Alan Blake

1933-2026

By Brian Crichton

Best known for his 28 years with Avon Tyres, Alan Blake had a zest for life and a willingness to get stuck in across a wide variety of activities. He died peacefully at home near Bath, Somerset, in September aged 93.

Born in Keynsham, Somerset, in 1933, he joined the RAF at 18 in 1951, serving in the Middle East. After leaving the RAF in 1955, he got a job in the advertising department at chocolate manufacturer J.S. Fry and Sons in Bristol, gaining a diploma for his creative work. Following two years in the world of chocolate, he joined Avon Tyres at Melksham, Wiltshire, where he started in the technical department, later moving to various other departments to gain all-round knowledge, including tyre testing and design. He also worked on truck and agricultural tyres.

In 1965, he was promoted to tyre test manager, then in 1969, at 36 years old, he became competitions manager for motorcycle production racing, car racing and rallying.

He relished the role, dealing with clubmen, top racers and celebrities on two and four wheels, including James Hunt (who would go on to win the 1976 F1 world title), Roger Clark, Noel Edmonds, Mike Smith and Prince Michael of Kent.

He tried his hand at motorcycle and car racing to better understand customer requirements. Although he enjoyed his challenging and glamorous role, it came with the headaches of dealing with demanding competitors desperate to win. Part of his job was to make sure they stuck to their contracts and to police the specification rules in all Avon’s sponsored bike and car race series.

He introduced and oversaw the Avon production motorcycle championships, run for four seasons (1976-1979). By then, Avon had shifted its focus from four wheels to two, and the series hit the headlines, gaining extensive coverage in the motorcycle press.

Chairman of the tyre sub-committee of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Motorsport Committee, he took on further responsibility at Avon as sales and marketing manager for motorcycle tyres, a role he held for seven years.

He left Avon in 1985 but remained in the two-wheel world, becoming technical director of the Motor Cycle Industry Association until his retirement in 1994, aged 61.

Renowned for his enthusiasm for bikes and riding at speed, he suffered his fair share of spills, most seriously in 1982, when he broke his back. On a lighter note, colleagues at Avon nicknamed him ‘Bungee’ Blake after an incident in which a bungee strap caught in the back wheel of his motorcycle.

Well respected in the world of two wheels, Alan Blake leaves a daughter, Debbie, a son, Neil, and seven grandchildren: his ‘princess’ granddaughter Sarah and six boys. Mavis, his wife of 70 years, died in 2025.

In 1999, he underwent a triple heart bypass operation. Doctors gave him 15 years. He lived for 27 and celebrated by giving each of his grandchildren an annual Pop’s Day Out, taking them to wherever they wanted to go.

“He certainly was a character,” said his daughter Debbie. “We loved it when he worked for Avon, wondering what he would come home in, or on. A Lamborghini Espada was a special thrill.”

Graham Matcham, at Cambrian Tyres, said: “He was a good friend. I learned from him and have a lot to be thankful for over a long period of time. At Avon he punched above his weight. He stood up for himself, fighting his corner for more investment, resources and development. He got away with murder riding bikes, always overconfident. One time we had picked up a bike from Three Cross Motorcycles, Verwood, going to Chippenham when the red mist came over him. He almost overtook six cars, but the 650 he was on was down on power, and he ended up on the grass on the other side of the road!”

Andy Dawson, winner of 130 titles in car racing, said: “Alan did an awful lot that people didn’t know about. The deals he did to get Avon on rally cars were fantastic. The Avon Tour of Britain he introduced in 1973 (won by James Hunt) was his biggest single feat.”