Mick Andrews (born 5 July 1944), is an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

former international

motorcycle trial Motorcycle trials, also known as observed trials, often called simply trial/s (with or without the plural "s"), is a non-speed event on specialized motorcycles. The sport is most popular in the United Kingdom and Spain, though there are participan ...

s rider. He was FIM European Trials Champion in 1971 and 1972 (The series became

FIM Trial World Championship The FIM Trial World Championship and FIM X-Trial World Championship are the most prestigious motorcycle trials tournaments of the world, organised by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme. The outdoor championship is held since 1964 and ...

in 1975) and is a five times winner of the

Scottish Six Days Trial The Scottish Six Days Trial is an internationally recognised Motorcycle trials competition, which has been running since 1909 (with breaks for the two world wars) making it the oldest motorcycle trials event in the world. Motorcycle riders from al ...

, taking the laurels in 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974 and 1975, equalling the record set by

Sammy Miller Samuel Hamilton Miller, MBE (born 11 November 1933) is a Northern Irish championship winning motorcycle racer, in both road racing and trials. He was appointed an MBE in the 2009 New Year Honours. In 2013, Miller was named an FIM Legend for ...

. In 2015, Andrews was named an

FIM FIM may refer to: Organizations and companies * Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, the International Motorcycling Federation * Flint Institute of Music, in Michigan, United States * Fox Interactive Media, now News Corp. Digital Media * ...

Legend for his motorcycling achievements.

Biography

Born in Elton, Derbyshire, Andrews began competing in trials events during 1959 at the age of 15 riding a 197cc

James James is a common English language surname and given name: *James (name), the typically masculine first name James * James (surname), various people with the last name James James or James City may also refer to: People * King James (disambiguati ...

before moving up to a

Matchless Matchless is one of the oldest marques of British motorcycles, manufactured in Plumstead, London, between 1899 and 1966. A wide range of models were produced under the Matchless name, ranging from small two-strokes to 750 cc four-stroke tw ...

350 the following year. In 1961 Andrews' talent was spotted by AMC Competition Manager and former three time Scottish Six Day winner Hugh Viney, who offered him a factory-sponsored AJS ride. He competed on the AJS models until 1965 when the

AMC AMC may refer to: Film and television * AMC Theatres, an American movie theater chain * AMC Networks, an American entertainment company ** AMC (TV channel) ** AMC+, streaming service ** AMC Networks International, an entertainment company *** ...

company purchased the James and

Francis-Barnett Francis & Barnett Limited was an English motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1919 by Gordon Inglesby Francis and Arthur Barnett and based in Lower Ford Street, Coventry, England. Early motor cycles were affectionately known as ' Franny B'. Motorcy ...

companies, switching their works riders to the more competitive 250cc James machines. After AMC went out of business in 1966, Andrews picked up a ride with the Rickman brothers before gaining a

factory-backed In motorsports, a factory-backed racing team or driver is one sponsored by a vehicle manufacturer in official competitions. As motorsport competition is an expensive endeavor, some degree of factory support is desired and often necessary for s ...

ride with the Ossa factory in 1967. He was to spend six years with Ossa, during which time Andrews won the Scottish Six Days Trial three years in a row and won the European Trials Championship twice, all on a bike designed and developed by himself. The Ossa MAR (Mick Andrews Replica) is a well known machine used in vintage competition the world over. In 1973 he signed to ride and develop a bike for

Yamaha Yamaha may refer to: * Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services, established in 1887. The company is the largest shareholder of Yamaha Motor Company (below). ** Yamaha Music Foundation, an organization estab ...

. The bike was the TY250 and Andrews went on to add two more Scottish Six Days wins to his tally with victory in 1974 and 1975. During this time, he also designed the TY80 and TY175 models on which so many top riders had their first taste of trials riding. Andrews competed in the

until 1980, and still rides in select events including the occasional visit the

AHRMA AHRMA (American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving, restoring and competing on historic motorcycles. With over 3000 members, AHRMA is the leading vintage motorcycle racing group in Nort ...

Vintage days in the United States.

British Trials Championship

European Trials Championship

World Trials Championship

Honors

* FIM European Trials Champion 1971, 1972 * Scottish Six Day Trial Winner 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975

References

External links

www.MickAndrews.net
{{DEFAULTSORT:Andrews, Mick 1944 births Living people English motorcycle racers Motorcycle trials riders People from Buxton Sportspeople from Derbyshire