A FORMER rider for Barrow Blackhawks has asked speedway enthusiasts to back the newly-revamped facilities at the Workington Comets Speedway. 

Gary O'Hare, 59, raced for Barrow Blackhawks for a short period of time in the league before they wound up in 1985, however, he continued to participate in meetings under the Barrow name alongside racing for his league team Ellesmere Port. 

The Park Road stadium has long gone and despite Gary's friend and speedway fan John Earnshaw's wish to bring Speedway back to Barrow, it is unlikely to return. 

The Mail: Gary O'Hare wears the bib to keep the Barrow Blackhawks name aliveGary O'Hare wears the bib to keep the Barrow Blackhawks name alive (Image: John Earnshaw)

However since John gave Gary a Barrow Blackhawks jacket he wears it for demonstration rides and competitions to keep the name alive.

John said: "It's a shame that Speedway will never probably return to Barrow but at least with people like Gary O'Hare the memories of those methanol fuelled days will live on." 

When asked why the original club finished in Barrow, Gary said: "It's like football - if you are a rich club you can afford better players. They couldn't afford a really good name so the results weren't very good. 

The Mail: The last meeting at Park Road, BarrowThe last meeting at Park Road, Barrow (Image: John Earnshaw)

"When they dipped out the league they ran meetings to keep the speedway going."

Gary said that he has worn the jacket at the National Speedway Stadium, also known as Belle Vue, while doing demonstration events. The stadium hosts some of the biggest Speedway events in the country. 

However, Speedway has not disappeared from Cumbria. Former racer Steve Lawson and businessman Andrew Bain have been working on a new track at Northside in Workington. The pair have been working on turning a training track into a National Development League circuit.

READ MORE: Can you remember when speedway was a big sport in Barrow?

Just a few years ago Workington Comets had to cease due to financial pressures but the investment in the club from its backers has pushed Speedway racing in west Cumbria back into the agenda. 

Workington Comets fans and riders got their first look at the new circuit back in May, and Gary is encouraging Speedway fans from Barrow to go for a look. 

Gary said: "They have done so much work it's amazing. It just makes John so happy he can't be alone. As far as getting people from Barrow - if just a few people go it might keep it alive.

"It's a lovely family sport. We call it the Speedway family. It's my life really."