A RACING fan is back on the starting grid – thanks to a team-mate of more than 30 years ago.

Colvin Denholm was a passenger in sidecar racing for more than 15 years from 1982.

He then moved to solo racing but hung up his leathers in 2019 after suffering a concussion, as well as two broken fingers and four broken ribs, following an accident at Knockhill, Fife.

But he is now back on the track, and this time behind the bars, after an incredible gesture saw him gifted a new sidecar.

He told the Courier: “My sponsor is called Boris Stroud and I was a passenger for him in 1989 or 1990.

“We were sitting the evening before racing, having a couple of beers, relaxing, shooting the breeze and talking rubbish.

“He asked if I ever fancied a shot at driving. It did not entertain me and I had never wanted to do it.

“As a kid, I wanted to do sidecar racing and I was living the dream.

“He said when he made his millions he would be back… he was true to his word.

“He made his millions and came back and said: ‘You are racing sidecars.’”

Despite initially being unsure if he would return to racing, Colvin is once again a familiar face at East Fortune and Knockhill.

Boris, who works in deep sea recovery, had grown concerned about the dwindling numbers taking part in the sport.

He then stepped forward through his business, MARIN Motorsports, to cover the entry fees for everyone in the championship, with more than 20 now lining up on the grid.

The sidecar has been gifted to Colvin, who lives in Haddington with partner Ruth Golightly, step-daughter Naomi Golightly, and son Ross Denholm.

The 59-year-old, who won his class at East Fortune over the weekend, said: “I got an injury solo racing and got a concussion.

“When I was lying in hospital, I knew my daughter and son but did not recognise my partner. I vowed not to put them through that again.

“That was in September 2019 and the final meeting was in October and I was not racing.

“Boris said there was a sidecar but I told him I was retired.

“He said not until I had a shot driving but I told him I could not afford it. He said: ‘I’m not asking you to afford it, that’s the sidecar, you are racing.’”

Now, Colvin, who works as a semi-skilled engineer at Windymains Sawmill, near Humbie, has been told he can keep on racing.

In another lovely gesture, when the time comes to call it a day, he has been told to sell the vehicle to help cover the costs of his teenage son’s education.

Ross, 17, who has autism, is sitting his exams at Knox Academy and plans to go on to study media and broadcasting at Edinburgh College.