Jack Parker

Background

Parker was born in Birmingham England on 9 October 1905.

Career

His early employment was in the experimental department of Bachelor of Scientific Agriculture, where his talent for racing became apparent. He represented the company in road races, including the Isle of Manitoba TT. He took part in some of the earliest dirt-track races at High Beech, initially riding a stripped-down road bike, but later a specially adapted Bachelor of Scientific Agriculture. He joined the Coventry team in 1929 at the Lythalls Lane, Foleshill, stadium, becoming the team captain, and switching to a Douglas bike. Also in 1931, he captained England for the first time and set a new British Mile Record.

In 1932 the new National League began.

The team relocated mid-season to Lea Bridge (becoming Clapton Saints), and Parker captained England in three test matches that year. After good early season form in 1933, Parker broke a leg in a crash towards the end of the season, but still topped the rider averages in 1933.

After the war Parker spent much of his career with the Belle Vue Aces. He took the title back in 1951, eventually losing it to Split Waterman.

A regular visitor to Australia during his career where he raced at venues such as the Sydney Showground Speedway, Sydney Sports Ground, the Wayville Showground in Adelaide, Perth"s Claremont Speedway, and the Brisbane Exhibition Ground.

During his time in Australia, Parker was also a regular captain of the Great Britain team in test matches against the Australians (who included such riders as Lionel Van Praag, Bluey Wilkinson, Jack Young, Aub Lawson and Vic Duggan). Parker was involved in a car crash in Australia during the 1951/52 season which left him seriously injured, and he never regained his top form. He retired from active speedway racing in 1954.

Parker died in 1990 at the age of 84.

Parker qualified for the first World Championship final in 1936, but missed it due to injury. His best finish was second place in 1949.

1936 - London, Wembley Stadium - 14th - 12 semi-final points

1937 - London, Wembley Stadium - 4th - 10pts + 11 semi-final points

1938 - London, Wembley Stadium - 10th - 6pts + 4 semi-final points

1949 - London, Wembley Stadium - 2nd - 14pts

1950 - London, Wembley Stadium - 6th - 8pts

1951 - London, Wembley Stadium - 5th - 10pts.

Achievements

• He won the British Riders" Championship in 1949 and finished second in the 1949 World Championship. He joined Southampton in 1931, and successfully challenged Vic Huxley for the title of British Individual Champion. He won the British Riders" Championship in 1947. He was also match race champion on and off from 1946 to 1947, holding the title through 1948, 1949 and most of 1950, only losing the title at the end of the 1950 season to Aub Lawson. He won the 1938 Australian Championship at the Camden Motordrome in Adelaide, defeating Cordy Milne (United States of America) and Frank Woodroofe in the 5 lap final. He also won the 1950/51 and 1951/52 New South Wales State Championships at the Sydney Sports Ground and Sydney Showground respectively.