Michael John Hampson (born 26 July 1973) is a former motorcycle speedway rider from England.[1]

Mike Hampson
Born (1973-07-26) 26 July 1973 (age 50)
Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, England
NationalityBritish (English)
Career history
1990–1992Belle Vue Aces
1993–1995Long Eaton Invaders
1995, 1997Sheffield Tigers
1995–1997Buxton Hitmen
1996Hull Vikings
Individual honours
1996NL Riders' champion

Biography

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Hampson, born in Ashton-under-Lyne, began his British leagues career riding for Belle Vue Aces during the 1990 British League season after being called up following team injury problems at the Manchester club.[2] He continued to ride for the Belle Vue Colts in 1991 and 1992, becoming their captain in the process.[3]

In 1993, he secured a loan deal to ride for Long Eaton Invaders,[4] where he impressed, posting a 5.68 average in his first season with them.[5]

After racing for the Invaders during 1994[6] he signed for the 1995 season but switched to join the Sheffield Tigers when the opportunity to ride in the highest division (the 1995 Premier League speedway season) surfaced.[7] It was also in 1995 that he joined Buxton Hitmen in the 1995 Academy League.[8]

The following season in 1996, he won his most significant honour by claiming the National League Riders' Championship as a Buxton rider. He also doubled up with Hull Vikings for the 1996 Premier League speedway season.[9]

Hampson rode for Sheffield Tigers and Buxton in 1997.[10] He suffered a serious hand injury which contributed to his early retirement from speedway.

References

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  1. ^ "Ultimate Rider Index, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Aces' rider crisis for key clash". Manchester Evening News. 9 August 1990. Retrieved 6 June 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  3. ^ "Cheque point". Manchester Evening News. 26 April 1991. Retrieved 6 June 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ "It's a big break for Mike". Manchester Evening News. 24 April 1993. Retrieved 6 June 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ^ "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  6. ^ "1994 season" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  7. ^ "Mike backs out". Derby Daily Telegraph. 30 March 1995. Retrieved 6 June 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ^ "Mike Hampson". WWOS backup. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Year by Year". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  10. ^ "Bobby's debut". Nottingham Evening Post. 10 September 1997. Retrieved 6 June 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.