It is with deep regret that Peterborough Speedway has to announce the untimely and sudden death of Panthers legend Andy Ross following a shooting accident on the slopes of Mormund Hill, Fraserburgh, near Aberdeen. He was 66.

It is easy to attach the legend tag to any rider in speedway but in Peterborough circles Andy was just that. He was captain of the first ever Panthers team in 1970 when promoter Danny Dunton brought the sport to the East of England Showground and indeed won Panthers first ever race at Rayleigh in their first fixture in the Division Two KO Cup. He went on to top Panthers averages that season with a figure of 9.08, and was set to do it again the following season before a broken leg ended his career on the shale after 9 official fixtures.

Andy Ross was a good team man and was always on hand to help and advise his fellow teammates as Panthers tried to gain a foothold within British Speedway. He was instrumental in helping good friend Joe Hughes start life in speedway racing after riding grasstrack in the early days,

“He was always there for advice, help and encouragement and he gave me the belief to ride speedway, which in turn helped my grasstrack career and enabled me to achieve an international licence and ride abroad for 16 years”.

His team spirit rubbed off on Panthers fans and he even organised Panthers first ever coach to their first ever league match at Long Eaton in that inaugural season. Andy’s professional application shone through and he was a tremendously successful rider at all disciplines of the sport and indeed finished fourth in the World Ice Racing Final in Nassjo, Sweden in 1970 and well as being a double British Grasstrack Champion.

He attended the Peterborough Speedway Dinner Dance last October and was re-united once again with his 1970 colleagues, including Team Manager Alec Ford and Danny Dunton, to mark 35 years of the club on what was a truly special occasion.

Peterborough Speedway will hold a minutes silence before Thursday’s meeting with Arena Essex and there will be a book of condolence for all fans to pay their tributes in the track shop for the last three home meetings of the regular season which will then be passed on to his family. The club would also like to send it’s heartfelt condolences to wife Enid, son Andrew and Daughter Elspeth.