Gary Stanworth Posted February 12, 2007 Report Share Posted February 12, 2007 Hi this is my first time on the forum and i wonder if any of you fans out there can help me with some research i am doing ? I would be greatfull if any one can pass on any info on the life and career of the late Gary Peterson, including any photos or websites that may be of use to me. I started watching speedway in 1970 at Odsal and Gary was my first sporting hero. many thanks Gary Stanworth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve19620 Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Hi there, Here's Gary Peterson's career averages Stats below are listed as Matches, Rides, Points, Bonus Points, Total Points, Calculated Match Average. Matches include KO cup appearances. Division 1 1968 Newcastle 10 27 21 3 24 3.56 1969 Newcastle 8 35 37 5 42 4.80 1970 Wolves 5 17 17 1 18 4.24 1971 Wolves 23 96 152 13 165 6.88 1 full max 1973 Wolves 34 151 198 28 226 5.99 1 full max 1975 Wolves 30 123 166 14 180 5.85 Division2 1968 Nelson 14 56 109 5 114 8.14 1 full max 1969 Nelson 4 17 41 0 41 9.65 1 full max 1970 Nelson/Bradford 22 94 250 3 253 10.77 11 full max 1 paid max Gary Peterson did not ride for a UK Team in 1972 and 1974 Represented Bradford in 1970 in the Division 2 riders championship scored 12 points finishing third. Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevH Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Also, does anyone know where in New Zealand Gary was born, and on what date please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve19620 Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Born in June 1946 in New Plymouth, New Zealand (Haven't got the exact date of birth to hand) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frigbo Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 June 9th i believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted February 15, 2007 Report Share Posted February 15, 2007 DOB For Gary Richard Peterson 9.6.1946 New Plymouth, New Zealand Motor Cycle mechanic who was one of his country’s top scrambles stars before turning to speedway at Waiwaiko, New Plymouth, in B grade racing in 1966. Former New Zealand 500cc open scrambles champion; runner-up in the same title; three times North Island Champion. Also competed in road racing and drag racing, with successful results. New Zealand Speedway Champion 1973 and also past holder of Auckland and North Island Speedway Championships. Test Honours Full New Zealand v British Lions 1968 (2-6), v British Lions 1971 (3-22), v Sweden 1972 (3-45), v British Lions 1973 (2-14) v Poland 1975 (3-42), v Rest of The World 1975 (1-6) All above in New Zealand, In Britain: New Zealand v Norway/Denmark 1973 (1-4), v Poland 1973 (1-7), v Australia 1973 (1-10), v U.S.S.R. 1973 (1-4), v England 1973 (1-1), Rest of The World v Sweden 1975 (1-0). Second Division: Australasia v England 1970 (4 -59). Second Division Riders Championship 12 points (3rd place) Information I hope will be helpful. My outstanding memory of Gary Peterson was when he rode at Romford, I think it would have been for Bradford in 1971. He was outstanding, and I believe was unbeaten. A real quality rider around Brooklands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevH Posted February 15, 2007 Report Share Posted February 15, 2007 Many thanks Steve, Friggers and Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Stanworth Posted February 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2007 Thanks Steve, Paul and Frigbo for the info about Gary Peterson. Am i ok to use it if i go ahead with my planned memorial web page? Gary had so much bad luck in his short life and it's sad that he, like many other riders who gave their lives seem to be forgotten so soon. Not sure which tracks you guys go to but wish you well for the new season. As for me i'll have to watch it on tv again this year, since Bradford closed i've only been to three meetings and two of those were called off after heat twelve! Thanks again Gary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve19620 Posted February 16, 2007 Report Share Posted February 16, 2007 Hi Gary, I have no objection to using the information I supplied on your web site. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted February 16, 2007 Report Share Posted February 16, 2007 I think you underestimate speedway fans Gary.I think we remember fondly all the old guys,especially those that lost thier life on the track or during their career I remember seeing Gary at Plough Lane for Wolves.Still have his autograph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted February 16, 2007 Report Share Posted February 16, 2007 I remember Gary Petersen getting killed. It was the first time I heard of a speedway rider dying and it actually had quite a profound effect on me at the time. I cut out all the press clipping, or copied stuff out of the newspapers, and put them all in a ring folder. One thing that's always puzzled me. Gary was almost certainly killed instantly, yet the Wolves v Oxford match carried on to its conclusion after the accident. I've never understood that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Stanworth Posted February 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2007 I remember Gary Petersen getting killed. It was the first time I heard of a speedway rider dying and it actually had quite a profound effect on me at the time. I cut out all the press clipping, or copied stuff out of the newspapers, and put them all in a ring folder. One thing that's always puzzled me. Gary was almost certainly killed instantly, yet the Wolves v Oxford match carried on to its conclusion after the accident. I've never understood that. