It was rumored even during his last few years of racing that amateur, Dylan Clayton, was making more money racing for the French Sunn Team than any of the European-based Elite / Pro top riders at the time. He got big bonus checks for all of the major titles and in his last year as an Am, Dylan cleaned house winning the EBA National Number 1, EBA British Championship, doubling at the European Championships in Sweden and a few weeks later doubling yet again at the UCI World Championship in Holland. Job done and onto Pro / Elite for 1994.

Photo Credit: Neill Phillips

1984 was the breakout year for Geth Shooter riding for Bunny’s GT Bike Shop Team. Geth was making waves on the NBMXA scene by the end of the season, Geth had wrapped up NBMXA National titles in the 16 expert & Cruiser before going onto winning 17 plus at the Club Championships ( see clip below ) at Nottingham’s Colwick stadium. Geth, then finished up the year in NBMXA doubling at the British Championships a week later. During the winter, Geth was picked up by Redline, turned Pro and was ready for the 85′ season to play — with March, Ruffell and all of the UK BMX big names of the sport.

Not many riders had the chance to challenge or even beat Andy Ruffell during the 1983-85 years but one guy that did was Hutch’s, Simon Bailey from Doncaster. It was the 1984 NBMXA Nottingham Re-Run Nationals where basically the first scheduled Nottingham National of the year had ran out of day light during the semi finals so another date was set to finish up the meeting. The real challenge was getting everyone that had raced the first National to show up for the rescheduled one later in the year.

With Tim Match a no-show, the 17 plus main event looked like a breeze for Andy Ruffell against the NBMXA 17 plus regulars but Simon Bailey had other plans taking the win from start to finish with Ruffell 2nd and John Lee 3rd.
Bailey never went onto win a National number 1 plate but did win the NBMXA British Championships this same year at Derby dethroning NBMXA reigning Champ, Mark Cracknell, he also raced the 1985 Kelloggs series before retiring at the end of 85.

So many talented riders came out of London during the 80s in both Freestyle & Racing. Charlie Reynolds from South London was not only a talent on a bike but also a huge personality off the bike. If reality TV was around during these times, I could not think of a better candidate than Charlie to feature on any TV show. The ratings would have gone through the roof — he was that good.

There are so many legendary stories and quotes from the Charlie era, if you were around during these times then I’m sure you would of heard or saw the blacked-out BMW with a Boom-a-rang suited with a VIP bar and TV in the back seats. (remember this is the 80s ) Charlie pulling 360 over Wigan’s Kong Pro-Section Jump with Moon-Boots on, the huge Miami Vice Mobile phone and bum bag always full of cash, the huge 360 at the 1990 World Championships in France and who could not forget the 720s most of the time shirtless, with no helmet on.

Charlie was a showman but backed it up. Not many people could challenge Geth Shooter during his rise through the ranks, but Charlie battled and beat Geth on many occasions during their expert class days.

Charlie definitely hung up his helmet before his sell by date but always would make a few appearances over the years, win some races, bust out some 360s then be gone again.

The golden years of UKBMX racing was not just about Andy Ruffell, Tim March and all of the familiar names we saw at the races, on TV and read about in the magazines. Some other names off the track also helped make racing magical during the the 80s when the sport was growing at a fast pace. If you raced UKBMX and enjoyed to throw an elbow or go a little early on the gate, then chances are you ran into Chief Referee, Norman Darbyshire. Norman was a little intimidating if you ever saw him walking towards you at the finish line after a race – you’d take a deep breath – yet at the same time, he was always fair and respected all the riders with the decisions he made. He was a “ref” throughout the 80s and into the 90s both in the UK and on the international stage including European and World Championships races.

Sam Wood, pictured in the center, was not only Team manager to some of UK’s big Factory Teams including Skyway, Pro-Lite and Raleigh but also one of the best commentators ever to hold a microphone, even today. Sam had style not just in the Pits but also with his team set ups and was a huge crowd favorite on the mic every time he climbed in the tower. Every National with Sam’s commentary would be guaranteed with an electrical atmosphere. If you check out some National archives on youtube there is a good chance you will come across some of Sam’s great “one-liners” during the races. Anyone remember “Humongous” or Sam’s identifiable “put-on” Jamaican accent he would use when Winston Wright was out on the track! Sam also spent time as Chairman of UKBMX for a period of time and did a fine job at that as well along with being such a likable character on the UKBMX scene.

Vic Roberts ( pictured right ) like Sam was from London’s Region 9 and was one of the legendary UKBMX starters from the 80s with his slow-call ( compared to most starters ) yet precise & consistent dropping of the gate. And, how can you not remember those first words you would hear from Vic when you were lined up on the gate ready to go, “Set em’ up Lads”. Vic shared the starting duty at the Nationals with notables like; Les Slater, Brian Pickstone and Sonny Ives and also enjoyed the honor of being one of the official starters for the 1986 Slough World Championships.

David Duffield one of the key guys that brought BMX to the UK has sadly passed away. David was influential in Halford’s involvement in BMX in the early days with the Redditch Track and legendary events put on by Halford’s like the Anglo American Cup. David was also the TV commentator for the first Kelloggs in 1984 and numerous other BMX Shows that were televised in the early 80s.

Below was posted on the Redditch Premiers BMX Club Page.

UK BMX Pioneer and creator of the original Redditch BMX Track, David Duffield has sadly passed away at age 83 after a fall. David brought the sport of Bicycle Motorcross (BMX) to our shores when he was marketing manager at Halford’s Head Office in Redditch. He always said, “he knew it was going to work!” He played a big part in building the first BMX Track almost opposite the Halford’s Head Office off Icknield Street Drive, in Redditch. The first official BMX race took place on 30th of August 1980 at the Redditch BMX Track. National, regional and open races took place at the track with hundreds of children and young people using it every day.The Redditch BMX Track hosted the first International Anglo American races of 81 and 82- BMX was booming!!! David went on to become a legendary Eurosport Cycling Commentator covering races such as the Tour De France. We tracked David down and invited him to the Redditch BMX Tracks opening ceremony some 30 years later on 10th of July 2010. David left some memorabilia in the Club house for us. Thoughts go out to David’s family and friends. Thank you David and rest in peace x