salty Posted January 7, 2012 Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 Can't do a link I'm afraid, but the Speedway Plus website has posted an update on Gary. Sad news I'm afraid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frigbo Posted January 7, 2012 Report Share Posted January 7, 2012 http://www.speedwayplus.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted January 8, 2012 Report Share Posted January 8, 2012 So the mystery is finally solved-he died awfully young-was it in fact suicide?? Thanx to all who did the detective work, I've wondered what happened for a long time-did Garry change his name a few times, as it seemed there was another name on the grave besides Middleton. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted January 9, 2012 Report Share Posted January 9, 2012 Thanx to all who did the detective work, I've wondered what happened for a long time-did Garry change his name a few times, as it seemed there was another name on the grave besides Middleton. Think the fact that it is his stepfather explains that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 Does anyone know the circumstances of Gary's death and what he did after leaving speedway? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 GARRY was a remarkable character in every sense of the word but was also a very talented and classy rider who could and would achieved so much more had he not been a bit ... well, nuts. At the time he was riding for Hackney the Speedway Star office was in Temple Chambers, just off Fleet Street in London. Garry visited quite often, sometimes dressed as an airline pilot, sometimes as a German police officer or in various other guises. He would drive through German with fake police id. He had a few run-ins with Briggo and I think the gun made a number of appearances. On one occasion he tried to mow down Martin Rogers, then promoter at either KL or Leicester, with his Mercedes. Martin all but smashed the windscreen with the umbrella that he carried most of the time, rather like Chaplin and his cane. Garry contacted us on the day of the 1982 World Final at the LA Coliseum and asked for a pass. Briggo said no. I can remember walking down the slope that acted as the pits towards the track and there was Garry, bold as brass. He had got in okay. He could talk his way out of a cardboard box. He was also involved in a fraud involving herbal tea, and its 'magical healing qualities,' in the US. Like so many, we lost contact and if the stories of his demise are true it is sad. He was great company at times but his whole life was an act. If only he had taken himself and his unquestionable talent seriously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 Thanks for a fascinating post, Philip. I remember talking to Dave Lanning about him some 10-12 years ago, and even Dave wasn't sure about the rumours. He did admit though, that he was a very difficult man to deal with business-wise. My favourite Speedway Star cover pic is that B&W one from 1969, with Garry leading Clive Hitch. To me, that photo is what real speedway is all about! Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratton Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 Thanks for a fascinating post, Philip. I remember talking to Dave Lanning about him some 10-12 years ago, and even Dave wasn't sure about the rumours. He did admit though, that he was a very difficult man to deal with business-wise. My favourite Speedway Star cover pic is that B&W one from 1969, with Garry leading Clive Hitch. To me, that photo is what real speedway is all about! Steve I have that picture too Chunky also have one of him front cover of s.star with OXFORD with full face helmet on.Good rider got his prized autograph didnt he ride for the Dons and started at Belle vue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 I have that picture too Chunky also have one of him front cover of s.star with OXFORD with full face helmet on.Good rider got his prized autograph didnt he ride for the Dons and started at Belle vue? Yep, got that one also. I believe Garry actually started at King's Lynn in 1967, before switching to Belle Vue and then Wimbledon. He then rode a handful of matches for Newcastle in early '69 before his career really took off at Hackney. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratton Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 Yep, got that one also. I believe Garry actually started at King's Lynn in 1967, before switching to Belle Vue and then Wimbledon. He then rode a handful of matches for Newcastle in early '69 before his career really took off at Hackney. Steve Was young when he died ,was very talented he did have a column in the s.star once and sold Mike Lee his first bike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frigbo Posted January 10, 2012 Report Share Posted January 10, 2012 http://wwosbackup.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=mriders&action=display&thread=1855 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHALEWAY69 Posted February 6, 2012 Report Share Posted February 6, 2012 I located the last resting place of Garry Middleton here in Brisbane, I am writing up his story .Apart from an appearance in a World Longtrack qualifier in mid 1974 I cannot find details of his movements from September 1973 until March 1975 when he rejoined Kings Lynn. He may have been in New Zealand during that period but I have no evidence. Regards Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyd Posted October 3, 2013 Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 So the mystery is finally solved-he died awfully young-was it in fact suicide?? Thanx to all who did the detective work, I've wondered what happened for a long time-did Garry change his name a few times, as it seemed there was another name on the grave besides Middleton. Did anyone ever find out how Gary came to pass over to spend eternity sitting on a clould with the other lost speedway greats passing the time of day ? I used to love a meeting with Gary in it, you never knew who was turning up .... Gary Middleton the rider that could beat the best on the night or Gary Middleton the rider who could wind up the opposition being Mr controversal ...... whoever turned up you could be sure of a good nights entertainment. For me I think todays speedway needs more riders like Gary a rider you either loved or hated (or loved to hate) but one everyone admired. Also did the book on his life ever get published and into print ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.