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Riders to Remember....Jackie Biggs In the latest in this new series, Dudley shares his memories of fifties and sixties rider Jackie Biggs. We want to feature similar articles on riders from any era of the sport's rich history. If you'd like to contribute a piece then email us at speedwayplus@hotmail.com or fill out our form here.
Jackie Biggs had been about a few years when I first witnessed the sport in 1962. He had been a man of many teams, and mixed fortunes. Jack is probably best remembered as being the man who was the person who came closest to being world champion without actually winning, only to tear defeat from the jaws of victory. As many will know Jack scored a maximum 12 points from his first four rides in the 1951 championship, and needed only a point from his last race to take the title (closest rival Jack Young, had amassed only 12 points from all five of his rides). Finishing last in Heat 19 still left him with a run-off for the title where, once again, he came in last behind Jack Young and Split Waterman. However, my personal memories of Jackie are quite different. By the early 60's Jacks days of stardom were long gone, and those of the old National league were numbered. Jackie was still in the top flight (in those days riders rarely raced at two levels concurrently), but he was mostly reserve for Coventry Bees. Now Coventry Bees were our 'bogie' team at Norwich. Norwich consisted essentially of a couple of big stars, and a longish tail. Coventry, on the other hand, had less in the way of top men, but were considerably more solid. What tended to happen was that Coventry would let Fundin, Nygren and Betts (or Hedge depending on year) go for the win, while they just closed in behind. All this made for tense last heats, and this is where Jack came in. Typically Jack would score the odd point, until that last heat decider. Waiting on the terraces for the announcement of the riders for the last heat, we tended to get used to hearing those fateful words 'reserve Jack Biggs will replace so and so in the final heat'. As the tapes went up, and it didn't matter how good the Stars representatives in the race were, Jack would get the start to end all starts, and proceeded to scorch away for a win, securing the match for the Bees. Jack, of course, rode on after the formation of the British League in 1965. In fact the amalgamation revitalised him, as it did several others. Very sadly, and I believe it was in the early 1970's, Jackie, now well over 50 years old, was killed in a track accident in Australia. He may not have held the World Trophy, but he left me with memories and respect for the ability he still, occasionally in the 1960s, could show when it counted. It occurs to me that the experience in 1951 might have taught him to save the best for the last ride of the night!
"My Dad first took me to speedway in 1970. He hadn't been to speedway since the early 50s and was amazed to find that Jack Biggs was still riding (then for Hackney). Sadly it was the following winter he lost his life in a track crash home in Australia. I sometimes think that every time a speedway rider goes out on the track it's like they are buying a lottery ticket, the only difference being that when your number comes up, you lose. Jack bought a lot of tickets before his came up, but he must have loved the gamble right to the end."
"I liked the piece on Jackie Biggs: it brought back memories of watching the man himself, unaided, fitting an engine into his bike's frame in the car park outside the pits at Plough Lane (Wimbledon) in the mid to late '60's, or cutting his rear tyre whilst perched in the boot of his car, chatting with the supporters. I also seem to think he still had a knee-hook fitted to his bike in the Hackney years (1967-1970). Dingle Brown did an interview in one of the magazines a while ago, in which he told a couple of amusing tales about Jackie and his somewhat volatile character. Apparently he was a well-respected tuner of engines,too,in the days before the super-tuner era."
"I remember Jackie Biggs on a more personal level. He was like a second dad to me when living in London. My mother and father introduced Jackie to his wife, Sheila, and enjoyed many social times with him, including the time he came to our Guy Fawkes night and kindly made a 'special firework' for us. IT WAS A MINI BOMB which he set off behind our garden shed and left a huge crater as a result. Ray Cresp actually accompanied him on that night."
"Jackie Biggs.....my favourite rider when I supported the Harringay Racers in the early to mid fifties. Jack lived on Muswell Hill in North London, and he very 'generously' allowed my friend and I to wash his car, a 'woodies' estate car. I was at Wembley on the night Jack very nearly won the world championship, we had top price seats supplied by Split Waterman. As we know, Jack Young became World Champion that night with Split Waterman 2nd and Jackie Biggs 3rd. I was just ten years old....and I admit I cried!" "My Old Man reckons Jackie was the best Solo Rider he ever saw. My recollection of Biggs death was January 1971 or 1972, I was 9 or 10 holidaying in Caloundra (from Melbourne). I believe it happened at the Ekka and the wording in the paper as I recall it was.....Biggs fell, hit the fence and rolled off onto his stomach; by the time help got to him he was dead. He was either 51 or 53 at the time. I'm working from childhood memory so I can't assure the accuracy." "I first watched Jack Biggs in Melbourne along with Neil Street and the mighty John Dewhurst [probably the best aussie rider not to venture overseas]. Jack was always immaculate in himself and his machinery, we had access to a small training track and Jack / Neil and Phil Crump would be be there any time. Quite amazing for ten year old me to see world stars going through their paces.What a Champion Jack Biggs was......." "My memories of Jackie are from the 60's, at Coventry. He always had time for the fans. My enduring memory is when he broke a couple of ribs riding away from home, (I forget where) and he turned up at Brandon on the Saturday with his wife's roll-on pulled up over his chest. It must have hurt like hell, but it shows the man's attitude to not let his team mates or the fans down." "Firstly to the person who wrote this article, thankyou very much! Jack is my grandfather, I never met him and have only heard a very few stories of him from my Nanna (Sheila Biggs). It's fantastic to find a little more about his success and my family history. If anyone would like to share any stories or memories about my grandad Jackie Biggs, please email me and let me know. redmanj@optusnet.com.au" "Have been reading supporters and friends memories of my husband. he was indeed one of a kind. Always generous with his time, to talk or help. I know, The hours that I waited for him to stop talking and make our way home. I wouldn't have had it any other way! Regards to all. Sheila Biggs,"
 
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