Svein Harald Kaasa (16 April 1947 – 29 September 1972) was an international motorcycle speedway rider from Norway who was killed during a race meeting.[1][2] He earned 5 caps for the Norway national speedway team.[3]
 Stone memorial at Glasgow speedway track | |
| Born | 16 April 1947 Akkerhaugen, Norway |
|---|---|
| Died | 29 September 1972 (aged 25) Glasgow, Scotland |
| Nationality | Norwegian |
| Career history | |
| 1972 | Oxford Rebels |
| 1972 | Glasgow Tigers |
| Individual honours | |
| 1970, 1971 | Norwegian championship bronze medalist |
Career
editKaasa, a draughtsman by trade won the bronze medal at consecutive Norwegian Championships in 1970 and 1971.[4] He joined the Oxford Rebels team for the 1972 British League season, which was the top tier of speedway in Britain at the time. He struggled to find form and was released at which point he moved to league rivals Glasgow Tigers.[5][2]
On 29 September 1972 he was riding for Glasgow for the fifth time.[6] In the 11th heat of the meeting at Hampden Park he touched the rear wheel of Martin Ashby, which threw him from his bike and he was then crushed on the safety fence by his bike. He suffered serious head injuries and medical staff attempted to resuscitate him but he died on the track.[1][2][7]
There is a memorial made from Norwegian stone at the Glasgow Tigers track in his memory.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "In Memorium". Speedway Star. 8 October 2022. p. 21.
- ^ a b c "Svein Kaasa". Motorsport Memorial. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
- ^ "Ultimate rider index, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
- ^ "Norwegian Individual Speedway Championship". Speedway Fansite. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
- ^ "Svein Kaasa profile". WWOS. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
- ^ "Glasgow Speedway rider killed". The Scotsman. 30 September 1972. Retrieved 25 April 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Buddie recalls tragic night at Hampden". Daily Record. 24 February 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
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