Sad news from Lars Sexton reaching out about the passing of former NBMXA Race Director, Ron Peters early this year.

Ron, along with his children Sue and Jamie discovered BMX in the early 80s in the North West (Wigan 3 Sisters and Chorley) and like so many families was hooked. Ron was one of the names behind the start of NBMXA, traveling up and down the country in the famous NBMXA Bus (used as registration); even today you can see in the background in so many great race images and videos from the NBMXA events during the 80s.

Ron would carry on in the sport until around 1988. Ron had taken the National Organization as far as he could possibly go and retired. In fact, good friend and NBMXA Referee, Bernard William had nominated Ron for an OBE for services to sport and the community, sadly this didn’t come to fruition, as Ron was not interested in that in the slightest, his reward had always been the sense of camaraderie and the smiles of the kids and the general togetherness that the whole period brought the family.

Friend at the time and Commentator, Tony Hoffman would often announce Ron over the commentary as Sir Ron Peters for all his hard work and dedication behind the scenes at NBMXA. He undoubtedly made an indelible mark and added to the great NBMXA history of the sport.

We’re topping over 40 years of BMX Racing history in the UK which also means over 40 years worth of officials and behind the scenes people that have contributed and done so much for BMX racing in the UK that it is really it a tall order to give each and everyone a nod but we will try and hit on as many as possible as we continue to move forward, post and document.

For starters alone there is a long list of legendary names but maybe one of the most well-known, early starters has got to be Mr.Les Slater. Dad of Tony and probably like his partner during the peak years, Vic Roberts Les was featured in the mags regularly and appeared on TV when BMX was shown. Who can forget the clip of him disqualifying Brian Patterson for jumping the gate at the Gateshead round of the 84 Kelloggs that was broadcasted on the show end credits.

This shot of Les was in the 83 Aug issue of BMX Action Bike and from the looks of it could have been taken at the Halfords NEC indoor event.

Next up, it’s time to tip the hat to one of the Westway OG locals, featured in BMX Action Bikes “Meanwhile Madness” article, August issue 1983 2 page spread – Mr. Errol Mclean.

Errol, one of the Brunswick Boys crew who I think also worked at the legendary shop Alpine Action at some point. You cannot see any photos or video footage from those early 80s days from Westway without Errol being in the mix or featured.

Errol went on to ride for teams like Diamond Back, Skyway, Rainbow JMC and Hutch during the 85 Kelloggs and had a long stint on Edwards.

So much history, talent and foundation for UK BMX was made in London during those early 80s in BMX. Anything Scott Dick or Nigel Beatty posts are always a great read with their roots. And, I definitely think Errol is a huge part of that history.

1986 was a big year for Tom Lynch coming into Superclass at only 16, signing for Tony Hoffman’s Robinson Team and quickly becoming the main man to beat in the class. Halford’s Darrin Stock challenged but by mid-summer, Tom was lighting up the comp in true Lynch fashion coming from behind. His performance at the 86 Euros in Germany beating the Dutch Amev Superclass Team in the final was impressive and still talked about today.

At the Slough Worlds again Lynch was looking like the guy to beat finishing 3rd in the Final which was a huge result even though we know Tom wanted more. The Dutch Amev were not about to let it happen again but it was still a great few weeks for the Lynch Man.

Rounding up the 86 season, Tom left Robinson and went to ASR wrapping up the UKBMX Superclass number 1 plate in the process. What would have been interesting to see is how Tom would have done if he had lined up with the UK Pros around this time with the likes of Ruffs, Shooter, Schofield and March. It would have been interesting to see who would’ve came out on top.

Pictured 1984 NBMXA National Nottingham – no. 15 Aaron Valente (National 2 for the year), no. 4 Matt James who went on to win the British Championships that year at Derby Greyhound Stadium and no. 154 new kid on the block Paul Ray from Cornwall. By the looks of this shot Paul just got picked up by Redline and goes on to win the NBMXA National Series that year and a late run in UKBMX, with a handful of National wins but not enough to steal the number 1 plate from Hutch’s Danny Stabielli who takes the title for the 2nd year running.

