Peter Collins (track athlete)
Peter Collins (born March 24, 1954 in Urmston - Manchester , Great Britain ) is a British speedway and long-track racing driver. He became individual world champion in Chorzów in 1976 and ended his career in 1987.
Career
In 1971 Collins made his debut in the British league in Rochdale, where New Zealander Ivan Mauger discovered him and brought him to the Belle Vue Aces in Manchester , where he stayed until the end of his career.
Peter Collins became European champion at the age of 19 and won the 1974 World Team Championship with England. In 1984 he won the Best Pairs World Championship with compatriot Chris Morton in Lonigo / Italy. Peter Collins was also one of the world's elite on the long track: a 3rd place in 1978 in Mühldorf am Inn and the vice world championship in 1986 in Pfarrkirchen were his best results in this track sport discipline.
successes
singles
- World Champion: 1976
- Vice world champion: 1977
- Long Track World Championship
- 1978: 3rd place
- 1986: 2nd place
team
- Best-Pairs World Champion: 1984 together with Kenny Carter
- Team World Champion: 1974
- British League
- Rochdale: 1971
- Belle Vue: 1971 to 1987
Personal
Collins was named Motorsportman of the Year in England in 1976, ahead of Formula 1 World Champion James Hunt and Road World Champion Barry Sheene . In late 2011, Collins suffered a cerebral haemorrhage, from which he recovered. He received the MBE medal from the British Queen.
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Collins, Peter |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | British speedway track athlete and long-distance racer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | March 24, 1954 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Urmston (Greater Manchester) |