Frank Ernest Duckett (5 January 1903 – 20 October 1972) was a motorcycle speedway rider from Australia.[1][2][3] He earned an international cap for the Australia national speedway team.[4]
| Born | 5 January 1903 Wallaroo, South Australia, Australia |
|---|---|
| Died | 20 October 1972 (aged 69) Adelaide, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Career history | |
| 1931 | Stamford Bridge Pensioners |
| Individual honours | |
| 1929 | Australian champion (3 lap) |
Biography
editDuckett, born in Wallaroo, South Australia, was one of the early pioneers of speedway, particularly in the United Kingdom, when he travelled over from Australia for the inaugural season of the sport in 1928. He took part in some of the first meetings ever staged in Britain.[5] Duckett was credited with holding the Australian mile record in 1928.[6]
After returning home for the Australia season, he became the 1929 Australian champion over 3 laps.[7] He was one of the star names during the 1929 UK season, with large attendances gathering to witness the new sport.[8]
His 1929 season was interrupted by a broken ankle in late June but within a month he was back racing. He chose to restrict his racing to special events for prize money and was not lured by the early league teams of 1929 and 1930. He rode for an Australian select team in 1930.[9] He finally made his league debut riding for Stamford Bridge Pensioners during the 1931 Speedway Southern League season[10] but averaged just 3.60.[11]
Duckett returned to Australia to race and would not ride in Britain again. By trade Duckett worked for Lenroc Motorcycles as a spare parts salesman before joining Litchfield Engineering.[3]
References
edit- ^ "Ultimate rider index, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "Frank Duckett, the Australian Star". Leicester Evening Mail. 10 June 1929. Retrieved 5 March 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ a b "Frank Duckett and Jack Chapman, PRG 1631/101/32, Photograph". State Library of Australia. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "Australia". International Speedway. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "A 100% Thrill". Edinburgh Evening News. 21 April 1928. Retrieved 5 March 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Glasgow Speedway results". The Scotsman. 13 May 1929. Retrieved 5 March 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Individual Australian Championship". Historia Sportu Zuzlowego. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "Australian at Brough Park". Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette. 6 June 1929. Retrieved 5 March 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Speedway Test match". Leeds Mercury. 12 July 1930. Retrieved 5 March 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "1931 season" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 4 March 2024.