Keith Ryan | |
Nationality: | Australian |
Birth Date: | 30 December 1922 |
Birth Place: | Mittagong, NSW, Australia |
Career1: | Glasgow Tigers |
Years1: | 1947–1949 |
Indivyear1: | 1952 |
Indivhonour1: | 2 lap Australian champion |
Indivyear2: | 1952 |
Indivhonour2: | 3 lap Australian champion |
Keith Vincent Ryan also known as Buck Ryan (30 December 1922 – 21 May 2018) was an Australian motorcycle speedway rider. He was twice champion of Australia in 1952 (over 2 and 3 laps) and earned six international caps for the Australia national speedway team.[1]
Ryan, born in Mittagong, was recruited by Charlie Spinks during the 1974 Australian season, for the British league tracks under the control of Johnnie Hoskins.[2] He began his British leagues career riding for Glasgow Tigers during the 1947 Speedway National League Division Two season.[3]
The following season in 1948, he improved his average to a respectable 7.20.[4] His final season in Scotland was in 1947.[5] After returning to Australia he continued to earn international caps[6] and captained the Australian national team.
He was due to return to Britain for the 1951 season but eventually did not,[7] although he gained valuable experience from his competition in the British leagues and became the Australian champion, after winning the 2 lap and 3 lap versions of the Australian Solo Championship in 1952.[8]