Garry Middleton Explained

Nationality:Australian
Birth Date:1948 7, df=yes
Birth Place:Corowa, New South Wales, Australia
Years1:1967, 1975
Career1:King's Lynn Stars
Years2:1967
Career2:Belle Vue Aces
Years3:1967-1968
Career3:Wimbledon Dons
Years4:1969
Career4:Newcastle Diamonds
Years5:1969-1971
Career5:Hackney Hawks
Years6:1972
Career6:Oxford Rebels
Years7:1973
Career7:Coventry Bees
Years8:1976
Career8:Birmingham Brummies
Years9:1977
Career9:Leicester Lions
Teamyear1:1976
Teamhonour1:World Team Cup
Teamyear2:1968, 1971
Teamhonour2:British League KO Cup
Teamyear3:1968, 1971
Teamhonour3:London Cup Winner

Garry David Middleton (born 19 July 1948 Corowa, New South Wales - 23 November 1994)[1] was an Australian motorcycle speedway rider.[2]

Career

He first came to Britain in 1967 and rode for a short time with the Belle Vue Aces and the King's Lynn Stars before getting a permanent ride with the Wimbledon Dons. He stayed with the Dons for the 1968 season, but in 1969 he moved to the Hackney Hawks. He rode for the Hawks from 1969 until 1971. In 1972, he moved to the Oxford Rebels following a contract dispute with promoter Len Silver. Middleton also raced as an International rider for Australia.

Middleton incidents

He was nicknamed 'Cass the Gas' as he was a real showman and made his feelings known about a variety of subjects.

In 1969, he was involved in an incident with Roy Trigg at Cradley Heath. Garry tried to forcefully dive under Roy but Roy saw him and slowed down, leaving Middleton to shoot straight past him into the safety fence. Middleton then went into the pits into his toolbox and pulled out a handgun. He had to be dragged from the pits to avoid further trouble.[3]

In 1971, in a meeting against then World Champion Ole Olsen, Olsen was riding so well that he was unbeaten, passing people almost for fun. In the second half of the meeting, Middleton, to entertain the crowd, jokingly strapped two broom handles to his handlebar to stop Olsen passing him. The match referee did not share his sense of humour and fined him.

World Final appearances

World Team Cup

Notes and References

  1. Book: Oakes, Peter . Mauger, Ivan OBE, MBE . Ivan Mauger . Who's Who of World Speedway . Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd . 1976 . 0-904584-04-6 .
  2. Web site: ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022 . British Speedway . 11 August 2023.
  3. Fenn, C.(2003). Hackney Speedway, Friday at Eight.