Jon Erskine

Jon Erskine

Born	9 February 1942 (1942-02-09) (age 82) Salisbury, England
Nationality	British (English)
Career history
1962	Neath Welsh Dragons
1963	Long Eaton Archers
1964–1970	Newport Wasps
1970–1973	Wolverhampton Wolves
Team honours
1964	Provincial League KO Cup
1973	Midland Cup

Jonathan G. Erskine (born 9 February 1942) is a former international motorcycle speedway rider from England. He earned one international cap for the England national speedway team and two caps for the Great Britain team.[1][2]

Biography

Erskine, born in Salisbury began his British leagues career riding for Neath Welsh Dragons during the 1962 Provincial Speedway League, recording a solid 6.73 average.[3] He helped the team finish second in the league standings,[4] but the team would then fold, forcing Erskine to find a new club for 1963, which was the Long Eaton Archers who were returning to league speedway after a 12-year absence.[5]

In 1964, he found his true home, signing for the Newport Wasps, who raced at Somerton Park, in time for the 1964 Provincial Speedway League.[6] He also made his international debut for England in 1964 and would become a fan's favourite. He became the team captain and rode for the club for seven years from 1964 to 1970.[7] He also introduced a training School.[8]

His career at Newport finished on a sour note during 1970, after he had been sacked but he joined the Wolverhampton Wolves midway through the season.[9]

In 1972, partnering world champion Ole Olsen the pair won the Midland Best Pairs. During his fourth season for Wolverhampton in 1973, he was involved in a crash and his heart stopped. Doctors managed to revive him but it spelled the end of his career. He did however pick up a winners medal when Wolves went on to win the Midland Cup.[10]

Family

His father Mike Erskine (1914–1985) was a professional speedway rider.[1]

References

1. "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
2. "The fascinating story of Newport speedway and how vivid memories of its heyday live on in new magazine". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
3. "1962 season results" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
4. "Speedway Dragons second in P.L. Championship". Porthcawl Guardian. 19 October 1962. Retrieved 16 November 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
5. "Speedway back after 12 years". Nottingham Evening Post. 2 March 1963. Retrieved 16 November 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
6. "Year by Year". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
7. "Jon Erskine". WWOS backup. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
8. "Bristol riders making the grade". Bristol Evening Post. 27 September 1969. Retrieved 16 November 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
9. "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
10. "Wolves beaten in cup final". Birmingham Daily Post. 12 October 1974. Retrieved 21 October 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.