The history of motorcycling also has pages reserved for those riders who, without achieving the highest recognition, that of World Champion, have had an important or different role. In those pages is, among others, Tommy Robb who has died at the age of 90 after a life of passion for motorcycles.
Like so many other riders from the ’50s of the last century, he began racing motocross. A more economical way to start a racing career, which first progressed into grasstrack racing, where he achieved several Northern Irish national titles before moving to speed in 1957.
In his first year in speed, Tommy Robb already participated in the World Championship and achieved a podium!
Already in that first year he participated in a Motorcycle World Championship event, in the Ulster GP in the 250 category, where he achieved a third position that, in 1958, became second place. From there he began his sporting career in the World Championship, which went from less to more, with specific participations until in 1962, when he became a Honda rider to finish the 125 World Championship in third position and the 350 World Championship as runner-up and obtain his two first victories in 250 and 350, in a season that participated in four categories: 50, 125, 250 and 350.
Even so, the most important thing about that season is that he became one of the first non-Japanese drivers hired by Honda. Something that is totally normal today, but that in those times represented a substantial change. His relationship with the Japanese firm did not last beyond ’63, where he could not repeat the good results of the previous year, and had to settle for fourth place in the 250 World Championship.
From then on he began to participate with Suzuki, Bultaco, Aermachy, Norto, Maico, Shepherd, Yamaha and Seeley until the 1973 season, achieving some important specific results even in the 500, where he did not win any races, but he achieved several podiums. and even finished fourth overall in 1970.
And all this combining categories as was done in those times. He did this especially on the Isle of Man where he competed in 125, 250, 350 and 500 and where in 1973, 11 years after his first two victories, he achieved the last of his sporting career in 125, in the last race that the World Championship of Motorcycling raced on the island.
After his racing career he continued to be linked to motorcycles, not only as a former rider but also by creating a driving school, something that was not common in those years. Today, just over half a century after his last victory, we say goodbye to Tommy Robb. RIP.
