I think it’s fair to say these photos capture some of the second generation of UKBMX/NBMXA racers competing under the EBA banner, taken at Hounslow in 1989. By then, most of the big-name UK Pro Class stars from the 80s—the magazines, the Kelloggs, the NEC, Earls Court, TV appearances, and the big factory teams of the early BMX boom—had moved on. But among the younger riders who had been climbing the ranks in the early 80s and stuck around, it was their time to shine. New teams were being formed on small budgets. Zines, race programs, and dedicated dads with video cameras were documenting the racing—replacing the likes of Channel…

Scotland’s First BMX Track and Event – Whithaugh Park, April 12, 1981 Whithaugh Park was designed and built by Mongoose’s Malcolm Jarvis, the Jarvis family, and a small crew. In just one week of construction, the track was completed and ready for Scotland’s first official BMX race — a UKBMX National event — held on April 12, 1981. Malcolm Jarvis said: “We started construction on Monday and ran a mainstream televised international event by the weekend. Five dawn-to-dusk days flat out for a few of us.” Both BMX News and Official BMX covered the race. Only a small number of racers made the trip north, including Andy Ruffell and the…

Photo taken at the 1988 BBMXA British Championships, featuring all nine FIAC British World Champions from a month earlier at the FIAC World Championships in Belgium, where they each won their individual classes. Left to right: Philip Shirtliff, Gary O’Brien, Lisa Wright, Daniel Worthington, Pete Dymott, Shauna Godber, Tony Gilham, Stacey Iddon, and Kerie J. Hopkins.

What year did you start racing? I got my first BMX in 1979—an orange and black Team Murray from Halfords for £79.99. I started racing in 1983 but only did one race at The Band Arena in Morecambe. I didn’t make the final but got into the trophy dash—and won it. It wasn’t until the Pontins track was built that I started racing properly on a Raleigh Burner with steel skinnies. Loved it. What was your local track or favorite spot when you first started? I started racing around the North West—Wigan, Ribby Hall, Kendal, Chorley (the old Chorley track in the quarry), and Preston. I liked Preston quite a…

Can you remember when you first heard about BMX and what year it was? I first heard about BMX in 1980 from my riding partner, Paul Barter’s dad. I’m not 100% certain, but I think he saw something in a local paper. Were you already riding a Grifter at the time? I already had a Raleigh Grifter, and once I heard about BMX, I started converting it. National racing didn’t officially start until 1981, but you were actually racing in 1980. Can you remember your first event and some of the riders you raced with? My first event was in 1980 at Buckmore Park—the rest, as they say, is history—I…