Bob Leverenz
Appearance
Born | Findon, South Australia | 6 February 1925
---|---|
Died | 16 March 2009 |
Nationality | Australia |
Career history | |
1949-1952 | Norwich Stars |
Individual honours | |
1950, 1951, 1952, 1953 | South Australian Champion |
1950 (4) | Adelaide Golden Helmet |
Team honours | |
1950, 1951 | National League Division II |
1951 | National Trophy (Div 2) |
1951 | Southern Shield |
Bob Leverenz (6 February 1925 – 16 March 2009)[1] was an international speedway rider who featured in the 1951 Speedway World Championship final alongside the winner and fellow Adelaide rider Jack Young.[2]
Leverenz was born in Findon, South Australia.[3]
Career
Bob Leverenz spent his entire UK 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[2]
References
- ^ Bob Leverenz death notice
- ^ a b Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5
- ^ Addison J. (1948). The People Speedway Guide. Odhams Press Limited