Think speedway and the names of Ronnie Moore, Barry Briggs and Ivan Mauger come automatically.

Briggs was the middle one of the trio of Christchurch riders who became world champions.

He was a schoolmate of Moore’s and followed him not just in to speedway, but also to Britain where he joined the Wimbledon club. Briggs first made it into the world finals in 1954 and first won the title in 1957, when he beat Swede Ove Fundin in a ride-off for the title.

He gained maximum points the following year when successfully defending his title. His third and fourth world titles came in Sweden in 1964 and 1965.

Briggs retired in 1972 after winning six successive British titles and two world team championships. He returned in 1976 for another year.

Briggs’s total of 201 points in world finals remains a record, though teammate Mauger won six titles.