Frank Varey

Frank Varey (31 March 1908 in Eldwick, England[1] – February 1988 in Sheffield, England) was a former international speedway rider who featured in the Speedway World Championship finals in 1937 and 1938.[2] He also featured in two Star Riders' Championships, the forerunner to the World Championship, in 1932 and 1933.

Frank Varey
Born(1908-03-31)31 March 1908
Eldwick, England
Died1988 (aged 79)
Sheffield, England
NicknameEl Diablo Rojo
(The Red Devil)
Nationality England
Current club information
Career statusRetired
Career history
1930–1939Belle Vue Aces
Individual honours
1944British Wartime Champion
Team honours
1933, 1934, 1935, 1936National League Champion
1930, 1931Northern League Champion
1933, 1934, 1935, 1936National Trophy winner
1931Northern KO Cup winner
1934, 1935, 1936, 1937A.C.U. Cup winner
1939British Speedway Cup winner

Career summary

Rider

Varey began his speedway career competing in open meetings in 1928 before signing for the Belle Vue Aces who had joined the newly formed Northern League in 1929.[3] Varey began succeeding quickly but had a reputation of being a hard, uncompromising rider which often led him to disciplinary problems with speedway authorities, confrontations and occasional scuffles with other riders and on several occasions needing police escorts from stadiums after on-track action upset the home fans at other tracks.

During the winter of 1929-1930, Varey rode in meetings in Argentina, where the local fans gave him the nickname of El Dibalo Rojo (The Red Devil) which further established his tough image even further.[3]

Varey was very successful at Belle Vue. After being made captain in 1931 following the retirement of his friend and rival Arthur Franklyn, the team won the National League Championship four seasons in a row from 1933 to 1936 and were leading in the 1939 season until it was abandoned due to the outbreak of World War II. The Aces also won the National Trophy in those same four seasons.[3]

Varey was selected to ride for England in the first ever Ashes Test Match series against Australia and was awarded the captaincy in the test held at Belle Vue.[4]

He continued to ride during the war and in 1944 won the British Wartime Championship.

Promoter

At the end of 1945 he decided to retire from racing and began promoting speedway at the Owlerton Stadium in Sheffield, staying as promoter of the Sheffield Tigers until 1950 before a spell promoting the Edinburgh Monarchs. Varey restarted speedway at Sheffield in 1960 in the Provincial League and remained until ill health forced him to relinquish control.

Varey returned to Belle Vue as team manager following the death of Dent Oliver the previous year but despite ongoing health problems he still helped with track preparation at Sheffield.[5]

Varey died in February 1988.

World Final Appearances
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References
  1. Addison J. (1948). The People Speedway Guide. Odhams Press Limited
  2. Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5
  3. Bamford, R. & Stallworthy, D. (2003) Speedway - The Pre War Years, Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2749-0
  4. Foster, P. (2005) History of the Speedway Ashes, The History Press Ltd. ISBN 0-7524-3468-3
  5. Pavey,A. (2004) Speedway in the North-West, Tempus Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-7524-3192-7
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