Stephen John Reinke (born 3 April 1949[citation needed]) is an Australian former motorcycle speedway rider. He was the champion of Australia in 1974 and earned 16 international caps for the Australia national speedway team.[1][2]
Born | Ipswich, Queensland, Australia | 3 April 1949
---|---|
Nationality | Australian |
Career history | |
1973–1974 | Exeter Falcons |
Individual honours | |
1974 | Australian champion |
1973, 1974 | Queensland champion |
Team honours | |
1974 | UK League champion |
Biography
editReinke, born in Ipswich, Queensland, became the Australian champion after winning the Australian Solo Championship in 1974.[3][4]
He soon became the Australian test team captain and was quickly coveted by the British teams, signing for Exeter Falcons despite an offer from Coventry Bees.[5] He began his British leagues career during the 1974 British League season,[6] where he helped the team from Devon win the league title.[7]
The following season in 1975, he continued to ride for Exeter[8] and averaged 6.07.[9]
Unlike most Australian riders, he chose not to continue to ride in Britain due to his business commitments. He was also Queensland champion in 1973 and 1974.[10]
References
edit- ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ "Steve Reinke". WWOS backup. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ "Individual Australian Championship". Historia Sportu Zuzlowego. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ "Good start vital for Vikings". Hull Daily Mail. 23 April 1974. Retrieved 18 February 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Exeter swoop for Reinke". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 6 July 1974. Retrieved 18 February 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "1974 season" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ Oakes, Peter (1981). 1981 Speedway Yearbook. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. ISBN 0-86215-017-5.
- ^ "Year by Year". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ "Honour Board". MQLD. Retrieved 18 February 2024.