Kelly Moran (speedway rider)

Kelly Michael Moran (September 21, 1960 – April 4, 2010)^[1] was an American professional speedway rider who rode for a number of British clubs and also represented the United States national speedway team. His younger brother Shawn Moran was also a successful speedway rider.^[2]

Career

Moran was known as "Jelly Man" and "the Wizard of Balance" for the way he would hang off his machine when cornering. He arrived in England to race for

A dispute over terms saw Moran make a late start to his British season with Birmingham. But he was on the move again in 1981 when he joined the Eastbourne Eagles where he became a spectacular crowd pleaser. He then qualified for his second World Championship Final in 1982 where he again finished fourth, this time in front of his home crowd at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Despite experiencing his best ever season in 1982, he decided to remain in California for the next three years. During this period he won back-to-back

Following Sheffield's closure Moran moved to the Belle Vue Aces with his brother, where he remained until a dip in form saw him move from Belle Vue to Swindon early in 1992. A broken collar bone interrupted his spell at Swindon, but he struggled for form in a team that was rooted at the foot of the league. ^{[citation needed]} He retired from speedway at the end of the season, but he made a brief comeback in 2003 racing in North America. However, his comeback lasted just the one season.

Death

Moran, a heavy cigarette smoker, died in his home town, Huntington Beach, California, on April 4, 2010, from complications of emphysema.^[3] He was 49 years old at the time of his passing.

A public memorial service was held for Moran on April 10, 2010, at his home track, the Costa Mesa Speedway in Los Angeles, organised by close friend and long time sponsor Peter Rovazzini of Rovazzini Electric. Among those who attended and gave speeches about Moran were Bruce Penhall, Bobby Schwartz, Dennis Sigalos, Ron Preston, John Cook, and Briggs. Condolence messages sent from Australian rider John Titman and 15 time World Champion Ivan Mauger were read out by those present.^[4]

World Final appearances

Individual World Championship

• Silesian Stadium
  – 4th – 11pts + 2pts
• 1982 – Los Angeles, Memorial Coliseum – 4th – 11pts
• Göteborg, Ullevi
  – 4th – 11pts

• 1982 - London, White City Stadium (with Bruce Penhall / Bobby Schwartz / Shawn Moran / Scott Autrey) - Winner - 34pts (10)
• 1983 - Vojens, Speedway Center (with Dennis Sigalos / Lance King / Bobby Schwartz) – 3rd – 27pts (6)
• Alfred Smoczyk Stadium (with Shawn Moran / Bobby Schwartz / Lance King / John Cook
  ) – 3rd – 20pts (5)
• Marketa Stadium (with Shawn Moran / Sam Ermolenko / Lance King / Rick Miller / John Cook
  ) - 3rd - 93pts (14)
• 1988 - Long Beach, Veterans Memorial Stadium (with Sam Ermolenko / Lance King / Shawn Moran / Rick Miller) - 2nd - 32pts (5)
• 1989 - Bradford, Odsal Stadium (with Greg Hancock / Ronnie Correy / Rick Miller / Lance King) - 4th - 8pts (6)

See also

• United States national speedway team

References