British speedway rider
Martin Robert Dugard (born 18 May 1969 in Worthing,[1] West Sussex) is a former English international motorcycle speedway rider, who spent much of his career with the Eastbourne Eagles[2] and Oxford Cheetahs.[3][4]
Career
Dugard began riding for Eastbourne during the 1985 National League season as a 16-year-old and was one of the brightest prospects in the National league. He helped the Eagles win the Knockout Cup that year. In 1986, he averaged 9.75 and helped the Eagles win the league and cup double, in addition to winning the Southern Riders' Championship.[5] Dugard considered the 1986 knockout cup as his favourite racing memory.[3]
The following year in 1987, he averaged 10.40 and won the league and cup double for a second time.[6]
In 1988, he moved into the British league to join one of Britain's top clubs at the time the Oxford Cheetahs, where he made an immediate impression with the fans and scored solidly.[7] He soon became a heat leader for the Cheetahs and then an England international. He was British Under-21 Champion in 1989 and won the 1989 league title with Oxford.[4] He made his world final debut a year later at Bradford's Odsal Stadium, scoring 6 points. During the 1990, 1991 and 1992 seasons, he was second in the Oxford averages behind Hans Nielsen.[6]
He returned to Eastbourne in 1993 and won the 1993 Overseas final to reach the semi finals of the 1993 Individual Speedway World Championship.[8] For eight years straight he was from 1994 to 2001, Dugard was Eastbourne's leading rider and won the league title in 1995 and 2000 and two more Knockout Cups.
His greatest triumph was winning the 2000 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain as a Wild Card rider.[9]
At retirement he had earned 41 international caps for the England national speedway team.[4]
Management
In 2015, Dugard become Chairman of Eastbourne Speedway club in the national league along with his older Son Connor Dugard who both ran the club on a day to day base.
Family
Martin's father Bob Dugard and his son Kelsey Dugard were both speedway riders. Martin's partner Sarah (who died on Boxing Day 2021) was the mother of Tom Brennan.[3]
Bradford, Odsal Stadium – 11th – 6pts
Wrocław, Olympic Stadium – Reserve – did not ride
Lonigo, Santa Marina Stadium (with Gary Havelock / Kelvin Tatum) – 2nd – 23+2pts (0 – Reserve)
Vojens, Speedway Center (with Joe Screen / Gary Havelock) – 4th – 17pts (8)
Kumla, Kumla Speedway – 3rd – 31pts (12)