Team ACE is widely recognized as the first official BMX team in the UK, assembled by Richard Barrington, who also helped organize the country’s first BMX event alongside Don Smith in 1979 at Brockwell Park, London. Early Team ACE riders included the likes of Andy Ruffell, Pete Middleton, Nicky Matthews, Steve Gratton, Cav Strutt, and Craig Schofield—many of whom went on to become the first generation of BMX superstars in the UK. In addition to these well-known names, we want to highlight other riders and individuals who were part of ACE Racing and share their stories, contributions, and connections to the team—and especially to the man behind it all, Richard…

Team ACE is widely recognized as the first official BMX team in the UK, assembled by Richard Barrington, who also helped organize the country’s first BMX event alongside Don Smith in 1979 at Brockwell Park, London. Early Team ACE riders included the likes of Andy Ruffell, Pete Middleton, Nicky Matthews, Steve Gratton, Cav Strutt, and Craig Schofield—many of whom went on to become the first generation of BMX superstars in the UK. In addition to these well-known names, we want to highlight other riders and individuals who were part of ACE Racing and share their stories, contributions, and connections to the team—and especially to the man behind it all, Richard…

When did you start BMX racing, and what was your first race? I started racing in 1980, and my first-ever race was at Redditch. I finished 5th in the final in the 17+ category, and that was enough to give me the BMX bug. What was your local track? Originally, my local track was Deddington, but in 1986, they built one just 200 yards from my house—so I had to get another bike! When were your main racing years? My most competitive racing years were 1980–1984. Any races I did after that, I rode more like an “old man”! Which BMX teams did you ride for? I rode for Hotshot,…

How did you discover BMX? I was watching a program on TV called Run-around, saw it, and was hooked — that’s all I went on about. First bike? Second hand Moto One. The first brand new was a Raleigh Ultra Burner, silver/blue. First race? My first race was at Bath on the Moto One. The evening before, I broke the rear sprocket. Not knowing anyone I could go to to fix it, I had to think on my feet. I took the rear wheel off my shopper — it had a Sturmey Archer 3-speed on it — so I pulled the toggle chain out to 2nd gear and jubilee clipped it…

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…

Year you started BMX? 1983. Hometown local track? Poole Panthers. How was the Bournemouth/Poole race scene in the 80s? It was certainly really big in the South back in the early eighties with three tracks in Dorset at Poole, Bournemouth and Mannington. There were also some other good local places for dirt jumping like the Sections at Upton Heath and the Chestnuts in Wareham. It certainly helped me having regular gate practice evenings with the likes of Tim March, Anthony Revell and Paul and Martin Upshall. Got to say that the Poole UKBMX National in 1984 was probably the best atmosphere I’ve ever experienced at a race meeting. We were…

What year did you start BMX? I started BMX in 1981. How did you discover BMX? My brother Neil Jones first discovered the new craze, and my father decided to sell his RM 125 to buy our first BMX bike from Tony Christen’s shop in Manchester. First bike? My first bike was a Mongoose Supergoose. First race? Our first race was at the Southport regional. Neil and I raced there on Good Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We both won all our races and got the bug to keep racing. You became National Champion the first year of Official National Racing in the UK in 1981. What do you remember about…

It’s been 40 years this summer since you became the first British rider to win a World Championships. You also got 3rd in Open class that weekend. You were so young at the time. Did you realised what you had done? Wow, has it been that long?! Honestly, I was so young I just didn’t take in what I’d achieved back then, couldn’t really understand the massive response to what I’d done as I was just a kid who loved riding his BMX and was a shy so felt a little awkward at times with all the attention.  I was lucky enough to travel the country every weekend with my brother and dad and…