Bob Leverenz

Bob Leverenz
Born(1925-02-06)6 February 1925
Findon, South Australia
Died16 March 2009(2009-03-16) (aged 84)
NationalityAustralian
Career history
1949-1952Norwich Stars
Individual honours
1950, 1951, 1952, 1953South Australian Champion
1950 (4)Adelaide Golden Helmet
Team honours
1950, 1951National League Division II
1951National Trophy (Div 2)
1951Southern Shield

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

Career

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Leverenz was born on 6 February 1925 in Findon, South Australia.[4] He spent his entire United Kingdom career with the Norwich Stars, first riding for them during the 1949 season.[5][6] He 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. He also won four Adelaide Golden Helmet's in 1950. Three wins came at Kilburn and the final win came at Rowley Park.

In 1951, he captained the Australian Test Team against England at Kilburn Speedway in 1951. The same year he won the Harringay Trophy at Harringay Stadium and the Festival of Britain, Gold Star, at New Cross Stadium, London, on 2 May 1951.

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

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References

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  1. ^ Bob Leverenz death notice
  2. ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5
  4. ^ Addison J. (1948). The People Speedway Guide. Odhams Press Limited
  5. ^ "Norwich sign new speed riders". Daily News (London). 24 February 1949. Retrieved 15 September 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ^ "Brummies crash against Wembley". Birmingham Daily Gazette. 8 July 1949. Retrieved 23 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.