Ewen Haldane

Died: August 23, 2015.

EWEN Haldane, who has died aged 86, was one of Scotland's most successful motorcycle road racers during the golden era of the sport in the 1950s. A contemporary of John Surtees and Bob McIntyre, he took part in 15 Isle of Man TT events, coming third in the 1954 Clubman's competition on his original 500cc BSA Gold Star.

Even after he retired from racing, he never gave up riding bikes. He died when his Honda motorcycle was involved in a collision with two cars on the A82 at Loch Lomond.

Though he spent most of his adult life in Greenock, he was born and brought up in Menstrie, near Alloa in Clackmannanshire.

His love of motorcycles began in earnest when he was a teenager. Like many young riders he started out by taking part in time trials and scrambling but he soon discovered that, for him at least, track racing was less strenuous.

With two friends, he reluctantly decided to participate in the Isle of Man TT race, an annual motorcycle road racing event held in May and June which has been described as the most dangerous motorcycle road-race in the world.

Mr Haldane concentrated first on the Clubman event (a series of races which involved, not international stars, but regular members of motorcycle clubs, many with no competitive experience, riding showroom-standard bikes). With a machine bought on hire purchase, he took part in the 1953 Junior event. "My two pals mooted a go at the Clubman's and I, with the greatest of reservations, agreed to accompany them," Mr Haldane wrote. "Backed up by that superb business of hire purchase, we entered for the 1953 Junior event."

It was the start of a long and successful connection with the Isle of Man TT race. Over the ensuing years, he raced in 15 TT events covering Clubman, MGP (regarded as the amateur riders' version of the TT races) and, eventually, the TT (Tourist Trophy) race itself.

He was competing in the Manx in 1957 when fellow-countryman Bob McIntyre became the first rider to complete a lap at an average speed of more than 100mph.

After they married, Mr Haldane and his wife Jane, who predeceased him, moved to Greenock, having spent holidays in Wemyss Bay. They had three children. In 1958 he turned his enthusiasm for the sport into a source of income, opening his own motorcycle dealership, Ewen Haldane Motorcycles in the town's Bruce Street.

The business became a magnet for Inverclyde's biking community. Universally regarded as a true gentleman of the track, Mr Haldane was in huge demand for advice based on his many years of experience in motorsport. He eventually retired and sold the business on although it still bears his name.

He also became a familiar face at motorcycle clubs around the country, particularly at Ayr Classic Motor Cycle Club where he often gave talks and exhibited his bikes, including the BSA Gold Star which earned him that third place in 1954.

He was a keen supporter of Greenock Wanderers FC and Greenock Cricket Club.

Victor Devine, the Glasgow Honda motorcycle dealer and a friend of Mr Haldane paid tribute.

He said: "It's very sad. My phone hasn't stopped ringing. I was just a wee boy when he was a successful road racer. He was one of that generation of men we used to talk about when we were wee boys. He was a true gentleman. He was the sort to chastise you if you cursed in front of a lady. He was a lovely, lovely man."

The owners of Ewen Haldane Motorcyles in Greenock also said in tribute: "Mr Haldane was a former TT racer and successful motorcycle dealer, serving Inverclyde and beyond's motorcycling community for many, many years. Mr Haldane will be greatly missed and our thoughts and condolences are with his family."

His customer and friend Ray Carson said Mr Haldane was always ready with advice. "It's a sad loss indeed," he said. "He was one of life's true gentleman who had a real passion for motorcycling and Greenock Wanderers.

"I bought my first three bikes from him when I lived in Inverclyde and will always remember the never ending advice he was able to offer his customers."

Mr Haldane is survived by his three children, Steven, Douglas and Dianne, and seven grandchildren.

ALLAN LAING