Page 22 - link magazine

22
Local Lives

If it's Saturday, it must be Poland

A Swindon speedway rider from It's been another busy season. As into Germany, France and Denmark
Sweden is looking forward to a well one of the riders with the Swindon to race.
earned rest with his wife Nicky and Robins, people might think that he By mid-October he will have
new born son Marcus James when spends mostof this time in the town. travelled to and ridden in about 110
the season ends in October. In fact, between March and October, meetings, each with five races lasting
Jimmy Nilson, who lives in Jimmy spends each week flying to about 60 seconds.
Grange Park, has just returned from and from speedway meetings in "Although you ride for a team to
the World Championships held on Britain, Sweden and Poland where gain points, you are also riding as an
29 August in Poland where he the sport is very popular. InSwindon individual to win prize money," he
competed against the world's best a crowd will average around 2,000 said. "It's an expensive sport. Each
riders and took 12th place. It was but in Poland 25,000 people at a bike costs £3,500 and I have six of
the fifth time in his career he has league match is common. them in Britain and Sweden. They
qualified for the world finals. Occasionally there are also forays lastforone season before lsell them.
The demands of riding at the top
level puts stress on the frames so
that they weaken. Engines can last
two or three seasons if maintained
properly and don't blow up.
"Not including transport, the
annual cost of buying and
maintaining the bikes costs around Jimmy and Karen with Marcus James
0,000. There are seven Swedish Injury is an inevitable part of
THE OLD TOWN CARPET SPECIALISTS riders travelling around Europe and speedway and Jimmy has broken
we get some help from Scan- both shoulders, wrists and several
CARPETS BY ALL LEADING danavian Airlines to cover some of fingers. In 1988 he was sidelined for
the cost. Getting sponsorship at the six weeks whilst recovering from
MANUFACTURERS AT moment is very difficult. Locally I crashes.
COMPETITIVE RATES get help from Ern-in Windows and "It's essential to have good
Kinetico Water Softners (both concentration. I get angry with
FOR QUALITY, SERVICE AND CHOICE, regular Link magazine advertisers). myself if my performance starts to
COME TO GILBERTS "There's a lot of administration slip and you get stick from people
NEWPORT ST. FREE ESTIMATES for me and Nicky on top of the who expect you to do better. But
OLD TOWN SWINDON (0793) 431992 EXPERT FITTING
travelling and racing, but I have to sometimes you're riding so much
ride a lot to keep the bills paid." that you don't know which country

THE KITCHEN FITTER

Kitchen supply and/or
installation service

* Professional installation
service
* Sensible prices
* Worktop mitering service
For a reliable, efficient service

TEL: (0793) 870790
Jimmy riding in Swedish international colours
Jimmy arrived in Britain when he you're in. If I have a bit of time I play
was eighteen to ride professionally. golf. It's a long game which is so
He is the first toadmit that speedway different to the speed of riding
HILLIER riding did not come easily. around a track."
In his home country speedway is
During the season jimmy has little
run by hobbiests who provide time for anything other than
FUNERAL development programmes to train travelling, maintaining and riding
youngsters in contrast to Britain bikes and being with his family. "I
SERVICE LTD. where clubs are run by promoters keep in touch by reading The Link
and there is little finance for magazine," he said.
coaching. "I wasn't a natural on a In the winter he keeps himself fit
252 Whitworth Road
55 Victoria Road
bike," says Jimmy. "1 worked with and prepares for the following
Swindon a coach who improved my style and March. Most years he has returned
Swindon
Tel: 522145
Tel: 522797 technique. Here you have to rely on to Sweden to help out in his father's
natural ability to get to the top. grocery shopand last winterhespent
PRIVATE CHAPELS OF REST "You have to be determined and six weeks in the Florida sun. But
24 hour personal service throughout the year committed as well. I was always the with a new born son to spend time
A FAMILY BUSINESS OFFERING HELP person who would stay in the garage with, it looks as if the Nilson family
to work on the bikes and not go off will be hibernating in Grange Park
AND ADVICE WHEN MOST NEEDED
to parties." during the cold weather.