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Chris Louis (speedway rider)
Encyclopedia
Christopher "Chris" Louis (born 9 July 1969) is an England
international Speedway
motorcycle rider who rides for the Ipswich Witches
. He is the son of former Great Britain International John Louis who is the current promoter at Ipswich
.
Chris Louis made history in 1993 when he became the first son of a former World Finalist
to also qualify for the World Final
when he finished in a brilliant third place in Pocking
, Germany
. Louis tied with former champion Hans Nielsen
of Denmark
in 11 points, only 1 point behind winner Sam Ermolenko
of the United States
. In a run-off to decide overall second place, Nielsen defeated Chris Louis who had to settle for third in his World Final debut.
Louis also qualified for the 1994 World Final
in Vojens
, Denmark but was unable to repeat his 1993 form and finished a disappointing 12th scoring only six points.
Chris Louis qualified for the new Speedway Grand Prix
series which replaced the former World Final in 1995. He finished a career best 7th in the 1995 SGP
with a best finish of third in Poland
. He continued to take part in the SGP series as a regular rider until 2000
, with his best finishes being second placings in the 1998
Danish
and Swedish
GP's and the 1999 British GP
. He rode in selected events in 2001
before making his last appearance as wild card in 2004
.
During his career, Chris Louis won trophies in the UK, Poland, Sweden and Germany, and in 1998 and 2000 he followed his fathers footsteps by becoming British Speedway Champion
(John Louis won in 1975).
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...
international Speedway
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...
motorcycle rider who rides for the Ipswich Witches
Ipswich Witches
The Ipswich Witches are a British speedway club based at Foxhall Stadium near Ipswich, Suffolk. Meetings are staged on most Thursdays from March until October, normally commencing at 7.30pm....
. He is the son of former Great Britain International John Louis who is the current promoter at Ipswich
Ipswich
Ipswich is a large town and a non-metropolitan district. It is the county town of Suffolk, England. Ipswich is located on the estuary of the River Orwell...
.
Career
Louis is former schoolboy grasstrack champion. He started his professional career at Hackney before moving to Ipswich in 1989 where he has ridden ever since. He has missed a couple of seasons due to injury.Chris Louis made history in 1993 when he became the first son of a former World Finalist
Speedway World Championship
The World Championship of Speedway is an international competition between the highest ranked motorcycle speedway riders of the world. Today, it is organised as a series of Speedway Grand Prix events, where points are awarded according to performance in the event and tallied up at the end of each...
to also qualify for the World Final
1993 Individual Speedway World Championship
The 1993 Individual Speedway World Championship.-World final:*August 29, 1993 Pocking, Rottalstadion...
when he finished in a brilliant third place in Pocking
Pocking
Pocking is a town in the district of Passau, in Lower Bavaria, Germany. It is situated about 30 km south-west of Passau, close to the Austrian border.-History:...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Louis tied with former champion Hans Nielsen
Hans Nielsen (speedway rider)
Hans Hollen Nielsen - a prominent speedway rider active from the 1970s to the late 1990s; a former World Champion....
of Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
in 11 points, only 1 point behind winner Sam Ermolenko
Sam Ermolenko
Guy Allen 'Sudden Sam' Ermolenko is a former Speedway rider. In 1993 he won the Speedway World Championship in Pocking, Germany. He is the older brother of Charles 'Dukie' Ermolenko who also rode in the UK....
of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In a run-off to decide overall second place, Nielsen defeated Chris Louis who had to settle for third in his World Final debut.
Louis also qualified for the 1994 World Final
1994 Individual Speedway World Championship
The 1994 Individual Speedway World Championship.-Scandinavian Series:Riders from Scandinavia, i.e. Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland competed. The top 8 in Swedish Semi Finals advanced to the Swedish Final. The top 5 in the Swedish Final advanced to the Scandinavian Final. The Danish Final was...
in Vojens
Vojens
Vojens Municipality , was a municipality in the former South Jutland County on the Jutland peninsula in south Denmark. The municipality, which existed from 1970 to 2006, covered an area of 298 km², and had a total population of 16,792...
, Denmark but was unable to repeat his 1993 form and finished a disappointing 12th scoring only six points.
