British motorcycle speedway rider
Michael Gordon Hines (born 7 October 1944 – 24 April 1993) is a former was a motorcycle speedway rider from England.[1]
Biography
Hines, born in Hintlesham, Suffolk, was a forklift maintenance worker before getting into speedway at the late age of 27. He had previously raced on the scrmabling tracks of Suffolk.[2] He began his British leagues career riding on loan for Birmingham Brummies during the 1972 British League Division Two season[3] and during his debut season impressed, recording a season average of 7.34.[4] His rookie season was so successful that he rode a couple of times for his parent club Ipswich Witches in the first division.[5]
He remained with Ipswich for the next three seasons riding against many of the world's best riders in the British League[6] and helped the team win the 1975 league title and the 1976 double of league and cup.[7]
In 1976, he joined Wimbledon Dons[8] and won the London Cup with them in 1978 and 1980.[9] In 1979, he was loaned to Mildenhall Fen Tigers and played a pivotal role in helping the Suffolk club win the 1979 National league title.[10][11]
He joined Eastbourne Eagles from Wimbledon in 1980 but was soon loaned out to Peterborough Panthers, where he spent for the latter part of his career from 1980 to 1984,[12][13] topping the team's averages in his last season for them.[4]
References