Bob Leverenz Explained

Bob Leverenz
Nationality:	Australian
Birth Date:	1925 2, df=yes
Birth Place:	Findon, South Australia
Years1:	1949-1952
Career1:	Norwich Stars
Indivyear1:	1950, 1951, 1952, 1953
Indivhonour1:	South Australian Champion
Indivyear2:	1950 (4)
Indivhonour2:	Adelaide Golden Helmet
Teamyear1:	1950, 1951
Teamhonour1:	National League Division II
Teamyear2:	1951
Teamhonour2:	National Trophy (Div 2)
Teamyear3:	1951
Teamhonour3:	Southern Shield

Robert Leverenz (6 February 1925 – 16 March 2009)^[1] was an international speedway rider,^[2] who featured in the 1951 Speedway World Championship final alongside the winner and fellow Adelaide rider Jack Young.^[3]

Career

Leverenz was born on 6 February 1925 in Findon, South Australia.^[4] He spent his entire United Kingdom career with the Norwich Stars and was a member of the team that won the National League Division Two championships in 1950 and 1951.

His career highlights included:

• Winning four South Australian Championships: 1950 at Kilburn Speedway, 1951, 1952 and 1953, at Rowley Park Speedway.
• Winning four Adelaide Golden Helmet's in 1950. Three wins came at Kilburn and the final win came at Rowley Park.
• Captaining the Australian Test Team against England at Kilburn Speedway in 1951.
• Riding for the Norwich Stars in England from 1949 to 1952.
• Winning the Harringay Trophy at Harringay Stadium, London in 1951.
• Winning the Festival of Britain, Gold Star, at New Cross Stadium, London, on 2 May 1951.
• Setting a track record at Norwich of 71.2 seconds, down from the previous record of 74 seconds.

His league averages for Norwich were:

• 1949: Division 2: 6.97 points
• 1950: Division 2: 8.25 points
• 1951: Division 2: 10.07 points
• 1952: Division 1: 10.00 points

World Final Appearances

• 1951 - London, Wembley Stadium - 8th - 7pts^[3]

Notes and References

1. http://www.speedwayplus.com/BobLeverenz.shtml Bob Leverenz death notice
2. Web site: ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022 . British Speedway . 1 August 2023.
3. Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing.
4. Addison J. (1948). The People Speedway Guide. Odhams Press Limited