Ron Clarke (speedway rider) explained

Sidney Ronald Clarke (born 26 March 1914 in Oxford, England^[1] - 12 June 1981^[2]) was a former international speedway who qualified for the Speedway World Championship finals twice.^{[3] [4]}

Career

Clarke started his career in British leagues with Lea Bridge during the 1938 Speedway National League Division Two season.^[5] The following season he joined the Crystal Palace Glaziers but the team withdrew from the league mid-season, shortly before the outbreak of World War II.^[6]

In 1944, he was deemed to be the British champion after winning an event advertised as the British Championship but many riders were not involved because of the war.^[7]

In 1946 after the war, he joined Odsal Boomerangs of Bradford and would spend the rest of his career with Bradford.^[8]

Clarke qualified for two World finals in succession in 1949 and 1950 and at retirement he had earned 9 international caps for the England national speedway team.^{[4] [9]}

World final appearances

• 1949 - London, Wembley Stadium - 7th - 8pts
• 1950 - London, Wembley Stadium - 14th - 3pts ^[3]

Notes and References

1. Addison J. (1948). The People Speedway Guide. Odhams Press Limited
2. Web site: Ron Clarke. national-speedway-museum. 1 November 2013. dead. https://archive.today/20131101112139/http://www.national-speedway-museum.co.uk/ron%20clark.html. 1 November 2013. dmy-all.
3. Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing.
4. Web site: ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022 . British Speedway . 3 June 2023.
5. Web site: Rider averages 1929 to 2009 . Speedway Researcher . 31 October 2023.
6. News: Crystal Palace Speedway . Daily News (London) . 16 June 1939. British Newspaper Archive. 31 October 2023 . subscription .
7. News: Exeter Speedway Racing . Western Morning News . 21 May 1945 . British Newspaper Archive. 31 October 2023 . subscription .
8. Web site: Year by Year . Speedway Researcher . 31 October 2023.
9. News: Speedway Test team . Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer . 1 February 1950 . 28 December 2023 . British Newspaper Archive. subscription .