Victor Harry White (20 May 1932 – 22 May 2024) was an English motorcycle speedway rider, promoter and team manager.[1]
| Born | 20 May 1932 Hackney, London |
|---|---|
| Died | 22 May 2024 (aged 92) |
| Nationality | British (English) |
| Career history | |
| 1959 | Ipswich Witches |
| 1960-1961 | Cradley Heathens |
| 1962 | Leicester Hunters |
| 1963, 1966-1967 | Long Eaton Archers |
| 1964-1965 | Newport Wasps |
| 1965 | Belle Vue Aces |
| 1968 | Leicester Lions |
| 1968 | Reading Racers |
| Team honours | |
| 1961, 1964 | Provincial League KO Cup |
Biography
editWhite was born in Hackney in 1932, and took up speedway in 1956. After gaining experience on training tracks, White made his competitive debut in 1959 for Ipswich in the Southern Area League, and went on to ride for Cradley Heath in 1960 and 1961.[2] He then moved on to Leicester Hunters[3]who he rode for (and captained) until 1963, when he moved to the Long Eaton Archers.
After riding for Newport Wasps in 1964 and 1965, also riding for Belle Vue Aces in 1965, he returned to Long Eaton in 1966. In 1968 he moved with the promotion to the newly formed Leicester Lions, retiring during the season but soon returning, finishing the season with Reading Racers.[4] He was the only rider to ride for both the Hunters and the Lions.[2]
Retiring from racing for good at the end of the 1968 season, White worked in promotion and team management, working with Long Eaton, Scunthorpe Scorpions, Leicester, Cradley Heath, and Coventry Bees.[5]
Vic's son Keith followed him into a career in speedway, riding under Vic's management at Leicester in the 1970s.[4]
Vic White served as President of the World Speedway Riders' Association in 1998, later serving as secretary and treasurer.[6] He died on 22 May 2024, two days after his 92nd birthday.[7][8]
References
edit- ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
- ^ a b Jones, Alan (2004) Speedway in Leicester: The Hunters Era, Automedia, p. 163-4
- ^ "White is moving for £40". Wolverhampton Express and Star. 10 February 1962. Retrieved 11 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ a b Oakes, Peter (1991) The Complete History of the British League, Front Page Books, ISBN 0-948882-07-7, p. 36, 38 (Division One section)
- ^ Jones, Alan (2010) Speedway in Leicester: The Lions Roar, Automedia, p. 181
- ^ "Vic White", World Speedway Riders' Association, retrieved 11 August 2012
- ^ "𝗩𝗶𝗰 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 1932–2024". World Speedway Riders’ Association on X. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ "Victor Harry White 1932 – 2024". Forever Missed. Retrieved 6 August 2024.