Roger Wright (speedway rider) explained

Roger Wright
Nationality:New Zealander
Birth Place:Christchurch, New Zealand
Career1:Rayleigh Rockets
Years1:1969
Career2:Hackney Hawks
Years2:1972
Career3:Teesside Tigers
Years3:1972-1975
Career4:Workington Comets
Years4:1975-1977
Career5:Berwick Bandits
Years5:1978-1981, 1983
Teamyear1:1980
Teamhonour1:National League KO Cup Winner

Roger Wright (born 8 January 1945) is a New Zealand former motorcycle speedway rider.[1] [2]

Career

Wright began riding in 1963 at the age of 19 at the Templeton track in Christchurch.[3] His first success was winning the South Island Championship during the 1966-1967 season.[4] In 1969 he went to the UK to ride for the Rayleigh Rockets in the British League Division Two. He had a good debut season but returned home and stayed in Christchurch for the next two years. In 1972 after winning the South Island Championship again and finishing second in the New Zealand Speedway Championship he was offered a place in the Hackney Hawks division one team.[5] He lost his place in this team early in the season but was loaned out to the second division side the Teesside Tigers where he established himself as one of the team's top scorers.[6]

For the next decade, he was based in the north of England and had spells with Teesside, Workington and Berwick in the second division. He continued to return home to New Zealand during the UK off season, and rode in 15 New Zealand Championships. The last was in 1985 where, at the age of 40, he finished third.[7] He represented New Zealand in team competitions on eight occasions.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Speedway riders, history and results. wwosbackup. 26 March 2023.
  2. Web site: ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022 . British Speedway . 12 August 2023.
  3. News: Impressive record of Roger Wright. The Press. Christchurch. 21 August 1985. 46.
  4. News: Spectacular crash at speedway. 4 April 1967 . The Press. Christchurch. 18.
  5. News: South Island speedway title won by Wright. The Press. Christchurch. 13 March 1972. 16.
  6. News: Impressive record of Roger Wright. The Press. Christchurch. 21 August 1985. 46.
  7. Web site: Riders to remember … Roger Wright. Tracy . Holmes . SpeedwayPlus. 26 March 2023.
  8. Web site: Internationals - New Zealand. International Speedway. 26 March 2023.