Bobby Schwartz
Encyclopedia
Robert Benjamin 'Bobby' Schwartz (born 10 August 1956 in Santa Barbara
California
, U.S.
) is a professional speedway
rider in the United States
. He became World Pairs Champion
with Bruce Penhall
in 1981
and Dennis Sigalos
in 1982
.
He was introduced to Speedway by the boss of his local bike shop, ex-rider Sonny Nutter. His father bought him a Jawa bike for his 17th birthday and he was soon progressing around the Irwindale Raceway in California. It took a few years before he was persuaded to come to England though, despite many approaches. He came with a sparkling reputation as one of America's brightest young stars, and that was enhanced by the recommendation by none other than Bruce Penhall. When he finally came to ride in England for Cradley Heath after already reaching the Inter-continental final in the UK, Schwartz progressed from novice British league reserve to an out and out heatleader who was regularly competing with and beating the very best. It was all no surprise though, after he scorched to 11 points from 4 rides in his Dudley Wood debut meeting. There followed a fantastic partnership with his friend, Penhall, as the two knew each others track style almost as well as they knew their own. They Won the 1981 World pairs title together and Bobby repeated this with a different partner, Dennis Sigalos in 1982. He also won the World team Cup with the USA in 1982. He was US team Captain from 1983–1987 and US National Champion in 1986 and 1989.
Bobby 'Boogaloo' Schwartz continues to ride in the US to this day. He has regularly competes on the tiny Californian circuits.
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
) is a professional speedway
Motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
rider in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He became World Pairs Champion
Speedway World Pairs Championship
The Speedway World Pairs Championship was an annual speedway event held each year in different countries. The first competition was held in 1968 and the final competition was held in 1993. From 1994 it was merged with the World Team Cup.- Rules :...
with Bruce Penhall
Bruce Penhall
Bruce Lee Penhall is a retired American motorcycle speedway racer who also starred in television and in film. He was the World Speedway Champion in 1981 and 1982 and rode for the successful Cradley Heath Heathens speedway team in the United Kingdom...
in 1981
1981 Speedway World Pairs Championship
The 1981 Speedway World Pairs Championship was the twelfth FIM Speedway World Pairs Championship. The final took place in Chorzów, Poland. The championship was won by United States first time...
and Dennis Sigalos
Dennis Sigalos
Arthur Dennis Sigalos is a professional speedway rider in the United States. He became World Pairs Champion with Bobby Schwartz in 1982 and appeared in the 1982 and 1983 Speedway World Finals, finishing in third place in 1982 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum...
in 1982
1982 Speedway World Pairs Championship
The 1982 Speedway World Pairs Championship was the thirteenth FIM Speedway World Pairs Championship. The final took place in Sydney, Australia, at the Liverpool Speedway. The championship was won by Dennis Sigalos and Bobby Schwartz of the United States who were undefeated on the night...
.
He was introduced to Speedway by the boss of his local bike shop, ex-rider Sonny Nutter. His father bought him a Jawa bike for his 17th birthday and he was soon progressing around the Irwindale Raceway in California. It took a few years before he was persuaded to come to England though, despite many approaches. He came with a sparkling reputation as one of America's brightest young stars, and that was enhanced by the recommendation by none other than Bruce Penhall. When he finally came to ride in England for Cradley Heath after already reaching the Inter-continental final in the UK, Schwartz progressed from novice British league reserve to an out and out heatleader who was regularly competing with and beating the very best. It was all no surprise though, after he scorched to 11 points from 4 rides in his Dudley Wood debut meeting. There followed a fantastic partnership with his friend, Penhall, as the two knew each others track style almost as well as they knew their own. They Won the 1981 World pairs title together and Bobby repeated this with a different partner, Dennis Sigalos in 1982. He also won the World team Cup with the USA in 1982. He was US team Captain from 1983–1987 and US National Champion in 1986 and 1989.
Bobby 'Boogaloo' Schwartz continues to ride in the US to this day. He has regularly competes on the tiny Californian circuits.