Joe Abbott (speedway rider)

John Patrick 'Joe' Abbott (12 April 1902 in Burnley, England[1] – 1 July 1950) was an international motorcycle speedway rider who rode in the World Championship final in 1937.[2]

Joe Abbott
Born(1902-04-12)12 April 1902
Burnley, England
Died1 July 1950(1950-07-01) (aged 48)
NationalityBritish
Current club information
Career statusRetired
Career history
1928–1929Burnley
1929–1931Preston
1932–1937, 1939Belle Vue Aces
1947Harringay Racers
1947–1950Odsal Boomerangs
Team honours
1933, 1934, 1935, 1936National League Champion
1933, 1934, 1935, 1936National Trophy Winner
1934, 1935, 1936, 1937A.C.U. Cup Winner
1939British Speedway Cup Winner

Career summary

Joe began his career with local track Burnley in 1928 before moving onto Preston for two seasons.[3] He then joined the Belle Vue Aces and stayed there until the outbreak of World War II. At Belle Vue he formed a formidable partnership with Frank Charles which they utilised internationally.[4] He made fifteen appearances for England between 1930 and 1939 and qualified for a World Final.

After the war he became captain of the Harringay Racers in 1947 and transferred to the Odsal Boomerangs in Bradford towards the end of the 1947 season.[3]

On 21 June 1949 Joe was riding in live televised meeting at West Ham Stadium against the West Ham Hammers. Joe crashed and suffered serious injury, but in the crowd were dozens of ambulance men from Poplar hospital who rushed him there immediately.[4] The quick actions saved his life.

World Final appearances

Death

On 1 July 1950 in the National League match for the Boomerangs against West Ham, Joe, who was now 48 years old fell in his second race and was hit by a following rider and was instantly killed. The riders and promoters decided to carry on with the meeting, as they believed Joe would have wished it. Fans left Odsal Stadium unaware that Joe, with nicknames such as 'India-rubber Man',[1] and "Ironman", had died.

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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. Morgan, Tom (1949) Who's Who in Speedway, Sport-in-Print, p. 7
  4. Belton, Brian (2003). Hammerin' Round. Stroud: Tempus Publishing ISBN 0-7524-2438-6
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