**Bert Harkins (Robert Harkins), b. 1940, Glasgow. Interviewed 22 April 2026.**

Born in Glasgow, Harkins was introduced to speedway as a child of around eight by his father, a fireman stationed near the Glasgow Tigers' White City track. He began riding in the early 1960s, initially working as a motorcycle mechanic and doing one season of road racing before buying his first speedway bike. The training route was highly competitive — dozens of novices sharing limited track time at Edinburgh — and progress was slow.

His career spanned roughly 1960–1980, taking in stints at Edinburgh, Wembley, Sheffield, and Wimbledon, with winters racing in Australia, California (where his Bakersfield team won the American championship), and South Africa. He first rode at Wimbledon as a young novice when promoter Roddy Green invited him down, and later joined the club formally for around four seasons. He describes Wimbledon as probably the finest speedway stadium of its era — well-maintained, atmospheric, glass-fronted restaurant — though the pits beneath the grandstand were a noise and fume hazard by any modern standard.

His riding heroes included Ivan Mauger, whom he credits with professionalising the sport. His closest brush with the individual World Final was scuppered by a broken collarbone at Wembley days before the qualifying round. He did reach one World Final — the World Best Pairs with Jim McMillan for Scotland.

Notable injuries included a broken back at Wimbledon (three months flat, requiring a back protector he credits with avoiding paralysis) and a broken leg in California. His signature was white custom-made boots, which became a recognised trademark. He organised a memorable Scotland vs Wimbledon challenge match, presenting haggis to opponents and kitting the Scottish riders out in kilts for the parade.

On retirement he became UK distributor for Scott Goggles, expanding into motorcycle plastics and helmets — a business grown directly from his speedway contacts. He was disappointed by Wimbledon's closure (which he places around 1976) and had hoped it might reopen.