Rider Fashion

[salty]

What about the "Briggo" leathers as I called them, which were mainly red and had very noticeable thin black stripes down the arms. A number of riders wore these as well as Briggo (Martin Ashby, Scott Autrey and Graeme Stapleton were 3 I seem to recall).

If memory serves it was some sort of promotional tie-in, can anyone elaborate???

[BOBBATH]

There was a well known feud between Mauger and Ivor Brown-it was alluded to in Mauger's autobiography-written years ago-I think it was called Triple Crown Plus-didn't name Ivor as the rider.Does anybody know why they disliked each other so much.Its interesting to me that Ivor was well into his thirties when he was top man in PL in 1963-64

[Old Saint]

When Barry Briggs joined the Saints he wore a black and white jumper over his leathers. Some Saints fans decided to knit him a new one in red and white. Unfortunately, his wearing of the red and white jumper seemed to spark a run of bad luck for him and he ceremoniously set fire to the jumper - on the centre green if I recall correctly.

[chunky]

Which brings up an interesting point.When did sponsors find there way onto leathers?Cyril Maidment had sponsorship on his leathers.Elite motors,just round the corner from my grandads house.That must have been around 1970/71

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That's right, Iris, and it would have to have been around that time, as Maido retired at the end of '71. Again, I'm pretty sure that Ivan and Briggo would have been two of the first with sponsorship (Jawa amongst others) on their leathers.

 

I'll have a look through some old books and magazines and see what I can find. Interesting question!

 

Steve

[chunky]

I'm pretty sure that Ivan and Briggo would have been two of the first with sponsorship (Jawa amongst others) on their leathers.

Steve

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Looking back, it does seem that they were the first two to really advertise on their leathers in 1969, although Ivan still often wore black (as he did in that year's World Final).

 

Referring to the main point of this thread, another one who stood out was Alan Knapkin, with his yellow leathers. Garry Middleton and Jimmy Gooch also had light blue and white leathers.

 

Steve

[Guest sjl]

I remember a quote from Nigel one night after he had to ride in borrowed (black) leathers "It felt like some other chap was riding me bike"

 

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Ha! I rest my case (don't feel such a fool now)

[Hot Shoe]

I seem to remember reading some years ago that Dewayne Keeter was the first rider to wear coloured leathers in British Speedway in the 1960s.

As riders in Flat Track were wearing coloured leathers at this time in the U.S. then i suppose it's not unusual that it would be an American rider that would be the first over here.

[salty]

Looking back, it does seem that they were the first two to really advertise on their leathers in 1969, although Ivan still often wore black (as he did in that year's World Final).

 

Referring to the main point of this thread, another one who stood out was Alan Knapkin, with his yellow leathers.  Garry Middleton and Jimmy Gooch also had light blue and white leathers.

 

Steve

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Nearly certain that Ivan wore black leathers in a World Final as a deliberate ploy to be possibly mistaken for a Russian or Pole. Almost certain it was the 1972 Final as at that time Western riders were almost exclusively wearing coloured leathers.

[salty]

I seem to remember reading some years ago that Dewayne Keeter was the first rider to wear coloured leathers in British Speedway in the 1960s.

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Dewayne Keeter only rode 1 season in British Speedway and that was the previously mentioned 1969 campaign with Leicester when the whole team wore identical coloured leathers.

[chunky]

Dewayne Keeter only rode 1 season in British Speedway and that was the previously mentioned 1969 campaign with Leicester when the whole team wore identical coloured leathers.

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He also owned some yellow leathers, I believe.

 

Steve

[chunky]

Nearly certain that Ivan wore black leathers in a World Final as a deliberate ploy to be possibly mistaken for a Russian or Pole. Almost certain it was the 1972 Final as at that time Western riders were almost exclusively wearing coloured leathers.

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He may well have worn black leathers at Wembley in 1972, but he definitely wore them in 1969.

 

Steve

[star ghost]

In the 1930s Jack Parker and Bill Pitcher painted the wheels of the bikes so they could know at a glance where each was when team-riding

 

Up in Scotland there were coloured leathers long ago with Ken le Breton (white), Merv Harding (red), Keith Gurtner (blue) with Willie Ailson wearing his "wasp-striped" jersey.

Down in England Malcolm Craven wore Yellow leathers

[FAST GATER]

Leathers were predominantly black until about 1971/72.  Of course, there had been odd riders such as Nigel Boocock (blue), Mike Broadbanks and Greg Kentwell (red), Alan Cowland and (much earlier) Ken Le Breton (white) who deviated from the norm.  Mauger and Briggs were two of the first riders to sport multi-coloured leathers.

 

As mentioned, Leicester were among the first to have "team" leathers, back in 1969.  Wimbledon had a sort of team outfit in 1970 or 71 (can't remember which), with leathers which were black, with yellow and red stripes on the arms and legs.

 

Then there were other teams (West Ham, for example) who kitted the team out in football jerseys.  There were a number of individuals also who often wore these, including Charlie Monk, and Bernt Persson.

 

Other "individual" tastes included Olle Nygren's white boots, Sture Lindblom's bow tie, and Ken 'Casper' Cameron's unique body colour!

 

Oh, and talking of fashions, don't forget those riders who wore scarves.  I think Neil Collins was probably the last of that breed.

 

Steve

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Talking of scarves Colin Goad ( ELLE PORT mid 70's) wore the top half of womens tights (around his neck) instead of a scarf for fear of it getting caught in awheel or chain of the bike.

[salty]

He may well have worn black leathers at Wembley in 1972, but he definitely wore them in 1969.

 

Steve

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Totally agree with you Steve. The point I was making was that by 1972 coloured leathers were more common place and Ivan's wearing of black ones on that night was a deliberate ploy.

[Dons67]

Well i have a pic of Olle Nygren in black & white(but they look multi-coloured)in his West Ham days.1969-70(?)

Edit:If you know what i mean  

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Olle's leathers Red/White halves, when with West Ham (70 if I recall correctly)

[Dons67]

Which brings up an interesting point.When did sponsors find there way onto leathers?Cyril Maidment had sponsorship on his leathers.Elite motors,just round the corner from my grandads house.That must have been around 1970/71

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I believe Jimmy Mac was one of the first with a sponsor on leathers.

Smiths crisp I seem to remember.

[Dons67]

What about the "Briggo" leathers as I called them, which were mainly red and had very noticeable thin black stripes down the arms. A number of riders wore these as well as Briggo (Martin Ashby, Scott Autrey and Graeme Stapleton were 3 I seem to recall).

If memory serves it was some sort of promotional tie-in, can anyone elaborate???

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Bob Kilby plus 1 other whose name seems to evade me.

[iris123]

Bob Kilby plus 1 other whose name seems to evade me.

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Phil Crump was one

[Dons67]

Recall Ivan's leathers in the early 70's being a bit of a mishmash of styles

and colours. Remember reading an interview with him at the time, his daughter

designed them. Probably explains a lot.

[salty]

Looking at team pics from the 1969 season, apart from the Leicester team leathers the most noticeable coloured leathers belong to Alan Knapkin, Bruce Cribb, Barry Briggs and John Langfield. A few black with stripes down the side and a good smattering of Rugby/Football shirts (Coatbridge, Newport, Bernie Persson, Jimmy Squibb and the Eastbourne Eagles).

No sign of any sponsors though, apart from Ivan Mauger having Jawa on his shoulders.

Edited November 28, 2007 by salty