Les Sharpe Explained

Les Sharpe
Nationality:Australian
Birth Place:Fremantle, Australia
Career1:Halifax Dukes
Years1:1968–1970, 1973

Leslie Charles Sharpe (born 12 July 1944) is a former international motorcycle speedway rider from Australia. He earned eight international caps for the Australia national speedway team and two caps for the Great Britain national speedway team.[1]

Biography

Sharpe, born in Fremantle, began his British leagues career riding for Halifax Dukes during the 1968 British League season.[2] He was recommended to the Halifax manager Reg Fearman by former Australian rider Aub Lawson.[3]

After an improved season with the club in 1969, he would improve dramatically during the 1970 season recording an average of 8.21, putting him second in the club averages behind Eric Boocock.[4] [5] In July 1970, he would gain a call up for the Great Britain team, which at the time could include Commonwealth riders, for the test matches against Sweden.[6] Despite the successful 1970 season, he chose not to race in Britain from 1971 to 1972, partly due to issues regarding his licence with the Rider Control Committee.[7]

Sharpe returned to Halifax for the 1973 British League season[8] before going back to Australia. He would represent Australia eight times in total.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022 . British Speedway . 29 December 2023.
  2. Web site: 1968 season . Speedway Researcher . 29 December 2023.
  3. News: Tough Talk . Sunday Mirror . 14 April 1968 . 29 December 2023 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  4. Web site: Rider averages 1929 to 2009 . Speedway Researcher . 29 December 2023.
  5. News: Sharpe cuts ground from under sad Bees . Birmingham Weekly Mercury . 5 April 1970 . 29 December 2023 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  6. News: Hectic week for Ray Wilson . Leicester Daily Mercury . 3 July 1970 . 29 December 2023 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  7. News: Resist . Coventry Evening Telegraph . 24 February 1971 . 29 December 2023 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  8. Web site: Les Sharpe . WWOS backup . 29 December 2023.