Doncaster speedway star Ricky Wells swaps wheels for warehouse job at Amazon during lockdown

Big name Doncaster speedway star Ricky Wells has swapped wheels for warehouse work with a lockdown job at Amazon.
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The 28-year-old former USA champion and former Sheffield Tigers rider, who lives in Doncaster and travels all around the world to compete in the sport, has taken a temporary career switch to tide him through lockdown, taking a job at online retailer Amazon at its Water Vole Way warehouse.

He is one of a legion of speedway riders unable to earn because of the lockdown ban on professional sport.

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Ricky was born in New Zealand but grew up in California, and has made his living in Speedway for the last 20 years, competing across Europe. He was American national speedway champion in 2009. At present he was due to be riding for Glasgow Tigers.

New employees at Amazon in Doncaster who have been displaced from their usual jobs due to the Covid19 situation.
Professional speedway rider Ricky Wells.New employees at Amazon in Doncaster who have been displaced from their usual jobs due to the Covid19 situation.
Professional speedway rider Ricky Wells.
New employees at Amazon in Doncaster who have been displaced from their usual jobs due to the Covid19 situation. Professional speedway rider Ricky Wells.

He said: “Due to Covid-19, speedway throughout Europe was cancelled in late March along with most other professional sports. The closing of the competition has resulted in my sponsors withdrawing from the sport, as well as losing my performance-based wages which were gained through race finishing positions.

“I’ve had a really good experience at Amazon, I’ve never worked in a warehouse before but I like it because it’s always busy. Everyone is really friendly and it’s great to work with such a diverse group. I can’t count how many times I’ve been asked how a guy from California ended up in Doncaster, but I like Doncaster a lot.

“It’s given me a goal and got me out the house, as well as provided a nice income to keep things turning over, removing a lot of the stress I was facing before.”