James Bond (speedway rider)

Bond was born in Sutton Coldfield in 1938.^[2] He competed in cycle speedway for Sutton Coldfield Stars before taking up the motorized form.^[3] He undertook his national service in 1960, joining the Royal Corps of Signals and training as a despatch rider before joining the Royal Signals Motorcycle Display Team, performing around the UK and at Madison Square Gardens.^[3]

He first rode in speedway as a junior in 1961, moving into the Wolverhampton Wolves team in 1963,^[4] the year that the Wolves won the Provincial League.^[2] Nicknamed "007" in reference to his fictional namesake, he was a regular member of the Wolves team until 1971 when he moved to the Swindon Robins.^[5] After two seasons with the Robins, he spent a season with the Long Eaton Archers before retiring at the end of 1974.

Bond represented England against Australia in 1969.^[6] He won the first indoor speedway event to be staged in Leicester, the Midland Riders Championship at the Granby Halls in 1971.^[7]

All figures relate to the British League.

^[5]

^†Division two