Malcolm "Simmo" Simmons (20 March 1946 – 25 May 2014) was an English motorcycle speedway rider who became one of the sport's most successful team competitors in the 1970s. Nicknamed "Simmo," he rode at the top level of British speedway and is closely associated with the Poole Pirates team based in Poole. He competed internationally and is remembered for his consistency and effectiveness in pair and team events within the speedway world.

Major achievements

  • Three-time winner of the Speedway World Team Cup: 1974, 1975 and 1977.
  • Three-time winner of the Speedway World Pairs Championship: 1976, 1977 and 1978.

These honours mark Simmons as a key figure in Britain’s international speedway success during the 1970s. His results in pairs and team competitions underline a career built on teamwork, tactical riding and the ability to deliver under pressure in national and international meetings.

Background and style

Simmons was born in Tonbridge, Kent, and rose through the ranks of British speedway to establish himself at national level. Riders of his caliber are valued not only for individual heat wins but for tactical awareness—protecting a teammate, securing important points, and adapting to different track conditions. Simmons earned a reputation for those qualities, helping his teams to secure major trophies.

Off the track he was married to June. In later life he suffered from respiratory illness and died of emphysema on 25 May 2014 in Kent at the age of 68. His death was noted across the speedway community, where he is remembered for both his achievements and his contributions to team success.

Legacy and significance

Malcolm Simmons is remembered as a specialist in team-format competitions, having helped define an era when British riders were prominent on the world stage. His multiple World Team Cup and World Pairs titles highlight the importance of cooperation and partnership in speedway—a contrast to purely individual championships. Fans and historians of the sport continue to cite his performances when discussing British speedway’s golden periods and the role of team tactics in the sport’s development.