Cliff Watson (speedway rider)
 | |
| Born | 28 August 1916 Christchurch, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Died | 23 April 1989 (aged 72) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Career history | |
| 1947-1950, 1952-1953 | West Ham Hammers |
| 1950–1951 | Harringay Racers |
Clifford Grant Watson (28 August 1916 – 23 April 1989) was a New Zealand born Australian international motorcycle speedway rider,[1] who qualified for the Speedway World Championship final in 1949.[2][3]
Career summary
[edit]Watson was born in Christchurch, New Zealand,[4] but moved to Australia and represented the Australian national team at test level.[5][6]
He joined the West Ham Hammers in 1947,[7] progressing to heat leader status in 1949 and qualifying for the World final the same year. In 1950, after a poor start to the season with West Ham he joined the Harringay Racers[8] and remained with them until the end of the following season. He rejoined the Hammers in 1952 but after a poor start to the 1953 season he decided to retire[9] and return to Australia.[7]
World Final appearances
[edit]- 1949 -
London, Wembley Stadium - 15th - 1pt[2]
References
[edit]- ^ "Away from the dirt he gets a clean start". Daily Mirror. 24 March 1950. Retrieved 23 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ a b Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5
- ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ^ Addison J. (1948). The People Speedway Guide. Odhams Press Limited
- ^ Foster, P. (2005) History of the Speedway Ashes, The History Press Ltd. ISBN 0-7524-3468-3
- ^ "Vic Duggan out". Evening Despatch. 7 July 1949. Retrieved 23 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ a b Belton, Brian (2003). Hammerin' Round. Stroud: Tempus Publishing ISBN 0-7524-2438-6
- ^ Jacobs, Norman (2001). Speedway in London. Stroud: Tempus Publishing ISBN 0-7524-2221-9
- ^ "Watson to quit". Sunday Mirror. 19 July 1953. Retrieved 23 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.