Mick McKeon (speedway rider)
Australian speedway rider
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michael John McKeon (born 4 March 1954) is an Australian former motorcycle speedway rider.[1][2][3][4]
| Born | 4 March 1954 (age 72) Perth, Australia |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Australian |
| Career history | |
| 1975–1977 | Coatbridge/Glasgow Tigers |
| 1975 | Ellesmere Port Gunners |
| 1977–1980 | Halifax Dukes |
| Individual honours | |
| 1978 | Australasian Championship silver medal |
| 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1986 | Western Australian champion |
| Team honours | |
| 1980 | Northern Trophy |
Career
McKeon made his British leagues debut during the 1975 New National League season, where he rode for Coatbridge Tigers and Ellesmere Port Gunners.[5] He continued to ride for Coatbridge during the 1976 and 1977 seasons, improving his average to 7.95.[6]
It was also in 1977 that McKeon won the first of his six Western Australian titles and he was signed by Halifax Dukes for the 1977 British League season.[7]
In 1978, he represented the Australia national speedway team during the 1978 Speedway World Team Cup[8] and won the silver medal at the 1978 Australasian Individual Speedway Championship. He rode again for Australia in the 1980 Speedway World Team Cup[9] and would ride for Australia eleven times in total.[7]
He suffered a serious crash at Belle Vue Stadium, which left him with a fractured skull, leg and ribs. Although he did ride again the injury ultimately led to him quitting British speedway. He retired in 1987.[4]