Derick Tallentire Close (13 May 1927 – 4 October 2021) was a British motorcycle speedway rider, who reached the final of Speedway World Championship in 1952.
[4] The 1952 season proved to be the best of his career after receiving a call up to ride for England, despite riding in National League Division Two, having never ridden in the top flight.
[5] He also reached the final of the Speedway World Championship.
In 1953, he suffered a fractured skull and although he rode well again in 1954 he suffered a drop in form after joining the Leicester Hunters in 1955 and retired at the end of the season.
[6] At retirement he had earned 2 international caps for the England national speedway team.