David Ernest Perks (born 16 December 1951) known as Dave Perks is a former speedway rider from England.[1][2][3]
| Born | 16 December 1951 (age 72) Halesowen, West Midlands, England |
|---|---|
| Nationality | British (English) |
| Career history | |
| 1972–1981 | Cradley Heathens/United |
| 1979 | Nottingham Outlaws |
| 1980–1981, 1984 | Oxford Cheetahs |
| 1982–1985, 1989 | Long Eaton Invaders |
| 1982–1983 | Reading Racers |
| 1986 | Newcastle Federation Specials |
| 1987 | Stoke Potters |
| Individual honours | |
| 1980 | Highest league average |
| 1984 | National League Riders' runner-up |
| Team honours | |
| 1979 | British League KO Cup Winner |
| 1984 | National League Champion |
Speedway career
edit
Perks rode in the top two tiers of British Speedway from 1972 to 1987, riding for various clubs.[4]
Perks began a cycle speedway career with a team called the Oldbury Lions[5] and after one appearance for Scunthorpe Saints joined the Cradley Heathens in 1972. He won the Ivor Hughes Trophy for best novice during his inaugural season at Dudley Wood.[2]
In 1980, he joined Oxford Cheetahs and topped the league averages during the 1980 National League season with a 10.82 season average before sustaining a serious back injury in July. He became the club captain and exceeded a 10 point average again during the 1981 National League season. He returned to Long Eaton in 1982 but never reached the heights of his two years at Oxford.[6]
In 1984, he won the silver medal at the National League Riders' Championship.[1][7] Perks captained Newcastle Diamonds in 1986.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b "Speedway riders, history and results". wwosbackup. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
- ^ a b "Dave Perks rider profile". Cradley Speedway. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
- ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
- ^ "History Archive". British Speedway. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
- ^ "Things are perking up for Perks". Sports Argus. 5 August 1972. Retrieved 4 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Bamford/Shailes, Robert/Glynn (2007). The Story of Oxford Speedway. Tempus Publishing Ltd. pp. 119–124. ISBN 978-0-7524-4161-0.
- ^ "Year by Year". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
- ^ "Dave perks up after a thriller". Newcastle Evening Chronicle. 31 May 1986. Retrieved 4 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.