Ron Clarke (speedway rider)

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Ron Clarke, full name Sidney Ronald Clarke, was an English speedway rider born on 26 March 1914 in Oxford. He began his British league career with Lea Bridge in 1938, then rode for Crystal Palace Glaziers in 1939. The Glaziers withdrew from the league mid-season just before World War II. In 1944, during wartime, he was recognised as British champion in an event billed as the British Championship, though many top riders did not take part because of the war. After the war, he joined Odsal Boomerangs of Bradford in 1946 and spent the rest of his career with Bradford (1946–1957). Clarke qualified for the Speedway World Championship finals twice, in 1949 and 1950, and earned 9 international caps for England. He passed away on 12 June 1981 at the age of 67.