Ron Henderson (speedway rider)

Ron Henderson
Born (1957-02-27) 27 February 1957 (age 67)
Brisbane, Australia
Career history
1975-1977Newcastle Diamonds
1975-1976Hull Vikings
1975Swindon Robins
Team honours
1976National League Champion
1976National League KO Cup Winner

Ronald Hillary Henderson (born 27 February 1957) is an Australian former motorcycle speedway rider.[1][2] He earned two international caps for the Australia national speedway team.[3]

Career

Heat 5 Newcastle Diamonds away to Weymouth Wizards 1975 (Henderson in third)

Henderson born in Brisbane, Australia, joined the Newcastle Diamonds training school as a 17-year-old in 1975.[4]

He began his British leagues career riding for the Diamonds during the 1975 New National League season.[5] The following season in 1976, he helped Newcastle to the National League Championship.[6]

The Diamonds were his chief team, but he was also given rides with Hull and Swindon, as guest rider to cover absences.[7]

He quit the United Kingdom after the 1977 season.[8] Returning to Australia, his last race was at Tivoli in Queensland in 1984, riding in four heats and winning all four.

After speedway

Spent some time as an auto-upholsterer before a 22 year career as a Paramedic, which included being a Flight Intensive Paramedic in rescue helicopters. Forced from the career because of back problems, he retrained as a Drug and Alcohol Counsellor, completing a degree in Social Science.[citation needed] Married to Sarah, with two daughters, he lives in Hobart, Tasmania.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ Lawson, K (2018) “Riders, Teams and Stadiums”. ISBN 978-0-244-72538-9
  2. ^ Oakes, Peter."The complete history of the British League".ISBN 0-948882-07-7
  3. ^ "Ultimate Rider Index, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Belle Vue want Eric Boocock". Newcastle Evening Chronicle. 22 February 1975. Retrieved 11 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ^ "1975 season" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Ron in class of his own". Newcastle Evening Chronicle. 22 March 1977. Retrieved 11 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ^ "Ron Henderson". WWOS backup. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  8. ^ "Henderson quits to be a social worker". Newcastle Evening Chronicle. 19 July 1977. Retrieved 11 May 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  • https://www.retro-speedway.com/backtrack-backissues-92-101 (issue 100:RON HENDERSON - exclusive interview.In a revealing new four-page interview with a key member of Newcastle's all-conquering class of '76, Ron Henderson tells KEITH McGHIE why he only sparkled briefly for Diamonds, talks about the fatal incident that led him to quit racing and the extraordinary diverse career path that followed.)