Norman Hunter (speedway rider)
Encyclopedia
Norman Hunter is a former motorcycle speedway
rider who won the London Riders' Championship
in 1963 and again in 1966 and the Midland Riders' Championship
in 1969. He was also a member of the Great Britain national speedway team
that won the World Team Cup
in 1968.
rider with Wembley before, winning scores of honours. After taking up motorcycle speedway in 1961 at the Rye House track, his first team place was with the Leicester Hunters
in 1962. He then joined the newly formed Hackney Hawks
in 1963 and won the London Riders' Championship
at the first attempt. He then moved on to the West Ham Hammers
in 1964 and it was with them he won The London Riders' Championship
again in 1966. He also rode with the Wolverhampton Wolves
and for Swindon Robins
.
Hunter represented England on ten occasions, and Great Britain on ten, all between 1965 and 1971, including the World Team Cup in 1968.
After retiring from racing he was appointed to a technical adviser role for Leicester Lions in 1981, taking over management of the team the following year.
Motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
rider who won the London Riders' Championship
London Riders' Championship
The London Riders' Championship was an individual speedway competition for top riders of teams from London. It was a very prestigious competition, especially in its early days. However, as the number of teams from London dwindled, so did interest in the competition. The last competition wast held...
in 1963 and again in 1966 and the Midland Riders' Championship
Midland Riders' Championship
The Midland Riders' Championship was an individual speedway competition for top riders of teams from the Midlands.-Winners:...
in 1969. He was also a member of the Great Britain national speedway team
Great Britain national speedway team
The Great Britain national speedway team are one of the major teams in international speedway. The team is managed by Poole Pirates manager Neil Middleditch and the captain is Chris Harris of the Belle Vue Aces....
that won the World Team Cup
Speedway World Team Cup
The Speedway World Team Cup was an annual speedway event held each year in different countries. The competition started in 1960 and was replaced with the Speedway World Cup in 2001.-Format:From 1960 until 1985 each team consisted of four riders and a reserve...
in 1968.
Biography
Hunter worked as an electrician and was a successful cycle speedwayCycle speedway
Cycle speedway is a form of bicycle racing on short oval dirt tracks, usually outdoors, occasionally indoors, typically 70-90 metres long. Like motorcycle speedway, riders use machines without brakes or multiple gears but, unlike motor speedway, the object is not to slide bikes round the...
rider with Wembley before, winning scores of honours. After taking up motorcycle speedway in 1961 at the Rye House track, his first team place was with the Leicester Hunters
Leicester Hunters
The Leicester Hunters were a motorcycle speedway team which operated from 1948 until 1962.-History:Speedway had operated before the war at both Leicester Stadium and the Leicester Super track. Speedway was proposed to return to Leicester in 1948 at Leicester Stadium, led by A. D...
in 1962. He then joined the newly formed Hackney Hawks
Hackney Hawks
Hackney Hawks speedway opened in 1963 at Hackney Wick Stadium, Waterden Road, London and operated until 1983.-Early days:Originally opened by Mike Parker, the promotion was then sold to Len Silver who was the club's promoter for the next twenty seasons....
in 1963 and won the London Riders' Championship
London Riders' Championship
The London Riders' Championship was an individual speedway competition for top riders of teams from London. It was a very prestigious competition, especially in its early days. However, as the number of teams from London dwindled, so did interest in the competition. The last competition wast held...
at the first attempt. He then moved on to the West Ham Hammers
West Ham Hammers
The West Ham Hammers were a speedway team, first promoted by Jimmy Baxter in 1929.. They operated from the West Ham Stadium until the outbreak of World War II under several different promotions, most successfully under the control of Johnnie Hoskins....
in 1964 and it was with them he won The London Riders' Championship
London Riders' Championship
The London Riders' Championship was an individual speedway competition for top riders of teams from London. It was a very prestigious competition, especially in its early days. However, as the number of teams from London dwindled, so did interest in the competition. The last competition wast held...
again in 1966. He also rode with the Wolverhampton Wolves
Wolverhampton Wolves
The Wolverhampton Wolves are a British Speedway team based in Wolverhampton, England. They are sponsored by Parry's International Travel, and have signed a new deal with owner Dave Parry for the 2008 season onwards. The team is managed by Peter Adams and the promoter of the club is Chris Van...
and for Swindon Robins
Swindon Robins
The Swindon Speedway team, also known as the Swindon Robins, are an English Motorcycle Speedway team established in 1949 that competes in the Elite League....
.
Hunter represented England on ten occasions, and Great Britain on ten, all between 1965 and 1971, including the World Team Cup in 1968.
After retiring from racing he was appointed to a technical adviser role for Leicester Lions in 1981, taking over management of the team the following year.