Robert Blackadder (born 7 December 1955) is an Australian former motorcycle speedway rider. He earned four international caps for the Australia national speedway team.[1]
 | |
| Born | 7 December 1955 Cessnock, New South Wales, Australia |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Australian |
| Career history | |
| 1975–1982 | Newcastle Diamonds |
| Team honours | |
| 1976 | League champion (tier 2) |
| 1976 | Knockout Cup (tier 2) |
Biography
editBlackadder, born in Cessnock, New South Wales, began his British leagues career riding for Newcastle Diamonds during the 1975 New National League season.[2] Newcastle had been re-formed by Ian Thomas[3] and the club signed a new team ready for 1975, which included the Owen brothers (Joe and Tom Owen), in addition to the two Australian riders, Blackadder (aged 19) and Ron Henderson (aged 17).[4]
Blackadder made an immediate impact, supporting the Owen brothers and helping the Diamonds to the runner-up position behind Birmingham Brummies. The following season in 1976, the Newcastle team dominated and won the league and cup double and the fours.[5] Blackadder improved his average to 8.61[6] and was later called up to represent the Australian speedway team.[7]
The 1978 season resulted in further improvement with Blackadder peaking at a season average of 9.10.[6] He became the captain of Newcastle and continued to ride for Newcastle until the early part of the 1982 season,[8] which came to a premature end for him following a compound fracture of his left wrist after a crash in March 1982.[9] After the Speedway Control Board introduced new points restrictions to the team building for 1983 season, Blackadder was released by Newcastle and he returned home to Australia.
He also rode a few matches for other clubs in division 1 such as Hull Vikings.[10]
References
edit- ^ "Ultimate Rider Index, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ "1975 season" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ "Ian Thomas buys out Sunderland". Hull Daily Mail. 28 November 1974. Retrieved 13 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Speedway signings". Newcastle Journal. 12 March 1975. Retrieved 13 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "1976 to 1981". Cyber Morotcycles. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ "Six Crusaders in record call for test match duty". Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald. 15 July 1977. Retrieved 13 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Robbie Blackadder". WWOS backup. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ "Speedway". Newcastle Evening Chronicle. 22 March 1982. Retrieved 13 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Speedway". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. 21 April 1979. Retrieved 13 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.