David William Potter (27 July 1950 – 18 September 1981)[1] was an English motorcycle racer who won the British Superbike Championship twice.

Potter crashed during a race at Oulton Park on 31 August 1981 and suffered head injuries from which he died in hospital 17 days later.

Potter, from Hovingham, Yorkshire, started racing in 1969 at the Croft Circuit on a BSA Gold Star.

Charlie Sanby crashed at the "Hutch" and was unable to ride for a few weeks due to a suspected broken collarbone,[3] leaving his team, Gus Kuhn, without a rider for Silverstone the next weekend.

As well as domestic competitions, Potter also raced in Europe at the Barcelona 24 hours [es], a round of the FIM Endurance Cup series, at Circuit Paul Ricard and at Rungis[4] in the Grand Prix of Paris.

[5] In 1973 Potter was in the British team for the Transatlantic Trophy, an annual match series between Britain and America held over the Easter weekend.

As well as domestic competitions, Potter also competed in Europe, in April at the Rouen Trophee 750 International and the Imola 200 both on the Kuhn Norton.

Potter also competed in endurance racing on a BMW with co-rider Graham Sharp in the 24 hours of Barcelona and Bol d'Or.

The series was again decided at the final round at Brands Hatch, this time Potter came out on top and won the championship.

[8] Defending his Superbike championship at Oulton Park on Monday 31 August 1981, Potter won the first race.

In the second heat he slid off at Cascades whilst in the lead and slip into an unprotected Armco barrier and suffered head injuries.