Nice piece about a lovely guy. As a 13 year-old Sunderland fan I wrote to Vic when he moved to Weymouth, and it started a friendship which lasted until his sad death. We would exchange letters a couple of times a season, and I would cheer him on whenever he rode at Newcastle or Middlesbrough. Mum and dad even took me to Weymouth on our summer holidays in 1975, so I could watch him there. Still got the Wizards programme board I won in the "Vic Harding Fan Club" competition! - signed by Vic and all the team. Happy days.

I often think of Vic. He was a super lad who used to attend a lot of our (Sunderland) Supporters Club Events in those days. He was a very personable young man who seemed to have time for everyone. A GREAT Rider who always gave 100%. A superb talent, sadly curtailed. I will always only have fond memories of Vic who was at Sunderland for just a short time - but who we adopted as one of our own. Thank you for those memories. R.I.P. +

Still fondly remembered by all speedway fans in Sunderland, he was a "lovely lad" who give his all for his team. Sadly missed. Bob Ferry

I worked at Rye House in the late 70's selling the Dop/meth in the little hut at the back of the pits aged 15, and i'll always remember Vic, he was a man's man. He always had time to talk to a young man like myself. I remember hearing the news of his death on the sunday meeting, I will never forget Mr Vic Harding. Pete now 49....

the worst meeting of my life i remember going to the meeting to see pete collins take on scott autrey for the golden hemet decider and was standing by the fence where the accident happened and vics helmet was ripped off and landed about a metre away - we new it was bad but just hoped vic would be ok but alas vic had died - i will live with this memory for ever -god bless vic wherever you may be

I remember this terrible accident and often think of that night. I remember Vic having such a good night and riding like a hero, if I remember rightly the race was re-run after he was leading comfortably. I was stood directly inline where the crash happened I will never forget that night it never fails to bring a tear to my eye.

Vic was a lovely lad. Always cheerful and a thoroughly 'good' bloke in all ways. It was my curse to be at Rye House on a practice day before the season began. I was there with Jack Walker but had, by that time, considered Vic and good mate too. Vic was having a really bad day and not for the first time that winter. I saw Vic sitting on the ground with his back against the fence with his head hanging down. I'd never seen Vic like that before and took him a drink. I sat down next to him and he told me all his troubles and the fact that he was ready to give up speedway. We nattered for nearly half an hour and I'd managed to give him a boost and tell him how good I thought he could be.... I don't really know how much good I did that day but early in that next season he seemed to have moved up into another class.... When I heard of his accident, i was nearly sick and felt a terrible pain that such a nice lad was dead. That pain has never really left me completely. I'll never know if my chat kept him going or not - but a big part of me still wishes I hadn't pushed him to carry on..... Vic, mate, you will never be forgotten.....

I was a young lad of 7 when I first saw Vic ride when he came to Weymouth my dad took me to the pits and Vic gave me his old gloves and memories I will never forget. I was only 9 or so when I heard of Vic"s death and it was one of the most vivid memories of my childhood.Vic started my love for bikes and I will never forget him steaming into corner 3 at Weymouth with me just the other side of the fence God Bless Vic x