Jim Wells (speedway rider)

Jim Wells
Born	6 March 1951 (age 73); Auckland, New Zealand
Nationality	New Zealander
Career history
1972-1974	Sunderland Stars
1973	Halifax Dukes
1973	Cradley United
1974	Berwick Bandits
1975	Stoke Potters
1976	Oxford Cheetahs

Edward James Wells (born in Auckland, New Zealand) is a former motorcycle speedway rider in National League (speedway) and British League.^[1]

Career

Jim Wells is best known as a Sunderland Stars rider, where he rode for three seasons from 1972.^[2] The following season in 1973 saw him pick up some replacement riders with British League teams Cradley United and Halifax but he never did more at that level. In 1974, he very briefly held the track record at Sunderland in a time of 63.4, but it was quickly beaten by Birmingham Brummies John Hart in 63.2.

A transfer to Stoke Potters in 1975 saw him have a good season but he was to move on in 1976 with the same promoter, Harry Bastable to the newly reformed Oxford Cheetahs with Stoke teammate, Steve Holden^[3]^[4]^[5]

Before signing for Oxford, Teesside Tigers had attempted to sign him^[6] but he would join Oxford, where he had his last season before retiring.

After Speedway

Jim Wells raced Bangers (a lesser form of stockcar racing) for three years. Before returning to New Zealand, he worked on the North Sea gas pipeline in Scotland. Back home, he worked in a car dealership. Married to Patricia, they have two children and three grandchildren.

References

^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
^ "Crusaders back on point trail". Kentish Express. 14 July 1972. Retrieved 27 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
^ Lawson,K (2018) “The Cheetahs – The Resurrection”. ISBN 978-0-244-69934-5
^ Lawson,K (2018) “Riders, Teams and Stadiums”. ISBN 978-0-244-72538-9
^ Bamford,R & Shailes,G (2007). "The Story of Oxford Speedway". ISBN 978-0-7524-4161-0
^ "Tigers bank". Peterborough Standard. 9 April 1976. Retrieved 27 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.

External links

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[1] "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 17 June 2023.

[2] "Crusaders back on point trail". Kentish Express. 14 July 1972. Retrieved 27 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.

[3] Lawson,K (2018) “The Cheetahs – The Resurrection”. ISBN 978-0-244-69934-5

[4] Lawson,K (2018) “Riders, Teams and Stadiums”. ISBN 978-0-244-72538-9

[5] Bamford,R & Shailes,G (2007). "The Story of Oxford Speedway". ISBN 978-0-7524-4161-0

[6] "Tigers bank". Peterborough Standard. 9 April 1976. Retrieved 27 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.

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