Benji Compton
Encyclopedia
Benji Compton is a Spanish-British motorcycle speedway
rider.
in 2004, Scunthorpe Scorpions
in 2005, Sheffield Tigers
in 2006 as well as Berwick Bandits
and King's Lynn Stars
in 2007. He won the Premier Trophy
in 2007 while riding for King's Lynn.
His parent club is Sheffield Tigers who in 2008 granted him permission to ride for Scunthorpe Scorpions who had moved up to the Premier League
from the Conference League
. Compton had ridden for Scunthorpe in the Conference League from 2005 to 2007. In May 2008, however, it was revealed that Compton would be leaving Scunthorpe as part of team strengthening. Compton subsequently rode for the Redcar Bears
for the remainder of the season. In September 2008, Compton won the Conference League Riders' Championship at Rye House
with a 14 point tally.
Compton is the first speedway rider with Spanish citizenship to have signed a contract with a Polish club (Polonia Piła for the 2009 season
). In August 2009, he joined National League team, The Weymouth Wildcats.
Benji is currently taking some time out from speedway to concentrate on his budding career in hairdressing - though spends a good deal of time in and around the sport locally
, Tenerife
, Spain
. When he was four years old, his family was moved to Great Britain
. He now lives in Bradford
, England
and has two citizenships; Spanish and British. Compton is the younger brother of former Sheffield Tigers
captain Andre Compton
.
Motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
rider.
Career
Compton has ridden for BuxtonBuxton Hitmen
The Buxton Hitmen are a speedway team in the British National League . The 2010 team achieved a unique treble winning the League, Knock-Out Cup and National Trophy.-Honours:*Conference KO Cup 2002...
in 2004, Scunthorpe Scorpions
Scunthorpe Scorpions
The Scunthorpe Scorpions are a speedway team in the British Premier League. After three successful years in the Conference League the side were accepted into the Premier League for 2008...
in 2005, Sheffield Tigers
Sheffield Tigers
The Sheffield 'Window Centre' Tigers are a speedway team based in Sheffield, England. They currently race in the British Premier League and their home meetings take place at Owlerton Stadium which is the fastest track in British speedway...
in 2006 as well as Berwick Bandits
Berwick Bandits
The Berwick Bandits are a speedway team based at Shielfield Park, Berwick upon Tweed, the club competes in the British Premier League.-Brief history:...
and King's Lynn Stars
King's Lynn Stars
King's Lynn Stars are a motorcycle speedway team who compete in the British Elite League. The nickname "Stars" comes from the defunct Norwich Stars team...
in 2007. He won the Premier Trophy
Speedway Premier Trophy
The Premier Trophy is a contest between teams competing in the Speedway Premier League in the UK. The first competition was held in 1999. The competition is usually run before the Premier League starts in April and May. The finals are usually contested in June/July...
in 2007 while riding for King's Lynn.
His parent club is Sheffield Tigers who in 2008 granted him permission to ride for Scunthorpe Scorpions who had moved up to the Premier League
Speedway Premier League
The Premier League is the second division of Speedway in the United Kingdom and goverened by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The Premier League was founded in 1995 when it replaced the British League as the first division...
from the Conference League
Speedway Conference League
The Conference League was the third and lowest division of motorcycle speedway racing in the United Kingdom governed by the Speedway Control Board , in conjunction with the British Speedway Promoters' Association . The other leagues being the Elite League and Premier League. The League consisted of...
. Compton had ridden for Scunthorpe in the Conference League from 2005 to 2007. In May 2008, however, it was revealed that Compton would be leaving Scunthorpe as part of team strengthening. Compton subsequently rode for the Redcar Bears
Redcar Bears
The Redcar Bears are a British Speedway team. They currently compete in the Premier League. Captain of the team is 1992 World Champion Gary Havelock. In 2007 the Bears won their first major honour, beating the Birmingham Brummies to win the Young Shield...
for the remainder of the season. In September 2008, Compton won the Conference League Riders' Championship at Rye House
Rye House Stadium
Rye House Stadium is a greyhound racing and speedway venue in Rye House near Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire. It is situated adjacent to the River Lea Navigation.-The stadium:...
with a 14 point tally.
Compton is the first speedway rider with Spanish citizenship to have signed a contract with a Polish club (Polonia Piła for the 2009 season
2009 Polish Speedway Second League
The 2009 Team Speedway Polish Championship of Second League is the 10th Second League season, the third division of Team Speedway Polish Championship. The Second League have eight teams competing...
). In August 2009, he joined National League team, The Weymouth Wildcats.
Benji is currently taking some time out from speedway to concentrate on his budding career in hairdressing - though spends a good deal of time in and around the sport locally
Personal life
Compton was born in Playa de las AméricasPlaya de las Américas
Playa de las Américas is a purpose-built holiday resort in the northern part of the Municipality of Arona, close to the adjoining Municipality of Adeje in the south of Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands. It was built in the 1960s beside the town of Los Cristianos and stretching northward to the...
, Tenerife
Tenerife
Tenerife is the largest and most populous island of the seven Canary Islands, it is also the most populated island of Spain, with a land area of 2,034.38 km² and 906,854 inhabitants, 43% of the total population of the Canary Islands. About five million tourists visit Tenerife each year, the...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. When he was four years old, his family was moved to Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
. He now lives in Bradford
Bradford
Bradford lies at the heart of the City of Bradford, a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, in Northern England. It is situated in the foothills of the Pennines, west of Leeds, and northwest of Wakefield. Bradford became a municipal borough in 1847, and received its charter as a city in 1897...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and has two citizenships; Spanish and British. Compton is the younger brother of former Sheffield Tigers
Sheffield Tigers
The Sheffield 'Window Centre' Tigers are a speedway team based in Sheffield, England. They currently race in the British Premier League and their home meetings take place at Owlerton Stadium which is the fastest track in British speedway...
captain Andre Compton
Andre Compton
Andre Compton is a Speedway rider. He is the older brother of Redcar Bears' Benji Compton.-Career summary:...
.