Barry Briggs facts for kids
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| Born | 30 December 1934 Christchurch, New Zealand |
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| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Career history | |
| 1952–1959, 1974-1975 | Wimbledon Dons |
| 1960 | New Cross Rangers |
| 1961–1963 | Southampton Saints |
| 1964–1972 | Swindon Robins |
| 1976 | Hull Vikings |
| Individual honours | |
| 1957, 1958, 1964, 1966 | World Champion |
| 1959, 1963 | New Zealand Champion |
| 1961, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969 |
British Champion |
| 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970 |
British League Riders Champion |
| 1955 | London Riders' Champion |
| 1958 | Southern Riders' Champion |
| 1964, 1966, 1967, 1970 | Midland Riders' Champion |
| 1967 | Scottish Open Champion |
| 1958, 1961, 1965 | Pride of the Midlands winner |
| 1960, 1963, 1964 | Pride of the South winner |
| 1961, 1963, 1965 | The Laurels |
| 1966 | Olympique |
| 1964 | Internationale |
| Team honours | |
| 1968, 1971 | World Team Cup |
| 1954, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1962 |
National League Champion |
| 1967 | British League Champion |
| 1961 | National League KO Cup Winner |
| 1953, 1956, 1961 | National Trophy Winner |
| 1967, 1968 | Midland Cup Winner |
| 1974 | London Cup Winner |
| 1954 | RAC Cup Winner |
Barry Briggs MBE (born 30 December 1934) is a famous former speedway rider from New Zealand. Speedway is an exciting motorsport where riders race special motorcycles around an oval track. Barry Briggs is known as one of the greatest speedway riders of all time.
Contents
Amazing Career
Barry Briggs was a true champion in speedway racing. He won the top prize, the World Individual Championship, four times! He took home the title in 1957, 1958, 1964, and 1966. This shows how skilled and consistent he was.
He also set an amazing record by reaching the World Individual finals 17 times in a row, from 1954 to 1970. In total, he appeared in 18 World Finals. During these races, he scored a record 201 points.
Barry was also a six-time winner of the British Championship. He won his first British title in 1961. Then, he dominated the 1960s, winning again in 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, and 1969. He also won his home country's title, the New Zealand Championship, twice, in 1959 and 1963.
Riding for the Swindon Robins team, Barry also made history by winning the British League Riders' Championship for six years in a row, from 1965 to 1970.
Barry stopped racing in the British league in 1972. This was after a serious accident during the 1972 World Final race at Wembley Stadium. He returned to racing in 1974. He announced that 1975 would be his last season. However, he raced one more year with the Hull Vikings before finally retiring in 1976.
In the 1970s, Barry Briggs joined other world champion riders like Ivan Mauger and Ole Olsen. They went on tours around the world. They visited places like Australia, New Zealand, and the USA. Their trips to the USA, especially to the Costa Mesa Speedway in Los Angeles, helped make speedway popular again in America. Speedway had not been as popular there since before World War II.
Life After Racing
After his racing career, Barry Briggs continued to be involved in speedway. In 1973, he received an MBE. This award is a special honor given by the British King or Queen for great achievements. In 1990, he was added to the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame. This means he is recognized as one of New Zealand's greatest sports heroes.
Barry also took part in a special bike ride in 2010. He rode from John o' Groats in Scotland to Land's End in England. This long ride helped raise money for Sport Relief, a charity event by the BBC.
In his retirement, Barry became a mentor to many young speedway riders. He helped guide them, and some even went on to race in World Finals, like fellow New Zealander Mitch Shirra. Barry also used his voice for television. He became a speedway commentator in the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States. He helped explain the races to fans.
World Final Highlights
Barry Briggs had an incredible career with many appearances in major world finals.
Individual World Championship
Barry competed in the Individual World Championship 18 times. He won the title four times: in 1957, 1958, 1964, and 1966. He also finished second twice and third three times.
World Pairs Championship
Barry represented his country in the World Pairs Championship three times. He teamed up with Ivan Mauger in these events. They finished second in 1971 and third in 1974.
World Team Cup
Barry rode for Great Britain in the World Team Cup from 1962. He helped his team win the championship twice, in 1968 and 1971. He also helped them finish second twice and third five times.
World Longtrack Final
Barry also competed in the World Longtrack Final three times. This is another type of speedway racing on longer tracks. His best finish was fourth place in 1975.
