Dick Campbell (speedway rider)
| Born | 5 June 1923 Christchurch, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Died | November 1990 (aged 67) |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Career history | |
| 1947 | Belle Vue Aces |
| 1947 | Sheffield Tigers |
| 1948–1954, 1961–1962 | Edinburgh Monarchs |
| 1954 | Ipswich Witches |
| Team honours | |
| 1951 | Northern Shield |
| 1951 | Scottish Cup |
Richard Challiner Campbell (5 June 1923 – November 1990) was a New Zealand international motorcycle speedway rider. He earned 6 international caps for the New Zealand national speedway team.[1][2]
Biography
Campbell, born in Christchurch, New Zealand was a stunt rider on the 'wall of death' at fairgrounds and raced cars in South Africa[3] before he travelled to Britain to begin his British leagues career riding for Belle Vue Aces during the 1947 Speedway National League season.[4] He initially struggled and finished the season with the Sheffield Tigers in division 2.
In 1948, he signed for Edinburgh Monarchs and would spend nine seasons with the club, spanning the years 1948 to 1962 and becoming one of Edinburgh's most legendary riders. He averaged 9.87 in 1954.[5]
He regularly reached the Championship round of the Speedway World Championship during the 1950s and his only season away from Edinburgh was when they withdrew from the league in 1954, forcing him to see out the season at Ipswich Witches.[6]
He decided to race cars again in New Zealand from 1955 to 1960[7] but returned to Britain for two more seasons at Edinburgh from 1961 to 1962, topping the team's averages in 1961.[8][9]
References
- ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ "Dick Campbell". 500 race. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ "Dick Campbell is name to note". Manchester Evening News. 9 October 1947. Retrieved 7 January 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "1947 season". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ "Year by Year". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ "Dick Campbell determined to fulfil ambition". Edinburgh Evening News. 23 August 1956. Retrieved 7 January 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Monarchs may sign Australian speedway rider". Edinburgh Evening News. 12 January 1961. Retrieved 7 January 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Wayne Briggs will ride for Monarchs". Edinburgh Evening News. 14 February 1961. Retrieved 27 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.