JIM AIREY HONOURED AT AUSTRALIAN SPEEDWAY CENTENARY

The great Jim Airey has confirmed he’ll be attending the upcoming Australian Speedway Centenary and taking part in the glittering Cavalcade of Legends Parade.

The Cavalcade of Legends, to be staged both nights (December 28 and 29); will honour the achievements of several sidecar and solo legends that have contributed to the glorious century of Australian speedway racing.

Jim Airey will form an integral part of the Cavalcade of Legends Parade, on night two, featuring the Ikon Suspension 500cc Solo Centurion Classic.

Jim Airey, now in his early eighties, was a super star of speedway motorcycle racing in the 60s and 70s, earning the nickname “King of the Royale”, and “Mr Magic” due to his dominance at the hallowed Sydney Showground venue.

Airey won four Australian Championships between 1968 and 1972, five NSW Championships between 1966 and 1974, as well as victories in the Queensland and Victorian Championships.

The Sydney-sider rode for Sunderland, Wolverhampton and Sheffield in British League racing and qualified for the World Final at Goteborg in Sweden in 1971. The same year, he represented Great Britain, in a team also including the likes of Ivan Mauger and Barry Briggs, winning the World Team Cup, in Poland.

The nation’s leading speedway historian/journalist and Australian Speedway Hall of Fame inductee, Dennis Newlyn, says Jim Airey played a significant role in the popularity of the sport during a golden era.

“Jim Airey was instrumental in the revitalisation of speedway bike racing in Australia in the late ‘sixties,” Dennis explained.

“He was one of the men responsible for the return of the traditional test matches in Australia between the Kangaroos and Great Britain, after an absence of some years.

“Jim was a superstar in what was a golden era for speedway bikes, packing huge crowds into venues like the Sydney Showground and Brisbane Exhibition Ground. His appearance at the Australian Speedway Centenary will bring a tear to the eye of many spectators that will fondly remember his exploits.”

Jim Airey is one of many legends who will appear at the Australian Speedway Centenary, with several more to be announced in coming weeks.

Tickets for the Australian Speedway Centenary are available now at – https://www.ticketebo.com.au/speedwaycentenary

Meanwhile, the event organisers will be announcing another major signing for the Ikon Suspension 500cc Solo Centurion Classic next week.

The Australian Speedway Centenary is being staged at North Brisbane Speedway on December 28 and 29, 2023, with racing starting at 5.30pm (EST) both days.

A reminder the North Brisbane Speedway is also staging the opening round of the 2024 Australian Solo Championship on January 4.

Photo: Jim Airey rides the low line on England’s Eric Boocock at the Sydney Showground in 1968 Test match competition.