Steve Reinke (speedway rider)

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]

Steve Reinke
Born (1949-04-03) 3 April 1949 (age 75)
Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
NationalityAustralian
Career history
1973–1974Exeter Falcons
Individual honours
1974Australian champion
1973, 1974Queensland champion
Team honours
1974UK League champion

Biography

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Reinke, 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

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  1. ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Steve Reinke". WWOS backup. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Individual Australian Championship". Historia Sportu Zuzlowego. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Good start vital for Vikings". Hull Daily Mail. 23 April 1974. Retrieved 18 February 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ^ "Exeter swoop for Reinke". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 6 July 1974. Retrieved 18 February 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ^ "1974 season" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  7. ^ Oakes, Peter (1981). 1981 Speedway Yearbook. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. ISBN 0-86215-017-5.
  8. ^ "Year by Year". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  9. ^ "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Honour Board". MQLD. Retrieved 18 February 2024.