Sean Wilson (speedway rider)

Sean Wilson (born 7 November 1969 in York, England)[1] is a former international motorcycle speedway rider who has ridden for Great Britain at test level.[2]

Sean Wilson
Born (1969-11-07) 7 November 1969
York, England
NationalityBritish (English)
Career history
Great Britain
1986-1988, 1999-2005Sheffield Tigers
1989-1990, 1997-1998Coventry Bees
1990King's Lynn Stars
1991-1993, 1995-1996Bradford Dukes
Sweden
2000-2003Västervik
Poland
2000Lublin
2001-2002Opole
2003Rawicz
Individual honours
1999, 2003, 2005Premier League Riders Champion
Team honours
1991, 1992, 1993KO Cup winner
1997Craven Shield Winner
1999, 2002Premier League Champion
1995, 2002Premier League KO Cup Winner
2001Premier Trophy Winner
1999, 2002Young Shield Winner
1999, 2000Premier League Fours Champion

Career summary

Wilson had a career spanning 20 years, starting and finishing at Sheffield Tigers.[3]

His first three seasons were with Sheffield, starting during the 1986 British League season. He would average around the 6 point mark in his early career.[2] After joining Coventry Bees in 1990, he began to consolidate his form and enjoyed two solid seasons before signing for Bradford Dukes. It was at Bradford that he experienced his first success, being part of the 1991 British League season Knockout Cup winning team.[2]

He then won two more Knockout Cups with Bradford in 1992 and 1993 and was an integral part of the Bradford team. Another cup win ensued in 1995 and Wilson rode for the Dukes until the end of the 1996 season. In 1997, he reurned to Coventry winning the Craven Shield and in 1998 he spent the season with Belle Vue Aces.[2]

His best individual years came following his return to his first club Sheffield in 1999. he helped the club win the league and Young Shield and also won the Premier League Riders Championship, held on 12 September at his home track of Owlerton Stadium.[4] Also in 1999, he was part of the Sheffield four that won the Premier League Four-Team Championship, which was held on 29 August 1999, at the East of England Arena.[5]

He went on to win the Riders' Championship twice more, the first of which was held on 28 September 2003 at Owlerton Stadium.[6]

His career ended early due to a number of injuries. In 2004, whilst riding in Joe Screen's testimonial at Belle Vue Stadium he crushed the C7 vertebrate in his neck leaving him in a neck brace for several months. He returned in 2005, winning his third final Riders' Championship on 18 September 2005.[7] However, following a dislocated shoulder and a fractured humerus, he was subsequently, much to his disappointment, released at the end of 2005 which triggered his retirement.

After retirement

Wilson now has a speedway engine building business and counts former world champion Gary Havelock, Kyle Legault and David Howe amongst his past and present customers.

References
  1. Oakes, P.(2004). British Speedway Who's Who. ISBN 0-948882-81-6
  2. "Ultimate Rider Index" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  3. "Sean Wilson". WWOS Backup. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  4. "Wilson on top". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. 13 September 1999. Retrieved 25 June 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. "Wasps speed way to Premier Fours runners-up spot". South Wales Echo. 30 August 1999. Retrieved 24 June 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. "Wilson walks off with PLRC". Crash.net. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  7. "A Year in Summary : 2005". Speedway Plus. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
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