Vic Harding
 | |
| 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 |
Victor John Harding (5 July 1952 in East Ham, London – 8 June 1979 Whipps Cross, London) was a motorcycle speedway rider.[1][2]
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 Harding the chance. In 1975, he moved to Weymouth Wizards.[4] He became the club captain at Weymouth.[5]
In 1977, Len Silver signed Harding 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
[edit]Tragedy 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
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Hackney Hawks Website accessed 25 July 2007.
- ↑ "Ultimate Rider Index, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
- 1 2 3 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