A Legend Steps Off the Saddle | Ian Lougher Retires After 42 Years of Racing

It is with a mixture of admiration and nostalgia that the world of road racing bids farewell to Ian Lougher, one of the most accomplished and enduring figures in the sport. On 14 October 2025, Lougher formally announced his retirement from competitive racing, bringing an end to a 42-year career that cemented his status in road racing royalty.

For many fans at Aberdare Park, Lougher’s name is woven into the very fabric of the Welsh road racing scene. A multiple Welsh Open Champion, Lougher competed successfully across almost every discipline from Ultra-Lightweights to Supersports and is rightly honoured on our Wall of Legends.

Born in Cardiff in 1963, Lougher first entered the world of road racing in the early 1980s. Over the decades he built a reputation not just for speed, but for versatility, consistency, and the ability to adapt to changing machinery and circuits.

Though stepping away from the grid, Lougher has signalled that his passion will remain involved. He plans to focus more on ILR Racing (Ian Lougher Racing), nurturing talent and possibly undertaking occasional test laps — but his full-time competition days are over.

As Lougher turns to the next chapter, his story leaves a powerful legacy for Aberdare Park and all British road circuits: that excellence is built by consistency, adaptability, and love for the sport, no matter how many seasons pass.

His Isle of Man TT record alone is staggering: 10 wins, 29 podiums, and 136 starts. He also dominated other major road events, including wins at the Southern 100, Ulster Grand Prix, Oliver's Mount and regular podium finishes right up to the end of his final seasons. His 2025 season included a podium in the Lightweight Classic TT, demonstrating that even late in his career, his competitive spirit remained undimmed.

“Forty-four seasons is a long, long time to still be racing, isn’t it! I never imagined after that first outing in 1982 that I’d still be competing more than four decades later. I’ve been thinking about retirement for quite a while, but kept it to myself — I didn’t even tell Asa, my wife — because I thought it might be unlucky. I’ve always said I’d keep racing as long as I was competitive, and I like to think I’ve managed that. I’m not one for just riding around at the back.

I’m 62 now, and while I still don’t get nervous going through the bottom of Bray Hill at 140mph, you can’t go on forever, and I don’t want to put my old body through any more. I’ve got a few aches and pains - mostly the knees - not that I’ve crashed too much really, maybe I’ve just been lucky! I’ve had the privilege to race against so many great riders and meet some of the best people in the sport, and not many get to do that. Racing has literally been my life.

With ILR Racing, I’ll still have my hand in - maybe even the odd few laps in the name of testing - but now it’s time to focus on the next generation. I’ve always tried to surround myself with the right people, the right machinery, and the right attitude to keep safe and competitive. I’m grateful to everyone who’s supported me along the way, and to those closest to me for putting up with my single-mindedness over the years. It’s been an incredible journey.” - Ian Lougher

Ian Lougher’s racing career is one of rare longevity and success, and his name will forever be etched into the collective memory of road racing. At Aberdare Park, we extend our deepest respect and thanks for the thrill, the inspiration, and the example he set. May his legacy continue to motivate riders who line up in the woodlands long after his final chequered flag.