Andrew George Menzies (6 September 1911 – 11 October 1993) was an Australian motorcycle speedway rider. He was champion of Australia in 1947 and earned six international caps for the Australia national speedway team.[1]

Andy Menzies
Born6 September 1911 (1911-09-06)
Victoria, Australia
Died11 October 1993(1993-10-11) (aged 82)
NationalityAustralian
Career history
1938–1939Wembley Lions
1948Odsal Boomerangs
1949Sheffield Tigers
Individual honours
1947Australian Solo Championship

Biography

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Menzies, born in Victoria, began his British leagues career riding for Wembley Lions during the 1938 Speedway National League season.[2] Although he served most of his rookie season in the Wembley reserves he was described as a clever rider.[3]

The following season in 1939, he began to improve and performed well in a Speedway World Championship qualifier.[4] Unfortunately he then lost six years of his career due to World War II.

On his return to speedway in 1947, he was called up the Australia national speedway team for a test series against England[5] and he won the Australian Solo Championship.[6]

His 1947 form resulted in interest from the British clubs for the 1948 Speedway National League season and he joined the Odsal Boomerangs.[7]

His last season in Britain was in 1949, when he rode for the Sheffield Tigers[8] and averaged 6.27 for the season.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  2. ^ "1938 season" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  3. ^ "England Skipper". Birmingham Daily Gazette. 1 June 1938. Retrieved 22 February 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ "Lawson tops the List". Daily News (London). 12 June 1939. Retrieved 22 February 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ^ "Australia's team". Daily Mirror. 21 November 1947. Retrieved 22 February 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ^ "Individual Australian Championship". Historia Sportu Zuzlowego. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  7. ^ "It all depended on last heat". Daily News (London). 26 May 1948. Retrieved 22 February 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ^ "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  9. ^ "Year by Year". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 22 February 2024.