[citation needed] He wasn't totally invincible at the Showground though and regularly faced stiff competition from the likes of Bob Sharp, Gordon Guasco (who lost his life at Sydney's other speedway, Liverpool in 1970), interstate visitors such as Adelaide's John Boulger, and visiting English brothers Nigel Boocock and Eric Boocock.
[4] Three of his five NSW titles were won at the Showground, while his 1970 and 1971 wins were at Liverpool in the days when the bikes still used the main 440 metres (480 yd) track.
Airey was in attendance at the Sydney Showground's final race meeting in 1996, riding a slow lap of the speedway while receiving a standing ovation from the capacity crowd.
On 1 May 1999, along with 15 time World Champion Ivan Mauger, he would officially open the new Sydney Showground Speedway at the Olympic Park in Homebush.
Airey rode successfully in the Provincial League for the Sunderland Saints for eight meetings in 1964, before moving to the Wolverhampton Wolves for the remainder of 1964 and 1965.
Great Britain, containing Airey from Australia, Ivan Mauger, Barry Briggs, Ronnie Moore and captain Ray Wilson, the only English rider on the team, easily won the 1971 Speedway World Team Cup scoring 37 points to defeat the Soviet Union on 22, host nation Poland on 19 and last placed Sweden on 18.