Chris Blythe, a popular former Workington Comets rider has died in his native Australia at the age of 76.
Born in Adelaide, Blythe rode in the first two seasons for the Comets after they launched at Derwent Park in 1970.
Chris didn’t ride in the Comets opening meeting but made his Derwent Park debut the following week in a Challenge match against the Sheffield Cubs – the date was April 10, 1970 – 53 years ago today!
In that first season he rode in 29 matches, took 92 rides and scored 79 points with 18 bonus points for an average of 4.22.
The following year he took part in 21 matches, had 58 rides and scored 41 points with 16 bonus points for an average of 3.93.
It gave him a career total at the Comets of 50 matches, 150 rides, 120 points, 34 bonus points and an overall average of 4.11.
He lost his team place mid-way through 1971 to Steve Watson – who ironically died just over three months ago – and so returned to Australia.
In 1972 he returned to the UK to ride for Ellesmere Port, which was a track that Ian Thomas was involved in opening, which is how he came to join them.
Had his best season in the UK in 1972 riding for them and took part on 33 matches, averaging 4.50.
But the following year, back at Ellesmere Port, he rode just three matches and after a poor start to the season packed up and returned to Australia.
A career highlight for him was at Workington’s Derwent Park on Sunday, May 30, 1971 when along with Bernie Hornby, they were the shock winners of the John Peel Best Pairs on a very wet afternoon.
Chris had come in as a late replacement for the injured Taffy Owen to partner Bernie to victory.
