Interview Bobby Hyde – UKBMX 16x No. 1 1987

Active years racing?
10 years, 1983 to 1993

How did you get into racing?
My friend at school brought in a BMX Action Bike magazine and that was it, I was hooked. ET had just come out as well. I found out about Hayes track and rode up there. There happened to be a race going on and I got to see all the tricked out bikes and race gear that I had seen in the mags. It was like a different world. I had discovered BMX racing. My first race was the 1983 Hayes UKBMX National. I rode 12 novice, made the semis but crashed.

Local scene and riding crew?
In the London area we had quite a few tracks within riding distance or a short train ride, so we were always at a track including Hayes, Hounslow, Westway, Slough, Dormers, Harrow and Meanwhile skatepark. We were building start gates and ridiculous ramps at the infamous White Flats, which is where I met my partner in crime Keith Joseph. There were a bunch of us that went riding, Winnie Wright, Nicky Restall, Chico Hooke, my little brother Chris, too many to mention, and we would always meet up with other riders at the tracks.

Your mum, Val, played a big role in UKBMX behind the scenes. Tell us a little more about her role in the federation.
My mum started by helping out at the finish line and registration. She worked for UKBMX and then EBA doing licenses, pre registration for the races and general admin work. When the office closed she ran it from home. She ran Hillingdon Hawks for a while too. There were a lot of parents helping out at the races in all areas, not paid and never really appreciated, in some real ropey weather. Without them the races could not be run. So to all those who worked registration, start hill, finish line, referees and any area of race day, thank you.

How long did it take before you knew you could win at the highest level and contend for a National title?
It took a while. I raced 13x in 1984, a lot of nationals. I went out in the motos, 1/8 and 1/4 finals. I made two semis that year, Buckmore and Poole. I amassed 5 points that year and earned the 33 plate. I had a national ranking. The next couple of years were tough. I was not ranked nationally, again motos, 1/8 and 1/4s.

In 1987 in 16x I made my first national final at Wigan. I came third. That year was really good, I made every final, coming third and fourth. That was the year when the last three nationals were worth more points, they called them Grand Prix.

The last National that year was at Hounslow. Dean Iddiols had gone Superclass so that left Martin Parker in the points lead. Hounslow was Martin Parker’s home track, I think he lived under the water jump, he was always there. Somehow Martin did not make it out of the motos. Paul Roberts came up to me and said you know you could get number one today if you finished third or better. I had worked the points out and already knew that, but for someone else to say it to me I had to pinch myself. Anyway the final came and I placed third.

I have to tell you, the few years before that where I had come fifth so many times and did not go through, to achieve that goal of National number one felt bloody good.

That year taught me consistency. The next year was 17x, again consistently made every final, doing well, and then at Bretons I won my first National. That was another amazing feeling. Then the Superclass final ran and Winnie Wright won his first Superclass final. My celebrations were short lived as anyone who knew Winnie, he was larger than life. I was as pleased for him as I was for myself. Winnie was that special. I finished number two that year, another amazing year.

Rivals during this period?
There were so many. Dean Iddiols, Martin Parker, Clive Gosling, Paul Roberts, Keith Joseph, Robert Indri, Ian Feen. To be honest my rivals were whoever was on the gate.

Why didn’t you ever race NBMXA?
I raced NBMXA. Again I was motos, 1/8 and 1/4s. I did not do much until 16x came around.

Sponsors during your years?
I made it onto the Free Agent Factory Team. Scott Dick was team manager.

Your brother, Chris Hyde, was a UK 80s factory little star and went on to win the 1990 World Championships. Give us the 411 on Chris’ racing and why he was so good.
Wow, where do you start with Chris. He was amazing. He came everywhere with me. He rode 13 miles to Slough BMX track when he was 7. I used to try and sneak out without him but my mum was too quick and made me take him with me. He started out on a mini burner and a motorcycle helmet. He took to BMX like a fish to water. I used to hold his back wheel on the start gate and then boom he was gone, another win in the record books.

His first national on a DP Mini Firebird at Teesside he came third. 5x was a tough class then, some good riders, all sponsored, like Chris cared. His first year he finished number two behind Chris Stanforth. We did not race three nationals that year. The next year it was lights out, Chris won number one. He got picked up by Raleigh and to be honest I think he was number one for many years, maybe six or seven, both UK and NBMXA.

In 1985 he came third at the IBMXF World Championships in Canada. In France at the 1990 Worlds he took home the win. As a big brother I could not have been more proud. The only title Chris missed was European Champion, lots of seconds and thirds but never the win. Like he is bothered, World Champ sounds a lot better. After he won we did not call him Chris anymore, he was World Champ. Love you bruv.