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Arnie Hansen

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Arnie Hansen
Born2 April 1907 (1907-04-02)
Kalgoorlie, Australia
Died13 April 1984(1984-04-13) (aged 77)
Adelaide, Australia
NationalityAustralian
Career history
1930–1931Southampton Saints
Individual honours
1932Australian Solo Championship

Arnold Hans Martin Hansen (2 April 1907 – 13 April 1984) was a motorcycle speedway rider from Australia. He was champion of Australia in 1932 and earned three international caps for the Australia national speedway team.[1][2]

Biography

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Hansen, born in Kalgoorlie, first raced in the United Kingdom during 1930. He won the Finsbury Handicap at Harringay Stadium[3] before commencing his British leagues career riding for Southampton Saints during the 1930 Speedway Southern League season.[4] He enjoyed a good season averaging 8.81[5] and helping Southampton finish runner-up in the league campaign. He also broke several track records and represented Australia in a test match against England.[6]

The following season in 1931, he remained with Southampton but did not perform as well as the previous year.[7] He returned to Australia and won the 1932, 3 lap Australian Solo Championship at Wayville Showgrounds.[8]

He continued to ride for an Adelaide team but despite several instances of British clubs looking to sign him, he did not return to ride in England again.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Stars of the Speedway Arnie Hansen". Hampshire Advertiser. 6 June 1931. Retrieved 22 February 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  3. ^ "On the Speedway". Daily News (London). 19 May 1930. Retrieved 22 February 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ "1930 season" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Arnie the Artist". Hampshire Advertiser. 12 July 1930. Retrieved 22 February 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ^ "Year by Year". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Individual Australian Championship". Historia Sportu Zuzlowego. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  9. ^ "Speedway Crisis". Western Morning News. 5 June 1934. Retrieved 22 February 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.