Tom Owen (speedway rider)

Thomas John Owen (born 19 June 1951) is a former motorcycle speedway rider from England.[1][2] He earned one international cap for the England national speedway team.[3]

Tom Owen
Born19 June 1951 (1951-06-19) (age 73)
Ormskirk, West Lancashire, England
NationalityBritish (English)
Career history
1972–1974Barrow Happy Faces/Bombers
1974, 1976–1978, 1980Hull Vikings
1974–1975Newport
1975–1982, 1987Newcastle Diamonds
1983–1986Stoke Potters
1984Wolverhampton Wolves
Individual honours
1977, 1978, 1979NL leading average
1975New National League Northern Riders Champion
1979Warners Grand National Champion
Team honours
1976 1982 1983National League Champion
1976 1982National League KO Cup Winner
1975, 1984National League Pairs Winner
1976National League Four Team Champion
1975Spring Gold Cup
1982 1983National League Supernational Playoff Champion

Speedway career

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Owen rode in the top two tiers of British Speedway from 1972 to 1987, riding for various clubs.[4]

He won the National League Pairs, partnering Brian Havelock for the Newcastle Diamonds during the 1975 New National League season.[5] In 1975 and 1976, he finished second to his younger brother Joe Owen in the league averages.

In 1976, he helped the Newcastle Diamonds win the treble of League, Knockout Cup and Fours Championship during the 1976 National League season.[6]

Tom then topped the averages for three consecutive years in 1977, 1978 and 1979 becoming arguably the National League's leading rider during the period.

In 1984, he won the National League Pairs with Nigel Crabtree.[1][7]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Speedway riders, history and results". wwosbackup. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  2. ^ "Tom Owen". Speedway Museum. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  3. ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  4. ^ "History Archive". British Speedway. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  5. ^ "1975 season results" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Brothers clinch win for Diamonds". Lynn Advertiser. 20 July 1976. Retrieved 9 May 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ^ "Stoke stars take title". Sunday Sun (Newcastle). 1 July 1984. Retrieved 23 May 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.