Kelvin Tatum

Kelvin Martin Tatum MBE (born 8 February 1964, in Epsom, Surrey) is a former British international motorcycle speedway and grasstrack rider.[1]

Kelvin Tatum
Born (1964-02-08) 8 February 1964
Epsom, Surrey, England, UK
Nationality England
Current club information
Career statusRetired
Career history
1983-1984Wimbledon Dons
1985-1990Coventry Bees
1991Berwick Bandits
1992-1993Bradford Dukes
1994, 2002-2004Arena Essex Hammers
1995, 1998Poole Pirates
1996London Lions
1997Peterborough Panthers
1991-1992Sparta Wrocław
1989-1998Örnarna
2000-2001Indianerna
Individual honours
1987, 1990British Speedway Champion
1987, 1988, 1990, 1992Commonwealth Speedway Champion
1989Intercontinental Speedway Champion
1991, 1997Overseas Speedway Champion
1995, 1998, 2000Long Track World Champion
1991, 1999Australian Long track Grand Prix
1994, 1995Ace of Aces Grasstrack Champion
1995European Grasstrack Champion
1996, 1999, 2000, 2001 (shared)British Masters 500cc Solo Grasstrack Champion
1987, 1990Pride of the East
Team honours
1989World Team Cup winner
1987, 1988, 1995British League champion
1992, 1993British League KO Cup winner
1992, 1993, 1994, 1996Elitserien champion

Career

Tatum attended Brighton College from 1977 to 1980.[2] He started riding speedway bikes at Hackney's training school at Hackney Wick Stadium in the winter of 1982-83. He was given his first team place at Hackney's rivals, Wimbledon Dons, riding in the top flight British League in 1983. He finished the season with an average of over six points per meeting.

In 1985 he signed for Coventry Bees, staying there for the next six seasons. Stints then followed at Berwick Bandits, Bradford Dukes, Arena Essex Hammers, Poole Pirates, Peterborough Panthers and the ill-fated London Lions, with brother Neville Tatum among his teammates.

Tatum became British Champion twice; in 1987 and 1990. In 1990 Tatum was the highest placed British rider in the World Final at the Odsal Stadium in Bradford, finishing in 7th place with 9 points from his 5 rides. In the 1990 World Final qualifying rounds, Tatum had won the Commonwealth Final at the Belle Vue Stadium in Manchester. It was his third Commonwealth Final win after having done so in 1987 and 1988. Tatum would add a fourth Commonwealth crown to his trophy cabinet in 1992.

Longtrack and grasstrack

Later in Tatum's career, he turned his attention to grasstrack and longtrack to much success. He won the World Long Track Championship three times, in 1995, 1998 and 2000, and missed out on a fourth title in 2004 when his bike broke down whilst leading the final. Tatum was also the European Grasstrack Champion in 1995 and British Grasstrack Champion four times: in 1996, 1999, 2000 and jointly in 2001, and was almost unbeatable in domestic grasstrack events in the latter stage of his career, winning 4 British Masters Championships. Fittingly, Tatum won his last ever grasstrack event, the Bonfire Burnup in 2006 at Collier Street in Kent.

Kelvin Tatum also won the Australian Long track Grand Prix in 1991 at the 800 metres (870 yards) Bathurst Showground,[3] and again in 1999 at the Tamworth Showground.

After retirement

Kelvin is now a television presenter, appearing on BT Sport speedway programmes as a presenter and commentator and is currently the lead expert commentator for Speedway Grand Prix and Speedway World Cup broadcasts. He began commentating when taking a break from the sport, but continued when he returned to ride for the Arena Essex Hammers in 2002. He was awarded an MBE in the 2003 New Year Honours list.[2]

World Final appearances

Individual World Championship

World Pairs Championship

World Team Cup

British Speedway Championship

Finals

World Longtrack Championship

Finals

  • 1994 - Marianske Lazne(11th) 9pts
  • 1995 - Scheeßel (Champion) 20pts * Note Tatum beat Simon Wigg in a run-off for the championship
  • 1996 - Herxheim (5th) 14pts

Grand-Prix

  • 1998 - 5 apps (Champion) 104pts
  • 1999 - 5 apps (Third) 79pts
  • 2000 - 5 apps (Champion) 102pts
  • 2001 - 4 apps (Second) 76pts
  • 2002 - 5 apps (Second) 96pts
  • 2003 - 6 apps (Second) 120pts
  • 2004 - 5 apps (Second) 101pts
  • 2005 - 2 apps (11th) 34pts

World Longtrack Best Grand-Prix Results

European Grasstrack Championship

Finals

1995 - Joure (Champion) 24pts

2004 - Eenrum (Did not start)

British Masters Grasstrack Championship

Podium Finishes

1993 Third @ Tonbridge & Wimborne

1994 Third @ Severn Valley & Tonbridge

1995 Second @ North Berks & Severn Valley

1996 First @ Andover & North Berks

1997 Second @ Wainfleet & Andover

1999 First @ North Berks

2000 First @ Astra

2001 Equal First @ North Berks with Glenn Cunningham

2003 Third @ Astra

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References
  1. Oakes, P.(2004). British Speedway Who's Who. ISBN 0-948882-81-6
  2. "Kelvin Tatum MBE (B. 1977-80)". Old Brightonian Association. 2004. Archived from the original on 21 August 2007. Retrieved 19 July 2008.
  3. 1990/91 Australian Long Track GP Final
  4. Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5
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