Father and daughter in tribute to bike ace (From Thisisdorset)

Father and daughter in tribute to bike ace

10:07am Friday 5th September 2008

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A FATHER and daughter biking duo secured top results as they paid tribute to a popular former motorcycle enthusiast in style.

Keen scrambler and stunt rider Brian Huddy, who made his name wowing crowds by jumping over cars on his beloved bike, died last month aged 77.

His former protégé Colin Ayles, from Portland, donned Mr Huddy's identification number 222 for a race meeting at the Great Dorset Maize Maze.

Mr Ayles, 50, finished in the top six out of 40 riders, while daughter Lauren Ayles finished an impressive 14th out of 70 competitors from across Europe.

He said: "They were great results for us both. I'm sure the inspiration of Brian's riding days made us both try even harder."

Mr Ayles was the protégé of manager Mr Huddy, who performed at events in Weymouth and across the country, as a young stunt rider more than 20 years ago.

He opted to wear the 222 number, which Mr Huddy wore for many years, as a tribute to him.

"It brought a tear to my eye to take my normal number 41 off and put Hudd's number on instead," he said. "It felt great to remember him that way.

"It was also great to see Weymouth followers like John and Danny Richards, Danny Smithson and Graham Paul turn out to support such a character's number."

Lauren competed in an all-girl competition on her pink and white Honda 125cc, finishing well against counterparts from as far as Holland and Germany.

She said: "I think it was the thought of Hudd that made me just stick at it.

"I was riding for him and for dad, because they both taught me at different times how to ride motorcycles."

Mr Huddy died from complications arising from heart valve surgery on August 22. A funeral service is being held for him at Weymouth Crematorium on Monday.

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