21 Facts About Peter Craven

Peter Theodore Craven was an English motorcycle racer.

Peter Craven was a finalist in each FIM Speedway World Championship from 1954 to 1963 and he won the title twice.

Peter Craven had a twin brother who died at an early age.

Peter Craven got his first racing experience when he started participating in cycle speedway.

Peter Craven got his first taste of motorcycle speedway racing in 1949 at the Stanley Stadium, Prescot Road, Liverpool.

Peter Craven visited the stadium a day after his sixteenth birthday and drove a few laps on his brother's bike, before hitting the safety fence and sustaining a concussion.

Peter Craven was later given another chance to show his abilities to the Liverpool Chads, but after just one lap he hit the fence again.

Peter Craven made eight league appearances for the Liverpool Chads in Division II during 1951, scoring eight points.

Peter Craven made his Belle Vue debut on 17 May 1952 when he scored two points in a race against the visiting Norwich Stars.

In 1953, Peter Craven became a regular Aces rider and scored 70 points in 12 matches, but the British Army required his services, and he missed several matches.

Peter Craven continued racing for Belle Vue during his national service.

In 1955, on his second try, Peter Craven sensationally won the first of his two FIM World Championships at Wembley.

In 1958, Peter Craven captained the English team against Sweden in Sweden, finishing top scorer; he top-scored in the five-test series against Australasia.

In 1960 Peter Craven came third in the World Championship final staged at Wembley when Ove Fundin beat Ronnie Moore into second place after a thrilling run off, all three riders having scored an equal number of points after their five rides.

Peter Craven came third in the first FIM Internationale Individual Trophy meeting at the Harringay Stadium and was second in the British Final at Wembley.

Peter Craven followed his three British Championship victories by carrying off his second World Individual Championship at Wembley in front of 62,000 fans.

Peter Craven died as a result of a racing accident in a challenge match at Edinburgh's Old Meadowbank stadium on 20 September 1963.

The unconscious Peter Craven was rushed to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where his family remained at his bedside until he died at 9.10pm on Tuesday 24 September 1963.

However, in this challenge match, Peter Craven was actually at the tapes with the other riders but allowed the others to pull away ahead of him to make the racing more exciting.

Since 1967, there has been a Peter Craven Memorial meeting held intermittently at the Belle Vue Stadium in honour of his memory.

Peter Craven's gravestone stands in West Derby Cemetery in Liverpool.