Ron Johnston Explained

Ron Johnston
Birth Date:1930 12, df=yes
Birth Place:Dunedin, New Zealand
Years1:1950
Career1:Sheffield Tars
Years2:1950–1961
Career2:Belle Vue Aces
Indivyear1:1959
Indivhonour1:Johnnie Hoskins Trophy
Indivyear2:1952
Indivhonour2:New Zealand champion
Teamyear1:1957, 1958, 1960
Teamhonour1:Britannia Shield
Teamyear2:1958
Teamhonour2:National Trophy

Ronald Johnston (31 December 1930  - 29 July 2014) was a New Zealand motorcycle speedway rider, who rode for the Belle Vue Aces. He also rode in four World Finals (1955, 1957, 1958 and 1960) during his career finishing a best 5th in 1960.[1] [2] He earned 16 caps for the New Zealand national speedway team.[3]

Career

Johnston began riding at the Tahuna Park track in Dunedin in 1949. He moved to England in 1950 and joined the Belle Vue Aces.[4] In his first season, he was at first loaned out to the Belfast Bees and the Sheffield Tigers before establishing himself as a member of the Belle Vue team. He captained the team[5] from 1957 until his retirement at the end of 1961. Under his captaincy, Belle Vue won the Britannia Shield three times, and the Daily Mail National Trophy in 1958.

Johnston won the 1952 New Zealand Championship, and he rode for Australasian teams in England and on the continent.

He was the captain of New Zealand during the test match series against England national speedway team in 1952/53.[6]

World Final Appearances

Notes and References

  1. Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing.
  2. Web site: BELLE VUE: RON JOHNSTON. Speedway Great Britain. 12 June 2015.
  3. Web site: Ultimate rider index, 1929-2022 . British Speedway . 27 August 2024.
  4. News: Chads sign Australian . Liverpool Echo . 13 May 1950 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription . 27 August 2024.
  5. News: Hunters beat Belle Vue . Leicester Evening Mail . 15 August 1959 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription . 27 August 2024.
  6. News: England riders fail in speedway Test . Bradford Observer . 29 January 1953 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription . 27 August 2024.