It’s very rarely that Scottish Motorsport gets the opportunity to truly celebrate the life of a legend; to mark the achievements of a man who put Scotland on the world map and left behind a legacy that still inspires other racers. Such a man was Jock Taylor, World Sidecar Champion, a son of Scotland who sadly died doing what he did best – racing against the rest of the world.
A small group of us are determined to make sure Jock’s success on the world stage isn’t just a few words in a history book. Instead we want to create a living, breathing memorial to the man himself, a memorial that will carry on, inspiring others, just as Jock did almost three decades ago.
And what better way to do this than by restoring the very machine he rode to victory so many, many times and ensuring that it is a working and visible memorial to this talented Scottish rider. It’s been almost 30-years since the Yamaha-powered outfit was put into storage at the side of a racetrack, following Jock’s tragic death during a race at Imatra in Finland in 1982.
Still splattered in bugs, leaking oil, covered in dust and with a discarded T-shirt hung over the handlebars: It is just as Jock left it – except it’s now back home in Scotland, where we think it truly belongs. However, the blue-and-white liveried Yamaha will only remain in Scotland if we bikers, race fans and enthusiasts can raise the initial £30,000 it will cost to purchase and restore it for the country.
We, at the Jock Taylor Trust, believe it can be done and that’s why we are asking you to help and this weekend at Knockhill, the famous machine and representatives of the Jock Tayloe Trust will be on hand to advise how you can support this cause.
Saturday action starts with qualifying from 9am and racing from 12.30pm. Warm up action starts on Sunday at 8.50am with racing scheduled to start at 10.15am featuring the finale to the Sidecar Superprix. Tickets are available at the gate, see the event page for information on prices.