Mike Patrick

OXFORD SPEEDWAY is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of legendary speedway photographer Mike Patrick – our former track photographer.

Mike passed away on Friday morning after battling illness in recent years, having spent decades rightly regarded as the sport’s top photographer.

He was a regular on the UK domestic circuit, including as the official track photographer at Oxford Speedway for many years – his local track. He wore trademark chequered trousers while snapping the likes of Hans Nielsen and Simon Wigg, and he even rode in a couple of speedway races at Cowley, taking on presenter Peter York in the ‘Balaclava Helmet.’

He also covered all of speedway’s biggest events such as World Finals and GPs, providing many of the images which were published in Speedway Star and national newspapers.

We send our sincere condolences to his wife Jenny and his children and grandchildren at this sad time.

Mike was responsible for many of the sport’s most iconic images and thankfully these will survive for generations to come. His contribution to speedway will never be forgotten.

PHOTO: Mike taking THAT photo of Hans Nielsen at Oxford in 1991. The Oxford Mail’s John Gaisford took the photo of Mike putting total faith in Hans.