Rick Timmo
 | |
| Born | 27 July 1947 Napier, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Career history | |
| 1967-1974 | Oxford Cheetahs/Rebels |
Frederick "Rick" Timmo (born 27 July 1947 in Napier, New Zealand) is a former motorcycle speedway rider. He earned 19 caps for the New Zealand national speedway team.[1]
Career
[edit]Timmo had his first rides at Napier, where he spent three years before being advised by Colin McKee to try his luck in England. McKee fixed a trial for Timmo at Hackney but promoter Danny Dunton signed him up for Oxford Cheetahs for the 1967 British League season.[2] He stayed at Oxford for a number of years and became a fans favourite.[3] Barry Briggs, another Kiwi, tried to tempt Timmo to ride for Swindon Robins but he declined.[4]
In the season 1968–69, Timmo toured with the British Lions in New Zealand. His performance made him a favourite and he would go on to ride for his home country against England, Australia and Sweden.[5]
His career was prematurely ended when he had a nasty crash at a grasstrack meeting and broke his hip.[6]
Retirement
[edit]Retiring from speedway he returned home to Napier where he set up a business – Timmo Motorcycles. His son, Spencer, became a speedway rider for Mildenhall Fen Tigers and Newcastle Diamonds, and now races cars in the UK.
References
[edit]- ^ "Ultimate rider index, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ "James Bond to ride at Brafield". Peterborough Evening Telegraph. 4 May 1967. Retrieved 27 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Riders to Remember....Rick Timmo". Speedway Plus. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
- ^ "Speedway stars recall fast, furious days". Hawkes Bay Today. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
- ^ "INTERNATIONALS - NEW ZEALAND". International Speedway. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
- ^ "Rick Timmo will be back". Buckinghamshire Examiner. 11 October 1974. Retrieved 27 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.