George Hunter (speedway rider)

George Hunter
Born (1939-01-30)30 January 1939
Ladybank, Fife
Died 11 May 1999(1999-05-11) (aged 60)
Nationality Scotland Scotland
Current club information
Career status retired
Career history
1958
1960-1967, 1980-1981, 1983
1968-1969
1970
1971-1972
1972-1977, 1979
1978-1979
1982		 Lanarkshire Golden Eagles
Edinburgh Monarchs
Coatbridge Monarchs
Newcastle Diamonds
Glasgow Tigers
Wolverhampton Wolves
Oxford Cheetahs
Berwick Bandits
Individual honours
1964 Scottish Open Champion
Team honours
1973 Midland Cup

George Hunter (30 January 1939 – 11 May 1999) is a former motorcycle speedway rider. He rode for the Edinburgh Monarchs and the Wolverhampton Wolves.

Career

Hunter's early career was on grass. He joined Motherwell Speedway team in 1958 and moved to Edinburgh Monarchs in 1960. Known as the “Ladybank Express”, he rode in 360 league matches for the Monarchs over his lifetime career.

In 1963 he was ahead of reigning world champion Peter Craven in the final race of a challenge match between Edinburgh and Belle Vue at Old Meadowbank when his engine seized. After taking evasive action Craven may have clipped Hunter's wheel before crashing through the fence and suffering fatal injuries.

Hunter narrowly missed out on being the 1963 Provincial League Riders Champion, suffering an engine failure while leading in the final. Ivan Mauger took the title.

Hunter was a British Finalist in 1966, 1967 and 1976.

He retired in 1983.

Personal life

Hunter was born in Ladybank, Fife, Scotland. He and his wife, Barbara, have a daughter, Natalie. He died of cancer in 1999.

World Final appearances

World Pairs Championship

External links


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