Chris Louis qualified for the new Speedway Grand Prix
Speedway Grand Prix
Speedway Grand Prix are a series of stand-alone speedway events over the course of a season used to determine the Speedway World Champion. As of 2008, all of the events take place in Europe.- Event format :...
series which replaced the former World Final in 1995. He finished a career best 7th in the 1995 SGP
1995 Speedway Grand Prix
The 1995 Speedway Grand Prix season was the first season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and was used to determine the Speedway World Champion. Grand Prix series was won by Hans Nielsen; it was his fourth World Champion title.- Event format :...
with a best finish of third in Poland
1995 Speedway Grand Prix of Poland
The 1995 Speedway Grand Prix of Poland was the first race of the 1995 Speedway Grand Prix season. It was take place on 20 May in the Olympic Stadium in Wrocław, Poland.- Starting positions draw :...
. He continued to take part in the SGP series as a regular rider until 2000
2000 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2000 Speedway Grand Prix season was the sixth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and was used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :The system first used in 1998 continued to be adopted with 24 riders, divided into two classes...
, with his best finishes being second placings in the 1998
1998 Speedway Grand Prix
The 1998 Speedway Grand Prix season was the fourth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and was used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :The system used was a new one for the 4th SGP season with 24 riders, divided into two classes...
Danish
1998 Speedway Grand Prix of Denmark
The 1998 Speedway Grand Prix of Denmark was the third race of the 1998 Speedway Grand Prix season. It was take place on 17 July in the Speedway Center in Vojens, Denmark It was fourth Danish SGP and was won by Danish rider Hans Nielsen...
and Swedish
1998 Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden
The 1998 Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden was the fifth race of the 1998 Speedway Grand Prix season. It was take place on 28 August in the Motorstadium in Linköping, Sweden It was fourth Swedish SGP and was won by World Champion Tony Rickardsson. It was third win of his career.- Starting positions...
GP's and the 1999 British GP
1999 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain
The 1999 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain was the fourth race of the 1999 Speedway Grand Prix season. It took place on 31 July at the Brandon Stadium in Coventry, England- Starting positions draw :...
. He rode in selected events in 2001
2001 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2001 Speedway Grand Prix season was the seventh season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and is used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :The system first used in 1998 continued to be adopted with 24 riders, divided into two classes...
before making his last appearance as wild card in 2004
2004 Speedway Grand Prix
The 2004 Speedway Grand Prix season is the tenth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and is used to determine the Speedway World Champion.-Event format:The system first used in 1998 continued to be adopted with 24 riders, divided into two classes...
.
During his career, Chris Louis won trophies in the UK, Poland, Sweden and Germany, and in 1998 and 2000 he followed his fathers footsteps by becoming British Speedway Champion
British Speedway Championship
The British Speedway Championship is an annual motorcycle speedway competition open to British national speedway riders. The winner of the event becomes the British Speedway Champion. It has been open in the past to riders from British dominions and was dominated in its early years by riders from...
(John Louis won in 1975).
World Final Appearances
- 19931993 Individual Speedway World ChampionshipThe 1993 Individual Speedway World Championship.-World final:*August 29, 1993 Pocking, Rottalstadion...
-
PockingPockingPocking is a town in the district of Passau, in Lower Bavaria, Germany. It is situated about 30 km south-west of Passau, close to the Austrian border.-History:...
, Rottalstadion - 3rd - 11pts + 2pts - 19941994 Individual Speedway World ChampionshipThe 1994 Individual Speedway World Championship.-Scandinavian Series:Riders from Scandinavia, i.e. Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland competed. The top 8 in Swedish Semi Finals advanced to the Swedish Final. The top 5 in the Swedish Final advanced to the Scandinavian Final. The Danish Final was...
-
VojensVojensVojens Municipality , was a municipality in the former South Jutland County on the Jutland peninsula in south Denmark. The municipality, which existed from 1970 to 2006, covered an area of 298 km², and had a total population of 16,792...
