Fred Wilkinson (8 June 1906 – 24 September 1978) was a British motorcycle speedway rider who rode in the early years of the sport. He earned two international caps for the England national speedway team.^[1]

Biography

Wilkinson was born in Coalville, Leicestershire in 1906, his father a miner at a local colliery.^[2] The family moved to Binley near Coventry, and then Seend in Wiltshire, with Wilkinson starting his racing career in grasstrack races.^[2] His early speedway experience was at the Gorse Hill Autodrome in Swindon, and at Bristol.^[2]

In 1929, he signed for the Leicester Super team, also riding for Coventry Bees, settling in Syston, Leicestershire, where he ran a garage.^[2] He captained the Leicester Super team in 1930, and stayed with the team until it closed during the 1931 Speedway Northern League.^[3]

Wilkinson rode for England in the second Test match of 1931 against Australia, staged at Leicester Super Speedway, scoring three points.^[4] He was selected at reserve for the fourth test at Hyde Road but did not score from his one ride.^[2]

Wilkinson moved on to ride for Sheffield in 1932, but they withdrew mid-season, leaving him racing a series of individual, special and challenge events only.^[5]

He was commemorated by an event in the 1980s that bore his name: The Fred Wilkinson Trophy match was staged at Leicester Stadium between 1980 and 1983, with a further staging at Peterborough in 1985.^[2]

References