Twice former Isle of Man Centre solo trials champion, Peter Christian, died suddenly on Sunday, writes John Watterson.

He was out on his bike with youngest son Graham and grandson Jack when he took ill and passed away later that afternoon at Noble’s Hospital.

As one family member said, he was doing what he loved right up to the end and was still working full-time at the age of 77.

Peter was mild-mannered, decent and extremely skilful both as an off-road motorcyclist and in his profession as a motor mechanic.

He was an innovator, prepared to tackle anything from a full bike restoration to a car rebuild and respray. Nothing was too much for him.

For many years he ran Woodbourne Garage in the lane between the Woodbourne Hotel and the former newsagents and convenience store in Brunswick Road.About 20 years ago he moved lock, stock and barrel to Rural Industries, Snugborough, taking the garage’s original name and loyal customers with him. They will all be deeply shocked and saddened.

Peter was a talented rider. His first love was solo trials, but he also rode motocross [scrambles] in the late 1960s/early 1970s. In addition he competed in car rallies and autocross events in the 1960s.

He won the Isle of Man Centre solo trials title twice. The first was on a 250 Greeves in 1968, when he was also eighth in the Two-Day, then again in 1977 on a 250 Beamish Suzuki, ousting reigning champion Peter Corrin.

When eldest son, Neil, inevitably got into bikes (first in schoolboy motocross, then trials), Peter supported him, swiftly followed by younger sibling Graham.

Peter continued to ride, winning the non-expert trials titles in 1995 and 1996, when Neil was third and second respectively in the expert class. The latter had earlier claimed back-to-back expert titles in 1990/1991 to match his father’s achievements a couple of decades earlier. They remain the only father and son to have won the championship in its current form.

Peter rode in 38 Manx Two Day Trials, plus numerous Lakes Two-Days, Inter Centre Team Trials and the 1979 Scottish Six Day Trial. He rode the Manx and Classic Two-Days in his 70s, winning his class in his final trial on March 12 at Old Stoney Mountain shortly after his 77th birthday.

One of his closest friends and rivals was first cousin Stuart Clague. They spent many a Sunday night in the Crosby Hotel with Geoff Cannell and several more debating where and how they won or lost that day’s trial!