FOUR times World Champion and true Speedway legend, Barry Briggs, will be guest of honour at the Lakeside Hammers next home meeting, which takes place at the Arena-Essex Raceway on Friday.

FOUR times World Champion and true Speedway legend, Barry Briggs, will be guest of honour at the Lakeside Hammers next home meeting, which takes place at the Arena-Essex Raceway on Friday.

Appearing as part of his round Britain charity motorcycle ride on behalf of Sport Relief, the ever popular New Zealander will be presented with a cheque donated by each of the seven Hammers riders.

Briggo’s ride was initially due to end last Saturday at the British Grand Prix in Cardiff, but the riders’ generosity gave him the desire to alter his plans and schedule an extra date just to take in the Hammers home meeting against the Belle Vue Aces.

Awarded the MBE, Briggo’s presence will be highly evocative for many attending the meeting. “Barry Briggs is a household name, and probably one of the most famous in the history of Speedway,” said Hammers owner, Stuart Douglas. “Most will remember him not just as a phenomenal World Champion, but also closer to home for his career as a Wimbledon Don, and I know many of those fans come to watch the Hammers these days. It will be an honour for us to pay tribute to him, and a real treat for the fans - old and young alike”.

The Lakeside Hammers, in proud association with The Royal Navy, continue the battle at the sharp end of the Sky Sports Elite League against fellow play off contenders, the Belle Vue Aces, who are probably the most famous Speedway Club in the World on Friday 16th July, start time 8.00pm.

To help celebrate the appearance of Barry Briggs the match against the Aces will be sponsored by local Yamaha dealer, Grays Motorcycle Centre. They will have a display of machines at the Raceway that will include a rare appearance of the 2010 XT1200Z Yamaha Super Tenere. The ’Super Ten’ will lead the parade of riders alongside Briggo on his Yamaha WR250R at 7.45pm.