Carmarthen Dragons

Carmarthen Dragons were a British motorcycle speedway team who operated at the United Counties Showground in Nantyci, Carmarthen, Wales, between 2002 and 2005 and later the Loomer Road Stadium, between 2017 and 2019.[1] The team were founded by Nigel Meakins and entered the Conference League (third division) and during their inaugural 2002 Speedway Conference League season finished in 7th place.[2] They competed in the 2003 Speedway Conference League and 2004 Speedway Conference League finishing in 11th and 12th respectively.[3] In 2005, the team disbanded but the venue remained open for training during the season.[4][1]

Carmarthen Dragons
Club information
Track addressUnited Counties Showground
Nantyci
Carmarthen
CountryWales
Founded2002
Closed2019
Websitehttp://www.carmarthendragons.co.uk/wp/
Club facts
ColoursRed, green and white
Track size242 metres
Track record time56.83 secs
Track record date6 April 2003
Track record holderRitchie Hawkins

The team returned to compete in the Midland Development League from 2017 to 2018 and the Midland & Southern Developmnent League during 2019, at the Loomer Road Stadium.[5]

Notable riders

Season summary
Year and league Position Notes
2002 Speedway Conference League7th
2003 Speedway Conference League11th
2003 Speedway Conference League12th
2017 Midland Development League5th
2018 Midland Development League4th
2019 Midland & Southern Development League5th

Conference League summary
Extended content

2002 team

The Dragons made their debut in 2002, winning their first meeting 46-43 at local rivals Newport Mavericks. The first home meeting at the Carmarthen Showground saw a 53-35 win against King's Lynn Kids with a crowd of 1,000 in attendance. The season saw 9 wins and 10 defeats finishing 7th out of 11. The Dragons fared better in the Conference Trophy, winning 7 and losing 3 to finish 2nd in the group to Mildenhall Fen Tigers. Star performer was Shane Colvin who completed six full maximums with an average of 10.23.

2003 team

The second season saw crowds decline which led to financial problems for the Dragons. On the track, without Colvin, the Dragons struggled and finished 11th out of 13 in the league, bottom of the Conference Trophy and knocked out of the KO Cup by Rye House Raiders. Matthew Cross finished top of the averages for the club with 8.15, although Ben Powell joined midway through the season to finish the season on a 7.34 average.

2004 team

The Dragons remained in the Conference League but Nigel Meakins failed to secure a major sponsor. On the track, Carmarthen again struggled and finished 12th of 13 in the league and were beaten in the KO Cup by Mildenhall. Steve Bishop averaged 9.27 over the season and Ben Wilson rode for the Dragons in away matches near his northern base and averaged 8.80, although Ben Powell struggled, primarily due to bike problems and Shane Colvin's return only resulted in an average of 6.40.

See also

List of defunct motorcycle speedway teams in the United Kingdom

References
  1. "Carmarthen Speedway". Defunct Speedway. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  2. "Year by Year". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  3. "BRITISH LEAGUE TABLES - MODERN ERA (1991-PRESENT)". Official British Speedway website. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  4. "Carmarthen Dragons". Edinburgh Speedway. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  5. "2019 fixtures". Carmarthen Dragons official website. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
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