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Norwich Stars were a motorcycle speedway team based in Norwich, England, which operated from 1930 until their closure in 1964.Bamford, R & Jarvis J.(2001). Homes of British Speedway.
In January 1937, the famous rider Max Grosskreutz announced his retirement in order to take a lease on the Firs Stadium. Grosskreutz entered a team for the 1937 Provincial Speedway League and the first fixture was at home to Liverpool Merseysiders, on 1 May in a national Trophy match. The services of riders were secured, including Wal Morton, Bert Spencer and Dick Wise and the nickname Stars was adopted.
After a solid first season the team were boosted by the decision of Grosskreutz to come out of retirement, captain and ride for the Stars. The Australian topped the league averages and helped Norwich win both the division 2 National Trophy and the Provincial Trophy.
The Stars were invited into the National League Division One in 1952 but initially struggled before improving in subsequent seasons, winning the National Trophy during the 1955 Speedway National League season and finished runners-up behind Wimbledon Dons in the 1958 Speedway National League. The leading riders during the 1950s were Billy Bales, Aub Lawson and the legendary Ove Fundin (Norwich's greatest ever rider and eventually a five times world champion).
The Stars raced in the top flight until the stadium was closed at the end of the 1964 season, when the track and stadium were sold for re-development.
| Provincial Trophy & National Trophy (div 2) winners |
| + when league suspended |
| A.C.U Cup winners |
| champions |
| champions & National Trophy (div 2) winners |
| National Trophy winners |
| National Trophy winners |
The third rider died on 1 July 1950. Jock Shead riding for Halifax Dukes was killed during the semi-final of the National Trophy. Shead's bike collided with another bike and he somersaulted before landing, he was taken to hospital but died shortly afterwards. The following year, 21-year-old Bob Howes was killed when he hit the fence during a training practice race on 10 November 1951.
Norwich rider Malcolm Flood died on 2 April 1956, at Poole. The 25-year-old rider suffered fatal injuries despite an earlier warning from the race steward that he was riding too erratically into the bends.
The Firs Stadium was arguably the deadliest track in the country and claimed another life on 24 July 1960. Derek 'Tink' Maynard of the Belle Vue Aces was fatally injured in a crash on 23 July 1960. Maynard was competing in the second leg of the National Trophy against Norwich when Slant Payling lost control of his bike and it hit Maynard. Both riders were taken to Norwich Hospital but Maynard died the following morning.
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