Jon Erskine
Born9 February 1942 (1942-02-09) (age 81)
Salisbury, England
NationalityBritish (English)
Career history
1962–19Neath Welsh Dragons
1963–19Long Eaton Archers
1964–1970Newport Wasps
1970–1973Wolverhampton Wolves
Team honours
1964Provincial League KO Cup
1973Midland 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. 1 2 "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.
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