Throughout his career, he rode mostly for the Teesside/Middlesbrough Teessiders/Tigers and Newcastle Diamonds[1] with loans to other teams, turning in good scores in the middle ranks. Middlesbrough had been known as "Teessiders" (1968-1972) and "Tigers" (1973), becoming "Bears" in 1989, returning to an earlier nickname.[6]
He appeared on the cover of the Speedway Star (w/e 9 September 1972) with brother Tony.
Swales became a promoter at Redcar Bears,[7] a role he was followed in by nephew, Jamie Swales. The Swales family was widely involved in speedway, Jack Swales (1963-1965 at Middlesbrough), Tony Swales (1970-1974 at Teesside), and Andrew, Stuart and Matthew.
Tim Swales also had a spell as chair of the British Promoters' Speedway Association (BSPA) and served on the FIM.[8]
Married to Sally (who also had a spell co-promoting), they have a son and daughter and grandchildren. The family business is a motor garage at Osmotherley. Tim Swales served as a Councillor on the North Yorkshire Council, elected in 2004, representing the North Hambleton District and serving as Chairman 2014–2015.[9]
