NEWS: Colin Wheeler wins Wilkinson Sword
Words from David Makepeace
As the Southampton club celebrates its 60th anniversary, which without the sterling endeavours of Colin Wheeler (ably, supported by his wife Sandra) this would not have been possible – Colin’s pedigree as ‘one of the all-time great riders’ of the sport is widely known throughout the Cycle Speedway community, with two British Senior Riders titles, winning the Southampton Grand Prix an unprecedented 11 times in 13 years, securing most of the countries top individual meetings, leading the Saints to three British Team Championships and the European Club Championship (to date the only British club to win it) – but equally his contribution to ensuring the sport continues in Hampshire for the best part of 30 plus years is recognised.
As well as undertaking for many years, almost single-handedly the maintenance and development of the track facilities at the Southampton raceway, including building, groundwork, a complete re-surfacing project over the last two Winters – removing the old surface, spending unknown hours, laying, rolling, grading, tyre packing and preparing the new surface – providing a much praised fast, grippy race track. He works tirelessly including the recent installation of a second toilet, undertaking virtually all the work – whilst also ensuring funds are in place, often at his own expense.
In addition to the off-track work he provided the idea for the South & South Wales Development League aimed at riders 16 and under – to provide competitive team racing for youngsters from the various age categories, with team numbers balanced by age, with no more than two Under 16s rider per side to ensure closely fought matches – proving a success with 80% of matches having less than a 10 point spread.
As well as still finding time to nurture, encourage and coach the young Saints riders who, through his guidance resulted in Southampton last season having a rider on the podium of a British Championship for the first time since 2008, a second in the Under 16’s plus a first ever Little League National champion at Under 8’s. Many of the riders performed towards the top of their individual age categories in the S &SW region of BY&JL – with 2 overall champions, a runner-up, a third place and one just missing the podium in fourth place across the five age groups entered by the clubs’ riders.
The club celebrates its Diamond anniversary season on an upward curve, the sport benefits from a resurgent club with a return to senior team racing, a group of promising youngsters at its heart, thanks to the amazingly determined efforts of Colin not only through the glory years, but, perhaps more importantly, in the tough recent lean years too, ensuring that the name Southampton Cycle Speedway still is relevant as well as respected today…..Colin is a very worthy recipient of the Wilkinson Sword Award for services to Cycle Speedway
