Lee Stewart Richardson (25 April 1979 – 13 May 2012)[1] was a British international motorcycle speedway rider.[2][3]
Born | Hastings, England | 25 April 1979
---|---|
Died | 13 May 2012 Wrocław, Poland | (aged 33)
Nickname | Rico |
Nationality | British (English) |
Career history | |
Great Britain | |
1995, 1997-1999 | Reading Racers |
1996, 1999 | Poole Pirates |
1997, 2004 | Peterborough Panthers |
1997 | King's Lynn Stars |
2000-2003 | Coventry Bees |
2005–2007 | Swindon Robins |
2008 | Eastbourne Eagles |
2009–2012 | Lakeside Hammers |
Poland | |
1999 | Piła |
2000 | Grudziądz |
2001, 2004–2005 | Zielona Góra |
2002 | Wrocław |
2003 | Lublin |
2006–2009 | Częstochowa |
2010–2012 | Rzeszów |
Sweden | |
2004-2010 | Vetlanda |
2011-2012 | Vargarna |
Individual honours | |
1999 | World Under-21 Champion |
2002 | GP Challenge |
2003 | Elite League Riders Champion |
Team honours | |
1997 | Premier League Champion |
1998 | Premier League KO Cup Champion |
2005 | Elite League Pairs Champion |
2008,2009 | Elite League KO Cup winner |
Richardson made his British debut for the Reading Racers in 1995.[4]
Richardson represented Great Britain at senior and under-21 level and featured in several World Cup tournaments. Richardson was World Under 21 champion in 1999.[5][6]
In October 2002, during the Speedway Grand Prix Qualification he won the GP Challenge, which ensured that he claimed a permanent slot for the 2003 Grand Prix.[7] He won the Elite League Riders' Championship, held at Brandon Stadium on 18 October 2003.[8]
He was also a fully fledged Grand Prix rider for four seasons from 2003 until 2006.[9] Richardson joined the Lakeside Hammers for the 2009 season.
On 13 May 2012, Richardson died of internal bleeding in a Wrocław hospital following a collision with a safety fence during a Polish League match.[10]
Richardson's mother Julie was a presenter for ScreenSport Television. His father Colin is a former rider. His uncle Steve Weatherley, another rider, was paralysed in a crash with Vic Harding whilst racing in a meeting at the Hackney Wick Stadium (Harding later died in hospital).
Year | Position | Points | Best finish | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | 31st | 3 | 19th | 1 wild card appearance |
2002 | 25th | 17 | 5th | 2 wild card appearances. 5th in British Grand Prix |
2003 | 16th | 45 | 7th | Missed 2 Grands Prix through injury |
2004 | 11th | 76 | 3rd | 3rd in British Grand Prix |
2005 | 13th | 55 | 2nd | 2nd in Polish Grand Prix |
2006 | 15th | 39 | 8th |