James Shanes

James Shanes

Born	(1997-03-17) 17 March 1997 (age 28) Dorchester, England
Nationality	British (English)
Website	www.smiley-racing.com
Career history
2013	Coventry Storm
2014	Devon Demons
2015–2016	Kent Kings
2017–2018	Poole Pirates
2018	Sheffield Tigers
2018–2022	Birmingham Brummies
2019	Swindon Robins
Individual honours
2016, 2017	European Grasstrack Champion
2015, 2016, 2017, 2019	British Masters Grasstrack Champion
2015	British SandAce Championship
2014	British U21 Grasstrack champion
Team honours
2015	World Longtrack Team Champion
2018	World Longtrack Team silver

James Shanes (born 17 March 1997) is a British speedway rider ^[1] and also competes in Grasstrack and Longtrack speedway. He is a four times British Masters Grasstrack Champion, 2 times European Grasstrack Champion and world long track competitor. ^[2]

Longtrack

In 2015, Shanes was part of the British team with Richard Hall, Glen Phillips and Andrew Appleton that won the world championship gold medal at the 2015 Team Long Track World Championship. ^[3]

World Championship Grand-Prix Series

Year	GP	Points	Pos	GP Wins	GP Podiums
2017	5	78	4	1	1
2018	5	71	5	0	1
2019	5	34	10	0	0
2020	2	18	10	0	0

Best Results

• Eenrum First 2017, Third 2018.
• La Reole Third 2017

World Championship Team Championship

• 2015 - Muhldorf (with Andrew Appleton, Richard Hall & Glen Phillips) First
• 2016 - Marianske Lazne (with Andrew Appleton, Richard Hall & Glen Phillips) Fourth
• 2017 - Roden 23/36 (with (with Andrew Appleton, Richard Hall & Edward Kennett) sixth
• 2018 - Morizes 5/46pts (with Adam Ellis, Zach Wajtknecht & Chris Harris) Second

Grasstrack

Shanes began racing in 2003, aged 6 years, on a 50cc automatic. He progressed through the youth classes with some success, including British Championship wins in 2010 and 2011. He upgraded to adult 250cc racing on his 15th birthday and finished 3rd place in the 250cc British Championship that year.

Shanes is the first rider to complete a hat-trick of British Masters Grasstrack titles as well as being the youngest to win back to back titles. He is also the youngest European Champion.

European Championship

• 2015 Staphorst (Second) 18pts
• 2016 Folkestone (Champion) 9pts ^[4]
• 2017 Hertingen (Champion) 20pts
• 2018 Tayac (Fourth) 15pts

British Masters

• 2014 Folkestone (4th)
• 2015 Wimborne (Champion)
• 2016 Bristol (Champion) ^[5]
• 2017 Folkestone (Champion)
• 2018 Gawsworth (Second)

Speedway

In 2017, he signed for Poole Pirates. ^[6]

In 2023, he signed for Redcar Bears for the SGB Championship 2023 ^[7] but because of complications over an arm injury he was unable to compete for the Bears. ^[8]

All figures relate to the League Racing.

Year	Team	Matches	Rides	Points	Bonus	Total	Average	Full Maximum	Paid Maximum
2014	Plymouth Devils	3	10	3	2	5	2.00
2016	Somerset Rebels	5	21	14	2	16	3.05
2017	Poole Pirates	32	115	93	26	119	4.14		1
2018	Sheffield Tigers	28	142	171	32	203	5.72
2018	Poole Pirates	5	17	11	3	14	3.29
2019	Birmingham Brummies	18	90	122	21	143	6.36
2020	Swindon Robins	7	24	8	4	12	2.00

External References

• Official Website
• GrasstrackGB
• British Speedway A-Z
• pro-boards

References

1. "James Shanes – Grasstrack GB".
2. "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
3. "Hall wins World Long Track Championship with GB". The Southern Reporter. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
4. "James Shanes Crowned European Champion at Swingfield".
5. "Grasstrack: James Shanes set for set for title defence at British Masters".
6. "James Shanes looks to make the grade with Poole Pirates". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
7. "Bears name full side". British Speedway. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
8. "Bears move for Bailey". British Speedway. Retrieved 2 March 2023.