Former national champion dies
One of New Zealand’s most successful motorcycle road racers of the 19505, Jim Swarbrick, died recently, aged 88, at Kaikoura.
Known in his heyday as the “Flying Milkman,” Swarbrick was the first rider to win the New Zealand senior grand prix three times on the demanding shingle circuit at Cust. His first win came in 1949 after a great battle with another top racer of the time, Gordon Haggitt. He won again in 1951 and gained his third victory in 1955. He raced Nortons in all three events. Swarbrick was a milkman in Christchurch in his early racing days. He later went farming at Oxford, and then at Kaikoura.
In 1950, he was selected with Syd Jensen and John Dale to represent New Zealand in the isle of Man T.T. races. He also competed extensively in Europe that year. Swarbrick won the old Halswell 100 road race in
1955, and won the New Zealand junior and senior T.T. titles.
He will always be remembered, however, for his exploits at Cust He was present at the fiftieth anniversary at Easter of the first racing at Cust He was presented with an engraved silver salver in recognition of his sportsmanship.
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Press, 9 July 1986, Page 31
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202Former national champion dies Press, 9 July 1986, Page 31
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