A VINTAGE Jap speedway machine that was used in the first-ever meeting at Blunsdon on July 23, 1949 will lead tonight’s pre-match parade.

The bike, ridden in the Abbey Stadium’s opening meeting 60 years ago against Oxford by Tom Wilson, will be shown off by another former Robins’ rider, Barry Duke.

The machine had been sitting in the garage of another Swindon great, Ian Williams, who initially set about restoring it with the help of Swindon Vintage Motorcycle Club’s Pete Sole.

Current Swindon skipper Leigh Adams, pictured above, sat on the bike during the club’s press and practice day back in March, pictured above, where Duke managed to get it started.

Duke, who will don his famous black leathers, a Swindon race jacket and an open-faced helmet for the parade, said: “The stadium is 60, the bike is 60 and I’m 60, so it seemed like a good thing to do.

“When we realised the the 60th anniversary was coming up, we wanted to be able to ride it around on the night and hopefully it will be okay to do that.

“Ian had done a lot of work restoring the bike, but he hadn’t got it going. We managed to do that and hopefully I’ll be able to get on it and lead the parade, which I’m looking forward to.’’