Brian Brett

[frigbo]

Taken from Official Swindon site

 

Swindon Speedway is saddened to report that former rider Brian Brett has passed away following a heart attack, a little over six weeks after he was one of the many special guests in the Legends’ Lounge at Blunsdon for the Mike Broadbank Benefit meeting on 28 September.

 

Born on 3 April 1938 at Stanstead Abbots in Essex, Brian had previously made limited league appearances for Southampton between 1958 and the early part of 1960, when he was signed by the then Robins’ boss Bert Hearse. Following a run of second-half outings, the opportunity to ride in the Swindon team eventually arrived in a challenge match at Oxford on 23 June, when he scored 3 points and helped the side to a 47-43 success. He had to wait until 14 July before breaking into the league team, also in a match at Oxford, but he was a regular thereafter, appearing in eleven matches and achieving a 2.45 average. One performance that particularly stuck out in that debut season for the Robins was when he tallied a brilliant paid 8 points at Ipswich on 15 September.

 

Riding at reserve, Brett was included from the start in 1961, and when Oxford provided the opposition in a home league encounter on 29 April he was really flying. Victory was his in two heats on the way to 7+1 points, thereby representing his best home performance to that juncture. The Essex boy continued to make steady progress, ending the year with 68 points and a league average of 4.93 to his name. The 1962 campaign saw the introduction of handicapped racing and aside from the odd match in the reserve berth, Brian spent much of his time in the main body of the Swindon side, meaning he had to start his races from 10 yards back. One early league match saw the Robins entertain Ipswich on 5 May, and although he rode from the number six position, he was indicated as the supplementary reserve, so was able to start his heats from scratch. He took advantage of the situation too, firstly following his great friend Mike Broadbank home in his opening race, before reeling off three straight wins to complete a terrific paid maximum. However, with Ipswich subsequently closing in mid-season due to falling crowd levels, Brett’s success and the Robins’ 57-21 victory was struck from the records. Regrettably, he was unable to repeat that showing, the nearest he got being a sparkling display at Coventry on 14 July, when he knocked up a paid 12 points from five rides. Still, his consistency improved greatly and at the end of the campaign, he had recorded 113 league points for an average of 5.42. The year also saw him ‘double-up’ with Wolverhampton in the Provincial League, scoring an impressive total of 16 points from just two matches.

 

In 1963, Brian moved another step towards the role of a heat-leader at Swindon and he was also finally credited with a full maximum, albeit in a challenge match. That came when the side travelled down to Exeter to face a Provincial League Select on 12 August. The Robins had little difficulty in collecting a 51-27 victory, with Brett being the only unbeaten member of the side as he breezed to a 12-point full-house. Following that up, he then starred in a 53-25 success over Coventry in a league encounter at Blunsdon on 7 September, netting 10+2 points from four starts. Although his end-of-term points total had slipped to 106, these were gained from considerably less rides, so his league average continued in an upward direction to 6.44.

 

The 1964 season was to signal the end of the old National League, and Brian had an enjoyable year, providing great support to the Robins’ top duo of Barry Briggs and Mike Broadbank. Along the way, a truly memorable night occurred at the Abbey Stadium on 13 June, when Norwich provided the opposition in a league fixture. Brett scorched to 11 points, defeating the mighty Ove Fundin, not just once, but on two occasions. On top of that, his first victory over the legendary Swede was clocked in a track record time of 71.6 seconds. At the end of his most successful year with the Robins, his league average had risen to 7.14, with everyone looking forward to more of the same in the new British League.

 

Sure enough, he was named in Swindon’s original line-up, whilst Mike Broadbank was allocated to Oxford. However, Brian then announced his retirement to concentrate on business interests, so ‘Broady’ remained on board at Blunsdon after all. Shortly after the season had begun though, Brett made a quick return to the track with Newcastle, and he had a marvellous term with the Diamonds, scoring 271 points in the league for an 8.81 average. Remaining with Newcastle in 1966, his season was hampered by injury, resulting in an average drop to 7.61. Brian wanted a change of home track in 1967, and he eventually began the season mid-way through with Cradley Heath. Despite starting late, he did well to finish second in the Heathens’ league averages on a 7.40 figure, prior to deciding to retire for good.

 

In all competitions for Swindon, Brian made 156 appearances and totalled 731 points. Everyone connected with the club sends heartfelt condolences to his family and many friends.

[KevH]

It's always sad to hear of the passing of one of our speedway family.

 

Condolences to friends and family.

[speedyguy]

Remember Brian Brett well in the days when I used to travel all the way from Surrey by motor-scooter to watch him ride at Rye House. He was a team mate in those days in the late 1950s not only of Mike Broadbank, but also of Gerry King, Dingle Brown and Pete Sampson, among others.

Very sad news indeed.

Edited November 16, 2006 by speedyguy

[KiddlyKestrel]

I'm too young to have ever seen him ride, but know only too well the high regard that my dad held for Brian Brett.

My dad is one of those lucky fans to have seen and known the likes of Brian Brett, Colin Pratt, Clive Hitch and of course Broady and Briggo. When he speaks to Broady or Pratty, he would sometimes ask for the welfare of Brian and it is this side of the sport that I treasure the most. Broady's night the other week was a memorable, magical evening, what a shame we couldn't have had a night like that for Brian Brett.

 

May you rest in peace, Brian.

[spin king]

Sorry to hear this sad news was he not the father of Jim Brett.

[jackofdiamonds]

This is sad, I remember with fondness his time at Newcastle, promoter Mike

 

Parker signed him as a replacement for then injured Ivan Mauger. On Mauger's

 

return, Parker managed to keep Brian. Happy times.

[BobC]

Very sad news indeed.Ive passed this news onto friends,who have in turn informed Merv Hanham and Alby Goldens widow.

 

An aside to this,I always remember getting Brians autograph while he was with Newcastle.I particularly liked the way he wrote the capital 'B's when he signed my programme,and set about copying it.

 

To this day,I sign my name in the same style,and almost always think of Brian when I sign anything.

 

I will always remember him.

 

RIP Brian.

[Tsunami]

Like Jack O Diamonds, I remember Brian with fond memories. He had a dashing style riding Brough with a big track style and with his 'bars forward. He always looked cheerful and delivered the goods.

RIP Brian.

 

[BOBBATH]

I'll never forget Brian at the 1964 British Final

[Guest Steve Dixon]

Sorry to hear this sad news was he not the father of Jim Brett.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Don't remember Brian being mentioned in any stuff about Jim Brett when he was riding so doubt it.

[BOBBATH]

Don't remember Brian being mentioned in any stuff about Jim Brett when he was riding so doubt it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

No they were unrelated-I think Jim was an Aussie