briggo

First race I saw was the GB v Poland clash at Blunsdon back in 1971. Heat 1 had Jim Airey, Jim McMillan, Pawel Waloszek and Jerzy Szczakiel. Sadly, both of the Polish riders are no longer with us

A name too that always fascinated me as a youngster when I started following the Robins back in 1971 RIP Mr Bond

I do remember Alan Weeks always pronounced Ivan Mauger as Ivan Maw-Gurr (with a hard G), always tickled me

Sad news to report this morning, the passing of Billy Bales, he was 94. Condolences to family and friends RIP Billy

In my era (70’s) it would have to be Bob Kilby all day long. I seem to recall a Golden Greats meeting at Blunsdon circa 1988 and one race where you would have thought the opposition were on bicycles, Bob was that quick, happy days.

I still remember hearing the news, could not believe it. I was walking to school the following morning, on the Friday. It was a lovely sunny morning, when one of my pals met me on the way and told me the sad news. Such a loss. Never forgotten RIP Tommy

World Championship Qualifying Round 1974, Swindon I was 14 at the time, and a fanatical fan, so much so, that I used to walk from the centre of Swindon (not far from the Magic Roundabout, and the hallowed turf that is the County Ground) all the way to the Abbey and back again. A round trip of about 9 miles according to Mr Google. My morning paper round (up at 5:30 every morning) didn’t give me enough cash to get the bus and get into the Abbey stadium, so something had to give. I seem to recall it was only drizzling when I set off, but by the time I got there it was hammering it down. Everybody, bar one fanatical fan, was under cover. I was up by the pits (on the cheap side of the Stadium, they opened a gate at half time so you could stand by the main stand), watching all the riders, warming their bikes up discussing the torrent that was submerging the track. The powers that be wanted to wait to see if the rain relented, it didn’t, and after about 30 minutes stood in isolation by the pits , it was off. My thinking was that I couldn’t get any wetter than I was, so I trudged off home, with my faithful programme clipboard with me. It was homemade chip board type of thing with a big bulldog clip. All it needed was a few stickers to brighten it up I thought. So, on my way home I must have passed countless shops and off licences. As the incessant rain kept everyone indoors, I thought I would “borrow” a few stickers that these shops displayed on their outside windows. After peeling off three I thought that would justify my completely sodden attire. My clipboard looked resplendent in these new colours, although I did have to sellotape them on, as they had lost their “sticky ness”. The other thing I got from this evening out was a severe case of man flu. Didn’t make the morning paper round all the next week and missed two days off school. So it was worth in the end……..

The first Swede I saw ride for the Robins was a young long haired blond lad called Jan Andersson. I was there at his Abbey debut against Sheffield I think. His first ride he was first out of the gate, hotly pursued by Carl Glover, held him off for a debut win. He struggled the rest of the meeting but you could see he was quality. Gutted when he moved on to the Racers, but proved me right as to his world class ability. Also had a soft spot for Soren Karlsson, although never in the same class as Jan Anderson, he was a really good team rider and on his day you felt he could beat anybody. Always seemed to get injured, but a real battler and in his first season with the Robins he was in heat leader class.

He did indeed. Jan Verner, another Czech rider also achieved that feat

22nd May 1971 GB v Poland at the Abbey Stadium Jim Airey, Jimmy McMillan, Pawel Waloszek, Jerzy Szczakiel

Barry Briggs, Martin Ashby, Clive Hitch, Geoff Bouchard and Pete Munday

Just the track layout has changed, the whole site is almost entirely surrounded by houses now. The Cold Harbour pub is still there, although all the road layout has changed beyond all recognition since your last visit. I struggle to find my way to the Cold Harbour and I have lived in Swindon for 60 years!

What happened to this game, it was talked about in Speedway circles as the next big thing, but never got off the ground. Did it run into copyright issues with the Speedway hierarchy, I think that was the issue. But I also seem to recall they were going to issue a game where you could create your own riders.......... Anyone recall what happened and put my mind at rest TIA

May 22nd, 1971. Great Britain v Poland, 1st Test at Blunsdon The first race result was Jim Airey, Jim McMillan, Pawel Waloszek, Jerzy Szczakiel in that order in a time of 71.6 (very quick, at the time the TR was just over 70 seconds I think) Bit of a one sided affair, finished up 80-28 to GB. Hooked by the speed, noise, excitement and even the smell. Sadly, I lost interest in the late 70's, too many other distractions I guess to a burgeoning teenager! Only got back into the sport in the last ten years or so, thanks largely to the GP's

For me, it has to be Briggo