16 Facts About Jim Airey

Jim Airey earned 36 international caps for the Australia national speedway team and 17 caps for Great Britain.

Jim Airey started racing Speedway in the early-1960s, quickly establishing himself as a star rider and won his first NSW Solo Championship at the Sydney Showground in 1966, before going on to win the Australian Championship in 1968, held at the Showground which was his home track.

Jim Airey became known as the "King of the Royale" as he was near unbeatable on the 509 metres Sydney Showground track.

At one stage during the late 1960s Jim Airey won a record 33 consecutive scratch races at the Showground.

Jim Airey followed up his 1968 Australian Championship by winning both the 1969 and 1970 championships, all held at the Sydney Showground.

Jim Airey won his fourth and last title in 1972 at the Rowley Park Speedway in Adelaide where he defeated the reigning world champion Ole Olsen and defending Australian champion John Boulger.

Jim Airey was one of the few speedway riders who didn't have a major crash in his career.

Jim Airey's secret was known to be that he never rode faster than he needed to, giving himself margin for error.

Jim Airey chose to retire after winning his last NSW Championship in 1974 aged just thirty-three.

Jim Airey later went on to manage the Australian team in the late 1970s.

Jim Airey was in attendance at the Sydney Showground's final race meeting in 1996, riding a slow lap of the speedway while receiving a standing ovation from the capacity crowd.

Jim Airey rode successfully in the Provincial League for the Sunderland Saints for eight meetings in 1964, before moving to the Wolverhampton Wolves for the remainder of 1964 and 1965.

Jim Airey then signed with the Sheffield Tigers for 1969 and remained with the team until 1971 before retiring from the British Leagues and returning full-time to Australia.

Jim Airey rode in numerous Test Matches for Australia during his career, often captaining the team in matches held in Australia against visiting national teams.

Jim Airey then finished in an impressive 5th in the British-Nordic Final to qualify for the European Championship Final at London's Wembley Stadium where he finished 6th to qualify for what would be his only World Final appearance.

Jim Airey represented Australia in the Speedway World Pairs Championship in 1969,1970, and lastly in 1971 where he finished 5th in the Second Semi-final with John Boulger.