Mick Bell
British former motorcycle speedway rider
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michael John Bell (born 14 October 1945) is a former motorcycle speedway rider from England.[1]
Oxford, England
Mick Bell pictured in 1975 | |
| Born | 14 October 1945 Oxford, England |
|---|---|
| Nationality | British (English) |
| Career history | |
| 1968–1970 | Oxford Cheetahs |
| 1969, 1971–1973, 1975–1976 | Reading Racers |
| 1974 | Leicester Lions |
| 1977–1979 | Coventry Bees |
| Individual honours | |
| 1969 | Second Division Riders runner-up |
| Team honours | |
| 1973, 1978, 1979 | British League Champion |
| 1972 | Spring Gold Cup Winner |
| 1974, 1977, 1978, 1979 | Midland Cup Winner |
Career
Born in Oxford, Bell made his debut for Oxford Cheetahs in 1968. In 1969 he doubled up for Oxford in Division One and Reading Racers in Division Two,[2] averaging over 9 points for Reading.[3] He also represented Young England against Australasia and Czechoslovakia in 1969.[3] After a further season with Oxford he returned to the now First Division Reading in 1971, where his performances steadily improved, averaging over 6 points in the 1972 season.[3]
He won a qualifying round of the World Speedway Championship at Coatbridge in 1973, and reached the British Final the same year.[3][4] He won a British League title in 1973 with Reading before moving on to Leicester Lions in 1974 on loan, but returned to Reading in 1975 when the club re-opened at Smallmead.[3][5] In 1977 he moved on to Coventry Bees where spent three seasons before retiring from the sport.[6]
Bell returned to Reading as team manager in 1980. He later acted as team manager for Swindon Robins and Somerset Rebels.[7][8]