Nick Nicholls Explained

Nick Nicholls
Nationality:British (English)
Birth Date: 2 December 1936
Birth Place:Coventry England
Death Place:Warwick, England
Career1:Brafield Flying Foxes
Years1:1954–1955
Career2:Coventry Bees
Years2:1954–1961
Career3:Oxford Cheetahs
Years3:1959
Career4:Belle Vue Aces
Years4:1962
Career5:Cradley Heathens
Years5:1962
Teamyear1:1960
Teamhonour1:Midland Cup
Teamyear2:1961
Teamhonour2:Central Shield

John Ivor Nicholls (2 December 1936 – 7 December 2013) was an international motorcycle speedway rider from England. He earned five international caps for the England national speedway team.[1]

Biography

Nicholls, born in Coventry, started racing around the oval tracks during the second half events at Brandon Stadium.[2] In 1954, he gained a place in the Coventry Bees team as an injury replacement[3] but raced mainly for Brafield Flying Foxes during the 1954 Southern Area League season.[4]

He cemented a place in the Coventry side for the 1955 season, helping the Midlands team secure the runner-up position in the league[5] and in 1956 had improved his average to 6.40.[6] From 1957 to 1959, Coventry competed in the top division, known as the National league at the time and Nicholls was a first team regular and also represented England against Australia. However, halfway through the 1959 season he was loaned out to Oxford Cheetahs. In 1960, Oxford attempted to loan him again but Coventry told them he was not available.[7]

He helped Coventry win the 1960 Midland Cup,[8] before completing his eighth and last season with the club in 1961. His last season in speedway was shared between Belle Vue Aces in the National League and Cradley Heath Heathens in the Provincial League.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022 . British Speedway . 24 December 2023.
  2. News: First division opposition for Brandon Bees . Coventry Evening Telegraph . 10 October 1953 . 24 December 2023 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  3. News: Ex-Yarmouth rider in Beess team . Coventry Evening Telegraph . 25 May 1954 . 24 December 2023 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  4. Web site: 1954 season . Speedway Researcher . 24 December 2023.
  5. Web site: Year by Year . Speedway Researcher . 24 December 2023.
  6. Web site: Rider averages 1929 to 2009 . Speedway Researcher . 24 December 2023.
  7. News: Nick Nicholls will ride for the Bees . Coventry Evening Telegraph . 12 March 1960 . 24 December 2023 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  8. News: Bees' Sparkling Win in Midland Cup Final . Coventry Evening Telegraph . 26 September 1960 . British Newspaper Archive. 24 December 2023 . subscription .
  9. News: Speedway . Sunday Mirror . 7 April 1963. British Newspaper Archive. 24 December 2023 . subscription .