Vic White Explained

Vic White
Nationality:British (English)
Birth Date:20 May 1932
Birth Place:Hackney, London
Years1:1959
Career1:Ipswich Witches
Years2:1960-1961
Career2:Cradley Heathens
Years3:1962
Career3:Leicester Hunters
Years4:1963, 1966-1967
Career4:Long Eaton Archers
Years5:1964-1965
Career5:Newport Wasps
Years6:1965
Career6:Belle Vue Aces
Years7:1968
Career7:Leicester Lions
Years8:1968
Career8:Reading Racers
Teamyear1:1961, 1964
Teamhonour1:Provincial League KO Cup

Victor Harry White (20 May 1932 – 22 May 2024) was an English motorcycle speedway rider, promoter and team manager.[1]

Biography

White 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 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.[3] He was the only rider to ride for both the Hunters and the Lions.

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.[4]

Vic's son Keith followed him into a career in speedway, riding under Vic's management at Leicester in the 1970s.

Vic White served as President of the World Speedway Riders' Association in 1998, later serving as secretary and treasurer.[5] He died on 22 May 2024, two days after his 92nd birthday.[6] [7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022 . British Speedway . 10 August 2023.
  2. Jones, Alan (2004) Speedway in Leicester: The Hunters Era, Automedia, p. 163-4
  3. Oakes, Peter (1991) The Complete History of the British League, Front Page Books,, p. 36, 38 (Division One section)
  4. Jones, Alan (2010) Speedway in Leicester: The Lions Roar, Automedia, p. 181
  5. "Vic White", World Speedway Riders' Association, retrieved 11 August 2012
  6. Web site: 1932–2024 . World Speedway Riders’ Association on X . 26 May 2024.
  7. Web site: Victor Harry White 1932 – 2024 . Forever Missed . 6 August 2024.