John Titman

Education

In 1973 he finished in 7th place (with John Boulger) in the Australian qualifying round of the World Pairs championship.

Career

Born in Brisbane, Queensland, Titman initially worked as a mechanic, making his speedway debut at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground in April 1968. He made his British League debut with Halifax Dukes in 1972, and also made his international debut for Australia that year against the British Lions. He also raced in Poland and New Zealand.

He moved on to the Exeter Falcons in 1975.

He also finished runner-up in the Australian championship to Philosophy Crump in 1975 at the Sydney Showground Speedway, and again in 1986 at the Pioneer Park Speedway in Ayr behind fellow Queenslander Troy Butler. He signed for the Leicester Lions in 1978, becoming club captain in 1979.

After falling to third in the Lions averages in 1981 and being stripped of the captaincy, he was transfer listed at the end of the season, and moved on to the Hackney Hawks in 1982. He moved on again in 1984 to the Wimbledon Dons, and this was his final season in British speedway.

During his career, Titman made the World Final on two occasions, finishing 8th in 1978 and 9th in 1979.

Titman also rode in longtrack speedway, reaching the world final in 1983 and 1984. After returning home at the end of 1984, Titman continued to ride, captaining the Australian national team for a further three years. Individual World Championship

1978 - London, Wembley Stadium - 9th - 7pts

1979 - Chorzów, Silesian Stadium - 12th - 5pts

World Pairs Championship

1979 - Vojens, Speedway Center (with Philosophy Crump) - 4th - 19pts (6).

Achievements

• Titman won the Australian Solo Championship in 1977 on his home track, the Brisbane Exhibition Ground.

Membership

In 1973 he averaged 6.92 from 38 matches, and became a regular member of the Australian team