• Simon Bailey

    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…

  • Charlie Reynolds

    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…

  • Norman Darbyshire, Sam Wood, Vic Roberts

    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…

  • RIP David Duffield

    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)…

  • Keith Duly (Jim Dirt) Interview

    If you were around in the UK race scene during the mid 80s through the 90s or read the UK magazines during that time then, no doubt, you’ll be familiar with Keith Duly. Keith, a Bexhill / Hastings local, was a top National racer during the latter part of the 80s but really made a name for himself during the King of Dirt Series at the National events. It really took off in the early 90s and along with other top racers at the time like Stephen & Martin Murray, Dylan Clayton, Kye Forte, Clive Gosling and so many others these guys could send it in the dirt comps then…

  • 1984 Trevor Robinson

    1984 Trevor Robinson wins the first-ever Pro-money Race in the UK – From the very start of racing in the UK in 1979 it wasn’t until March of 1984 before the first, official Pro-money event where the top riders lined-up for a chance to be part of British race history. The event was put on by Fred Hunter of Dronfield Demons and took place at the Derby Greyhound Stadium under the floodlights – classified as an open meeting, as the race was not eligible for National points in either UKBMX or NBMXA. A total of 650 riders turned out on a cold, wet March winter Sunday with the only absent,…

  • 1986 NBMXA British Championships

    Pro Tim March, Andy Ruffell, Geth Shooter, Tony Holland, Jamie Vince, Craig Schofield, Nicky Matthews, Richard Thorner  17+ Marcus Rich, 16s David Morris, 15s Andy Welsh, 14s Simon Blinkhorn, 13s Jeremy Kenning, 12s Chris Bennett, 11s Mark Gleed, 10s Neil Huddart, 9s Matt Boyle, 8s David Maw, 7s Chris Hyde, 6s Stu Wilson, 5s Brad Anderson 13-15 Cruiser Paul Clarkson, 16+ Cruiser Darrin Stock, 25-34 Cruiser Phil Turner, 35+ Cruiser John Johns 7 & Under Girls Amy Dunn,  8-9 Girls Donna Hoffman, 10-11 Girls Lindsey Smale, 12-13 Girls Lisa Wright, 14+ Girls Sarah-Jane Nichols  

  • Runnymeade Rockets BMX

    Runnymeade Rockets Track Chertsey Surrey during the mid 80s designed by British Champions, Tim O’Shea & Marcus Rich. At the time, this track was one of the more technical and challenging in the UK with a long, first straight and a peaky-first speed jump up to a 15ft double into the first, big wide-open 180 or “The Wall”, as it was called. The second straight, consisted of a technical step-up with the key to catch backside to set yourself up for another wide-open 180 into a tall camel jump. Last turn, another wide-open 180 turn into a long, last straight with a table-top followed by triples to the finish line.…

  • 1986 NBMXA National Champions

    Pro Tim March 17+ Darrin Stock, 16 David Morris, 15 Sean Field, 14 Neal Wood, 13 Geremy Kenning, 12 Lee Pickstone, 11 Dylan Clayton, 10 Karl Moult, 9 Simon Jones, 8 David Maw, 7 Chris Hyde, 6 Stu Wilson, 5 Dale Masterman 13-15 Cruiser Paul Clarkson, 16+ Cruiser Darrin Stock, 25+ Cruiser Phil Turner,  35+ Cruiser John Terry 5-7 Girls Claire Buckinger,  8-9 Girls Donna Hoffman, 10-11 Girls Linsey Smale, 12-13 Girls Lisa Wright, 14+ Girls Sarah-Jane Nichols