Peter Middleton (3 December 1931 – 24 May 2019) was a British motorcycle racer in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He started his Manx Grand Prix career by finishing second in the 1957 Senior Newcomers race and two years later was the winner of the 1959 Junior MGP, before moving on to the Isle of Man TT for a further three years.[1] He was the 1962 Gold Cup winner at Oliver's Mount, Scarborough where he broke Geoff Duke's seven-year lap record with a 4-speed gearbox.[2][3]
Peter Middleton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Peter Charles Middleton 3 December 1931 Doncaster, England |
| Died | 24 May 2019 (aged 87) Wakefield, England |
| Spouse(s) | Patricia Hughes (m, 1962; div, 1984) |
Selected career statistics
edit| Date | Circuit / Race | Laps | Machine | Pos. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 May 1957 | Alton Towers 500cc | 8 | Norton 500 | 1st | |
| 3-7 June 1957 | MGP Senior Newcomers | 4 | Norton 500 | 2nd | |
| 3-7 June 1957 | MGP Senior | 8 | Norton 500 | 9th | |
| 14th Sept 1957 | Oliver's Mount | 16 | Norton 500 | 2nd | |
| 20th Sept 1958 | Oliver's Mount | 16 | Norton 500 | 1st | |
| Sept 1958 | MGP Senior | 7 | Norton 500 | 7th | |
| Sept 1959 | MGP Junior | 7 | Norton 350 | 1st | |
| Sept 1959 | MGP Senior | 7 | Norton 500 | 6th | |
| Sept 1960 | TT Junior | 6 | Norton 350 | 15th | |
| Sept 1960 | TT Senior | 6 | Norton 500 | 14th | |
| 6 Aug 1960 | Ulster Grand Prix | 20 | Norton 350 | 9th | |
| 6 Aug 1960 | Ulster Grand Prix | 20 | Norton 500 | 10th | |
| 3 Apr 1961 | Cadwell Park Junior Solo Final | 8 | Norton 500 | 3rd | |
| 3 Apr 1961 | Cadwell Park Easter Senior Final | 12 | Norton 500 | 3rd | |
| 22 May 1961 | Cadwell Park Senior Solo Final | 12 | Norton 500 | 3rd | |
| 1 Apr 1962 | Mallory Park (event 3) Final | 20 | Norton 350 | 5th | |
| 23 Apr 1962 | Cadwell Senior Scratch Final | 8 | Norton 500 | 3rd | |
| 11 Jun 1962 | Cadwell Junior Scratch Final | 8 | Norton 350 | 3rd | |
| 11 Jun 1962 | Cadwell Senior Solo Scratch Final | 8 | Norton 500 | 2nd | |
| 17 Jun 1962 | Oliver's Mount – "Cock 'o the North" | 14 | Norton 350 | 1st | Fastest Lap |
| 17 Jun 1962 | Oliver's Mount – "Cock 'o the North" | 14 | Norton 500 | 1st | Fastest Lap |
| 24 Jun 1962 | Ouston 350cc | 12 | Norton 350 | 1st | |
| 24 Jun 1962 | Ouston 500cc | 12 | Norton 500 | 1st | |
| 6 Aug 1962 | Cadwell Park Junior Scratch Final | 8 | Norton 350 | 1st | Fastest Lap |
| 6 Aug 1962 | Cadwell Coronation Trophy Final | 8 | Norton 500 | 1st | Fastest Lap |
| 16th Sept 1962 | Cadwell International Junior Final | 12 | Norton 350 | 2nd | |
| 16th Sept 1962 | Cadwell International Championship Final | 12 | Norton 500 | 4th | |
| 22nd Sept 1962 | Oliver's Mount Final | 16 | Norton 500 | 1st | Fastest Lap |
Death
edit
Clough Lane Cemetery, Liversedge. West Yorkshire.
Middleton died of leukemia on 24 May 2019[4] at the Pinderfield's Hospital, Wakefield.
Tribute
edit"The Fastest Lap: A Tribute to Peter Middleton" is scheduled to be released on the 24th of May 2024 - the 5 year anniversary of his death. The film is being directed by Middleton's son, Pete Middleton and features several interviews including world championship riders, John Cooper and Mick Chatterton.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Peter Middleton Isle of Man TT Race Results – iomtt.com: The World's #1 TT Website". www.iomtt.com. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
- ^ Rial, Stevie. "Scarborough Gold Cup/Steve Henshaw International Gold Cup Winners – Road Racing News". Retrieved 15 August 2021.
- ^ "Oliver's Mount Circuit Records and Stats | Devitt". www.devittinsurance.com. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
- ^ "Peter Middleton RIP – Motorcycle Racing Nostalgia". The Autosport Forums. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
- ^ "The Fastest Lap: A Tribute to Peter Middleton". IMDB.