Peter, a former Belle Vue Ace, has loaned the museum his Weslake bike, which he rode to win the 1976 individual world championship in Poland.
He also recorded a two-hour interview about every aspect of his life as a Speedway champion, from the electric atmosphere of the Speedway racetrack, which attracted thousands of people in the 1970s, to becoming an international Speedway icon.
The interview is available for visitors to hear in the Museum’s Collections Centre and will be used as part of future displays.
“In the 1970s, Speedway was a massive sport and Belle Vue was the best stadium in the world,” said Peter. “When I was racing, there were always 10,000-12,000 people in that stadium, and the atmosphere in that closed space – with the noise of the bikes, the smell of methanol fuel – was totally awesome!”
Belle Vue is an integral part of Manchester history and opened in 1846 as the Belle Vue Zoo and showground. The Belle Vue Speedway opened on July 28 1928 originally at the Kirkmanshulme Lane Stadium, but moved to Hyde Road Stadium in 1929.
It had more champions than any other club in Speedway history, including five racers who won the individual world championship. These were Peter Craven (1955 and 1962), Ove Fundin (1967), Ivan Mauger (1969, 1970 and 1972), Peter Collins (1976) and Jason Crump (2004, 2006).
