John Hartle

John Hartle
John Hartle with his hometown's coat of arms helmet emblem
Nationality	British
Born	(1933-12-22)22 December 1933 Chapel-en-le-Frith, England
Died	31 August 1968(1968-08-31) (aged 34) Scarborough, England
Motorcycle racing career statistics Grand Prix motorcycle racing Active years 1955 – 1968 First race 1955 350cc Isle of Man TT Last race 1968 500cc Ulster Grand Prix First win 1956 500cc Ulster Grand Prix Last win 1963 500cc Dutch TT Team(s) Norton, MV Agusta Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points 45 5 34 N/A 2 204

John Hartle (22 December 1933 - 31 August 1968) was an English professional road racer who competed in national, international and Grand Prix motorcycle events.

Born in Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, Hartle began racing in 1952 when working for Eric Bowers Motorcycles, riding a BSA Gold Star at Brough Aerodrome, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. Gaining more experience at other nearby short circuits including Cadwell Park and Oulton Park in 1953, he also finished in three out of four races entered in the 1953 and 1954 Isle of Man Manx Grand Prix.

He rode for the works Norton team during the 1955 season and again in 1956 in what would be factory team's last year in Grand Prix racing, returning to ride for Eric Bowers in 1957.

MV Agusta signed him in 1958 at the urging of John Surtees. He ended the season as runner-up to Surtees in the 500 and 350 classes. In 1960 he won his first Isle of Man TT race, the Junior TT event. After being released by MV Agusta, he then rode for Geoff Duke's privateer Gilera team, alongside Derek Minter.