Archie Windmill

Archie (Spider) Windmill started his riding career in 1935 at High Beech followed shortly after wards by his appearance at the Barnet Speedway.

Supporters of other tracks that were entertained and thrilled by this rider were Hackney, Wimbledon, Walthamstow, and courtesy of a loan agreement Aldershot.

When asked what he considered his best achievements during his riding days his memories came flooding back but he settled on just two.

He remembers one particular epic night, May the 8th 1948, it was a Wembley v Wimbledon meeting, no team had managed to beat Wembley in 8 years. Archie remembers that he was gating well all night and he went on  to score maximum points, and even better Wimbledon beat Wembley by 1 point. The other achievement he remembered with pleasure was Breaking the Track Record at Hackney in 1939, and he said with a grin, and it still stands. In my reckoning that means he has held the Track Record for that track for 66 years, that must be a record in it's self.

When asked what incident that happened in his riding career made him the most proud there was no hesitation in his reply.
 " Being chosen to ride for England at Hackney Wick on September 3rd 1938"

Archie's worse riding moment was his accident at Odsal when he broke his Jaw, knocking out most of his teeth and also fractured his pelvis. Talking of accidents reminded him of another occasion, this time with some humour.  At Crayford at that time, he told me, the fencing was wire mesh on concrete posts, during one of the races he hit the fence damaging both the fence and his leg, neither seriously. At the end of the racing he went, as was the custom, to the office to collect his pay earned that night, only to find they wanted to stop money from his points earnings to pay for the fence. He did not tell me what he said or thought about it but at least it causes him amusement now.

Retiring from riding in approximately 1951, he was not too sure as his interest and involvement has not stopped, he is a long serving Member of the World Speedway Riders Association, and even to day he seems to attend all the functions that take place and was honoured to be elected President in 2001.

JH (Webmaster)