# Barry Briggs

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New Zealand speedway rider

Barry Briggs MBE Born (1934-12-30) 30 December 1934 (age 91) Christchurch, New Zealand 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](/source/Member_of_the_Most_Excellent_Order_of_the_British_Empire) (born 30 December 1934) is a New Zealand former [speedway](/source/Motorcycle_speedway) rider.[1][2]

## Career

He won the [World Individual Championship](/source/Speedway_World_Championship) title four times: in 1957, 1958, 1964 and 1966.[3] He appeared in a record 17 consecutive World Individual finals (1954–70), and a record 18 in all, during which he scored a record 201 points. He also won the [London Riders' Championship](/source/London_Riders'_Championship) in 1955 whilst riding for the [Wimbledon Dons](/source/Wimbledon_Dons).[4] He is also a six-time winner of the [British Championship](/source/British_Speedway_Championship). He won the first final in 1961 and then dominated the sixties titles by winning in 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, and 1969.[5] Briggs also twice won his home title, the [New Zealand Championship](/source/New_Zealand_Individual_Speedway_Championship), winning in 1959 and again in 1963.

Briggs also created a domestic record by winning the [British League Riders Championship](/source/British_League_Riders'_Championship) for six consecutive years from 1965 to 1970, representing the [Swindon Robins](/source/Swindon_Robins).[6][7][8]

Briggs retired from British league racing in 1972 after an accident during Heat 5 of the [World Final](/source/1972_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) at [Wembley Stadium](/source/Wembley_Stadium_(1923)) with Swedish rider [Bernt Persson](/source/Bernt_Persson).[9] As a result of the accident, Briggs lost the index finger of his left hand,[10] but returned in 1974, then announcing in 1975 that this would be his last season[11] but actually returning for another year with Hull Vikings, retiring for a final time in 1976.

During the early to mid-1970s, Briggs was one of a number of World Champion riders (along with fellow kiwi [Ivan Mauger](/source/Ivan_Mauger) and Denmark's [Ole Olsen](/source/Ole_Olsen_(speedway_rider))) as well as a number of others such as [Edward Jancarz](/source/Edward_Jancarz) and [Zenon Plech](/source/Zenon_Plech) from Poland and England's [Chris Pusey](/source/Chris_Pusey_(speedway_rider)), who embarked on world tours to Australia, his native New Zealand and the USA. Their trips to the US, primarily the [Costa Mesa Speedway](/source/Costa_Mesa_Speedway) in [Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles), helped spark the American motorcycle speedway scene which had been dormant on the world stage since the pre-[World War II](/source/World_War_II) days of [1937 World Champion](/source/1937_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) [Jack Milne](/source/Jack_Milne_(speedway_rider)), his brother [Cordy Milne](/source/Cordy_Milne) and [Wilbur Lamoreaux](/source/Wilbur_Lamoreaux).

## After retirement

In 1973 Briggs was awarded an [MBE](/source/MBE_(Order_of_the_British_Empire)) for his services to sport and in 1990 he was inducted into the [New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame](/source/New_Zealand_Sports_Hall_of_Fame). From 17 March 2010 Briggs took part in a [John o' Groats](/source/John_o'_Groats) to [Land's End](/source/Land's_End) bike ride to raise money for the [BBC's](/source/BBC) [Sport Relief](/source/Sport_Relief).[12]

In retirement, Briggs became the mentor to many young riders who went on to race in World Finals including fellow Kiwi [Mitch Shirra](/source/Mitch_Shirra). He also lent his voice to television, becoming a speedway commentator in the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States of America.

## World final appearances

### Individual World Championship

- [1954](/source/1954_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) – London, [Wembley Stadium](/source/Wembley_Stadium_(1923)) – 6th – 9pts

- [1955](/source/1955_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) – London, Wembley Stadium – **3rd** – 12+2pts

- [1956](/source/1956_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) – London, Wembley Stadium – 7th – 10pts

- [1957](/source/1957_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) – London, Wembley Stadium – **Winner** – 14pts + 3pts

- [1958](/source/1958_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) – London, Wembley Stadium – **Winner** – 15pts

- [1959](/source/1959_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) – London, Wembley Stadium – **3rd** – 11+3pts

- [1960](/source/1960_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) – London, Wembley Stadium – 6th – 9pts

- [1961](/source/1961_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) – [Malmö](/source/Malm%C3%B6), [Malmö Stadion](/source/Malm%C3%B6_Stadion) – 4th – 12pts + 1pt

- [1962](/source/1962_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) – London, Wembley Stadium – **2nd** – 13pts

- [1963](/source/1963_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) – London, Wembley Stadium – **3rd** – 12pts

- [1964](/source/1964_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) – [Gothenburg](/source/Gothenburg), [Ullevi](/source/Ullevi) – **Winner** – 15pts

- [1965](/source/1965_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) – London, Wembley Stadium – 4th – 10pts

- [1966](/source/1966_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) – Gothenburg, Ullevi – **Winner** – 15pts

- [1967](/source/1967_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) – London, Wembley Stadium – 5th – 11pts

