Don O'Connor - Member of New Zealand Order of Merit

Don's involvement in speedway began during the early 1960's at New Plymouths Waiwakaiho Speedway where he was a swinger on sidecars. He also raced in the Stockbike class winning the Taranaki title in the last season of speedway at the Waiwakaiho track.

His involvement didn't end there it was onto TQ Midgets during the late 1970's early 1980's at Stratford, where he built and raced several cars, cumulating in winning the New Zealand Championships in 1985 at Meeanee Speedway in Hawkes Bay. His involvement continued where he supported many other competitors racing efforts.

Don was also responsible in part for forming the Speedway Control Board of New Zealand in 1984, as a breakaway from the Auto Cycle Union that controlled the sport at that time. Don held the position of Secretary for 4 years initially running the Speedway Office from his home in New Plymouth.

Don has been heavily involved in the motorcycle grades of speedway in NZ and has designed and built a number of junior solo bikes for promoting the youth classes.

Upon his retirement from Speedway as a very capable administrator he was awarded Life membership of Speedway New Zealand, and was it's first Patron from 2009-2014.

Congratulations Don. Thank you for your service to our sport. 

Steve Williams SNZ Patron with Sir David Gascogne , The Governor General The Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy and recent recipient of the Members of New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) Donald O’Connor. Don joins Steve as SNZ members who have received this excellence award for services to their sport.

Article added: Friday 30 October 2020