Melvyn Roy Taylor (born 26 April 1961) is a former speedway rider from England.

Speedway career

Taylor started his career at

Mildenhall Fen Tigers The Mildenhall Fen Tigers are a British speedway team, founded in 1975 and currently riding in the National Development League. History 1971–1989 The original track was built in 1971 on farm land owned by Terry Waters, with chef Bernie Klat ...

in 1977 before riding in the top tier of British Speedway for King's Lynn Stars and Reading Racers in 1978. In 1980, he reached the Commonwealth final, which formed part of the

1980 Individual Speedway World Championship The 1980 Individual Speedway World Championship was the 35th edition of the official World Championship to determine the world champion rider. With 1979 World Champion Ivan Mauger failing to qualify for a World Final for the first time since 1966 ...

. He reached the final of the 1980 British Speedway Championship and the 1981 British Speedway Championship, finishing 9th and 12th respectively. In 1984, he was signed by Oxford Cheetahs who bought him from King's Lynn for £12,000. The Oxford team had returned to the British League and the other signings to start as the top five riders for the season were Hans Nielsen for a record £30,000, Simon Wigg for £25,000, Marvyn Cox for £15,000 and Jens Rasmussen, with Ian Clark and Nigel Sparshott at 6 & 7. After a mid table finish in 1984 he was part of the Oxford team that won the league and cup double during a

1985 British League season The 1985 British League season was the 51st season of the top tier of speedway in the United Kingdom and the 21st known as the British League. Team changes Wimbledon Dons dropped to the National league, this was the first time that Wimbledon woul ...

. Taylor did not compete in the cup final because he left the team in late August to rejoin Mildenhall. In 1987, he won the National League Pairs, partnering Dave Jessup for the Mildenhall, during the

1987 National League season In 1987 the National League, also known as British League Division Two, was the second tier of speedway racing in the United Kingdom. Team changes Glasgow Tigers were without a home so they joined the 1987 season based at Workington's Derwent P ...

. He also won the Fours Championship with Mildenhall, during the 1987 season. After spells at Ipswich Witches and

Rye House Rockets The Rye House Rockets were a speedway team based at Rye House Stadium, Hoddesdon, England. They competed in various British speedway leagues from 1954 to 2018. History Rye House began life in 1934 hosting open meetings. Whilst at Hackney in 1 ...

he returned to Mildenhall for one final season in 1992.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Taylor, Melvyn 1961 births Living people British speedway riders Ipswich Witches riders King's Lynn Stars riders Mildenhall Fen Tigers riders Oxford Cheetahs riders Reading Racers riders Rye House Rockets riders