Wally Kilmister Explained

Wally Kilmister
Nationality:New Zealander
Death Date:18 March 1973 (aged 65)
Birth Place:Wellington, New Zealand
Death Place:Rotorua, New Zealand
Years1:1930–1938
Career1:Wembley Lions
Years2:1939
Career2:Southampton Saints
Indivyear1:1936
Indivhonour1:New Zealand Champion
Teamyear1:1930,1931
Teamhonour1:Southern League Champion
Teamyear2:1932
Teamhonour2:National League Champion
Teamyear3:1930, 1932, 1933
Teamhonour3:London Cup Winner
Teamyear4:1931, 1932
Teamhonour4:National Trophy Winner

Wallace Stewart Kilmister (30 April 1907 – 18 March 1973), better known as Wally Kilmister, was an international speedway rider.[1]

Career summary

Kilmister first rode in grasstrack in 1925, before taking up speedway.[2] He began riding at the Kilbirnie track in Wellington in 1929 before travelling to England and joining the Wembley Lions in 1930.[3] In 1935 he rode in the Star Riders' Championship and in 1936 he won the New Zealand Championship. He was also a member of New Zealand and Colonies teams in the 1930s. At one time he also held the New Zealand land speed record with an average of 107 mph.[4]

After retiring from speedway Kilmister ran a sports and model shop under his own name until the 1970s on Wembley Triangle, near to Wembley Stadium, and later returned to New Zealand and lived in Taupō where he had a motorcycle, lawnmower and chainsaw shop.

Players cigarette cards

Kilmister is listed as number 23 of 50 in the 1930s Player's cigarette card collection.[5]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022 . British Speedway . 22 July 2023.
  2. Sandys, Leonard (1948) Broadside to Fame! The Drama of the Speedways, Findon, p. 21
  3. Batt, A.(2001) The Speedway Kings of Kilbirnie. Allan Batt
  4. Batt, A.(1998) The Cindershifters : pre War speedway in New Zealand. Allan Batt
  5. Web site: Speedway Riders. Speedway Museum Online. 14 October 2021.