Vic Duggan
Encyclopedia
Victor 'Vic' Duggan was a Speedway
who won the London Riders' Championship
in 1947 whilst with the Harringay Racers
.
He started his career in 1937 with the Hackney Wick Wolves
, before spells with the Bristol Bulldogs
in 1938 and Wimbledon Dons
in 1939. In 1947 he returned to the UK with the Harringay Racers
. Was a co-director of the Sydney Sports Ground
with Lionel Van Praag
and Max Grosskreutz
where he held the track record.
Ray Duggan won his first Australian Solo Championship in 1941 at the Sydney Sports Ground. He followed this up with the 1947 Aussie title, again at the Sports Ground and backed up to win 3 Aussie titles in 1948 (2 x 2 lap and 1 x 3 lap) at both the Sports Ground and the Sydney Showground Speedway
. He was also NSW State Champion
in 1940 and 1947. Many believe Vic would have won more Australian and NSW titles had it not been for World War II
when racing was suspended.
Vic Duggan competed in the 1950 World Final
at London
's, Wembley Stadium where he finished in 13th place after scoring 4 points.
Duggan died in 2007.
Motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
who won the London Riders' Championship
London Riders' Championship
The London Riders' Championship was an individual speedway competition for top riders of teams from London. It was a very prestigious competition, especially in its early days. However, as the number of teams from London dwindled, so did interest in the competition. The last competition wast held...
in 1947 whilst with the Harringay Racers
Harringay Racers (speedway)
The Harringay Racers were a motorcycle speedway team who raced at the Harringay Stadium from 1947 until 1954 in the National League Division One....
.
He started his career in 1937 with the Hackney Wick Wolves
Hackney Wick Wolves
Hackney Wick Wolves speedway opened in 1935 at Hackney Wick Stadium, Waterden Road, London, and operated until the outbreak of World War II in 1939.-History:The Walthamstow Wolves closed at the end of the 1934 season and the team moved into Hackney Stadium...
, before spells with the Bristol Bulldogs
Bristol Bulldogs
The Bristol Bulldogs were a British motorcycle speedway team based in the Knowle Stadium, Bristol, England.The club was formed prior to World War II. The track operated a season of challenge matches in 1946 with the team known as Ex-Bristol. They competed in the National League Division Two from 1947...
in 1938 and Wimbledon Dons
Wimbledon Dons
The Wimbledon Dons were a professional motorcycle speedway team who operated from the Wimbledon Stadium, Plough Lane in London.The track opened in 1928 and the Dons operated there from 1929 until 1991. They were closed during the Second World War but upon their re-opening in 1946 there were 42,000...
in 1939. In 1947 he returned to the UK with the Harringay Racers
Harringay Racers (speedway)
The Harringay Racers were a motorcycle speedway team who raced at the Harringay Stadium from 1947 until 1954 in the National League Division One....
. Was a co-director of the Sydney Sports Ground
Sydney Sports Ground
The Sydney Sports Ground was a Stadium and Dirt track racing venue in Sydney, New South Wales. The ground was located where the car park of the Sydney Football Stadium currently sits. The ground had two main grandstands and was surrounded by a grass covered hill, giving it a capacity of more than...
with Lionel Van Praag
Lionel Van Praag
Lionel Maurice Van Praag, GM was an Australian motorcycle speedway champion, who won the inaugural Speedway World Championship in London on 10 September 1936.-1932 UK National League Champion:...
and Max Grosskreutz
Max Grosskreutz
Max Octavius Grosskreutz was a Speedway who finished third in the Star Riders' Championship in 1935, the forerunner to the Speedway World Championship....
where he held the track record.
Ray Duggan won his first Australian Solo Championship in 1941 at the Sydney Sports Ground. He followed this up with the 1947 Aussie title, again at the Sports Ground and backed up to win 3 Aussie titles in 1948 (2 x 2 lap and 1 x 3 lap) at both the Sports Ground and the Sydney Showground Speedway
Sydney Showground Speedway
Sydney Showground Speedway, originally known as the Speedway Royal and later the Speedway Royale but often referred to as just The Royale or The Showground, was a dirt Dirt track racing venue at the old Sydney Showground used from 1926 until 1996....
. He was also NSW State Champion
New South Wales Individual Speedway Championship
The New South Wales Individual Speedway Championship is a Motorcycle speedway championship held annually in New South Wales to determine the NSW State champion...
in 1940 and 1947. Many believe Vic would have won more Australian and NSW titles had it not been for World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
when racing was suspended.
Vic Duggan competed in the 1950 World Final
1950 Individual Speedway World Championship
The 1950 Individual Speedway World Championship.Speedway riders from New Zealand, Wales and Republic of Ireland was started in World Championship first time.:# Freddie Williams# Wally Green# Graham Warren-Qualification:...
at London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
's, Wembley Stadium where he finished in 13th place after scoring 4 points.
Duggan died in 2007.
World Final Appearances
- 19501950 Individual Speedway World ChampionshipThe 1950 Individual Speedway World Championship.Speedway riders from New Zealand, Wales and Republic of Ireland was started in World Championship first time.:# Freddie Williams# Wally Green# Graham Warren-Qualification:...
- United Kingdom LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Wembley Stadium - 13th - 4pts