Chris Morton

Christopher John (Chris) Morton, MBE (born 22 July 1956[1]) is a former motorcycle speedway rider[2]. He rode bikes from a young age at the farm of Peter Collins' parents.

Chris Morton
Born (1956-07-22) 22 July 1956
Davyhulme, England
Nationality England
Current club information
Career statusManager
ManagerBelle Vue Aces
Career history
1973Ellesmere Port Gunners
1973–1990Belle Vue Aces
1993Sheffield Tigers
Individual honours
1980Intercontinental Champion
1983British Champion
1983, 1987, 1993Northern Riders Champion
1984British League Riders' Champion
1974British Under-21 Champion
1978Volkswagen/Daily Mirror Grand Prix
1988Ace of Aces Grasstrack Champion
1980Manpower Trophy
1980Daily Mirror Golden Hammer
Team honours
1973, 1975British League KO Cup winner
1980World Team Cup Winner
1984World Pairs Champion
1984British League Pairs Champion
1975, 1976, 1977, 1978Northern Trophy

Brief career summary

Born in Davyhulme, Lancashire, Morton made his debut for Ellesmere Port Gunners (on loan from Belle Vue Aces) on 15 May 1973. He showed rapid improvement then following an injury to Aces Captain Chris Pusey in June 1973 he was drafted into the Belle Vue team scoring 6 points on his debut in an away meeting at Cradley Heath. The following season he became British Under-21 Champion at just 17 years of age.

During the late 1970s, Morton was a guest resident international rider at the famous Rowley Park Speedway in Adelaide, South Australia where he often rode against the likes of home town hero John Boulger and Mildura's Phil Crump.

He rode for the England team at test level and represented them in the World Team Cup, winning the competition in 1980.

Morton became British Champion in 1983 and World Pairs Champion with best friend Peter Collins in 1984.

After retirement

He retired from riding in 1990, becoming manager of Berwick Bandits in 1991.[3] He also played a major role in the introduction of speedway to Buxton in 1994.

In 2005 he returned to Belle Vue as commercial manager and then in December 2006 he was part of a consortium who bought the Aces and currently holds the position of Operations Director, having previously also acted as team manager.[4][5]

He was awarded his MBE for services to speedway in 1992.

Brother Dave was also a speedway rider.

World Final Appearances

Individual World Championship

World Pairs Championship

World Team Cup

World Longtrack Championship

Finalist

  • 1980 - Scheeßel 5pts (14th)
  • 1982 - Esbjerg 4pts (14th)
  • 1985 - Esbjerg 0pts (20th) Reserve
  • 1987 - Muhldorf 2pts (17th)
  • 1988 - Scheeßel 31pts (Third)
  • 1989 - Marianske Lazne 8pts (15th)

References
  1. Oakes, P & Rising, P (1986). 1986 Speedway Yearbook. ISBN 0-948882-00-X
  2. Lawson,K (2018) “Riders, Teams and Stadiums”. ISBN 978-0-244-72538-9
  3. Morton C. (2005). Until The Can Ran Out. NPI Media Group. ISBN 0-7524-3473-X
  4. Frost, Richard (2006) "Morton in Takeover", Speedway Star, 14 October 2006, p. 3
  5. "Karlsson out to tame the Wolves", Middleton Guardian, 1 April 2010, retrieved 22 July 2012
  6. Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5
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