke down while leading the 250cc Race at the NW200. Later that year he retired after a spill at Kirkistown.

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