Kelly Moran practically lived every day of his life in the fast lane. Admired for his astonishing ability as a speedway rider, he’s equally well-remembered for his off-track antics which have become legendary. Beginning his career as a youngster in the deserts of California by riding mini bikes in the 1960s, he made rapid progress as a professional and headed to England to race as a seventeen-year old where his promising career almost came to a crashing end when it was feared he’d never walk again. Under a year later, he had dispensed with the wheelchair and qualified for his first World Championship. From then on he was recognised as a rare talent, gracing the world’s speedway tracks with a remarkable display of balance and skill that was as spectacular as it was effective. A triple World Finalist, a double World Team Champion and National Champion, he was equally renowned for enjoying himself. The scale of his activities almost cost him his life in a hotel accident in Poland, while his other adventures were wild enough to attract the attention of the wider media. Consequently, years of excess contributed to a short, but very full life. A giant among speedway riders, you couldn’t wish to meet a more friendly and humorous man who, for all his ability and success, remained a people’s champion and really was the last of the great characters. Kelly Moran: A Hell of a Life is a detailed, yet thoroughly exciting account that charts the career and life of one of the most charismatic and popular riders of all time. It also looks beyond his incredible talent and his penchant for excess to reveal the real man behind such nicknames as the Jelly Man and the Wizard of Balance. It includes contributions from his brother, Shawn, friends, rivals and managers, plus photos that have never been published before. 60 colour illustrations
