Alec (Alex) Campbell came to mind when reading about preparations for the upcoming Isle of Man TT. Alec competed at the Island on 2 occasions, the first in 1975 when as an virtually unknown sidecar rider, he and passenger Jim Pearson gave a very creditable performance to finish 7th in the 500cc Class. In the larger 1000cc capacity race he had a mechanical breakdown caused by a spark plug by all accounts.
Twenty two years before, May 1953, a Scramble was held in Reg Hellyer’s property at Wandilo and Alec, (with Don Hamilton as passenger) and “a novice in racing terms was the star of the meeting riding a most spectacular race” – he didn’t win, but was second to Hamilton rider K D Riley in the Donovan Trophy Race. Later, demonstrating his versatility Alec rode a Solo in the Over 250cc race and “riding like a demon, came right through the leaders to run away brilliantly” according to The Border Watch scribe at the time.
First photo, Alec Campbell with Don Hamilton, 2nd photo, Laurie Fox with Alec Campbell, 3rd photo Alec & Jim Pearson at Isle of Man 1975, courtesy Australasian Old Bike.