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I think the reason for carring on is that when the crowd are informed of a fatality there is a problem with people who are upset becoming hysterical and rushing around in shock, as happened when Chris Prime was killed at Newcastle. (see Ian Thomas' exellent wheels and deals book.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frigbo Posted February 17, 2007 Report Share Posted February 17, 2007 I remember Gary Petersen getting killed. It was the first time I heard of a speedway rider dying and it actually had quite a profound effect on me at the time. I cut out all the press clipping, or copied stuff out of the newspapers, and put them all in a ring folder. One thing that's always puzzled me. Gary was almost certainly killed instantly, yet the Wolves v Oxford match carried on to its conclusion after the accident. I've never understood that. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Graham, There's some action from the 1st Leg of the Midland Cup Final v Oxford in '75 on one of the disks you kindly sent me. It would be about a week(at most) before he was killed in the 2nd leg. I'm sure Gary features in one of the races partnering George Hunter. Unfortunately i don't have the technology to put it on line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted February 17, 2007 Report Share Posted February 17, 2007 Do you know which bit it is? The only Wolves rider I can identify on it are Martin Ashby and Finn Thomsen. The file I have is 8mins 24 seconds. If yours is the same then tell me which bit and I'll put in online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frigbo Posted February 18, 2007 Report Share Posted February 18, 2007 Do you know which bit it is? The only Wolves rider I can identify on it are Martin Ashby and Finn Thomsen. The file I have is 8mins 24 seconds. If yours is the same then tell me which bit and I'll put in online. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> 5 mins 16 secs till about 6:20. I'm sure Gary is the rider in yellow. He's at the back so only features at the start of the race. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.N.T. Posted February 18, 2007 Report Share Posted February 18, 2007 I was at the meeting when Gary was killed and can still picture the crash clearly. He was entering the third turn trailing Alan Grahame and had Malcolm Shakespear just behind him. Gary went mid track and at the apex of the bend, Gary's front wheel hit Big Al's back wheel. This made Gary lock up and spun him around 180 degrees which now meant he was facing the fence. All this happened in a split second and Gary was going backwards off his bike which resulted in him pulling on the power and hurtled straight into the fence. The fence has always been very safe at Wolves, but sadly Gary hit the fence at speed and was thrown over the fence and head first into a lighting stanction mid track. This was around heat 10 or 12 of the scheduled 13 heats and I thought it was called off straight after, but I was only 8 at the time and maybe wrong. However this is the only Speedway meeting (thankfully) that I have been at where a rider was killed on track and seem to recall being told the meeting was cancelled. If the meeting did continue, then maybe he was rushed straight to hospital with the riders told it was just serious ? - Not sure. Gary was one of my favourites and as I got older, it suprised me that he was only a 6 point rider as he always seemed to win a fair number of races. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted February 18, 2007 Report Share Posted February 18, 2007 The meeting definitely wasn't called off. It ended Wolves 40 Oxford 38. Reports in Speedway Star said he was killed instantly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted February 19, 2007 Report Share Posted February 19, 2007 The aforementioned cine footage from the first leg can be seen here: Gary in yellow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunami Posted February 19, 2007 Report Share Posted February 19, 2007 I remember Gary's first rides at Brough Park. It was at the Press and Practice day at the start of the 1968 season. I think he had only just arrived in this country and been rushed up to Brough. He looked the scruffiest rider ever and seemed very impatient to show what he could do. After several laps and races he was coming round the 4th bend, with full power on, and just lost it hurtling into the fence. He probably missed the start of the season as I think he injured his wrist. Little rider with bags of guts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Stanworth Posted February 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 19, 2007 Thanx to everyone on the forum for the info about Gary. There is a lot comimg in now and i have almost a complete record of his career. Will post tribute web page later. All the best to you all for the new season. Gary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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