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]
| Born | 3 March 1907 Adelaide, Australia |
|---|---|
| Died | 14 February 1994 (aged 86) City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, Adelaide |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Career history | |
| 1930 | Sheffield Blades |
| 1932 | Stamford Bridge Pensioners |
| 1933 | Wimbledon Dons |
| 1933 | Nottingham |
| 1934 | Birmingham Bulldogs |
| 1939 | Harringay Tigers |
| 1939 | Edinburgh Thistles |
| Individual honours | |
| 1930 | Australian champion (3 lap) |
| Team honours | |
| 1932 | National Association Trophy |
Biography
editChapman, 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.
References
edit- ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Glasgow Speedway results". The Scotsman. 13 May 1929. 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.
- ^ "1930 season" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "Return of Stars". Daily Herald. 16 March 1932. Retrieved 5 March 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Southampton Beaten". Daily News (London). 21 April 1932. Retrieved 5 March 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Year by Year". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ "Nottingham team Move to Hall Green". Nottingham Evening Post. 28 February 1934. Retrieved 5 March 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Wembley remembers the Old Timers". Sunday Mirror. 11 August 1935. Retrieved 5 March 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Speedway stars will soon adopt football training methods". Manchester Evening News. 15 May 1939. Retrieved 5 March 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.