Victor John Harding (5 July 1952 in East Ham, London – 8 June 1979 Whipps Cross, London) was a motorcycle speedway rider.Hackney Hawks Website accessed 25 July 2007.
Career
Harding began at the Rye House training school in 1970 run by Len Silver and spent several seasons trying to break into a league team.Fenn, C.(2003). Hackney Speedway, Friday at Eight.
In 1974, the Sunderland Gladiators handed Harding the chance. In 1975, he moved to Weymouth Wizards.Lawson, K (2018) “Riders, Teams and Stadiums”. He became the club captain at Weymouth.
In 1977, Len Silver signed Harding for the Hackney Hawks from Weymouth and spent most of that season as reserve. In 1978, he began improving so much that by 1979, he was a heat leader.
Death Tragedy struck on 8 June 1979 when Harding was killed whilst riding for Hackney at Hackney Wick Stadium, Waterden Road. He was in a heat as a replacement for Bo Petersen, but during the race, he was involved in a terrible crash with Steve Weatherley. Harding was killed and Weatherley was left with a broken back and paraplegia.Jacobs, Norman (2001). Speedway in London.
Following this tragic accident, the Hawks hosted a Vic Harding Memorial Trophy every season in Harding's honour. It was in fact the last ever meeting hosted by the Hackney Hawks.
See also Rider deaths in motorcycle speedway
References