Colin Armes – 02/09/1931 to 20/12/2012

Colin Armes, who sadly passed away on December 20th 2012, was one of the country’s leading road race organisers.  After an initial taste of marshalling at the Manx GP in 1958 (when on honeymoon!), he went on to commit over 50 years to motorcycle sport at the very highest level.

After picking up the reins for the major two wheel events at Snetterton in the late sixties, he was the head of organisation and Clerk of the Course for the British Motorcycle Grand Prix at Silverstone and Donington Park, held the position of Deputy Clerk of the Course for the Isle of Man TT Races, and represented the British riders’ interests at Grands Prix as a member of the International Jury.

He was never one to be afraid to take decisions – never better highlighted than when he re-wrote the FIM start procedure for the World Superbike Championship actually on the startline of the first ever round of the series at Donington park in 1988, when it became apparent that the riders could not start their bikes unaided.

In addition he gave a lot of his time to the ACU, and was Chairman of the Road Race Committee, and an active member of the Technical Committee, for which he was recognised and awarded Honorary membership of the ACU in 2011.
Colin was also an off road man through and through. Right up to his final days he was still active in the Eastern Centre of the ACU, holding the positions of Vice Chairman, Permit Secretary, and Gazette Editor.

He was also Chairman of the Norwich Vikings MCC who organise trials and motocross events, including a round of the Maxxis British Motocross Championship at their Lyng venue in Norfolk.

It was as a keen and active member of the Norwich Vikings that he started his competitive motorcycle career in scrambles and trials – while also dabbling in grasstrack, and even having a try at Speedway. But it will probably be as an organiser and administrator that he his best remembered.

Whether it was helping the local grass roots club get youth grass track up and running, getting his hands dirty as a scrutineer, steward, noise meter operator, or being an integral member of the organising team for a motocross grand prix, he was always motivated to ensure that as many people as possible could enjoy off road sport in as fair, fun, and safe environment as possible.

His wife Marie, and family have been overwhelmed by the messages of support and sympathy, and have organised a memorial service/celebration of his life, which will be held at Snetterton in Norfolk, on Tuesday January 22nd at 11.30am. For more information please contact Phil Armes on 01603 487061 or phil@papromotions.co.uk