Geoff Mardon

Geoffrey Cyril "Geoff" Mardon (24 November 1927 – 6 August 2015) was a New Zealand speedway rider.[1] He rode for the Aldershot Shots, the Wimbledon Dons and the Southampton Saints.[2]

Geoff Mardon
Born24 November 1927
Christchurch, New Zealand
Died6 August 2015(2015-08-06) (aged 87)
Christchurch, New Zealand
Nationality New Zealand
Career history
1951Aldershot Shots
1952–1954Wimbledon Dons
1959Southampton Saints
Individual honours
1954Brandonapolis
1964New Zealand Champion
Team honours
1954National League Champions
1953National Trophy
1954RAC Cup Winner

Career

Mardon began riding at the Aranui Speedway in Christchurch in 1949, the same track that would later start the career of six time World Champion and fellow Christchurch native Ivan Mauger. He moved to England in 1951 and joined the third division team, Aldershot. He qualified as second reserve for the 1951 World Final. The following year he transferred to the Wimbledon team. He rode in the 1953 World Final and finished in 3rd place.[3] In 1954 Mardon was one of the highest individual points scorers in the National League. He rode in the World final again and he won the Brandonapolis at Coventry. Later in the year he married Valerie Moore, the sister of Ronnie Moore. At the beginning of 1955 he decided to retire and live in New Zealand. After a four-year break Southampton persuaded him to return to British speedway in 1959. He rode the Saints for a year and he qualified for the World final.

Mardon won the 1964 New Zealand Championship. He died on 6 August 2015 in Christchurch.[4]

World final appearances

Mardon had four appearances in world championship finals:[5]

References
  1. Holmes, Tracy (13 August 2009). "Riders to Remember....Geoff Mardon". Archived from the original on 14 September 2015. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  2. Crozier, I. (1975). "The first of the kiwi greats" in Ivan Mauger's Speedway Spectacular. London: Pelham. ISBN 0-7207-0725-0
  3. Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5
  4. "RIP - Geoff Mardon". Motorcycling New Zealand. Archived from the original on 23 August 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  5. Jones, M. (1979). World Speedway Final : a history from 1929. London: MacDonald & Jane's. ISBN 0-354-08551-4


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