Jürgen Hehlert
East German speedway rider
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jürgen Hehlert (born 15 April 1941) is a former international motorcycle speedway rider from East Germany.[1][2] He earned international caps for both the East Germany national speedway team and later the West Germany national speedway team, after he defected.
| Born | 15 April 1941 (age 85) Rostock, Germany |
|---|---|
| Nationality | German |
| Career history | |
| East Germany | |
| 1967 | Güstrow |
| West Germany | |
| ? | Rodenbach |
| 1980 | Cloppenburg |
| Great Britain | |
| 1974 | Hull Vikings |
| Individual honours | |
| 1962, 1966 | East German Champion |
Speedway career
Hehlert was a two times champion of East Germany, winning the East German Championship in 1962 (which was the first post-World War II) German championship)[3] and again in 1966.[4]
He only rode one season in the United Kingdom, riding for Hull Vikings, during the 1974 British League Division Two season.[5][1] He was released by Hull to be replaced by German rider Josef Angermüller.[6]
He was credited with being partly responsible for the renovation of the track at the Günter Harder Stadion and in 1970[2] and reached the Continental final of the 1970 Speedway World Team Cup with the East Germany national speedway team after winning both the quarter final and semi final.[7]
In 1972, he defected from the East to the West, settling in Hanau in Hesse and later rode for MSC Rodenbach in the German Team Speedway Championship[2] He would also represent the West German national team.