It is with great sadness we have to inform you all of the passing of Dennis Slaughter MBE at the age of 91 years.
Dennis first became involved with Norwich Viking MCC at the age of 12 when he helped at Cadders Hill, Lyng. After his national service he eventually owned his own motorcycle shop.
Dennis was a competent rider in both scrambles and grass track; he was Eastern Centre 250cc Grass Track Champion in 1955 and would undoubtedly have won a lot more had injury not brought his riding career to an abrupt end in 1956.
In 1973 he sponsored shop employee, Ray Parker, in motocross. As the shop thrived Dennis sponsored a number of good motocross riders in the Eastern Centre and with Geoff Mayes (Maico) went on to win the 1980 British Motocross Championship. More recently Dennis sponsored Ray Parker’s son Luke #49 who went on to win the Eastern Centre Motocross Championship in 2016.
Dennis served on the ACU Motocross Committee from 1983 until 1998. He became Chairman of the MXC in 1993 when Albert Carter passed away. During his time on the motocross committee Dennis managed the Great Britain Motocross Des Nations Team on several occasions including gaining a podium place in Australia in 1992.
The ACU made Dennis an honorary member of the ACU in 2009. He was also a Life Vice President of ACU Eastern, & latterly President of Norwich Viking MCC having previously held virtually every senior position on Norwich Vikings committee at various times.
Dennis was awarded an MBE in the 2012 New Year’s Honours list for services to motocross.
Affectionately known as “The King of Lyng” or simply “The Boss,” until about three years ago, Dennis boasted that he had not missed a scramble/motocross event at Lyng since 1948. He even managed to come to the final round of the ACU Eastern MX Championship at Lyng just 8 weeks ago. Cadders Hill Lyng, having hosted numerous British Championship events and a 125cc GP in 1993, would definitely not be the established motocross venue it is today, had it not been for Dennis dedicating his life to making the venue what it is today. A man with a passion for the sport unlike anyone else. He spent every day he could at Cadders Hill, fixing fences, painting stakes, grading and was famous for raking up stones by hand.
R.I.P. Dennis Slaughter MBE, you will be greatly missed by all at Norwich Viking MCC and the ACU along with the much wider motocross community. Condolences to his family and friends.
The funeral service will be held at Norwich St Faiths Crematorium, 75 Manor Road, Horsham St Faith Norwich NR10 3LF on Monday 6th January 2020 at 3:30pm. Afterwards Dennis will be remembered at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Norwich Airport, Cromer Road, Norwich NR6 6JA. All are welcome; please let Ray Parker or Andrew Hay know for catering purposes.
Family flowers only. Donations to: ACU Benevolent Fund