Club & History

Redditch Premiers BMX Club was reformed in April 2006 by a diverse group including current professional racers, old school racers, keen amateurs and parents. The aim was to build a national standard BMX track and an active club in Redditch, after working hard for 4 years we achieved both these goals in 2010 and are continuing to build on those foundations. We are working closely with Redditch Borough Council, British Cycling Federation and other Local Agencies to try and build a facility which will benefit the young people of Redditch and the surrounding areas.

We could always do with more help and if you would like to get involved in any way or simply join the club to show your support get in touch through the contact page.

The Beginning

UK BMX Racing was born in Redditch in 1980.

The sport originally began in the early 1970s in Southern California, with youngsters imitating the motocross stars of the day on improvised dirt tracks.  After discovering the sport on a trip to the USA, Geoff Wiles persuaded his employers Halfords to build a BMX track close to their headquarters in Redditch. It was then that the original Redditch Premiers was born. The track became a focus for hundreds of local kids to participate in an exciting new sport.

This was the beginning of a massive boom that lasted throughout the early and mid 80s. Quickly hundreds of tracks appeared up and down the country and BMX became a thriving youth sport.

Anglo American Cup

Halfords invited some of the best racers from America to compete against England's best racers at Redditch BMX track. The event was held in consecutive years, 1981 and 1982 and was the biggest BMX event held in the UK during this time. UK legend Tim March became the first British rider to beat an American Pro when he raced in a head to head against Harry Leary.

Local Riders

Many local riders enjoyed National success during the boom of the eighties and some of them are involved with trying to get Redditch Premiers back up and running again.

Chris Taylor was one of those riders, having great success in a very competitive age group and riding for the Halfords factory team. He doesn't race anymore but is still very much involved in BMX with his family carrying on the tradition. His son, Harley, and daughter Darcy are both regulars on the podium at national events and are active members of Redditch Premiers.

Tim Print was also a member of the Halfords Factory Team in the 80's. He looks after our website and is a member of the Club's Committee.

Gary O’Connor our Treasurer had great success on the national scene in the 80's. He was sponsored by Patterson Racing, local shop Supertune and went on to become British Champion.

The Decline

Unfortunately in the mid 80s Redditch track became a victim of it’s own success. Local resident began to complain about the PA system, the banging of the start gate and the amount of traffic on the road. The club were no longer able to hold races and the riders went elsewhere. With no revenue to maintain the track it fell into disrepair, eventually becoming overgrown and unusable.

The 90s and Beyond

During the 90s BMX in general took a downturn in popularity and many of the tracks which had sprung up in the 80s were lost. There was a hardcore of riders and parents who kept the sport alive in the UK during this time. Since 2000 we have seen BMX’s prospects looking bright again. Rider numbers are up and it is an olympic event now which has raised it’s profile and helped encourage more youngsters to give it a try. It is regulated by the British Cycling Federation now who have brought such great success to track cycling. General thinking these days is that the best way to make a succesfull sport is from the grass roots level by encouraging local children to get involved and providing them with good support, coaching and facilities. This obviously has great social benefits too and is what we would like to do with Redditch Premiers.

Putting it back on the UK BMX map where it rightly belongs as the place it all began.