Bob McIntyre

Record type: Motorsport Biographies

Biography: Age 29, Bob McIntyre is a motor mechanic and comes from Scotstoun, Glasgow. He first rode in the International TT in 1954 but he has already been described as one of the most brilliant riders his country has produced since the days of Jimmie Guthrie.

In the 1952 Junior Clubman's TT on a BSA he finished second to Eric Houseley, and made records lap at 80.09 mph. In the Manx the following September he rode an AJS in the Junior, which he won at 85.73, and on the same machine was second in the Senior at 87.67. That was three races in the year over the TT course and three finishes - second, first, and second.

Bob was in brilliant form during the 1953 season. he was third in the 350 cc Coronation race at Silverstone in April; at Mettet, on 3rd May he was second to Farrant in the 350 cc class and in the North West 200 the following Saturday he won the 350 cc class at 86.66 mph.

Riding as a member of the 1954 AJS team he finished second to Ray Amm in the 350 cc Championship race at Silverstone in April, following this by a second in the 350 cc and a win in the 500 cc at Blandford, a 350 cc win at Pau and second place in the 500 cc race at the same meeting. He was second, on a Matchless, in the 500 cc North West 200.

In the Island, he was 14th man home in the Senior TT, but retired in the Junior race with engine trouble. Touring the Championship circuits, he was third in the 350 cc Ulster GP, sixth in the same class of the Belgian and fourth in the 500 cc race at that meeting. In the Dutch TT he was fourth in the 350 cc and sixth in the 500 cc race, while at Berne he finished sixth in the 350 cc Swiss Grand Prix.

Riding Nortons privately entered by Joe Potts, Bob romped through the 1954 season, winning at many of the short circuits and causing a stir in the Junior TT by leading on the first four laps, eventually finishing second at 91.79 mph. In the Senior race he was fifth at 93.83 mph.

In 1956 he got away to a flying start by wiping up the Oulton Park meeting in all three classes, and his run of success has continued at Snetterton, Charterhall, and other venues.

His luck was right out in the TT, however, for he retired in both the Junior and Senior. As everyone knows, he made up for that last year. Gilera mounted he won both Junior and Senior races and became the first man to lap the TT course at 100 mph, his record lap being done at 101.12 mph.

In the Dutch TT at the end of June he was second in the 350 cc but crashed in the 500 and was out of racing for several weeks. He was back for the 'Ulster', however and was second in the 500 cc class, whilst three weeks later he won the '350' class of the Grand Prix of Nations at Monza. He finished the season as runner up in the 500 cc World Championship, and was third in the 350 cc class. He is entered for both this year's TT races by J. Potts Ltd.
(TT Special, 6 June 1958, p.20.)

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