Louis finished fourth at the 1974 World Final at the Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg, Sweden and improved to third in the 1975 World Final at Wembley and was part of the Great Britain Speedway World Team Cup winning teams of 1972 and 1973 and England"s 1974 and 1975 teams.
He is the father of Great Britain International Chris Louis. Ipswich born Louis started his motorcycling career in scrambling and was tempted to have a go at speedway when Ipswich re-opened in 1969. He made his debut in 1970 and by the following year topped the national Second Division averages.
In 1972 Ipswich gained admission to the top flight by purchasing West Ham"s licence and Louis spearheaded the Witches team, making his World Final debut at London"s Wembley Stadium in 1972, finishing in 5th place.
He also captained Ipswich to the British League title in 1975 and 1976. In 1981 Louis joined Halifax, spending two seasons at The Shay before signing for a season at King"s Lynn in 1983.
He retired from riding in 1984 and is now the promoter of the Ipswich Witches. Individual World Championship
1972 - London, Wembley Stadium - 5th - 11pts
1974 - Göteborg, Ullevi - 4th - 9pts
1975 - London, Wembley Stadium - 3rd - 12pts + 3pts
1976 - Chorzów, Silesian Stadium - 6th - 9pts
World Pairs Championship
1975 - Wrocław, Olympic Stadium (with Peter Collins) - 4th - 20pts (13)
World Team Cup
* 1972 for Great Britain.
All others for England.
John Louis was World Pairs Champion in 1976 with Malcolm Simmons and finished sixth in his last World Final appearance in Poland. Louis was also the British Champion in 1975 (Chris Louis would win the British Championship in 1998 and 2000 making them the first father-son to do so). He was British League Division Two Riders Champion in 1971 and British League Riders Champion in 1979. 1976 - Eskilstuna, Eskilstuna Motorstadion (with Malcolm Simmons) - Winner - 27pts (17) 1972* - Olching, Olching Speedwaybahn (with Ivan Mauger / Ray Wilson / Terry Betts) Winner - 36pts (9) 1974 - Chorzów, Silesian Stadium (with Peter Collins / Malcolm Simmons / Dave Jessup) Winner - 42pts (12) 1975 – Norden, Motodrom Halbemond (with Malcolm Simmons / Martin Ashby / Peter Collins) – Winner – 41pts (8).
