Tim Swales

English motorcycle racer (born 1948)

Tim Swales

Born| 25 February 1948
Yarm, England
Career history
1969-1974| Teesside Tigers/Middlesbrough Tigers
1970, 1975-1976| Newcastle Diamonds
1970| Hackney Hawks
1971| Wolverhampton Wolves
1974| Scunthorpe Saints
1974| Sunderland Stars
Team honours
1976| National League Champion
1976| National League KO Cup Winner

Timothy Swales  (born 25 February 1948) is a former motorcycle speedway rider from England.[1][2][3]

## Career

[edit]

Tim Swales of Newcastle Diamonds and Chris Robins of Weymouth Wizards in 1975

Swales born in Yarm, made his speedway debut in second half reserve matches for Middlesbrough Teessiders in 1968,[4] and began his British leagues career riding for Middlesborugh during the 1969 British League Division Two season.[5]

Throughout his career, he rode mostly for the Teesside/Middlesbrough Teessiders/Tigers and Newcastle Diamonds[1] with loans to other teams, turning in good scores in the middle ranks. Middlesbrough had been known as "Teessiders" (1968-1972) and "Tigers" (1973), becoming "Bears" in 1989, returning to an earlier nickname.[6] He appeared on the cover of the Speedway Star (w/e 9 September 1972) with brother Tony.

Swales became a promoter at Redcar Bears,[7] a role he was followed in by nephew, Jamie Swales. The Swales family was widely involved in speedway, Jack Swales (1963-1965 at Middlesbrough), Tony Swales (1970-1974 at Teesside), and Andrew, Stuart and Matthew.

Tim Swales also had a spell as chair of the British Promoters' Speedway Association (BSPA) and served on the FIM.[8]

Married to Sally (who also had a spell co-promoting), they have a son and daughter and grandchildren. The family business is a motor garage at Osmotherley. Tim Swales served as a Councillor on the North Yorkshire Council, elected in 2004, representing the North Hambleton District and serving as Chairman 2014–2015.[9]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Lawson, K. (2018) “Riders, Teams and Stadiums”. ISBN 978-0-244-72538-9
2. ^ "Ultimate Rider Index, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
3. ^ "Tim Swales". WWOS backup. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
4. ^ "Few Follow Rangers". Derby Daily Telegraph. 18 April 1969. Retrieved 13 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
5. ^ "1969 season" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
6. ^ "1970's part two". Retrieved 18 March 2025.
7. ^ "Swales is third promoter!". 27 October 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
8. ^ "New chairman for council". Gazette & Herald. 28 May 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
9. ^ "Councillor Tim Swales elected as chairman of North Yorkshire Council for 2014-15". Teesside Live. Retrieved 10 October 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Middlesbrough-Speedway
* Middlesbrough
* Councillor Tim Swales elected as chairman of North Yorkshire Council for 2014-15
* Historic election results (2013)