- [1968](/source/1968_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) – Gothenburg, Ullevi – **2nd** – 12pts

- [1969](/source/1969_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) – London, Wembley Stadium – **2nd** – 11pts + 3pts

- [1970](/source/1970_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) – [Wrocław](/source/Wroc%C5%82aw), [Olympic Stadium](/source/Olympic_Stadium_(Wroc%C5%82aw)) – 7th – 7pts

- [1972](/source/1972_Individual_Speedway_World_Championship) – London, Wembley Stadium – 14th – 3pts[3]

### World Pairs Championship

- [1971](/source/1971_Speedway_World_Pairs_Championship) – [Rybnik](/source/Rybnik), [Rybnik Municipal Stadium](/source/Rybnik_Municipal_Stadium) (with [Ivan Mauger](/source/Ivan_Mauger)) – **2nd** – 25pts (13)

- [1974](/source/1974_Speedway_World_Pairs_Championship) – [Manchester](/source/Manchester), [Hyde Road](/source/Hyde_Road_(speedway)) (with Ivan Mauger) – **3rd** – 21pts (4)

- [1976](/source/1976_Speedway_World_Pairs_Championship) – [Eskilstuna](/source/Eskilstuna), [Eskilstuna Motorstadion](/source/Eskilstuna_Motorstadion) (with Ivan Mauger) – 5th – 15pts (7)

### World Team Cup

- [1962](/source/1962_Speedway_World_Team_Cup) – [Slaný](/source/Slan%C3%BD) (with [Ronnie Moore](/source/Ronnie_Moore_(speedway_rider)) / [Peter Craven](/source/Peter_Craven) / [Ron How](/source/Ron_How) / [Cyril Maidment](/source/Cyril_Maidment)) – **2nd** – 24pts (8)

- [1963](/source/1963_Speedway_World_Team_Cup) – [Vienna](/source/Vienna), [Stadion Wien](/source/Ernst-Happel-Stadion) (with Peter Craven / [Dick Fisher](/source/Dick_Fisher_(speedway_rider)) / [Peter Moore](/source/Peter_Moore_(speedway_rider))) – **3rd** – 25pts (12)

- [1964](/source/1964_Speedway_World_Team_Cup) – [Abensberg](/source/Abensberg), [Abensberg Stadion](/source/Abensberg_Stadion) (with [Ron How](/source/Ron_How) / [Ken McKinlay](/source/Ken_McKinlay) / [Nigel Boocock](/source/Nigel_Boocock) / [Brian Brett](/source/Brian_Brett_(speedway_rider))) – **3rd** – 21pts (9)

- [1965](/source/1965_Speedway_World_Team_Cup) – [Kempten](/source/Kempten) (with [Charlie Monk](/source/Charlie_Monk_(speedway_rider)) / Nigel Boocock / Ken McKinlay / [Jimmy Gooch](/source/Jimmy_Gooch_(speedway_rider))) – **3rd** – 18pts (1)

- [1966](/source/1966_Speedway_World_Team_Cup) – [Wrocław](/source/Wroc%C5%82aw), [Olympic Stadium](/source/Olympic_Stadium_(Wroc%C5%82aw)) (with Nigel Boocock / [Terry Betts](/source/Terry_Betts) / Ivan Mauger / [Colin Pratt](/source/Colin_Pratt)) – 4th – 8pts (1)

- [1967](/source/1967_Speedway_World_Team_Cup) – [Malmö](/source/Malm%C3%B6), [Malmö Stadion](/source/Malm%C3%B6_Stadion) (with [Ray Wilson](/source/Ray_Wilson_(speedway_rider)) / [Eric Boocock](/source/Eric_Boocock) / Ivan Mauger / Colin Pratt) – **3rd=** – 19pts (8)

- [1968](/source/1968_Speedway_World_Team_Cup) – London, Wembley Stadium (with Ivan Mauger / Nigel Boocock / [Martin Ashby](/source/Martin_Ashby) / [Norman Hunter](/source/Norman_Hunter_(speedway_rider))) – **Winner** – 40pts (7)

- [1969](/source/1969_Speedway_World_Team_Cup) – [Rybnik](/source/Rybnik), [Rybnik Municipal Stadium](/source/Rybnik_Municipal_Stadium) (with Martin Ashby / Nigel Boocock / Ivan Mauger) – **2nd** – 27pts (8)

- [1970](/source/1970_Speedway_World_Team_Cup) – London, Wembley Stadium (with Ivan Mauger / Nigel Boocock / Eric Boocock / Ray Wilson) – **2nd** – 31pts (11)

- [1971](/source/1971_Speedway_World_Team_Cup) – Wroclaw, Olympic Stadium (with [Jim Airey](/source/Jim_Airey) / Ray Wilson / Ivan Mauger / Ronnie Moore) – **Winner** – 37pts (6)

*Note: Briggs rode for [Great Britain](/source/Great_Britain_national_speedway_team) in the World Team Cup from 1962*

