DeWayne Keeter (October 15, 1944 – May 3, 1975) was an American dirt-track and motorcycle speedway rider. He earned 2 caps for the United States national speedway team.[1][2]
| Born | October 15, 1944 Ventura County, United States |
|---|---|
| Died | May 1, 1975 (aged 30) Torrance, California |
| Career history | |
| 1969 | Leicester Lions |
Career
editInvolved in motorcycle racing since the mid-1960s, Keeter had raced in speedway in the United States for only around six months before signing for Leicester Lions in 1969,[3] becoming the first American rider to compete in the British League.[4] Shortly before making his debut for Lions he was seriously injured in a crash that resulted in five broken ribs, a punctured lung, and concussion, but despite this he averaged close to five points per match, including a paid maximum score.[5]
After the 1969 season he returned to the United States where he continued to compete in dirt track racing, also riding in speedway in Australia in the early 1970s.
Keeter was critically injured in a crash at Ascot Park in California on May 1, 1975, dying two days later aged 30.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Ultimate rider index, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ "American rides - No Michanek". Derby Daily Telegraph. 28 March 1969. Retrieved 1 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Hackney rider allocated to Leicester Speedway". Leicester Daily Mercury. 27 March 1969. Retrieved 1 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Berry, John (2009) "California Dreamin'", Backtrack, Issue 32 (May-June 2009), p. 3-5
- ^ a b Jones, Alan (2010) Speedway in Leicester: The Lions Roar, Automedia, p. 157
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