Peter Collins (speedway rider)
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Peter Collins MBE (born 24 March 1954 in Manchester, England) is a former Speedway rider who spent his whole career (1971-1986) with the Belle Vue Aces, the team he supported as a child. The only other club he rode for was the now defunct Rochdale Hornets (Belle Vue's nursery team), with whom he spent the first season of his career on loan.
Peter rode his first full season for the Aces in 1972 attaining an average of 8.44 in British League matches while still only 18 years of age. In addition the Aces won the league and cup double that year. In 1973 he qualified for his first Speedway World Championship in Chorzów, Poland. Peter again qualified for the World Final in 1974 finishing in equal fourth place with a creditable nine points. He did however win the British League Riders Championship (BLRC) at Hyde Road. The 1975 World Final was held at Wembley Stadium but resulted in disappointment for Collins who again finished just off the podium. The 1976 final proved to be the highlight of his career however as he became World Champion with 14 points in Katowice, Poland. In 1977 however, he was injured whilst riding at his home track, badly breaking his leg. He attempted to defend his title in extreme pain and unable to walk without crutches. He narrowly missed out on the title, finishing second in the final of 1977.
Collins won four World Pairs titles during his career, all with different partners, whilst riding for Great Britain. The 1977 title was won in Sweden with Malcolm Simmons. In 1980, on his own Hyde Road track, he partnered Dave Jessup to victory. Yorkshireman Kenny Carter was his partner in Gothenburg in 1983 whilst he was paired up with fellow ace Chris Morton for his final pairs title in 1984 at Lonigo in Italy.
On his retirement, he became part of the team responsible for saving the club following the sale of the Hyde Road stadium, and taking the team back to their current and original home on Kirkmanshulme Lane.
In November 2001 he was awarded an MBE for services to motorcycle racing
Peter has four brothers all of whom were speedway riders, Les, Phil, Neil and Stephen. Only Stephen failed to become a Belle Vue rider. Les' son Aidan signed as the Aces' number eight for the 2006 campaign.
