 | |
| Born | (1954-11-10)10 November 1954 (age 70) Oxford, England |
|---|---|
| Nationality | British (English) |
| Career history | |
| Great Britain | |
| 1971-1973 | Peterborough Panthers |
| 1971, 1981-1983 | Poole Pirates |
| 1971 | West Ham Hammers |
| 1971-1974 | Oxford Cheetahs/Rebels |
| 1972 | Exeter Falcons |
| 1975-1981, 1985-1987 | Reading Racers |
| 1983 | Sheffield Tigers |
| 1984, 1991 | Wimbledon Dons |
| 1988-1989 | Kings Lynn Stars |
| 1989-1991 | Swindon Robins |
| 1991 | Eastbourne Eagles |
| Sweden | |
| 1989-1990 | Dackarna |
| Poland | |
| 1991 | Gdańsk |
| Individual honours | |
| 1984 | Golden Helmet of Pardubice |
| 1978 | The Laurels |
| Team honours | |
| 1977 | World Team Cup Winner |
| 1980 | British League champion |
| 1977 | Spring Gold Cup Winner |
John Henry Davis (born 10 November 1954 inOxford, England) is a former internationalmotorcycle speedway rider[1] who representedEngland, when they won theWorld Team Cup in1977 and1980.[2]
Davis was capped for theEngland national speedway team 68 times,[2] and was the first Englishman to win the prestigious CzechGolden Helmet of Pardubice. He also raced in the Swedish and Polish Leagues forDackarna andWybrzeże Gdańsk.[3] He raced for Diedenbergen in the German League for ten seasons, winning four German titles, where he was consistently the top performer. He qualified for 16 consecutive British Final appearances, his best finish being second to the late Kenny Carter; this was when England ruled The Speedway World.[4]
He started his career withPeterborough Panthers, during the1971 British League Division Two season and improved over the next two seasons to the extent that he became a regular for his home city club, theOxford Rebels.[5]
In 1975, he left Oxford after being caught up in the wrangle over whetherOle Olsen would ride for Oxford, and was in the strange position of guesting for himself in a couple of matches at the start of the season.[6] Eventually, the Speedway Control Board ruled that Olsen would stay withWolverhampton Wolves andDag Lovaas would ride at Oxford, allowing Davis to joinReading Racers. He would spend seven years atSmallmead Stadium and consistently produced a high average including 10.32 in 1979.[5] He helped Reading win the league title during the1980 British League season.
From 1981 to 1983, he rode forPoole Pirates as their main heat leader before switching to Wimbledon for the 1984 season. He returned to Reading for three more years (1985–1987) and then rode forKing's Lynn Stars andSwindon Robins[7] respectively before retiring after the 1991 season.
After the end of his speedway career, Davis started a burger business in 1994, which progressed into event catering over the south of the country.[citation needed]
Gothenburg,Ullevi – Reserve – did not ride Gothenburg, Ullevi – 6th – 9pts
Vojens,Speedway Center – 12th – 3pts
Wrocław,Olympic Stadium (withPeter Collins /Malcolm Simmons /Michael Lee /Dave Jessup) –Winner – 37pts (6)
Olching,Olching Speedwaybahn (withDave Jessup /Chris Morton /Kenny Carter /Gordon Kennett) –2nd – 29pts (5)
USALong Beach,Veterans Memorial Stadium (withJeremy Doncaster /Phil Collins /Kelvin Tatum /Richard Knight) –3rd – 13pts (0)Final
Nandlastadt 11pts (8th)