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Ritchie Hawkins

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Ritchie Hawkins
Born (1983-11-09) 9 November 1983 (age 40)
Peterborough, England
Career history
2000–2001Sheffield Prowlers
2001–2003, 2006Swindon Robins
2005Peterborough Panthers
2004Mildenhall Fen Tigers
2004Berwick Bandits
2005, 2007, 2010Somerset Rebels
2006Workington Comets
2009Scunthorpe Scorpions
2009Sheffield Tigers
2010, 2013-2015Ipswich Witches
2011, 2012Rye House Rockets
Individual honours
2004British Under 21 Champion
Team honours
2005Premier League Fours Winner
2000, 2001, 2004Conference League Champion
2004Conference Trophy Winner
2004Conference League KO Cup Winner

Ritchie Mark Hawkins (born 9 November 1983 in Peterborough, England),[1] is a former motorcycle speedway rider from England.[2][3]

Career

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In 2004, he became British Under 21 Champion and has represented Great Britain at Under-21 level. The following season in 2005, he was part of the Somerset Rebels four who won the Premier League Four-Team Championship, held on 20 August 2005, at Derwent Park.[4]

In 2006, he suffered severe bruising to the brain following a track crash at Workington, forcing him to miss the rest of that season.

A crash during a pre-season indoor meeting in Kiel, Germany during 2008, resulted in multiple injuries, including fractures to his right ankle, both wrists, broken arm, shattered femur, and internal injuries. He made a track return the following year.

His racing career ended during the 2015 season, while captaining the Ipswich Witches. Broken ribs suffered on the opening night and a loss of form contributed to his leaving the side halfway through the year. At the end of that season, it was announced that Ritchie would be returning to the club as the new team manager.[5]

As of 2023, he remains as team manager of Ipswich.[6]

Family

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His father Kevin Hawkins was also a professional speedway rider and team manager.[7]

References

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  1. ^ Oakes, P.(2006). Speedway Star Almanac. ISBN 0-9552376-1-0
  2. ^ "2008 Rider index" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  3. ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  4. ^ "Somerset Rebels 2005 season review". BBC. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  5. ^ "HAWKINS TAKES NEW ROLE - British Speedway Official Website". speedwaygb.co.uk. Retrieved 3 January 2020.
  6. ^ "Fifth is not an option". Speedway Star. 10 June 2023. p. 17.
  7. ^ "Ipswich Witches boss hopes to emulate his dad - with help from Jason Crump!". East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 19 May 2023.