Southern 100 Racing would like to offer their congratulations to Sidecar competitor Roy Hanks, who has recently announced his ‘early’ retirement from racing, after 50-years!
Roy first raced at the Southern 100 in 1968 driving a BSA outfit, as his father Fred had done so three-years earlier. Unlike his father, Roy returned to the July races in 1969 and 1970 achieving two second places - one each year.
The popular Birmingham sidecar racer came back to the Billown Course in 1996 taking the winners laurels in the F2 Sidecar Consolation race with Phil Biggs in the chair.
Roy has entered and competed every year since including last year 2016, with the exception of 2001 when the foot & mouth epidemic caused all racing to be abandoned.
His first period of racing in the friendly races saw him compete in five races, gaining two-seconds and an eleventh spot.
After his ‘sabbatical, Roy with Dave Wells as his long-time passenger and from 2012 Kevin Perry in the sidecar, he started in a total of 32 races, including 16 prestigious Sidecar Championship races gaining one victory; five - second; seven - third; three - fourth and one - sixth place finishes.
Always a true sportsman and a thorough gentleman Roy has given much enjoyment and tough competition to his fellow competitors over many years and the familiar orange helmet with black stripes will be missed at the Southern 100 in this and future years.
Hopefully Roy Hanks, his family and friends will honour us with their presence at the ‘friendly races’ where they will always will be made welcome.
Photo - Roy Hanks during the 1969 Southern 100 Road Races. Courtesy of the Southern 100 Archive.
