Tributes after sidecar star Pip dies aged 85
Tributes were today paid to a former British champion sidecar racer who has died at his home in Shropshire.
Pip Harris, who lived in Ackleton, near Bridgnorth, was 85.
Mr Harris was well known for racing at the Isle of Man TT as well as circuits across Europe. He began his racing career on the grass tracks around Rushmere before winning his first race in 1946 and becoming a British Champion.
His wife, Ann, said: "He remained British Champion for seven years.
"He never quite won a TT at the Isle of Man but he picked up several God of Speed trophies for finishing second, third and fourth.
"His father, Harry Harris, also raced a works bike and competed in the TT, so it was in his family. He loved the Dutch TT and his greatest race was in 1960 because it was his first and only Grand Prix win. His favourite British course was Oulton Park and his final meeting was at that circuit in 1973."
Mr Harris went on to win the Auto-Cycle Union British Championship Sidecar Event three times and become the first winner of the '£500 sidecar event'.
His international results included a third at the Belgian Grand Prix in 1951 and a second in 1956; a third in the Italian Grand Prix in 1951, followed by a second in 1956; and a first at the Dutch TT in 1960.
Mrs Harris added: "Away for the racing, Pip was a marvellous father and wonderful grandfather." He is survived by his wife, Ann, five children, Caroline, Jane, Jennifer, Ruth and Peter, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
The family plans to sprinkle his ashes on the mountain section of the TT course, in the Isle of Man.
