John Rickard Hellsén also known as Richard Hellsen (during his speedway career) is a former international motor speedway rider from Sweden.[2][3]
 | |
| Born | 1 June 1951[1] Stockholm, Sweden |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Swedish |
| Career history | |
| Sweden | |
| 1972 | Stjärnorna |
| 1973–1982 | Getingarna |
| Great Britain | |
| 1973, 1976–1985 | King's Lynn Stars |
| 1975 | Oxford Rebels |
| 1976 | White City Rebels |
| 1986–1988 | Swindon Robins |
| 1989–1990, 1992–1995 | Long Eaton Invaders |
| 1991 | Peterborough Panthers |
| 1991 | Hackney Hawks |
| 1992 | Milton Keynes Knights |
| Individual honours | |
| 1973 | Swedish Junior Championship silver |
| Team honours | |
| 1974, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981 | Allsvenskan Champion |
| 1982 | Elitserien Champion |
| 1975 | Midland Cup winner |
| 1977 | British League KO Cup Winner |
| 1980 | Gauntlet Gold Cup |
Career edit
Hellsen began his career with Stjärnorna during the 1972 Swedish speedway season.[4] The following year he made his British leagues debut riding with the King's Lynn Stars in the 1973 British League season, although he only rode 4 times that season. During the 1973 season he won the silver medal at the Swedish Junior Speedway Championship.[5]
He was a three-time gold medalist in the Swedish Pairs Championship (1979, 1981, 1982) and a five-time gold medalist in the Swedish Speedway Team Championship, in 1974, 1978, 1979, 1981 and 1982 (all whilst riding with Getingarna).
Meanwhile in Britain, it was with Oxford Rebels that he was part of the Midland Cup winning team in 1975.[6] The team transferred to White City under Danny Dunton and Robert Dugard in 1976 after fears that the stadium at Cowley was to be sold for development.[7] He then became a regular heat leader with King's Lynn, for ten years from 1976 to 1985.
He was a finalist of the 1980 Speedway World Pairs Championship, in Krško and finished just outside the medals in fourth place.[8] He was also a multiple representative of Sweden in the qualifying rounds of the World Cup team.
Personal life edit
He retired in 1996 and since retiring has been restoring Volkswagen Beetles, building hot rods and Volkrods.
Lives in Beccles, Suffolk, and has two grandsons: Jack aged 4 and Ezra who is just 1 year old.(2016)[Source:Interview with Karl Fiala of Speedway Friends]
World Final Appearances edit
World Pairs Championship edit
- 1980 -
Krsko, Matija Gubec Stadium (with Jan Andersson) - 4th - 18pts (9)
References edit
- ^ "Richard Hellsen - Grasstrack GB".
- ^ Lawson,K (2018) “Riders, Teams and Stadiums”. ISBN 978-0-244-72538-9
- ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ "1972". Speedway.org. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ "1973". Speedway.org. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ Lawson,K (2018) “Rebels 1975 – The Last Season”. ISBN 978-0-244-99725-0
- ^ Lawson,K (2018) “The Cheetahs – The Resurrection”. ISBN 978-0-244-69934-5
- ^ Oakes, Peter (1981). 1981 Speedway Yearbook. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. pp. 27–28. ISBN 0-86215-017-5.