Merv Harding
| Born | 8 March 1926 Woodville, South Australia, Australia |
|---|---|
| Died | 7 March 1971 (aged 44) Port Adelaide, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Career history | |
| 1949–1952 | Ashfield Giants |
| 1952–1953 | New Cross Rangers |
| 1953 | Belle Vue Aces |
Mervyn Welsley Harding (8 March 1926 – 7 March 1971) was an international motorcycle speedway rider from Australia. He earned 11 international caps for the Australia national speedway team.[1]
Biography[edit]
Harding, born in Woodville, South Australia, began his British leagues career riding for Ashfield Giants[2] during the 1949 Speedway National League Division Two season.[3] He impressed immediately averaging 8.85, second only behind fellow Australian Ken Le Breton in the team averages.[4]
He spent four year with the Scottish club, before joining New Cross Rangers in 1952.[5] In-between he reached the Championship round of the 1950 Individual Speedway World Championship, winning two qualifying rounds on the way.[6]
His British racing career came to an abrupt end when he crashed and fractured his skull in July 1953.[7]
References[edit]
- ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ "Bulldog Riders to oppose Young Stars of Wembley". Bristol Evening Post - Wednesday. 11 May 1949. Retrieved 7 January 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "1949 season". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ "Year by Year". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ "Duval in round three". Liverpool Echo. 6 July 1950. Retrieved 7 January 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Aussie Speed men come North on three wheels". Manchester Evening News. 9 July 1953. Retrieved 7 January 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
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