### World Longtrack Final

- 1971 – [Oslo](/source/Oslo) (6th) 10pts

- 1975 – [Radgona](/source/Radgona) (4th) 19pts

- 1976 – [Mariánské Lázně](/source/Mari%C3%A1nsk%C3%A9_L%C3%A1zn%C4%9B) (11th) 7pts

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Montague, Trevor (2004). *The A-Z of Sport*. Little, Brown. p. 515. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-316-72645-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-316-72645-1).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022"](https://britishspeedway.co.uk/docs/Ultimate_Index_1929-2022.pdf) (PDF). *British Speedway*. Retrieved 5 August 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-swc_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-swc_3-1) Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). *A History of the World Speedway Championship*. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7524-2402-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7524-2402-5)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sil_4-0)** Jacobs, Norman (2001). *Speedway in London*. Stroud: Tempus Publishing [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7524-2221-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7524-2221-9)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-hamm_5-0)** Belton, Brian (2003). *Hammerin' Round*. Stroud: Tempus Publishing [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7524-2438-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7524-2438-6)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Martin Rogers (1978). *The Illustrated History of Speedway*. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-904584-45-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-904584-45-3)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Speedway Champ"](https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001752/19651017/298/0030). *Sunday Mail (Glasgow)*. 17 October 1965. Retrieved 31 May 2023 – via [British Newspaper Archive](/source/British_Newspaper_Archive).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Speedway"](https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002135/19691020/346/0019). *Birmingham Daily Post*. 20 October 1969. Retrieved 1 June 2023 – via [British Newspaper Archive](/source/British_Newspaper_Archive).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Barry Briggs Wembley and beyond

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Bott_10-0)** Bott, Richard (1973) *The Champions Book of Speedway No. 4*, Stanley Paul & Co. Ltd., [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-09-116380-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-09-116380-3), pp. 24–31

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Lawson, K (2018) “Rebels 1975 – The Last Season”.pg144 [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-244-99725-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-244-99725-0)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Barry Briggs: The Ride"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131017141443/http://www.briggo.net/). Archived from [the original](http://www.briggo.net/) on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2010.

## External links

- [Barry Briggs](https://www.nzhalloffame.co.nz/Inductees/B/Barry-Briggs#container) at the [New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame](/source/New_Zealand_Sports_Hall_of_Fame)

- [New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame](https://web.archive.org/web/20080408095736/http://www.nzhalloffame.co.nz/page.pasp?searchtext=Search+the+Hall+of+Fame+Inductees&Go=Go) at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) (archived 8 April 2008)

- [http://grasstrackgb.co.uk/world-longtrack/](http://grasstrackgb.co.uk/world-longtrack/)

v t e Speedway World Champions 1936 - L. Van Praag 1937 - J Milne 1938 - B. Wilkinson 1949 - T. Price 1950 - F. Williams 1951 - J. Young 1952 - J. Young 1953 - F. Williams 1954 - R. Moore 1955 - P. Craven 1956 - O. Fundin 1957 - B. Briggs 1958 - B. Briggs 1959 - R. Moore 1960 - O. Fundin 1961 - O. Fundin 1962 - P. Craven 1963 - O. Fundin 1964 - B. Briggs 1965 - B. Knutson 1966 - B. Briggs 1967 - O. Fundin 1968 - I. Mauger 1969 - I. Mauger 1970 - I. Mauger 1971 - O. Olsen 1972 - I. Mauger 1973 - J. Szczakiel 1974 - A. Michanek 1975 - O. Olsen 1976 - P. Collins 1977 - I. Mauger 1978 - O. Olsen 1979 - I. Mauger 1980 - M. Lee 1981 - B. Penhall 1982 - B. Penhall 1983 - E. Müller 1984 - E. Gundersen 1985 - E. Gundersen 1986 - H. Nielsen 1987 - H. Nielsen 1988 - E. Gundersen 1989 - H. Nielsen 1990 - P. Jonsson 1991 - J. Pedersen 1992 - G. Havelock 1993 - S. Ermolenko 1994 - T. Rickardsson 1995 - H. Nielsen 1996 - B. Hamill 1997 - G. Hancock 1998 - T. Rickardsson 1999 - T. Rickardsson 2000 - M. Loram 2001 - T. Rickardsson 2002 - T. Rickardsson 2003 - N. Pedersen 2004 - J. Crump 2005 - T. Rickardsson 2006 - J. Crump 2007 - N. Pedersen 2008 - N. Pedersen 2009 - J. Crump 2010 - T. Gollob 2011 - G. Hancock 2012 - C. Holder 2013 - T. Woffinden 2014 - G. Hancock 2015 - T. Woffinden 2016 - G. Hancock 2017 - J. Doyle 2018 - T. Woffinden 2019 - B. Zmarzlik 2020 - B. Zmarzlik 2021 - A. Laguta 2022 - B. Zmarzlik 2023 - B. Zmarzlik 2024 - B. Zmarzlik 2025 - B. Zmarzlik

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF FAST National United States

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Barry Briggs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Briggs) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Briggs?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.