Lionel Levy
Australian motorcycle speedway rider
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lionel William Levy (16 October 1916 – 21 February 1968) was an Australian motorcycle speedway rider. He was twice champion of Australia in 1952 and 1953 and earned 16 international caps for the Australia national speedway team.[1]
Sydney, Australia
| Born | 16 October 1916[citation needed] Sydney, Australia |
|---|---|
| Died | 21 February 1968 (aged 51) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Career history | |
| 1948 | Wimbledon Dons |
| 1948–1950, 1952 | Coventry Bees |
| 1953 | Southampton Saints |
| Individual honours | |
| 1952, 1953 | Australian champion |
| 1957 | New South Wales champion |
Biography
Levy, born in Sydney, was discovered by Norman Parker and Parker brought him to England in 1948.[2] He began his British leagues career riding for Wimbledon Dons during the 1948 Speedway National League season[3] and Coventry Bees in the 1948 Speedway National League Division Three, where he recorded a 7.43 average.[4]
He spent four seasons with Coventry (but missed the 1951 season)[5] before riding a few times for Southampton Saints in 1953.[6][7]
He gained valuable experience from his competition in the British leagues and became the Australian champion, after winning the Australian Solo Championship in 1952 and 1953.[8]
He also won the New South Wales champion in 1957 and went on to be the Australian team manager. He died in 1968, after fracturing his skull in a race at the Sydney Showground Speedway.[9]