CAREER RECORD WITH SWINDON: Meetings: 103 (45 League; 3 Knock-Out Cup; 32 League Cup; 10 Midland Cup; 7 Challenge; 6 Three-Team Tournament) Rides: 458 Points: 961 Bonus: 50 Total: 1,011 Average: 8.83 Maximums: 14 (6 full and 8 paid)
CLUB DEBUT: 28 August 1982 versus Cradley Heath (Away) Midland Cup; 8+1 points (5 rides).
LANKY Dane Bo Petersen was a big money signing by then-Swindon promoter Richard Vowles at the beginning of 1984. Previously, the rider had given excellent service to Hackney from 1978 until the track closed at the end of 1983. Thankfully, it was only a temporary closure as Crayford (then under the promotion of current Swindon co-owner Terry Russell) moved their entire operation to the Waterden Road venue, which subsequently operated as a National League circuit in 1984.
Petersen had journeyed to this country for trials late in 1977 - impressing all who saw him - and Hackney boss Len Silver was quick to sign him up. Despite an early knock to the shoulder, the Dane acquitted himself well in his debut season, scoring 163 points for a league average of 6.05. The stylish racer raised his league figure to 7.74 the following year and was clearly well on his way to heat-leader status. That came in 1980 when, having scorched to 338 points, his league average soared to a massive 10.46.
Although he didn't hit the dizzy heights of a 10 plus figure again, he continued to serve the Hawks well, while also rising as a star on the international scene. During his time at Hackney, Bo first donned a Swindon race-jacket when notching a paid 9-point tally as a guest at Cradley Heath in the Midland Cup semi-final on 28 August 1982.
The tall-in-the-saddle rider had always been an excellent performer on his visits to Blunsdon, a highlight being his triumph in the Evening Advertiser Superstar event in 1981 and, with this in mind, Richard Vowles was fast off the blocks when Petersen became available for transfer. The Swindon boss saw the Dane as not only the rider to give Phil Crump the kind of backing he desperately needed, but also as a man whose reputation equalled that of the great Australian.
Bo's career with the Robins got off to a great start, as he plundered a dozen points in a Denny Pyeatt Memorial challenge match at Reading on 19 March 1984. He did have the odd quiet meeting thereafter, but by and large the points continued to flow and included several maximums, the first of which saw him register an unbeaten 11+1 haul at Exeter on 11 May in a League Cup encounter.
Through no fault of his own, there was a touch of controversy when the Robins were due to face Wimbledon at Blunsdon in a League Cup fixture on 19 May. Petersen was scheduled to appear in a World Long-track qualifier in Vilshofen, West Germany the following day, but the sheer logistics made it impossible for him to ride in both meetings.
The Danish authorities stated that he must attend the long-track meeting, so Richard Vowles applied for a guest to cover his absence, only to be turned down by the BSPA Management Committee. The Robins' boss responded by refusing to let Bo compete, however, the BSPA informed him that the rider had to attend or risk suspension. So, the Dane travelled to Germany and a weakened Swindon side lost 42-36 to the Dons.
Come the end of the season, Petersen had notched 239 points from twenty-six league matches to average 8.06 for the Robins. The year also saw him make his only World Final appearance at Gothenburg on 1 September, when he rode very well to collect 9 points. Just prior to that, he had represented his country and swept to a faultless maximum in the World Team Cup Final at Leszno, Poland, as the Danes lifted the coveted trophy for a fourth time.
Back with the Robins in 1985, Bo really came into his own, again winning the Evening Advertiser Superstar event, as well as upping his league average to 9.33. Having taken over the team captaincy when Phil Crump was injured towards the end of the previous term, the flying Dane led by example, netting high scores the length and breadth of the country. He was also part of the Danish line-up, which successfully retained the World Team Cup at Long Beach, USA.
Despite his great form, rumours persisted that he would retire at the end of the season and regrettably for everyone at Swindon, this he did. He finished his time with the club in great fashion, though, romping to a 12-point maximum in the final meeting of the year at home to King's Lynn in the British League on 26 October. Like so many retirements, Bo's wasn't really final and he eventually returned to ride for King's Lynn in 1988. He then had a spell with Wolverhampton later in the year and again had a short stint with the West Midlands outfit in 1990. Sensationally, he then dropped into the Second Division to ride for Arena-Essex in 1991, where he formed a powerful spearhead alongside fellow Dane Brian Karger who, of course, was another rider with strong Swindon links.
Petersen was the No. 1 man in the entire league, plundering 278 points for a huge 10.90 average as the Hammers plundered a terrific Division Two Championship and Knock-Out Cup double. Having gained promotion with the Purfleet side, Bo remained on board for two more years before finally retiring from the British scene at the end of 1993.  Â
CALL FOR SITES
Swindon Motorsports Ltd launches ‘Call for Sites’ to help identify new motorsports arena in Swindon.
DATE OF BIRTH: 21 February 1958, Bolbro, Denmark.
The tall-in-the-saddle rider had always been an excellent performer on his visits to Blunsdon, a highlight being his triumph in the Evening Advertiser Superstar event in 1981 and, with this in mind, Richard Vowles was fast off the blocks when Petersen became available for transfer. The Swindon boss saw the Dane as not only the rider to give Phil Crump the kind of backing he desperately needed, but also as a man whose reputation equalled that of the great Australian.
Despite his great form, rumours persisted that he would retire at the end of the season and regrettably for everyone at Swindon, this he did. He finished his time with the club in great fashion, though, romping to a 12-point maximum in the final meeting of the year at home to King's Lynn in the British League on 26 October. Like so many retirements, Bo's wasn't really final and he eventually returned to ride for King's Lynn in 1988. He then had a spell with Wolverhampton later in the year and again had a short stint with the West Midlands outfit in 1990. Sensationally, he then dropped into the Second Division to ride for Arena-Essex in 1991, where he formed a powerful spearhead alongside fellow Dane Brian Karger who, of course, was another rider with strong Swindon links.
