| Jack Chapman | |
| Nationality: | Australian |
| Birth Date: | 3 March 1907 |
| Birth Place: | Adelaide, Australia |
| Death Place: | City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, Adelaide |
| Career1: | Sheffield Blades |
| Years1: | 1930 |
| Career2: | Stamford Bridge Pensioners |
| Years2: | 1932 |
| Career3: | Wimbledon Dons |
| Years3: | 1933 |
| Years4: | 1933 |
| Career5: | Birmingham Bulldogs |
| Years5: | 1934 |
| Career6: | Harringay Tigers |
| Years6: | 1939 |
| Career7: | Edinburgh Thistles |
| Years7: | 1939 |
| Indivyear1: | 1930 |
| Indivhonour1: | Australian champion (3 lap) |
| Teamyear1: | 1932 |
| Teamhonour1: | National Association Trophy |
Wenley Jack Chapman (3 March 1907 – 14 February 1994) was an Australian motorcycle speedway rider.[1] [2] He earned 17 official and unofficial international caps for the Australia national speedway team.[3]
Chapman, born in Adelaide, was credited with holding the world mile record in 1928.[4] He was one of the early pioneers of speedway, particularly in the United Kingdom, when he travelled over from Australia for the second season of the sport in 1929.[5]
After making one just cup appearance for the Sheffield in 1929, he returned home for the 1930 Australian season and became the 1930 Australian champion over 3 laps.[6] He began his British leagues career riding for Sheffield Blades during the 1930 Speedway Northern League season.[7] He averaged 8.41 for the Sheffield team.[8]
He missed the 1931 season but joined Stamford Bridge Pensioners in 1932,[9] a season where he also captained the Australian select team.[10]
In 1933, he rode for Nottingham and also made a couple of appearances for Wimbledon Dons.[11] However, in 1934, the entire Nottingham team was transferred to the Birmingham Bulldogs, following the demise of the Nottingham team.[12]
After the 1934 season, Chapman returned home once again but this time stayed in Australia, selling Motorcycles in Adelaide.[13] Five years later in 1939, Chapman now aged 32, made a comeback, joining the Harringay Tigers,[14] Before finishing his UK career with Edinburgh Thistles, operating at Marine Gardens in Portobello.