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Obituary - 3rd May 2010 John Allan, 1943 - 2010 The world of Scottish motor rallying suffered another sad loss last week (27th April) when John Allan lost a long, and at times arduous, struggle with cancer. We mourn his passing not just because he had skill and talent on stage, but because he was one of the nice guys of this sport. In a world where the term 'true gentleman' has lost its lustre, here was a case where it still had true merit. Many people won't know him or know of him, but the sport was all the better for him being part of it. Apart from his own skill behind the wheel he has helped many others over the years, and often without having his name or his business emblazoned on their cars. In fact, in the mid 80s, a certain Neil MacKinnon co-drove for him in his MkII, and John then supported his efforts on the annual Tour of Mull each year. Looking back, he gave more than he got. His own career started way back in the early 70s. I personally don't remember him at that time when he started with a 4 door Ford Cortina, but I remember his arrival on the scene in a MkI Escort. Then came the MkII. In the early 80s there was a heady mix of MkIIs in the Scottish forests, and John Allan was up against the likes of Jim Carty, Chris Wagner, Kenny Stewart and Alastair 'Mad Mentul' McSkimming. It was glorious stuff at times and the fechtin' was fierce. John finished 23rd in Division 2 of the Scottish Championship in 1980 and then finished 4th in Division 2 in 1982 before moving up to the top Division in 1983 where he finished 13th overall. He had his best results that year too with a 6th on the John Wilson Bedroom Stages (Valentine as was) and 7th on the Esso Border Counties. He was 16th in the national series in '84 and 19th in '85, but only managed 4 rounds where his best result was 4th on the Hackle. At the time he was busy building up his Renault trucks business at Lochavullin, so his rallying outings became much more sporadic, and then he was dealt a cruel blow when the Motor Sports Association started to restrict Competition Licences. A number of rally drivers, and race drivers, across the UK were affected by this, as was John who only had sight in one eye. But following the creation of British Motor Sport for the Disabled in 1987, to help people with disabilities to get their competition licences, he was able to get his rally licence back. He bounced back with a Subaru Legacy and then bought Colin McRae's white MkII. Over recent years as the illness ebbed and flowed, he managed a few outings, although latterly they were restricted to running Course Car duties on selected events. Even when he was unable to drive he turned out to spectate, and nothing pleased him more than a trier in a MkII. He was a trier himself, and his style was a wee bit different from the rest. I remember him cresting a rise on the Blane Stages in full flight in the red MkII where I was watching his approach head on. It was the head inside the helmet that gave the game away instantly. It was cocked to the left and lowered, as he zeroed his 'good eye' in on the apex of the fast left hander beyond the 'yump'. I remembered that seamless progression of attack, landing, turn-in and power on when the MSA decided in its stupidity to withdraw the licences of all drivers with some form of disability. Fortunately, it was only temporary, but it still took a while to get the rule rescinded. More than anything else, what I will remember is the sheer boyish enthusiasm he had for the sport. And I'll miss that wee chuckle when he had a story to tell or was told a good tale. To his wife Rachel, family, close friends and wider acquaintances, we offer our deepest heartfelt sympathy. A Lovely Wee Story from Calum Mackenzie ... I wanted to share a wee story with you as I feel you appreciate special guys like John. In 2007 he was doing Course Car on the Merrick with the Legacy. I was spectating in Glentrool (not through choice!) and standing along with Popeye, a long time friend of John and the guy who used to prepare his cars. There's a bit close to the main road where you can go in and watch the cars come down about a 300 straight with a crest in it, to a 90 Right, then 100, 90 Left, and up the hill to a crest before a left hander. Well, John came down the straight, and we watched the Legacy step out on the crest - Fair play we thought, then when he came round the 90 Right it became aparent he was peddling the thing on 2 rear punctures! Popeye started waving his hands for John to stop, and give him a ticking off for driving like that on 2 rear punctures and to steady up. John looked at him like a 20 year old man and smiled - lit the Legacy up, fed it the gears and was on a tail slide for the next 100 yards as far as we could see him! He'd have been 64 then I think! Style. I went to Andrew Wood before a rally and he said: " I've got 2 free tyres for you." "What do you mean?" I asked. He said: "John Allan phoned and said to give you 2 tyres!" It was completely out of the blue. He was one of the few who used to phone up after a good result and say how much he enjoyed watching. I can't exactly remember which rally it was, but he had been poorly again and his wife phoned me after they had been to watch a rally: "Well you put tears in John's eyes at the rally at the weekend." After everything he had been through to get back out to watch the sport and his beloved Mark 11's being driven hard, it was just that bit special. To come back from what he did and get back behind the wheel of the Legacy said it all about the passion he had for the sport and his own determination. A true true gentleman of rallying and a great friend to many and he'll be sadly, sadly missed. Calum MacKenzie **** |