Laurie Etheridge

Laurie Etheridge (born 12 September 1948 in Pulborough, England) is a former motorcycle speedway rider from England.[1]

Laurie Etheridge
Born (1948-09-12) 12 September 1948
Pulborough, England
NationalityBritish (English)
Career history
1967Exeter Falcons
1968–1969Rayleigh Rockets
1968–1980Hackney Hawks
1975–1982Crayford Kestrels
1979Sheffield Tigers
1980–1981Coventry Bees
1983Canterbury Crusaders
Individual honours
1975New National League Riders Champion
Team honours
1971British League KO Cup Winner
1971, 1973London Cup
1980National League Fours Champion

Career

His first attempt at speedway, in 1963, was thwarted when his bike was stolen and he did not resume the sport until 1966.

In 1967, he signed for Exeter Falcons and managed three appearances for them in that season. His career really started the following year, when he was signed up for Hackney Hawks by Len Silver and their partner team Rayleigh Rockets. A good season for Rayleigh resulted in a full-time contract for Hackney.[2]

He was a Crayford Kestrels regular for eight years from 1975, achieving nearly 300 league and cup appearances as a Kestrel. Crayford held a testimonial season for Etheridge in 1982.[3]

In the 1975 National League Riders' Championship at Wimbledon on 27 September, Etheridge and Brian Collins both finished on 13 points but in the run-off for the title, Collins fell off in the first lap and Etheridge rode a solitary four laps to be crowned champion.[4]

Etheridge was in the side when Crayford won their only trophy during the 1980 National League season. The Crayford team became the Fours Champions during the 1980 National League Four-Team Championship, however due to machine troubles Etheridge didn't start a race in the final of the tournament.[5]

His last race was at Newcastle for Canterbury in 1983.

Notable performances:

  • England v Russia (1974)
  • National League Riders Champion (1975)
  • National League series GB v Denmark (1978) - there was also a series against Australia
  • National League Four Team Tournament (1980)
  • Testimonial Year Crayford Kestrels v England (1982)

Retirement

Post-speedway, he worked in industrial plumbing and central heating. He lives in West Sussex with his wife, Denise, and they have two married daughters and four grandchildren.

References
  1. "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
  2. http://www.speedwayatoz.co.uk/laurieetheridge.html%7Cseason records
  3. "HISTORY | Crayford Kestrels".
  4. "Lee's title bid fails". Cambridge Daily News. 29 September 1975. Retrieved 17 June 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. "Speedway". Daily Mirror. 28 July 1980. Retrieved 10 May 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
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