Wally Kilmister
Wallace Stewart Kilmister (born 1908 in Wellington, New Zealand – died 1973), better known as Wally Kilmister, was an international speedway rider.
Born | 1908 Wellington, New Zealand |
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Died | 1973 (aged 65) Rotorua, New Zealand |
Nationality | |
Current club information | |
Career status | Retired |
Career history | |
1930–1938 | Wembley Lions |
1939 | Southampton Saints |
Individual honours | |
1936 | New Zealand Champion |
Team honours | |
1930,1931 | Southern League Champion |
1932 | National League Champion |
1930, 1932, 1933 | London Cup Winner |
1931, 1932 | National Trophy Winner |
Career summary
Kilmister first rode in grasstrack in 1925, before taking up speedway.[1] He began riding at the Kilbirnie track in Wellington in 1929 before travelling to England and joining the Wembley Lions in 1930.[1][2] In 1935 he rode in the Star Riders' Championship and in 1936 he won the New Zealand Championship. He was also a member of New Zealand and Colonies teams in the 1930s. At one time he also held the New Zealand land speed record with an average of 107 mph.[3]
After retiring from speedway Kilmister ran a sports and model shop under his own name until the 1970s on Wembley Triangle, near to Wembley Stadium,[1] and later returned to New Zealand and lived in Taupo where he had a motorcycle, lawnmower and chainsaw shop.
References
- Sandys, Leonard (1948) Broadside to Fame! The Drama of the Speedways, Findon, p. 21
- Batt, A.(2001) The Speedway Kings of Kilbirnie. Allan Batt ISBN 0-473-07866-X
- Batt, A.(1998) The Cindershifters : pre War speedway in New Zealand. Allan Batt