1984 NBMXA British Championships

17+ Simon Bailey, 16s Geth Shooter, 15s Lloyd Grove, 14s Rich Freeman, 13s Nick Dalton, 12s Derrick Owens, 11s Stuart Anderson, 10s Matt James, 9s Mike Nichols, 8s Neil Huddart, 7s Nicholas Gill, 6s David Maw, 5s James Lee

Cruiser Geth Shooter

14+ Girls Julie Woodward, 11-13 Girls Rachel Holmes, 8-10 Girls Caroline Goward, 5-7 Girls Donna Hoffman

1984 NBMXA National Series

17+ Mike Brown, 16s Geth Shooter, 15s Darrin Stock, 14s Tom Lynch, 13s Nick Dalton, 12s Anthony Howells, 11s Mark Greig, 10s Paul Ray, 9s Paul Webster, 8s Neil Huddart, 7s Nicholas Gill, 6s David Ives, 5s Greg Rhodes

Cruiser Geth Shooter, Cruiser 25+ Roger Hammond

14+ Girls Alison Deguitis, 11-13 Girls Sarah-Jane Nichols, 8-10 Girls Tammy Goddard, 5-7 Girls Michelle Webster

1984 UKBMX Rankings 

Superclass Tim March, 17+ John Vile, 16s Martin Jose, 15s Gary Llewellyn, 14s Stu Diggins, 13s Wayne Llewellyn, 12s Anthony Howells, 11s John Greaves, 10s Danny Stabielli, 9s Dylan Clayton, 8s Scott Vogl, 7s Dean Stabielli, 6s David Maw, 5s Chris Stanforth

Cruiser 25+ Danny Tennant, Cruiser 15/25 Charlie Reynolds, Cruiser 14 & Under Mark Watkins

14+ Girls Debbie Scott Webb, 12/13 Girls Sarah-Janes Nichols, 10/11 Girls Paula Dibben, 8/9 Girls Nicola Howells, 7 & Under Girls Michelle Chenary

1984 UKBMX Champion of Champions Olympia 

Superclass Tim March, Superclass Trophy Pete Middleton, 17+ Frankie Romain, 16s Charlie Reynolds, 15s Gary Llewellyn, 14s Lee Alexander, 13s Wayne Llewellyn, 12s Anthony Howells, 11s Ashley Davis, 10s Nathan Lunn, 9s Dylan Clayton, 8s Louis Mears, 7s Ben Beasley, 6s David Maw, 5s Rowan Fryer

Cruiser 25+ Pete Sims, Cruiser 15/25 Gary Llewellyn, Cruiser 14 & Under Tim Print

14+ Girls Alison Diegutis, 12/13 Girls Sarah Jane Nichols, 10/11 Girls Donna Chisholm, 7 & Under Girls Michelle Chenary

 

1983 things get interesting after NBMXA rolls out its first year of National & Regional racing alongside the NBMXA British Championships at Derby Greyhound Stadium. Meanwhile, UKBMX has a full National Series alongside the UK Open Championships at Knebworth House. If anyone has the Knebworth results please let us know so we can add them to the site. It looks like it was not covered in any magazines.

Andy Ruffell becomes the only rider to win 3 UKBMX Title years in a row in 83 Craig Schofield & Tim March win their 2nd. With the start of NBMXA, a whole host of new names became National and British Champions.
Pictured: Debbie Scott Webb (GT) Alice Temple (Robinson) who both won their 2nd UKBMX National titles in 83. Debbie won in 81 and Alice the previous year.

1983 UKBMX Rankings

17+ Tim March, 16s Andy Ruffell, 15s Martin Jose, 14s Craig Schofield, 13s Stu Diggins, 12s Wayne Llewellyn, 11s Damian Myles, 10s Cliff Welley, 9s Danny Stabielli, 8s Jason Spurr, 7s Louis Mears, 6s Dean Stabielli, 5s David Maw

Senior Girls Alice Temple, Intermediate Girls Debbie Scott Webb, Junior Girls Kim Marie Edge

1983 NBMXA National Rankings

17+ Steve Gratton, 16s Mark Cracknell, 15s Ian Harrison or Harvey Munckton, 14s Darrin Stock, 13s Tim Print, 12s Mark O’Connor, 11s Anthony Howells, 10s Tim Hammond, 9s Paul Cobbing, 8s Richard Hunt, 7s Neil Huddart, 6s Steve Cragg, 5s Paul Meyers

Senior Girls Julie Woodward, Intermediate Girls Sarah-Jane Nichols, Junior Girls Debbie Haynes

Cruiser Roger Hammond

1983 NBMXA British Championships

17+ Darren Bullock, 16s Mark Cracknell, 15s Scott Williams, 14s Gary O’Connor, 13s Stu Diggins, 12s Nick Dalton, 11s Brad Smith, 10s John Greaves, 9s Alan Brookes, 8s Zac Taylor, 7s Neil Huddart, 6s Nick Simms, 5s David Maw

Senior Girls Sharon Elliott, Intermediate Women Sarah-Jane Nichols, Junior Girls Rebecca Slowley

Cruiser Dave Thomas