Martin Dugard (speedway rider) explained

Martin Dugard
Nationality:British (English)
Birth Date:1969 5, df=y
Birth Place:Worthing, England
Career1:Great Britain
Years2:1985–1987, 1993–2001
Career2:Eastbourne Eagles
Years3:1987
Career3:Cradley Heathens
Years4:1988–1992
Career4:Oxford Cheetahs
Career5:Sweden
Years6:1990
Career6:Dackarna
Indivyear1:1993
Indivhonour1:Overseas Champion
Indivyear2:1989
Indivhonour2:British Under-21 Champion
Indivyear3:1986
Indivhonour3:Southern Riders' Championship
Teamyear1:1989, 1994, 2000
Teamhonour1:British Champions
Teamyear2:1986, 1987
Teamhonour2:British League Division Two
Teamyear3:1985, 1986, 1987, 1994, 1997
Teamhonour3:National League KO Cup Winner

Martin Robert Dugard (born 18 May 1969 in Worthing,[1] West Sussex) is a former English international motorcycle speedway rider, who spent much of his career with the Eastbourne Eagles[2] and Oxford Cheetahs.[3] [4]

Career

Dugard began riding for Eastbourne during the 1985 National League season as a 16-year-old and was one of the brightest prospects in the National league. He helped the Eagles win the Knockout Cup that year. In 1986, he averaged 9.75 and helped the Eagles win the league and cup double, in addition to winning the Southern Riders' Championship.[5] Dugard considered the 1986 knockout cup as his favourite racing memory.[3]

The following year in 1987, he averaged 10.40 and won the league and cup double for a second time.[6]

In 1988, he moved into the British league to join one of Britain's top clubs at the time the Oxford Cheetahs, where he made an immediate impression with the fans and scored solidly.[7] He soon became a heat leader for the Cheetahs and then an England international. He was British Under-21 Champion in 1989 and won the 1989 league title with Oxford.[4] He made his world final debut a year later at Bradford's Odsal Stadium, scoring 6 points. During the 1990, 1991 and 1992 seasons, he was second in the Oxford averages behind Hans Nielsen.[6]

He returned to Eastbourne in 1993 and won the 1993 Overseas final to reach the semi finals of the 1993 Individual Speedway World Championship.[8] For eight years straight he was from 1994 to 2001, Dugard was Eastbourne's leading rider and won the league title in 1995 and 2000 and two more Knockout Cups.

His greatest triumph was winning the 2000 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain as a Wild Card rider.[9]

At retirement he had earned 41 international caps for the England national speedway team.[4]

Management

In 2015, Dugard become Chairman of Eastbourne Speedway club in the national league along with his older Son Connor Dugard who both ran the club on a day to day base.

Family

Martin's father Bob Dugard and his son Kelsey Dugard were both speedway riders. Martin's partner Sarah (who died on Boxing Day 2021) was the mother of Tom Brennan.[3]

World Final Appearances

Individual World Championship

World Pairs Championship

World Team Cup

Speedway Grand Prix results

YearPositionPointsBest FinishNotes
199832nd221st
200019th25WinnerWon British Grand Prix
200131st417th

Notes and References

  1. Oakes, P & Rising, P (1986). 1986 Speedway Yearbook.
  2. Lawson,K (2018) “The Cheetahs 1976 – The Resurrection”.
  3. . Brits No.4 Martin Dugard . Speedway Star . 16–17 . 31 December 2022 .
  4. Web site: ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022 . British Speedway . 8 June 2023.
  5. News: Mullett sixth in Southern event . Kentish Gazette . 29 August 1986 . 27 March 2024. British Newspaper Archive. subscription .
  6. Web site: Martin Dugard . WWOS Backup . 8 June 2023.
  7. Book: Bamford/Shailes, Robert/Glynn. The Story of Oxford Speedway. 2007. 139–140. Tempus Publishing Ltd. 978-0-7524-4161-0.
  8. Web site: 1993 World Championship . Speedway.org . 8 June 2023.
  9. Web site: 2000 World Championship . Speedway.org . 8 June 2023.