Jason Lyons facts for kids

Jason Rodney Lyons, born on June 15, 1970, in Mildura, Victoria, is a famous former Australian motorcycle speedway rider. Speedway is an exciting sport where riders race motorcycles with no brakes around an oval track! Jason's dad, Rod Lyons, was also a speedway rider.

Jason Lyons' Speedway Journey

Jason Lyons began his professional speedway career in the United Kingdom in 1990. He joined the Glasgow Tigers team in the National League. He raced alongside another Australian rider, Shane Bowes.

Life as a Belle Vue Ace

In 1992, Jason moved to the Belle Vue Aces team. He stayed with them for an amazing twelve years! Because he was with the team for so long and was such an important rider, fans gave him the nickname 'Mr. Belle Vue'.

Winning for Australia

Jason was a key part of the Australian national team. He helped them win the World Team Cup in 1999. Later, in 2002, he was also part of the team that won the World Cup. The 2002 World Cup Final was held at the East of England Showground. This was a special place for Jason, as it was the home track of his club team at the time, the Peterborough Panthers.

Early Career Highlights

In 1991, Jason competed in the World Under-21 Championship final. He finished in an impressive third place. This race took place at the Brandon stadium in Coventry, England.

Jason also won two special memorial trophies. In 1993, he won the Jack Young Memorial Cup in Adelaide, Australia. Then, in 1996, he won the Peter Craven Memorial at Belle Vue in Manchester. These trophies honor former Speedway World Champions. Jason was the first Australian rider to win both of these important events.

Grand Prix Racing

In 2003, Jason qualified to race in the full Speedway Grand Prix series. This is a very high level of competition for individual riders. He had raced in two Grand Prix events before, even finishing fourth in the Grand Prix of Great Britain in 2000.

Later Club Career

In 2007, Jason joined the newly formed Birmingham Brummies team as their captain. He stayed with the Brummies until the end of the 2010 season. During his time there, he achieved more success. In 2009, he won the Premier League Pairs Championship for Birmingham, racing with his teammate Tomasz Piszcz.

He ended his time with Birmingham on a high note. On August 15, 2010, he helped the team win the Premier League Four-Team Championship. In 2011, Jason signed to race for the Redcar Bears team, where he rode alongside Gary Havelock.

Jason Lyons in Australia

Jason Lyons also had a very successful career racing in his home country, Australia.

Australian Championship Success

In 1992, he won the Australian Pairs Championship. He also became the Victorian State Champion three times in a row, in 1997, 1998, and 1999. In 1999, he added another title, becoming the South Australian Champion.

Jason finished as the runner-up five times in the main Australian Individual Speedway Championship. This was his best result in his national championship. In his junior career, he finished second in the 1986 Australian Under-16 Championship, just behind his good friend Leigh Adams. Interestingly, Leigh Adams also beat him to first place in his first three senior Australian Championship runner-up finishes.

Major Race Appearances

Jason Lyons competed in many important international speedway events.

World Pairs Championship

• 1993: He represented Australia in the World Pairs Championship in Vojens, Denmark. His team finished 6th.

World Team Cup

• 1999: Jason was part of the Australian team that won the World Team Cup in Pardubice, Czech Republic.

World Cup

• 2002: He helped the Australian team win the World Cup in Peterborough, England.
• 2003: Jason was part of the Australian team that finished 2nd in the World Cup in Vojens, Denmark.

Individual Under-21 World Championship

• 1991: Jason finished 3rd in the Individual Under-21 World Championship in Coventry, England.