John William Dixon (17 October 1907 – 1986) was an international motorcycle speedway rider who rode in the early days of speedway in the United Kingdom. He rode under the nickname Broncho Dixon.[1][2]

Career

Dixon rode for Middlesbrough during the inaugural season of speedway in the United Kingdom, in the 1929 Speedway English Dirt Track League[3] and gained a reputation as a wild rider, which led to his nickname of Broncho; he would be involved in multiple crashes and lost the tops of two fingers.[4]

He spent the next two seasons with Sheffield.[5][6] In 1932, he then switched to Belle Vue Aces, after the formation of the National League. He was still a member of the Manchester-based team when they won the league and cup double during the 1933 Speedway National League.[7]

He went on to ride for West Ham Hammers, Wembley Lions and Hackney Wick Wolves until his last season in 1939. He won a second league title with West Ham in 1937 and the A.C.U Cup in 1938.[6][1][8]

Players cigarette cards

Dixon is listed as number 12 of 50 in the 1930s Player's cigarette card collection.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022, Broncho Dixon" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  2. ^ "Custom House Years West Ham Speedway". Custom HouseKid. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  3. ^ "Exciting Finishes". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 1 July 1929. Retrieved 29 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ a b "Speedway Riders". Speedway Museum Online. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  5. ^ "Owlerton Speedway reopens". Sheffield Daily Telegraph. 14 April 1932. Retrieved 29 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ^ a b "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  7. ^ "BRITISH LEAGUE TABLES - PRE-WAR ERA (1929-1939)". Official British Speedway website. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  8. ^ "Free Art Plate of Broncho Dixon". Newcastle Evening Chronicle. 9 May 1939. Retrieved 29 July 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
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