Mike Broadbank

Broadbank was first discovered at the Rye House track after working there as a young boy. In the 1950s the track was threatened with closure so Broadbank built a new track on an adjacent site to continue training. After a season the owner of the stadium relented and Broadbank built the track on the site that is still there today.[3]

The training track operated a team known as the Roosters, however, with the involvement of Broadbank, the team were renamed the Red Devils, with reference to the red leathers worn by Broadbank, when almost all riders wore black.[3]

Broadbank won the Southern Area League Riders' Championship, held at Rye House Stadium on 25 September 1955.[4] After impressing at Rye House he managed to get a full-time ride with the Wembley Lions in 1956. He then started his long association with Robins before moving on to the Hackney Hawks, Reading Racers and the Stoke Potters. Whilst with Robins he captained the side to the British League title in 1967. He reached the final of the Speedway World Championship on five occasions.

Broadbank was also a regular visitor to Australia and won the Australian Individual Speedway Championship at the Rockhampton Speedway in 1963, to date the last time a rider from England won the Australian title. Broadbank defeated Queensland rider Keith Gurtner, and a rising star from New Zealand named Ivan Mauger, to win the title.

In 2006 Broadbank was awarded a belated testimonial for sixteen years of service with Swindon.[5]

• 1958 - London, Wembley Stadium - 12th - 5pts
• 1961 - Malmö, Malmö Stadion - 16th - 2pts
• 1962 - London, Wembley Stadium - 15th - 2pts
• 1964 - Göteborg, Ullevi - 9th - 6pts
• 1965 - London, Wembley Stadium - Reserve - Did not ride
• 1966 - Göteborg, Ullevi - 13th - 4pts
• 1967 - London, Wembley Stadium - Reserve - Did not ride