Kevin Hawkins (speedway rider) explained

Kevin Hawkins
Nationality:British (English)
Birth Place:Buckingham, England
Career1:Peterborough Panthers
Years1:1976–1978, 1985–1988
Career2:Nottingham Outlaws
Years2:1979
Career3:Coventry Bees
Years3:1979–1985
Teamhonour1:British League Champion
Teamyear1:1979
Teamyear2:1977, 1988
Teamhonour2:National League Four-Team Championship winner
Teamyear3:1981, 1985
Teamhonour3:League Cup winner
Teamyear4:1979, 1981, 1982
Teamhonour4:Midland Cup winner
Teamyear5:1980
Teamhonour5:Midland League champion

Kevin Roy Hawkins (born 21 July 1954) is a former motorcycle speedway rider from England.[1] [2] [3] [4]

Career

Hawkins started his British leagues career during the 1976 National League season, where he rode for Peterborough Panthers.[4] [5] The following season he improved his average and helped Peterborough win the Fours Championship during the 1977 season.[6]

After another season with Peterborough in 1978, he signed for Nottingham Outlaws and doubled up in the highest division with Coventry Bees in the 1979 British League season. He continued to ride for Coventry for seven years and was with them when Coventry won the 1981 League Cup and 1985 League Cup[4]

He returned to Peterborough in 1985 and was their leading rider for two seasons. After finishing runner-up in the 1987 league pairs he rode for one more season in 1988. His career ended on a high when he helped the Peterborough win another Fours Championship during the 1988 National League season.[7]

After retiring he managed the Peterborough team and was in charge when they won the treble in 1992.[8]

Family

His son Ritchie Hawkins is a former professional speedway rider and team manager.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Oakes, Peter . 1978 Speedway Yearbook, rider bio Kevin Hawkins . 1978 . Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd . 978-0904584509.
  2. Book: Oakes, Peter . 1981 Speedway Yearbook, rider bio Kevin Hawkins . 1981 . Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd . 0-86215-017-5.
  3. Book: Oakes, Peter . British Speedway Who's Who, Profile Kevin Hawkins . 2004 . Peter Oakes, Peterborough . 0-948882-81-6.
  4. Web site: ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022, Kevin Hawkins . British Speedway . 19 May 2023.
  5. Web site: Kevin Hawkins . WWOS Backup . 15 May 2023.
  6. News: Speedway . Lincolnshire Free Press . 9 August 1977 . 19 May 2023 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  7. News: Speedway . Cambridge Daily News . 8 August 1988 . 19 May 2023 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  8. Web site: Ipswich Witches boss hopes to emulate his dad - with help from Jason Crump! . East Anglian Daily Times . 19 May 2023.