Danny Dunton facts for kids
 |
|
| Born | 13 May 1924 England |
|---|---|
| Died | 2 January 2015 (aged 90) England |
| Nationality |  England |
| Career history | |
| 1949–1952, 1954 | Harringay Racers |
| 1953, 1955 | Birmingham Brummies |
| 1953 | Yarmouth Bloaters |
| 1955 | Weymouth Scorchers |
| 1955 | Bristol Bulldogs |
| 1955–1958 | Ipswich Witches |
| 1959, 1964 | Belle Vue Aces |
| 1960–1965 | Oxford Cheetahs |
| 1963 | Long Eaton Archers |
| 1964 | Swindon Robins |
| Team honours | |
| 1952 | National Trophy Winner |
| 1952 | London Cup |
Dennis Clifford "Danny" Dunton was a famous English motorcycle speedway rider. He was born on May 13, 1924, and passed away on January 2, 2015. Danny was a talented racer who even reached the final of the Speedway World Championship in 1950, finishing 12th. After his racing career, Danny also helped run speedway teams like the Peterborough Panthers and the Oxford Cheetahs.
Contents
Danny's Racing Journey
Danny Dunton was born in Cholesbury, a village in Buckinghamshire, England. He started his speedway career in 1949 with the Harringay Racers. It was quite rare for a new rider to join a team and race in their very first meeting, but Danny did just that!
He rode for many different teams during his career. Some of these included the Harringay Racers, Belle Vue Aces, Ipswich Witches, Oxford Cheetahs, and Long Eaton Archers.
World Championship Success
In 1950, which was only his second year of racing, Danny achieved a big goal. He qualified for the Speedway World Championship Final! He finished in 12th place in this important race. The top three riders that year were Jack Young, Graham Warren, and Cyril Brine.
Overcoming Challenges
Speedway racing can be tough. In 1953, Danny had a serious crash at New Cross. This accident meant he had to use a wheelchair and couldn't walk for four months. But he didn't give up!
Danny kept racing until the end of 1963. His last races were with the Long Eaton team. He scored many points in his final season, showing he was still a strong rider.
Life After Racing
After he stopped racing, Danny Dunton stayed involved in speedway. He became a Team Manager for the Oxford team in 1964. The next year, he took over running the team.
In 1970, Danny also helped open the Peterborough Speedway at the Showground. He worked with other people to promote races and manage teams.
Helping Speedway Grow
Danny was a key person in speedway management. He helped create a second division for British League racing in 1967. This helped more riders and teams get involved in the sport.
He also served on important committees for speedway leagues during the 1970s. He was even the chairman of the National League for several years in the 1980s. In 1988, he was honored by being made president, which showed how much he was respected in the speedway world.
Danny was also very active in the World Speedway Riders Association. He was their president in 2005 and 2006.
Hobbies and Later Life
After fully retiring, Danny enjoyed playing golf. He also loved restoring old speedway bikes. He would even race these vintage bikes in special matches! Sadly, he had to stop this hobby after an accident in 2004.
Danny lived for many years with his wife in Ley Hill, Buckinghamshire. He passed away on January 2, 2015, after a long illness.
World Final Appearances
- 1950 –
London, Wembley Stadium – 12th place – 5 points
