Carl Ivan Blackbird (born 26 March 1965) is a former motorcycle speedway rider from England and Great Britain.[1][2][3]

Carl Blackbird
Born26 March 1965 (1965-03-26) (age 59)
Peterborough, England
NationalityBritish (English)
Career history
1981–1985Mildenhall Fen Tigers
1984, 1988Ipswich Witches
1985–1987Belle Vue Aces
1989Reading Racers
1990Edinburgh Monarchs
1991–1993Long Eaton Invaders
Individual honours
1986British Championship finalist
1985British Under 21 Champion
Team honours
1984British League Champion
1984British League Knockout Cup Winner
1984NL Fours Championship

Speedway career edit

Blackbird rode in the top tier of British Speedway from 1981–1993, riding for various clubs.[4]

In 1984, he won the league and cup double with Ipswich Witches during the 1984 British League season,[5] in addition to helping Mildenhall Fen Tigers win the Fours Championship during the 1984 National League season[6]

In 1985, he became the British Under 21 Champion[1] and reached the final of the British Speedway Championship in 1986.[1][7]

At retirement he had earned 8 international caps for the England national speedway team.[3]

Family edit

His son Lewis Blackbird is a former speedway rider, as were Carl's brothers Mark Blackbird and Paul Blackbird.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Speedway riders, history and results". wwosbackup. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b "2015 Wolverhampton Wolves". Wolverhampton Speedway. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  3. ^ a b "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  4. ^ "History Archive". British Speedway. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  5. ^ "1984 season results" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Red hot Tigers takes fours crown at last". Cambridge Daily News. 23 July 1984. Retrieved 8 May 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ^ "HISTORY SPEEDWAY and LONGTRACK". Speedway.org. Retrieved 22 July 2021.