Jason Michael Bunyan (born 9 March 1979 in Milton Keynes)[1] is a former England under-21 international motorcycle speedway rider from England. He is a ten times champion of New Zealand.[2][3][4]
 Bunyan riding grasstrack in 2003 | |
| Born | 9 March 1979 Milton Keynes, England |
|---|---|
| Nationality | British/New Zealander |
| Career history | |
| 1995 | Poole Pirates |
| 1997 | Oxford Cheetahs |
| 1997-1998, 2004-2008 | Isle of Wight Islanders |
| 1999-2001 | Ipswich Witches |
| 2002 | Reading Racers |
| 2003-2004 | Coventry Bees |
| 2009-2010 | Stoke Potters |
| 2011 | Plymouth Devils |
| 2012-2014 | Rye House Rockets |
| 2012 | Peterborough Panthers |
| Individual honours | |
| 2004, 2005, 2006 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 2016 | New Zealand Champion |
| Team honours | |
| 2007 | Premier League Fours Champion |
| 2007 | Premier League Pairs Champion |
| 1998 | Young Shield winner |
| 1997 | Conference League champion |
Racing career
editHe won the New Zealand Championship from 2004 to 2006, 2008 to 2010, 2012 to 2014 and 2016. The ten wins broke the previous record of nine wins held by Larry Ross.[5][6]
Bunyan began his British leagues career when signing for Poole Pirates for the 1995 Premier League speedway season. After a season with Oxford Cheetahs he moved to join the Isle of Wight Islanders from 1997 to 1998.[2] He spent three seasons with Ipswich Witches from 1999 to 2001 and two seasons with Coventry from 2003 to 2004 before turning his attention to New Zealand after every British season.
In 2007, he captained the Isle of Wight Islanders to the Premier League Fours Championship, held on 8 July 2007, at the East of England Arena[7] and partnered Chris Holder to the Premier League Pairs title.[1][8] From 2009 to 2010 he rode for Stoke Potters and was made the club captain.[9]
For 2011 Bunyan signed with the Plymouth Devils before moving to Rye House Rockets in 2012.[10] He remained with the Rockets until August 2014 when he was injured and subsequently retired after the season.
World Speedway Championship
editGrand-Prix Appearances
edit- 2012
Auckland (16th) 1pt - 2013 Auckland (16th) 1pt
- 2014 Auckland (15th) 2pts
World Longtrack Championship
editGrand-Prix Series
- 1999 2 app (19th) 7pts
Personal life
editOutside of speedway, Bunyan enjoys snowboarding and spends the winter in New Zealand.[11] Jason is married to Zoe Irons and they have a daughter, they live near Auckland NZ
References
edit- ^ a b Bamford, Robert (2008). Methanol Press Speedway Yearbook 2008. Methanol Press. ISBN 978-0-9553103-5-5.
- ^ a b "2008 Rider index, Jason Michael Bunyan" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
- ^ "HISTORYCZNE ZESTAWIENIE WYNIKÓW 1929-2023". Speedway History. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
- ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
- ^ Oakes, P (2006). Speedway Star Almanac. Pinegen Ltd. ISBN 0-9552376-1-0.
- ^ "BUNYAN WINS TITLE NO.9!". Rye House Speedway. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
- ^ "2007 season fixtures and results" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
- ^ "ISLANDERS TAKE PAIRS TITLE". Sheffield Speedway. Retrieved 29 May 2023.
- ^ "Stoke Potters skipper Jason Bunyan wants quick return". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- ^ "Witches pair face lengthy lay-off". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
- ^ The Sentinel p.52