Wayne Malcolm Garratt (30 October 1968 in Halesowen, England[1] – 28 September 1992) was a speedway rider from the United Kingdom.

Wayne Garratt
Born(1968-10-30)30 October 1968
Halesowen, England
Died28 September 1992(1992-09-28) (aged 23)
NationalityBritish (English)
Career history
Cradley Heathens1986-1991
Arena Essex Hammers1989-1990
Newcastle Diamonds1992

Career summary

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Garratt was also a junior grasstrack champion at the age of six. He started his speedway career with the Cradley Heathens[2] in the British League on his 16th birthday and earned the nickname 'Bodger'.[3]

Garratt showed a lot of promise, but due to the points limit restrictions he was loaned to the Arena Essex Hammers in the National League for two seasons. He was recalled to Cradley again in 1991 but was forced out again by the points limit for 1992. He received a ban from July 1991 until the end of the season following a track altercation with Neil Collins.[4]

However, in 1992, whilst on loan with the Newcastle Diamonds he was involved in a crash at Brough Park on Sunday 13 September and was rushed to hospital and placed on a life support machine. Garratt died after 15 days and never having regained consciousness.[5] His body was transported back to the West Midlands.[6]

See also

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Rider deaths in motorcycle speedway

References

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  1. ^ Oakes, P (1991). 1991 Speedway Yearbook. ISBN 0-948882-20-4
  2. ^ "Cradley bid to fend off prize rivals". Wolverhampton Express and Star. 1 October 1986. Retrieved 22 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  3. ^ "Wayne Garratt". Cradley Speedway. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Speedway ace banned for track brawl". Birmingham Mail. 5 July 1991. Retrieved 22 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ^ "Speedway star Wayne dies". Newcastle Journal. 29 September 1992. Retrieved 22 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ^ "Wayne Garratt". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2007.