 | |
| Born | (1905-10-09)9 October 1905 Birmingham, England |
|---|---|
| Died | 31 December 1989(1989-12-31) (aged 84) Birmingham, England |
| Nationality | British (English) |
| Career history | |
| 1929-1930 | Coventry |
| 1931-1932 | Southampton Saints |
| 1932-1933 | Clapton Saints |
| 1934-1939 | Harringay Tigers |
| 1946-1954 | Belle Vue Aces |
| Individual honours | |
| 1934 | Star Riders' Champion |
| 1932 | Dirt Track Championnat du Monde |
| 1947 | British Riders' Champion |
| Team honours | |
| 1946, 1947, 1949 | National Trophy winner |
| 1946 | National League Cup winner |
| 1935 | London Cup winner |
John (Jack) Parker (1905 – 1989) was an internationalmotorcycle speedway rider who made his debut at theWhitsun meeting at High Beech in 1928. He won the British Riders' Championship in 1949 and finished second in the 1949 World Championship.[1] He earned 89 international caps for theEngland national speedway team.[2]
Parker was born inBirmingham, England, on 9 October 1905.[3] His early employment was in the experimental department ofBSA, where his talent for racing became apparent.[4] He represented the company in road races, including theIsle of Man TT.[4] He took part in some of the earliest dirt-track races at High Beech, initially riding a stripped-down road bike, but later a specially adapted BSA.[4]
He joined the Coventry team in 1929 at the stadium at Lythalls Lane, Foleshill, becoming the team captain, and switching to a Douglas bike.[4] His brotherNorman also rode in the Coventry team in 1930.[4] He joinedSouthampton in 1931, and successfully challengedVic Huxley for the title of British Individual Champion.[4] Also in 1931, he captained England for the first time and set a new British Mile Record.[4] In 1932, the newNational League began. The team relocated mid-season toLea Bridge (becoming Clapton Saints), and Parker captained England in three test matches that year.[4] He won theDirt Track Championnat du Monde (an early version of theSpeedway World Championship and rival of theStar Riders' Championship) atStade Buffalo in Paris during 1932.
After good early season form in 1933, Parker broke a leg in a crash towards the end of the season, but still topped the rideraverages in 1933.[4][5] The team relocated to Harringay where he was re-united with his brother Norman.
After the war Parker spent much of his career with theBelle Vue Aces.[4] He won theBritish Riders' Championship,[4] and captained England in 1947.[6] He was also match race champion on and off from 1946 to 1947, holding the title through 1948, 1949 and most of 1950, only losing the title at the end of the 1950 season toAub Lawson.[4] He took the title back in 1951, eventually losing it toSplit Waterman.[4]
A regular visitor to Australia during his career where he raced at venues such as theSydney Showground Speedway,Sydney Sports Ground, theWayville Showground in Adelaide,Perth'sClaremont Speedway, and theBrisbane Exhibition Ground. He won the1938 Australian Championship at the Camden Motordrome in Adelaide, defeatingCordy Milne and Frank Woodroofe in the 5 lap final. He also won the 1950/51 and 1951/52New South Wales State Championships at the Sydney Sports Ground and Sydney Showground respectively. During his time in Australia, Parker was also a regular captain of the England team in test matches against theAustralians (who included such riders asLionel Van Praag,Bluey Wilkinson,Jack Young, Aub Lawson andVic Duggan).[7]
Parker was involved in a car crash in Australia during the 1951/52 season which left him seriously injured, and he never regained his top form. He retired from active speedway racing in 1954.[4]
Parker died in December 1989 at the age of 84.[citation needed]
Parker qualified for the first World Championship final in 1936, but missed it due to injury.[4] His best finish was second place in 1949.[8]
London,Wembley Stadium - 14th - 12 semi-final points London, Wembley Stadium - 4th - 10pts + 11 semi-final points London, Wembley Stadium - 10th - 6pts + 4 semi-final points London, Wembley Stadium -2nd - 14pts London, Wembley Stadium - 6th - 8pts London, Wembley Stadium - 5th - 10ptsParker is listed as number 35 of 50 in the 1930s Player'scigarette card collection.[9]