Classic Race Jackets

19/01/2025

30/12/2024

Something a bit different to round off 2024. Classic Race Jackets is very pleased to support vintage car and motorcycle racer Matt Harrington as he prepares for the 2025 Red Dust Revival in Western Australia. The design of Matt's bespoke vintage style race jacket is based on his family crest and race number.

In September, around 150 vintage cars and motorcycles will be racing on the hard claypan surface at Lake Perkolilli on the outskirts of the historic gold mining city of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Annual races were held there from 1914 to 1939 and the meeting has recently been revived in the true spirit of these original races.

Further information about the Red Dust Revival can be found at www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-24/red-dust-revival-at-lake-perkolilli-vintage-car-racing/101468802 and there are also some great videos of the event on YouTube.

03/12/2024

10 Years of Classic Race Jackets

Today marks 10 years since I launched Classic Race Jackets. This was the culmination of attending a Creative Entrepreneurs Programme at the Eastern Enterprise Hub on Ipswich Waterfront during 2014.

Special mention for Kim Trotter who led the programme, shared her extensive business knowledge and experience with the group, and provided great personal support and encouragement. Special mention also to Ipswich Witches legend - and good friend - Tony ‘Shrimp’ Davey who was my guest of honour at the launch.

Over the past 10 years I've made hundreds of replica and original design race jackets for speedway fans, collectors, riders and ex-riders from across the world - including those in the UK, Europe, Australia and the USA.

Particular highlights have included making replica race jackets for the National Speedway Museum to celebrate the career of 6 time World Champion Ivan Mauger; making original design race jackets for the final laps of speedway at Wimbledon’s Plough Lane Stadium; and recreating the race jackets of every team that raced in the 1967 British League.

Each race jacket I've made has had a story behind it and commissions have included birthdays, weddings, funerals, family tributes, on-track amateur racing, ex-riders reliving their memories and even a Womble. More recently I've also been able to support one or two current speedway and grasstrack riders by making their race jackets or bike covers.

Finally, I’ve gained so many new friends through Classic Race Jackets, including ex-riders who I used to watch from the terraces back in the 1970s, and been able to add to my Classic Speedway Collection of original race jackets and race suits which I display at events across the country - including my special tribute this year to John ‘Tiger’ Louis.

Many thanks to everyone who has supported me and I look forward to the next 10 years.

Pete Rout

15/11/2024

For a recent replica 1971 Wembley Lions race jacket commission I was very fortunate to borrow an original owned and used on-track by the great Bert Harkins. Bert was team captain and number 1 rider for the Lions that season.

While I had Bert's race jacket I was able to carry out a sympathetic repair to a small rip at the top of the race jacket front, replacing the 'temporary fix' made some years ago involving two staples and some gaffer tape. The damage was close to Bert's heart - or should that be his collar bone - as the on-track crash resulted in him missing out on qualifying for the World Championship Final.

Over 50 years ago I painted an action picture of Bert based on a photo that appeared on the cover of Speedway Star in December 1970. I used a bit of artistic licence to show him riding at Foxhall Heath with the red and white stockcar fence in the background, but Wembley Lions closed at the end of 1971 - the season before Ipswich entered the British League. A few years ago I was able to show Bert my painting when I visited the National Speedway Museum. To this day I don't know why I decided to paint Bert all those years ago, but it's always a pleasure to catch up with him at speedway meetings, events and shows across the UK.

03/11/2024

My tribute to John 'Tiger' Louis at The Speedway Show yesterday created a lot of interest, happy memories and many stories with fans who stopped by to remember 'Mr Ipswich Speedway' and what he meant to them.

31/10/2024

This afternoon I've updated the Gallery section of the Classic Race Jackets website with photos of recent race jacket commissions.

I've also added a new section for the John 'Tiger' Louis Tribute that I've displayed at a number of shows and events this year. Check it out at www.classicracejackets.co.uk/gallery and see the tribute for yourself at The Speedway Show this coming Saturday (British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire, CV35 0BJ from 9:30am to 4:00pm).