, Speedway Center - 12th - 6pts
Speedway Grand Prix results
| Year | Position | Points | Best Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 1995 Speedway Grand Prix The 1995 Speedway Grand Prix season was the first season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and was used to determine the Speedway World Champion. Grand Prix series was won by Hans Nielsen; it was his fourth World Champion title.- Event format :... |
7th | 77 | 3rd | 3rd Polish GP 1995 Speedway Grand Prix of Poland The 1995 Speedway Grand Prix of Poland was the first race of the 1995 Speedway Grand Prix season. It was take place on 20 May in the Olympic Stadium in Wrocław, Poland.- Starting positions draw :... |
| 1996 1996 Speedway Grand Prix The 1996 Speedway Grand Prix season was the second season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and was used to determine the Speedway World Champion. Grand Prix series was won by Billy Hamill; it was his first and only World Champion title.- Event format :... |
8th | 54 | 5th | Best finish in German GP 1996 Speedway Grand Prix of Germany The 1996 Speedway Grand Prix of Germany was the third race of the 1996 Speedway Grand Prix season. It was take place on 9 July in the Rottalstadion in Pocking, Germany It was second German SGP and was won by Danish rider Hans Nielsen... |
| 1997 1997 Speedway Grand Prix The 1997 Speedway Grand Prix season was the third season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and was used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :During 1997 the initial SGP scoring system was used for the final time... |
9th | 59 | 5th | Best finish in Danish GP 1997 Speedway Grand Prix of Denmark The 1997 Speedway Grand Prix of Denmark was the sixth and last race of the 1997 Speedway Grand Prix season. It was take place on 23 September in the Speedway Center in Vojens, Denmark It was third Danish SGP and was won by British rider Mark Loram. It was first win of his career.- Starting... |
| 1998 1998 Speedway Grand Prix The 1998 Speedway Grand Prix season was the fourth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and was used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :The system used was a new one for the 4th SGP season with 24 riders, divided into two classes... |
5th | 59 | 2nd | 2nd in Denmark 1998 Speedway Grand Prix of Denmark The 1998 Speedway Grand Prix of Denmark was the third race of the 1998 Speedway Grand Prix season. It was take place on 17 July in the Speedway Center in Vojens, Denmark It was fourth Danish SGP and was won by Danish rider Hans Nielsen... and Sweden 1998 Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden The 1998 Speedway Grand Prix of Sweden was the fifth race of the 1998 Speedway Grand Prix season. It was take place on 28 August in the Motorstadium in Linköping, Sweden It was fourth Swedish SGP and was won by World Champion Tony Rickardsson. It was third win of his career.- Starting positions... |
| 1999 1999 Speedway Grand Prix The 1999 Speedway Grand Prix season was the fifth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and was used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :The system first used in 1998 continued to be adopted with 24 riders, divided into two classes... |
12th | 50 | 2nd | 2nd in British GP 1999 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain The 1999 Speedway Grand Prix of Great Britain was the fourth race of the 1999 Speedway Grand Prix season. It took place on 31 July at the Brandon Stadium in Coventry, England- Starting positions draw :... |
| 2000 2000 Speedway Grand Prix The 2000 Speedway Grand Prix season was the sixth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and was used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :The system first used in 1998 continued to be adopted with 24 riders, divided into two classes... |
10th | 60 | 3rd | Best finish in Czech Republic 2000 Speedway Grand Prix of Czech Republic The 2000 Speedway Grand Prix of Czech Republic was the first race of the 2000 Speedway Grand Prix season. It was take place on 6 May in the Marketa Stadium in Prague, Czech Republic It was fourth Czech Republic SGP and was won by American rider Billy Hamill.... and Poland 2000 Speedway Grand Prix of Poland - Standings :- External links :* *... |
| 2001 2001 Speedway Grand Prix The 2001 Speedway Grand Prix season was the seventh season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and is used to determine the Speedway World Champion.- Event format :The system first used in 1998 continued to be adopted with 24 riders, divided into two classes... |
27th | 6 | 19th | Best finish in German GP 2001 Speedway Grand Prix of Germany The 2001 Speedway Grand Prix of Germany was the first race of the 2001 Speedway Grand Prix season. It was take place on 5 May in the Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark in Berlin, Germany- Starting positions draw :... |
| 2004 2004 Speedway Grand Prix The 2004 Speedway Grand Prix season is the tenth season in the Speedway Grand Prix era and is used to determine the Speedway World Champion.-Event format:The system first used in 1998 continued to be adopted with 24 riders, divided into two classes... |
32nd | 4 |