Victor John Harding (5 July 1952 in East Ham, London – 8 June 1979 Whipps Cross, London) was a motorcycle speedway rider.[1][2]
 | |
| Born | 5 July 1952 East Ham, London, England |
|---|---|
| Died | 8 June 1979 (aged 26) |
| Nationality | British (English) |
| Career history | |
| 1974 | Sunderland Gladiators |
| 1975-1977 | Weymouth Wizards |
| 1975 | Exeter Falcons |
| 1977-1979 | Hackney Hawks |
| 1977 | Crayford Kestrels |
Career
edit
Harding began at the Rye House training school in 1970 run by Len Silver and spent several seasons trying to break into a league team.[3]
In 1974 the Sunderland Gladiators handed him the chance. In 1975, he moved to Weymouth Wizards.[4] He became the club captain at Weymouth.[5]
In 1977 Len Silver signed him for the Hackney Hawks from Weymouth and spent most of that season as reserve. In 1978 he began improving so much that by 1979, he was a heat leader.[3][6]
Death
editTragedy struck on 8 June 1979 when Harding was killed whilst riding for Hackney at Hackney Wick Stadium, Waterden Road.[7] He was in a heat as a replacement for Bo Petersen but during the race he was involved in a terrible crash with Steve Weatherley. Harding was killed and Weatherley was left with a broken back and paraplegia.[3][8]
Following this tragic accident, the Hawks hosted a Vic Harding Memorial Trophy every season in Harding's honour. It was in fact the last ever meeting hosted by the Hackney Hawks.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Hackney Hawks Website accessed 25 July 2007.
- ^ "Ultimate Rider Index, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- ^ a b c Fenn, C.(2003). Hackney Speedway, Friday at Eight. ISBN 0-7524-2737-7
- ^ Lawson,K (2018) “Riders, Teams and Stadiums”. ISBN 978-0-244-72538-9
- ^ "Kestrels to sign Harding". Kent Evening Post. 20 July 1977. Retrieved 23 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Close formation picture feature". Lynn Advertiser. 9 August 1977. Retrieved 23 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Vic Harding killed". Reading Evening Post. 9 June 1979. Retrieved 23 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Jacobs, Norman (2001). Speedway in London. ISBN 0-7524-2221-9