Barry Thomas
Encyclopedia
Barry John Thomas is a former motorcycle speedway
rider. 'Thommo' is considered to be the most popular Hackney rider ever, staying at the Hackney Wick Stadium
for over twenty years.
in 1969 after he and Dave Jessup
were invited for trials at the West Ham Hammers
. He progressed through to heat leader status in his very first season, prompting Hackney Hawks
promoter Len Silver
to buy him for the Hawks in 1970. He was given plenty of advice and help from Garry Middleton
who helped him with any bike problems he had. He also played a huge part in the signing of Polish Champion Zenon Plech
.
In that first season at Hackney he won the British Junior Championship. He went on to captain Hackney for nine seasons. 1981 saw Thommo ride for the Crayford Kestrels
and cover for the Hawks. However 1984 saw the Crayford promotion move to Hackney as the Hackney Kestrels
after the Hawks closed in 1983. In 1987 he also rode for the Rye House Rockets
.
In 2001 he made a special one-off appearance for a Hackney team in a meeting at Rye House
having never ridden a bike for thirteen years.
Motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
rider. 'Thommo' is considered to be the most popular Hackney rider ever, staying at the Hackney Wick Stadium
Hackney Wick Stadium
Hackney Wick Stadium, Waterden Road, in the London Borough of Hackney, was opened in 1932 and was mainly used for greyhound racing and speedway.In 1994, a £12M stand and restaurant was built and the stadium was renamed the London Stadium, Hackney...
for over twenty years.
Career
He started his career with the Canterbury CrusadersCanterbury Crusaders (speedway)
The Canterbury Crusaders were a motorcycle speedway team who operated from the Kingsmead Stadium, Kingsmead Road, Canterbury.In 1977 the promoters Johnnie Hoskins and Wally Mawdsley had to go to court in order to keep the track open after complaints of noise from local residents. However, the team...
in 1969 after he and Dave Jessup
Dave Jessup
David John Jessup is a former speedway rider who finished runner-up the Speedway World Championship in 1980 to fellow countryman Michael Lee. The same season he won the World Pairs Championship with Peter Collins and became British Speedway Champion after finishing runner-up in 1978 and third in...
were invited for trials at the West Ham Hammers
West Ham Hammers
The West Ham Hammers were a speedway team, first promoted by Jimmy Baxter in 1929.. They operated from the West Ham Stadium until the outbreak of World War II under several different promotions, most successfully under the control of Johnnie Hoskins....
. He progressed through to heat leader status in his very first season, prompting Hackney Hawks
Hackney Hawks
Hackney Hawks speedway opened in 1963 at Hackney Wick Stadium, Waterden Road, London and operated until 1983.-Early days:Originally opened by Mike Parker, the promotion was then sold to Len Silver who was the club's promoter for the next twenty seasons....
promoter Len Silver
Len Silver
Len Silver is a former speedway rider and is currently promoter of the Rye House Rockets.-Racing career:Silver stopped racing in 1957 but returned to the Ipswich Witches in 1960 after a layoff due to injury...
to buy him for the Hawks in 1970. He was given plenty of advice and help from Garry Middleton
Garry Middleton
Garry David Middleton is a former international speedway rider.-Career:He first came to Britain in 1967 a rode for a short time with the Belle Vue Aces and the King's Lynn Stars before getting a permanent ride with the Wimbledon Dons. He stayed with the Dons for the 1968 season but in 1969 he...
who helped him with any bike problems he had. He also played a huge part in the signing of Polish Champion Zenon Plech
Zenon Plech
Zenon Plech is a former Polish international motorcycle speedway rider.He finished third in the Speedway World Championship in 1973 and then runner-up in 1979.-Career summary:...
.
In that first season at Hackney he won the British Junior Championship. He went on to captain Hackney for nine seasons. 1981 saw Thommo ride for the Crayford Kestrels
Crayford Kestrels
The Crayford Kestrels were a Speedway team which operated from 1968 until their closure in 1983 when they transferred the promotion to Hackney....
and cover for the Hawks. However 1984 saw the Crayford promotion move to Hackney as the Hackney Kestrels
Hackney Kestrels
The Hackney Kestrels were a Speedway team which operated from 1984 until their closure in 1990 when the Crayford Kestrels transferred the promotion to Hackney.In 1988 the Kestrels won the League Championship, winning twenty-six of their thirty league matches...
after the Hawks closed in 1983. In 1987 he also rode for the Rye House Rockets
Rye House Rockets
The Rye House Rockets are a Speedway team based at Rye House Stadium, Hoddesdon, England. They currently compete in the British Premier League.The club is promoted by Len Silver who previously ran the Hackney Hawks promotion at Hackney Wick Stadium....
.
In 2001 he made a special one-off appearance for a Hackney team in a meeting at Rye House
Rye House Rockets
The Rye House Rockets are a Speedway team based at Rye House Stadium, Hoddesdon, England. They currently compete in the British Premier League.The club is promoted by Len Silver who previously ran the Hackney Hawks promotion at Hackney Wick Stadium....
having never ridden a bike for thirteen years.