Mick Andrews

Biography

Born in Elton, Derbyshire, Andrews began competing in trials events during 1959 at the age of 15 riding a 197cc James before moving up to a Matchless 350 the following year. In 1961 Andrews' talent was spotted by AMC Competition Manager and former three time Scottish Six Day winner Hugh Viney, who offered him a factory-sponsored AJS ride. He competed on the AJS models until 1965 when the AMC company purchased the James and Francis-Barnett companies, switching their works riders to the more competitive 250cc James machines. After AMC went out of business in 1966, Andrews picked up a ride with the Rickman brothers before gaining a factory-backed ride with the Ossa factory in 1967. He was to spend six years with Ossa, during which time Andrews won the Scottish Six Days Trial three years in a row and won the European Trials Championship twice, all on a bike designed and developed by himself. The Ossa MAR (Mick Andrews Replica) is a well known machine used in vintage competition the world over. In 1973 he signed to ride and develop a bike for Yamaha. The bike was the TY250 and Andrews went on to add two more Scottish Six Days wins to his tally with victory in 1974 and 1975. During this time, he also designed the TY80 and TY175 models on which so many top riders had their first taste of trials riding. Andrews competed in the FIM Trial World Championship until 1980, and still rides in select events including the occasional visit the AHRMA Vintage days in the United States.

Honors