Iain Duff

Iain Duff, a name well known to race enthusiasts across Ireland and further a field, a former top flight sidecar driver, for over 30 years, on both short circuits and road races, but has recently decided the time has come to move on, and help out within the sport.

Speaking to Baylon McCaughey, Iain described how he enjoyed his many years of sidecar racing, in which he made many new friends, and unfortunately lost a few too.

Over the past few years I became more concerned with the future of the sport, so I became more involved with the organizational side of things! Worst move ever!, because any spare time I had for sidecar racing was now gone!! So that meant the end of my racing! anyway, I have to admit I didn’t realize just how time consuming this was, and the abuse I would have to put up with!, never in my wildest dreams, did I consider the massive input required of a person, especially time wise!

For his sins, Iain is now Chairman of the Southern Centre Short Circuit racing committee, Joint Short Circuit Commission, along with the same in the Irish Sidecar and Motorcycle Racing Supporters Club, a very busy scheduled indeed, but when I look back, it has certainly been very satisfying indeed.

Some of Iains achievements include bringing in a major sponsor for the 03 Sidecar F1 Championship meeting at Mondello, where we witnessed some drivers who went on to compete in the world championships the following year!

Sidecars have always been Iains forte, however for the Kildare Food Engineering Businessman, he has decided to go a different direction this year, solos!

Indeed, it was back in the 70s when Iain made his race debut, on board a Crooks Suzuki, before moving on to TD1B 250 Yamaha, However when it came to road bikes, Triumphs were the ones to have, and Iain has owned quite a few in his day, from Tiger Cubs to Bonnevilles, and recently bought one of the new 1050 Speed triples to add to his collection!

It was at the MCUI Southern Centre awards night, when I got talking to AJs father, Jackson Hutchinson, an old school pal of mine, about racing and Triumphs! AJ was a bit dubious at first, whilst Jackson, who used to ride a Triumph 500 in the early 70’s was excited at the idea.

Anyway, it was agreed that I would act as manager, and offer personal help where ever possible, etc for the team. Since that meeting, Richard Kiely has come on board as well, so now there will be two Triumphs on the grid.

We have just recently taken delivery of the 2 new bikes from Phillip McCallen, and we are aiming to have all ready in time for the Bridgestone test day on Feb 25th. I must also stress, that Phillip has done a lot to ensure that these bikes arrived on time, his advice on set up, has been most welcomed, it is hard to believe that this is the same guy that we watched around the roads not very long ago! I have to admit, whoever we have been talking to, when the name Triumph is mentioned, it is unbelievable the craic and camaradie that it arises, I don’t think we would have had the same craic, if we had gone for any of the Japanese bikes!

Into the season, I hope the lads can get used to the bikes quite quickly. I don’t want to pressurize the lads into getting results-worst mistake possible, but if they feel comfortable enough, I would like to take them to some of the UK circuits that I have been to. Apart from the huge benefit this would have for them experience wise, they would also gain new friends and contacts that will last for years to come, Hey, this is also what its all about, not just racing, but enjoyment and fulfillment of life too.

Iain Duff, no doubt ecstatic about the new team, and certainly looking forward to the 06 season with vigor! As we go to press, the team name has not yet been decided, but look out for the triples, which will no doubt bring a tear to the older generation of motorcycle race fans.