Introduction
Martin Ashby (born 5 February 1944 in Marlborough, Wiltshire, England) is a former international speedway rider who reached the final of the
Speedway World Championship in 1968. He also finished third in the Speedway World Pairs Championship in 1969 with Nigel Boocock and was a member of the Great Britain team that won the World Team Cups in 1968 and 1975. His brother David Ashby was a teammate for several years at Swindon
Career
Ashby began his career with the Swindon Robins in 1961 but was moved on to the Exeter Falcons in 1968 by the speedway rider control committee. Three years later he returned to Swindon remained there for the rest of his career, apart from a short spell at Reading Racers in 1980 where he helped secure the title. Ashby was a regular England international. Ashby held the club record for most appearances (641) and points total (5,4765½) until 2008 when Leigh Adams overtook the points record.
British Finalist (1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977) World Team Cup Champion (1968, 1975) 49 England Caps 21 GB Caps
Last rode end of season 1980 at Reading.
Since retiring, has been running a motorcycle workshop: repairs, and tuning etc.
World Final Appearances
Individual World Championship
- 1968 -
Göteborg, Ullevi - 11th - 5pts - 1975 -
London, Wembley Stadium - Reserve - did not ride
World Pairs Championship
- 1969* - Stockholm, Gubbängens IP (with Nigel Boocock) - 3rd - 21pts (10)
* Unofficial World Championships.
World Team Cup
- 1968* -
London, Wembley Stadium (with Ivan Mauger / Nigel Boocock / Barry Briggs / Norman Hunter) - Winner - 40pts (8) - 1969* -
Rybnik, Rybnik Municipal Stadium (with Nigel Boocock / Ivan Mauger / Barry Briggs) - 2nd - 27pts (5) - 1975 –
Norden, Motodrom Halbemond (with Malcolm Simmons / Peter Collins / John Louis) – Winner – 41pts (10)
* 1968 and 1969 for Great Britain. All others for England.