Chris Morton

Chris Morton
Christopher John Morton, MBE (born 22 July 1956) is a former motorcycle speedway rider from England. He rode bikes from a young age at the farm of Peter Collins' parents.
Career
Born in Davyhulme, Lancashire, Morton made his debut for Ellesmere Port Gunners (on loan from Belle Vue Aces) on 15 May 1973. He showed rapid improvement then following an injury to Aces Captain Chris Pusey in June 1973 he was drafted into the Belle Vue team scoring 6 points on his debut in an away meeting at Cradley Heath. The following season he became British Under-21 Champion at just 17 years of age.
During the late 1970s, Morton was a guest resident international rider at the famous Rowley Park Speedway in Adelaide, South Australia where he often rode against the likes of home town hero John Boulger and Mildura's Phil Crump.
He rode for the England team at test level and represented them in the World Team Cup, winning the competition in 1980.
Morton became British Champion in 1983 and World Pairs Champion with best friend Peter Collins in 1984.
He won the 1984 British League Riders' Championship, held at Hyde Road on 20 October.
He rode for Belle Vue for 18 seasons, starting for the 1973 British League season and ending after the 1990 British League season. During the 18 seasons he regularly averaged around the 10 point mark, including an impressive 10.30 and 10.31 in 1983 and 1984 respectively.
After retirement
He retired from riding in 1990, leaving a legacy of being one of the most significant riders ever to ride for Belle Vue. In 1991, he became the manager of Berwick Bandits in 1991. He also played a major role in the introduction of speedway to Buxton in 1994.
In 2005, he returned to Belle Vue as commercial manager and then in December 2006, he was part of a consortium who bought the Aces and currently holds the position of Operations Director, having previously also acted as team manager.
He was awarded his MBE for services to speedway in 1992.
Brother Dave was also a speedway rider.
World Final Appearances
Individual World Championship
1976 - Chorzów, Silesian Stadium - 11th - 6pts
1980 - Gothenburg, Ullevi - 9th - 8pts
1981 - London, Wembley Stadium - 11th - 5pts
1983 - Norden, Motodrom Halbemond - 10th - 7pts
1986 - Chorzów, Silesian Stadium - 9th - 8pts
1987 - Amsterdam, Olympic Stadium - 13th - 9pts
1988 - Vojens, Speedway Center - 10th - 6pts
World Pairs Championship
1981 - Chorzów, Silesian Stadium (with Dave Jessup) - 6th - 17pts (10)
1984 - Lonigo, Pista Speedway (with Peter Collins) - Winner - 27pts (14)
World Team Cup
1980 - Wrocław, Olympic Stadium (with Michael Lee / Peter Collins / Dave Jessup) - Winner - 40pts (11)
1981 - Olching, Olching Speedwaybahn (with Dave Jessup / Kenny Carter / John Davis / Gordon Kennett) - 2nd - 29pts (11)
1983 - Vojens, Speedway Center (with Kenny Carter / Michael Lee / Dave Jessup / Peter Collins) - 2nd - 29pts (7)
1984 - Leszno, Alfred Smoczyk Stadium (with Peter Collins / Simon Wigg / Phil Collins / Neil Collins) - 2nd - 24pts (4)
1986 - Gothenburg, Ullevi, Vojens, Speedway Center, Bradford, Odsal Stadium (with Simon Wigg / Kelvin Tatum / Jeremy Doncaster / Neil Evitts / Marvyn Cox) - 3rd - 81pts (20)
1988 - Long Beach, Veterans Memorial Stadium (with Simon Wigg / Simon Cross / Kelvin Tatum / Gary Havelock) - 4th - 22pts (4)
World Longtrack Championship
Finalist
1980 - Scheeßel 5pts (14th)
1982 - Esbjerg 4pts (14th)
1985 - Esbjerg 0pts (20th) Reserve
1987 - Muhldorf 2pts (17th)
1988 - Scheeßel 31pts (Third)
1989 - Marianske Lazne 8pts (15th)
References
1956 births
Living people
British speedway riders
English motorcycle racers
British Speedway Championship winners
Speedway promoters
Members of the Order of the British Empire
People from Davyhulme
Sportspeople from Trafford (district)
Speedway World Pairs Champions
Belle Vue Aces riders
Sheffield Tigers riders
Ellesmere Port Gunners riders