Ron Johnson (speedway rider)

rdf:langString Ron Johnson (speedway rider)

rdf:langString Ron Johnson

rdf:langString Ron Johnson

rdf:langString Duntocher, Scotland

rdf:langString London Cup

rdf:langString Deceased

rdf:langString Ron Johnson (24 February 1907 Duntocher, Scotland – 4 February 1983) was a speedway rider who won the London Riders' Championship in 1945 (unattached) and in 1946 whilst with the New Cross Rangers. Johnson (Born Johnston) emigrated to Australia with his parents when he was just a child. He started racing at the Claremont Speedway in Perth, Western Australia in 1927 (the same year the venue first held racing), before his travelling to the UK with promoter Johnnie Hoskins in 1928 to start a career with Crystal Palace. Johnson initially struggled on British tracks that were half the size of the ones he was used to (the Claremont Showground, which doubled as the speedway, was some 550 metres (600 yd) in length, while other Australian tracks of the day, usually showground tracks, ranged from 450 metres (490 yd) to 610 metres (670 yd) in length). In 1931, he won the British Match Race Championship, defeating Claude Rye, retaining the title against Syd Jackson before losing it to Tiger Stevenson. In 1933 he was runner up in the Star Riders' Championship, the forerunner of the Speedway World Championship. In 1934 he joined the New Cross Rangers, with whom he retained connections throughout his career. He qualified for the 1937 Speedway World Championship final as reserve, but did not ride. He also qualified for the 1939 Speedway World Championship final which was never held due to the outbreak of World War II.