Keith Ryan (speedway rider)

Keith Vincent Ryan also known as Buck Ryan (30 December 1922 – 21 May 2018) was a motorcycle speedway rider from Australia. 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]

Keith Ryan
Born30 December 1922 (1922-12-30)
Mittagong, NSW, Australia
Died21 May 2018(2018-05-21) (aged 95)
NationalityAustralian
Career history
1947–1949Glasgow Tigers
Individual honours
19522 lap Australian champion
19523 lap Australian champion

Biography edit

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]

Ther 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]

References edit

  1. ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Speedway riders from Australia". Sunday Sun (Newcastle). 9 March 1947. Retrieved 22 February 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  3. ^ "1947 fixtures". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Year by Year". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Blaby man rides for England". Leicester Evening Mail. 11 December 1950. Retrieved 22 February 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ^ "Keith Buck Ryan". Edinburgh Evening News. 7 March 1951. Retrieved 22 February 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ^ "Individual Australian Championship". Historia Sportu Zuzlowego. Retrieved 22 February 2024.