Vale Greg Pretty

The motorcycle racing community has been left shell-shocked by the passing of popular South Australian Greg Pretty, who lost his life after a head-on crash with another motorcycle rider in the Adelaide Hills.

The 1979 Australian unlimited champion, who was 54, was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision on the Macclesfield to Echunga road, near Macclesfield.  The other rider, who police believe had inadvertently veered onto the wrong side the road, also passed away in the horrific collision.

The amenable Pretty, with his signature #64, was an extremely popular and fierce competitor on the local road racing circuit in the 1970s and early 1980s, and like so many of his contemporaries dabbled in both grand prix and production competition.

His 1979 unlimited title was secured against some red-hot opposition, and he also enjoyed success in production racing, finishing second in the 1979 Castrol 6-Hour alongside Jim Budd on a Yamaha Pitmans-entered Yamaha XS1100.

After he retired from motorcycle racing, Pretty became a commercial pilot, and he's now left behind devastated colleagues in the aviation industry in addition to the many friends he built up during his heady competition days.

Pretty's mate of 30 years and former racing competitor Rick Dowsett said the motorcycle community was in shock over the tragic loss.

"He was a top guy, a fierce competitor and true friend to many people," Dowsett told adelaidenow.com.au. "He won a lot of production races and was very professional about his sport, which he took seriously, but he would have a few drinks now and then with his mates."

The Bikesales Network sends its condolences to Greg's may friends and family.

Details of his details will be posted as they come to hand.