George Hunter (speedway rider)
George Hunter (30 January 1939 – 11 May 1999) was a motorcycle speedway rider. He rode for the Edinburgh Monarchs and the Wolverhampton Wolves. Career. Hunter's early career was on grass. He joined Motherwell Speedway team in 1958 and moved to Edinburgh Monarchs in 1960. Known as the "Ladybank Express", he rode in 360 league matches for the Monarchs over his lifetime career. In 1963 he was ahead of reigning world champion Peter Craven in the final race of a challenge match between Edinburgh and Belle Vue at Old Meadowbank when his engine seized. After taking  evasive action Craven may have clipped Hunter's wheel before crashing through the fence and suffering fatal injuries. Hunter narrowly missed out on being the 1963 Provincial League Riders Champion, suffering an engine failure while leading in the final. Ivan Mauger took the title. Hunter was a British Finalist in 1966, 1967 and 1976. Having been part of the Midland Cup winning Wolverhampton Wolves in 1973, he might have expected to win it again in 1975 when Wolves only lost to Oxford Rebels by 2 points away and might have expected to win at home and thereby win on aggregate . However, George was not present for the second leg at Monmore Green, Wolves lost at home by 1 point and on aggregate by 3. He retired in 1983. Personal life. Hunter was born in Ladybank, Fife, Scotland. He and his wife, Barbara, have a daughter, Natalie. Also two children Scott and Gillian from his first marriage. He died of cancer in 1999.