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Hammers career : 1993-1995
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LEIGH ADAMS became the Hammers' record signing when he moved from Swindon in 1993 shortly after the season had started. He averaged over nine in the top division whilst at the club and won the commonwealth championship at King's Lynn in his first season.
Leigh's career began at Poole in 1989 in the National League, where he averaged nine points a match and helped the Pirates to a league and cup double. After just one season at the lower level, he made a move to Swindon and British League racing in 1990. During his time with the Robins - he spent three seasons during his first spell with the Wiltshire club - he established himself as one of his Australia's hottest young properties.
A runners-up position in the 1990 World Pairs with Todd Wiltshire and a collection of Australian national championships were highlights, although arguably the finest moment was his run-off victory over Mark Loram in the 1992 World Under-21 final.
Leigh moved to the Arena-Essex Raceway as reigning World Junior Champion and his arrival proved a catalyst for the team, who went on a winning streak and recorded some impressive away victories. He led the club to the Knockout Cup final, where they eventually went down to a controversial defeat against Bradford.
Leigh spent two further seasons with the Hammers. In 1994 he again topped the Club's averages, teaming up with Kelvin Tatum to spearhead the side. When British Speedway's professional leagues merged in 1995, Leigh remained and was a tower of strength, often fighting a lone battle away from home in the latter part of that season.
Leigh switched to Hackney in 1996 with to ride for the ill-fated London Lions outfit before moving back to Swindon in 1997's Elite League. He stayed with the Robins in 1998 before moving to King's Lynn mid way through 1999, skippering the Knights to Elite League KO Cup success in 2000.
Further domestic success followed in 2001 when he won the Elite League championship with Oxford - and he repeated that success with Poole in 2003 when he helped the Pirates to a domestic double, riding alongside Tony Rickardsson.
Adams moved back to Swindon at the start of the 2004 season and has remained with the Robins ever since. Despite victories in the pairs championship, further domestic success has eluded him so far - the Robins lost out to Coventry in the Elite League finale this season, although he still has a chance to put that right when he leads them into battle in the Knockout Cup and Craven Shield.
One of the biggest mysteries in speedway has often been Adams' failure to convert his league form into success on the world stage. Although he has won a handful of Grand Prix events, he has never won the game's biggest prize - the World Individual Championship. At one stage this season Adams looked like a serious contender for the crown until a disastrous meeting in the Czech Republic allowed Nicki Pedersen to open up what proved to be an insurmountable lead in the chase to become World Champion.
Year |
Matches |
Rides |
Points |
Bonus |
Total |
Average |
Full Max |
Paid Max |
1993 |
43 |
239 |
525 |
42 |
567 |
9.49 |
2 |
6 |
1994 |
36 |
194 |
464 |
11 |
475 |
9.79 |
1 |
0 |
1995 |
44 |
255 |
623 |
12 |
635 |
9.96 |
4 |
1 |
TOTAL |
123 |
688 |
1612 |
65 |
1677 |
9.75 |
7 |
7 |
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