Mick Holland

Mick Holland
Personal information
Nationality New Zealand
Date of birth 29 November 1918
Place of birth   
Date of death    29 November 2005 (aged 87)
Place of death    Christchurch, New Zealand
Current club information
Career history
Cardiff Dragons
Swindon Robins		 1951–1952
1953–1955
Individual honours
Team honours

Alfred George "Mick" Holland (29 November 1918 – 29 November 2005) was a New Zealand speedway rider who rode in Britain for Cardiff Dragons and Swindon Robins and represented his country on several occasions. He went on to introduce stock car racing into New Zealand in 1954.

Career

Holland rode for Canterbury in New Zealand and for Cardiff Dragons in the National League in the 1950s.[1] After riding in an unofficial Test against Young England in 1952, he represented New Zealand in several international matches, including a 'C' international series against England in 1951, and in a Test series against Australia in 1952, also riding in two matches of the Test series against England in 1952/53.[2] He finished as runner-up to Ron Johnston in the 1952 New Zealand Individual Speedway Championship. In 1952 he moved to Swindon, but injuries limited his season.[2] He remained with Swindon until early in the 1955 season, when he retired from British league racing after three matches.[2] He continued to race in New Zealand and rode for his country in the first Test against England in 1956.

In 1954 he introduced (with Merv Neil) stock car racing into New Zealand and later ran a motorcycle business.[1][3]

He died in Christchurch in 2005, on his 87th birthday.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lee, Brian (2012) "Speedway star Mick showed his fans true grit", South Wales Echo, 28 December 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2013
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Swindon Speedway: Club History - 1950s", swindonrobins.co. Retrieved 1 January 2013
  3. ↑ Evitt, Gavin (2007) "A Brief History of New Zealand Stockcar Racing from 1954", historicspeedway.co.nz, 2007. Retrieved 1 January 2013