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]
| Born | 18 May 1969 Worthing, England |
|---|---|
| Nationality | British (English) |
| Career history | |
| Great Britain | |
| 1985–1987, 1993–2001 | Eastbourne Eagles |
| 1987 | Cradley Heathens |
| 1988–1992 | Oxford Cheetahs |
| Sweden | |
| 1990 | Dackarna |
| Individual honours | |
| 1993 | Overseas Champion |
| 1989 | British Under-21 Champion |
| 1986 | Southern Riders' Championship |
| Team honours | |
| 1989, 1994, 2000 | British Champions |
| 1986, 1987 | British League Division Two |
| 1985, 1986, 1987, 1994, 1997 | National League KO Cup Winner |
Career edit
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 edit
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 edit
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 edit
Individual World Championship edit
- 1990 –
Bradford, Odsal Stadium – 11th – 6pts - 1992 –
Wrocław, Olympic Stadium – Reserve – did not ride
World Pairs Championship edit
- 1992 –
Lonigo, Santa Marina Stadium (with Gary Havelock / Kelvin Tatum) – 2nd – 23+2pts (0 – Reserve) - 1993 –
Vojens, Speedway Center (with Joe Screen / Gary Havelock) – 4th – 17pts (8)
World Team Cup edit
- 1991 – Vojens, Speedway Center – 4th – 11pts (4)
- 1992 –
Kumla, Kumla Speedway – 3rd – 31pts (12) - 1993 – Coventry, Brandon Stadium – 4th – 14pts (1)
- 2000 – Coventry, Brandon Stadium – 2nd – 40+0pts (4)
Speedway Grand Prix results edit
| Year | Position | Points | Best Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 32nd | 2 | 21st | |
| 2000 | 19th | 25 | Winner | Won British Grand Prix |
| 2001 | 31st | 4 | 17th |
References edit
- ^ Oakes, P & Rising, P (1986). 1986 Speedway Yearbook. ISBN 0-948882-00-X
- ^ Lawson,K (2018) “The Cheetahs 1976 – The Resurrection”. ISBN 978-0-244-69934-5
- ^ a b c "Brits No.4 Martin Dugard". Speedway Star pages 16-17. 31 December 2022.
- ^ a b c "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ "Mullett sixth in Southern event". Kentish Gazette. 29 August 1986. Retrieved 27 March 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ a b "Martin Dugard". WWOS Backup. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ Bamford/Shailes, Robert/Glynn (2007). The Story of Oxford Speedway. Tempus Publishing Ltd. pp. 139–140. ISBN 978-0-7524-4161-0.
- ^ "1993 World Championship". Speedway.org. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ "2000 World Championship". Speedway.org. Retrieved 8 June 2023.