Legendary motorcycle speedway racer Barry Briggs MBE is in the UK to promote his recently launched book ‘Wembley and Beyond’, a revealing story of the life and times of speedway’s most colourful superstar. With six successive British speedway titles and four World titles with his last individual Championship coming in 1966, Briggs is one of the most successful speedway riders in history, but it is his life beyond the race track which is the focus of his latest book and tells a story of adventure, courage and heartache. ‘Wembley and Beyond’ is not just the memoirs of a legendary speedway rider but also of a remarkable man.
From diamond mining in Africa, to looking down the barrel of an AK-47, Barry Briggs has experienced remarkable adventures that have often eclipsed his daring exploits on the race track. These adventures have earned and lost him $43 million in 24 hours, a son that faced paralysis, and the agonising experience of a wife dying of cancer.
Barry’s life has crossed paths with legends of entertainment, Evel Knievel, and Steve McQueen who he taught to slide a motorbike and a special relationship with Bernie Ecclestone and the tail of how Barry almost became a promoter of an F1 event in Las Vegas.
As twice runner up for the coveted BBC Sports Personality of the Year award Barry has been at the forefront of the British sporting landscape and was awarded an MBE for his services to motorsport in 1973.
Barry Briggs said, “Speedway has given me an incredible life and writing this book has been an enriching experience and given me the chance to put down the memoires of my life, including my amazing adventures above and beyond speedway. Through my experiences of a son facing paralysis and my wife’s battle with cancer I hope that by sharing these personal events I can help others struggling to cope with these circumstances.”
‘Wembley and Beyond’ is available for purchase now from Amazon.co.uk.
