John Hartle (22 December 1933 – 31 August 1968) was an English professional road racer who competed in national, international and Grand Prix motorcycle events.

Motorcycling career

Born in Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, Hartle began racing in 1952 when working for Eric Bowers Motorcycles, riding a BSA Gold Star at Brough Aerodrome, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. Gaining more experience at other nearby short circuits including Cadwell Park and Oulton Park in 1953,Ton-up TT racer wins recognition Buxton Advertiser, March 2010. Retrieved 20 October 2014 he also finished in three out of four races entered in the 1953 and 1954 Isle of Man Manx Grand Prix.Manx Grand Prix Race Results: John Hartle Retrieved 20 October 2014

Hartle rode for the works Norton team during the 1955 season and again in 1956 in what would be factory team's last year in Grand Prix racing, returning to ride for Eric Bowers in 1957.

MV Agusta signed Hartle in 1958 at the urging of John Surtees. He ended the season as runner-up to Surtees in the 500 and 350 classes. In 1960 he won his first Isle of Man TT race, the Junior TT event. After being released by MV Agusta, he then rode for Geoff Duke's privateer Gilera team, alongside Derek Minter.

In his early career, Hartle was sponsored for non-championship races by Eric W Bowers CoachesDerbyshire Blue Plaques, John Hartle Retrieved 20 October 2014 and later Comerfords, a large London retailer of roadgoing and sporting motorcycles, until his retirement in 1964.Motor Cycle, 22 April 1965, p.528 "Racing Line" by David Dixon. "Comerfords are back in racing. They sponsored John Hartle until his retirement last year and now they have bought back one of John's five-hundred Nortons on which to sponsor Rhodesian Gordon Keith". Accessed and added 20 October 2014

Hartle returned to racing during 1967, winning the Isle of Man inaugural Production Race 750 category for road-based machines on a Triumph Thruxton Bonneville, and scoring World Championship points in both 350 cc and 500 cc races.IoM TT Database Race Results: John Hartle Retrieved 20 October 2014

Hartle was killed in 1968 after crashing at the Oliver's Mount circuit in Scarborough.

Hartle was proud of his connection with his hometown of Chapel-en-le-Frith, always carrying the coat of arms as his 'pudding basin' helmet emblem with the Latin motto Cava et Spera, which translates to 'Caution and Hope'.Speed king Hartle wore Chapel badge with pride Derby Telegraph, June 2010 Retrieved 20 October 2014 He was recognised in his hometown in 2010 by a blue wall-plaqueOrigins and Development of the Blue Plaque Retrieved 20 October 2014 attached to the building which now stands where he used to live.

John Hartle Trophy The John Hartle Trophy is an annual award at the Isle of Man TT Races. The trophy is presented to the winner of the Superstock TT.

Motorcycle Grand Prix results Source: Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 Points 8 6 4 3 2 1

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Class Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Points Rank Wins 1955 350cc Norton FRA- IOM6 GER- BEL- NED- ULS2 NAT- 7 9th 0 500cc Norton ESP- FRA- IOM13 GER- BEL- NED- ULS2 NAT- 6 7th 0 1956 350cc Norton IOM3 NED- BEL- GER- ULS3 NAT- 8 8th 0 500cc Norton IOM2 NED- BEL- GER- ULS1 NAT- 14 3rd 1 1957 250cc MV Agusta GER- IOM- NED- BEL1 ULS- NAT- 8 5th 1 350cc Norton GER2 IOMNC NED6 BEL- ULS4 NAT6 11 5th 0 1958 350cc MV Agusta IOMNC NED2 BEL2 GER2 SWE- ULS2 NAT2 24 2nd 0 500cc MV Agusta IOMNC NED2 BEL3 GER2 SWE- ULS3 NAT- 20 2nd 0 1959 350cc MV Agusta FRA3 IOM2 GER- BEL- SWE2 ULS- NAT- 16 2nd 0 500cc MV Agusta FRA- IOMNC GER- NED- BEL- ULS- NAT- 0 – 0 1960 350cc MV Agusta FRA- IOM1 NED- ULS2 NAT3 18 3rd 1 500cc Norton FRA- IOM2 NED- BEL8 GER- ULS1 NAT5 16 3rd 1 1961 250cc Honda ESP- GER- FRA- IOM- NED- BELNC DDR- ULSNC NATNC SWE- ARG- 0 – 01963 350cc Gilera GER- IOM2 NED- BEL- ULS- DDR- FIN- NAT- JPN- 6 6th 0 500cc Gilera IOM2 NED1 BEL- ULS2 DDR- FIN- NAT- ARG- 20 3rd 1 1964 500cc Norton USA3 IOM- NED- BEL- GER- DDR- ULS- FIN- NAT- 4 14th 01967 350cc Aermacchi GER- IOM7 NED- DDR- CZE- ULS- NAT- JPN- 0 – 0500cc Matchless GER- IOM6 NED- BEL- DDR2 CZE5 ULS2 NAT6 CAN-22 3rd0 Norton FIN2 1968 500cc Metisse GER- ESP- IOMNC NED- BEL- DDR- CZE- FIN- ULS3 NAT- 4 16th 0

References

External links Image of John Hartle Blue Plaque John Hartle profile at ozebook.com John Hartle on Gilera, Ulster Grand Prix 1963