Speedway legend Nigel Boocock to be honoured at ceremony in Coventry - The Leamington Observer

Speedway legend Nigel Boocock to be honoured at ceremony in Coventry

Leamington Editorial 4th Jan, 2016 Updated: 28th Oct, 2016   0

A SPEEDWAY legend deemed to be the greatest ever rider to not be crowned World Champion will be honoured at the Brandon Stadium at a free public service on Saturday (January 9) at 11am.

Nigel Boocock spent 18 seasons with the Coventry Bees, captained England for multiple events and won the British League Championship.

Now, fans can remember the Brandon legend as his ashes are set to be buried beneath the track which saw the four times Midland Cup winner create hundreds of career-defining moments.

The Wakefield-born legend passed away at his Queensland home in Australia in early April, aged 77.




Nicknamed ‘The Little Blue Boy’, Nigel was instrumental in the growth of Speedway in Adelaide and joined figures including former six times world champion Ivan Mauger and Australian Speedway legends John Boulger and Bill Wigzell.

Nigel’s highest world ranking came in 1969 when he finished fourth in the world individual championships at London’s Wembley Stadium in front of 95,000 adoring fans.


To add to his list of honours, Nigel rode in 750 matches – scoring over 7,500 points and recorded a remarkable 11 point average for the 1965 season.

An event spokesman told The Observer that Nigel gave his heart and sole to racing for Coventry.

He said: “We have former world champions and past Great Britain riders coming along to the event to honour Nigel in a way that will shine a light on his wonderful Speedway career.

“Nigel’s brother, Eric Boocock – also a successful Speedway rider – will be there to read out some brief memories of their times on track together.

“Former Leicester rider Ray Wilson, one of Nigel’s fierce on-track rivals, will also reflect on Nigel’s career as a rider and a person.

“We hope to see as many Bee’s fans, past and present, turn out to the event to remember Nigel and what he did for not just Coventry Speedway, but the sport in general.”

Current Bees’ announcer Peter York will be on-hand to reflect on the life of Nigel Boocock and ask his former colleagues about the man.

Nigel’s ashes will be buried directly underneath the old gate one position at the Brandon Stadium – now gate two following track work – a place where one of the sport’s greatest riders brought thousands of people to a ferment of emotion and adulation.

Announcements

Weddings, Birthdays, Bereavements, Thank you notices, Marriages and more.

Reader Travel

Check out all of the latest reader travel offers to get your hands on some free gifts.

Buy Photos

Buy photos online from the Leamington Observer newspaper.

Online Editions

Catch up on your local news by reading our e-editions on the Leamington Observer.