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Australian International Motocross Racer Reid

Photos: [Left] Allan Reid racing in France on a Maico in 1979; and [Right] Reid racing in Sweden, pictured with Roger De Coster’s Swedish mechanic who was nicknamed Julle (in red).

From Australia to Sweden: Allan Reid’s Motocross Journey

WA motocross racer Allan Reid was one of Australia’s fastest riders in the early 1970s.

Born in Adelaide in 1953 and raised in Perth, Reid was a member of the BSA Motor Cycle Club and swiftly moved up into A Grade at a time when the sport was booming and participation numbers in WA were in the thousands.

Reid’s earliest highlights include finishing the runner-up WA Unlimited Champion in 1970, behind legend Graeme Smythe. In 1971, he was fourth in Australian 250cc Championship in Clarendon (SA).

That was the year the visiting international riders arrived down under early and contested the titles. Then in the opening two rounds of the International Motocross Series in WA, Reid was one of Australia’s highest placegetters.

Motivated by Swedish expatriate Hans Appelgren, who won three WA Motocross championships between 1973 and 1974 – and following a serious accident which left him concussed – in January 1975 Reid took a bold leap and sold everything that he owned and moved to Sweden to race.

Joining the Upplands-Vasby Motor Cycle Club, Reid competed alongside many Swedish champions, including Thorlief Hansen, who was one of the country’s top motocross racers and considered to be one of the fastest riders to never win a world title.

Because of the strong competition in the 250cc class, Reid chose to ride a 500, a move which paid off as this enabled him to represent his club and country in many international motocross meetings in Sweden, France the Netherlands and others between 1976 and 1981.

During that period Reid only returned to Australia once, when a visa issue abruptly sent him back to Australia, where he briefly raced again.

Fortunately, he secured permanent residency for Sweden and soon returned and was given a work visa as compensation for his treatment when he was arrested. This enabled him to work back at the famous Öhlins shock absorber company and race again on the European circuit.

After six years racing in Sweden and internationally, Reid decided to retire in 1981 after his international license expired and with age catching up with him.

His instincts led him to a successful career in export management, eventually founding his own company. After years of global success, he sold the business in 2014, remarried, and settled in Germany briefly before returning to Australia in 2015.

Allan still has fond memories of his times in Sweden, recently holidaying there and catching up with his motocross mates and connections.

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Photo: Reid racing at York, WA in 1974 before he moved permanently to Sweden.

Where it all began for Reid

Allan Reid was born on 28 March 1953 in Adelaide, South Australia with his family moving to Perth the following year, where he grew up in Kewdale.

His passion for motorcycles ignited at age 12 when his neighbour, Athol Bensley (1956 Harley Scramble Champion) introduced him to the world of scrambles racing. By 16, Alan was racing competitively, starting with a 250cc BSA before progressing to faster bikes like the CZ 250.

In 1969, Reid joined the BSA Motor Cycle Club and bought a 250cc BSA 4 stroke and started racing and was friends with top WA racers Greg Thomas and Jeff Mouritz. Around this time, Husqvarna and CZ motocross bikes were on the market and he purchased a 250 CZ.

Photo: Allan Reid (centre) with BSA Motor Cycle Club riders Greg Thomas and Jeff Mouritz around 1970 at the Mandurah Scramble, on the outskirts of Perth.

Reid - Mixing it with the best state, national and international riders

The CZ purchase paid off and very quickly he was in A grade at time, competing against hundreds of other competitors when the sport was booing in WA with the arrival of the new lightweight purpose-built motocross machines. In 1970, riding a Yamaha, Reid was the runner-up WA Unlimited Scrambles champion finishing behind legend Graeme Smythe.

The following year, Reid contested the Australian Motocross Championships in Clarendon, South Australia, where he placed 4th in the 250cc Championship behind local champions David Basham (CZ), Michael Groom (Husqvarna) and Laurie Alderton (NSW, Montesa).

That same year, he competed in the opening two rounds of the 1971 International Motocross Series in WA – at Herne Hill on 29 August and Manjimup the following week. At Herne Hill he was the first WA rider and second Australian to finish behind the internationals. After two rounds, Scotland’s Jim Aird led the series with Reid in equal 6th.

Sponsored by the local Suzuki importer, the following year Reid began racing for Suzuki on the infamous TM400 machine. Despite occasional wins, his form was inconsistent preventing him from Championship titles, with the bike’s unpredictable nature leading him to more bruises than trophies.

It was around this time that he experienced the worst accident of his career. After winning the hole shot in a race meeting he ran off track, hit something and end for ended suffering severe concussion and waking up the following day in hospital very confused.

Reid returned to racing, switching to Yamaha’s innovative cantilever design, which improved his performance but brought new challenges.

Photo: Allan Reid in action on a Suzuki in Albany (WA) in 1971. That year he placed fourth in the Australian 250cc Championship at Clarendon (SA) and was one of Australia’s leading riders in the opening round of the Australian International Motocross series at Herne Hill and Manjimup.

The big move from Australia to Sweden

Photos: [L-R] Allan Reid racing international motrocross events in Sweden in the late seventies – Lagnobanan 1978, Vastbobanan and Svanstabanan in 1979.

Frustrated yet driven, and motivated by the arrival of Swedish motocross racer Hans Appelgren who won three WA State Motocross titles between 1973 and 1974, Alan took a bold leap and sold everything he owned and moved to Sweden to race in January 1975. What a shock to the system it was, moving from the heat of summer in Australia to the frozen and dark winter in Europe.

Arriving in snowy Stockholm with just enough to buy a bike, Hans arranged for Allan to stay with his family on arrival, who were very kind and helpful. He joined the Upplands-Vasby Motor Cycle Club and soon found support from local racers like Hans Isaksson and Kent Ohlin, the latter of whom would later found the globally renowned Öhlins suspension brand.

Racing in Sweden in the late 1970s, Reid raced internationally on a Maico, tackling gruelling tracks and managing everything himself. Despite the hardships, he cherished the camaraderie and thrill of racing.

The Upplands-Vasby MCC had many good riders in both 250 and 500 classes. As only four riders were selected from each club to race at open events, competition was tough. As a result, he chose the 500cc class as the 250cc class had so many fast riders. The top riders at the club included Thorlief Hansen, Magnus Nyberg, Ove Karlsson, Thomas Petterson, and many more.

Thorleif Hansen was a top Swedish motocross racer who was considered to be one of the fastest riders to never win a world title. Sadly, Ove Karlsson had a tragic accident and passed away on the track. Lars Schneider was another very promising rider and looked destined for a great career but sustained a knee injury forcing him out like many others.

Retiring from racing and returning to Australia

By 1981, with Reid’s international license expiring and age catching up with him, he retired from racing.

Transitioning into business, Alan’s his instincts led him to a successful career in export management, eventually founding his own company. After years of global success, he sold the business in 2014, remarried, and settled in Germany.

In 2015, seeking a safer life for his family, Alan returned to Australia, where he now enjoys retirement, reflecting on a life filled with speed, adventure, and resilience.

Photo: Allan Reid racing international motocross in the Netherlands 1979, two years before he finally retired from racing and establishing his own business.