Barry Briggs 1964

 

I was born – in Christchurch , New Zealand in 1934

Educated – just a normal schooling, primary, then a decent sort of secondary school, on a level I suppose with English grammar schools

Personal Details – 12 st 2lbs; 5ft 11ins; eyes – sorta browny; hair - brown

First Rode Speedway –around 1950 at Christchurch, although Id had a lot of practice around mud holes. I think I finished third in my first race

I have ridden for – Wimbledon, New Cross, Southampton, Swindon

Favourite track – most of them come alike now, but I renjoy racing at Belle Vue or Norwicjh or a good big ‘un

Favourite starting position – first! I just enjoy being up with the boys at the tapes these days – handicaps ended in August 1964 Reckon the inside or outside are the spots where I get real flyers!

I have ridden in – darn near everywhere in the World! New Zealand, Australia, Britain, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Poland, South Africa, Rhodesia

I live – in Bitterne, Southampton

My off track occupation – just preparing myself for my on track occupation. I’m a professional motor cyclist whether its speedway or grass tracking

Married – yes with two little boys

My hobbies –watching soccer, keeping myself fit, eating well, lounging about watching the telly.

I drive – a Ford Corsair 1964

I like – sunshine, orangeade, driving on quiet roads, clean engines in my speedway bikes, someone else to worry about my mechanical problems

I dislike- anything alcoholic, handicapping, seeing my kid brother Wayne getting knocked about, little things I consider to be unjust, burnt toast

Favourite Television – Sportsview perhaps, Anything with a bit of go in it. I like a variety show too.

Favourite Star – Deputy Dawg – and Akan Weeks, he’s such a good speedway commentator!

Favourite food- Steak. Any nicely cooked meat dish like veal, beef or por. Anything with a savoury touch to it.

I like drinking – water, milk or a squash. Beer ugh!Can’t see the sense in drinking things that make you dopey

Best moment in Speedway – winning this years World Championship, I reckon. It meant a great deal more to me to go abroad, take on their best, and win so easily.Yes, although it was the easiest Final ‘ve ever ridden in, I think it was my greatest moment in speedway racing

And worst moment – lots of these too. I think perhaps the night I locked up with Peter Clark in a World Championship round at Wimbledon in1952. My throttle cable hitched on to his back mudguard… jerking it wide open. We both went through the safety fence at top speed. I thought I was going to die, everything was bathed in grey mist.

Ambitions – Yes I’ve still got a few. I’d like to be in the British team that won a World Cup. I don’t think we’ve put enough value on this competition. I’d like to be granted the facilities to help train younger, promising characters in speedway today. I’m sure I could knock a second off all their times, having seen what can be done with Wayne. Yes I’d like to see my kid brother get a few decent breaks instead of all the lousy ones

 

From the Speedway Post December 1964