A Fife motorsport legend banned from the road after being involved in a third fatal smash is to appeal against his latest driving conviction.
Alan Duffus, 68, was found guilty of using a motorcycle without insurance in a public place after he was spotted by police on a motorbike at the Knockhill race circuit.
Another charge of driving while disqualified was found not proven as it alleged the crime occurred on a road, rather than on a road or in a public place.
The five-times Scottish motorbike champion was still subject to a 10-year driving disqualification imposed in 2009 when he was convicted of dangerous driving following the death of Senga Elder, 67, in Auchtermuchty.
Mr Duffus was found not guilty of causing her death as he was cleared of racing with another motorist, Grant Whyte, whose Vauxhall Corsa struck the pedestrian.
He told The Courier that his QC is to challenge his conviction at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Tuesday, following a two-day trial.
He said it was “absolutely not” the right verdict and added: “There will be an appeal. It stated this was a public place, which we don’t agree with.”
The court heard Mr Duffus claim he rode the bike at “less than walking speed” through a crowd in the arena at last year’s British Superbike Championship meeting on June 29.
However, depute fiscal Dev Kapadia said there was evidence he was seen “weaving” through the public.
He was spotted by two motorcycle police officers and later charged at his motorcycle dealership in Kirkcaldy.
Mr Duffus, of Main Street, Kinnesswood, had been invited to display some of his bikes at the track.
He was riding a newly-released Yamaha model within the circuit when police saw him.
Mr Duffus told the court that he had been asked by management to move the bikes.
He also said he believed Knockhill was private and that he would be covered by the circuit’s insurance.
Fining Mr Duffus £300, Sheriff Charles Macnair told him: “Although you were driving slowly, accidents can happen.
“You must have known as a professional involved in motor vehicles that you needed insurance.”
In 1980, passenger Jacqueline Crombie, 23, died after Mr Duffus lost control of his Jaguar and smashed into a farm wall. He was fined £2,500 and banned for three years for causing her death by reckless driving.
In 1983, his motorbike hit the back of a car, killing Rebecca Knought, 61.
He was again charged with causing death by reckless driving but convicted of the lesser charge of careless driving, fined £250 and given another three-year ban.
After the death of Senga, Jacqueline’s sister Karen said Mr Duffus was like Teflon as “nothing sticks to him”.