Peter Middleton (3 December 1931 – 24 May 2019) was a British motorcycle racer in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He started his Manx Grand Prix career by finishing second in the 1957 Senior Newcomers race and two years later was the winner of the 1959 Junior MGP, before moving on to the Isle of Man TT for a further three years. He was the 1962 Gold Cup winner at Oliver's Mount, Scarborough where he broke Geoff Duke's seven-year lap record with a 4-speed gearbox.
Selected career statistics DateCircuit / RaceLapsMachinePos.Notes28 May 1957Alton Towers 500cc8Norton 5001st3-7 June 1957MGP Senior Newcomers4Norton 5002nd3-7 June 1957MGP Senior8Norton 5009th14th Sept 1957Oliver's Mount16Norton 5002nd20th Sept 1958Oliver's Mount16Norton 5001stSept 1958MGP Senior7Norton 5007thSept 1959MGP Junior7Norton 3501stSept 1959MGP Senior7Norton 5006thSept 1960TT Junior6Norton 35015thSept 1960TT Senior6Norton 50014th6 Aug 1960Ulster Grand Prix20Norton 3509th6 Aug 1960Ulster Grand Prix20Norton 50010th3 Apr 1961Cadwell Park Junior Solo Final8Norton 5003rd3 Apr 1961Cadwell Park Easter Senior Final12Norton 5003rd22 May 1961Cadwell Park Senior Solo Final12Norton 5003rd1 Apr 1962Mallory Park (event 3) Final20Norton 3505th23 Apr 1962Cadwell Senior Scratch Final8Norton 5003rd11 Jun 1962Cadwell Junior Scratch Final8Norton 3503rd11 Jun 1962Cadwell Senior Solo Scratch Final8Norton 5002nd17 Jun 1962Oliver's Mount – "Cock 'o the North"14Norton 3501stFastest Lap17 Jun 1962Oliver's Mount – "Cock 'o the North"14Norton 5001stFastest Lap24 Jun 1962Ouston 350cc12Norton 3501st24 Jun 1962Ouston 500cc12Norton 5001st6 Aug 1962Cadwell Park Junior Scratch Final8Norton 3501stFastest Lap6 Aug 1962Cadwell Coronation Trophy Final8Norton 5001stFastest Lap16th Sept 1962Cadwell International Junior Final12Norton 3502nd16th Sept 1962Cadwell International Championship Final12Norton 5004th22nd Sept 1962Oliver's Mount Final16Norton 5001stFastest Lap
Death
Middleton died of leukemia on 24 May 2019 at the Pinderfield's Hospital, Wakefield.
Tribute "The Fastest Lap: A Tribute to Peter Middleton" is scheduled to be released on the 24th of May 2024 - the 5 year anniversary of his death. The film is being directed by Middleton's son, Pete Middleton and features several interviews including world championship riders, John Cooper and Mick Chatterton.
References