1946 Speedway National League


The 1946 National League was the eighth season of the highest tier of motorcycle speedway in Great Britain and the first post-war season.

Summary

The league had been abandoned seven years previously due to the outbreak of World War II. Record attendances were attracted with Wembley Lions attracting an average of 50,000 and the league as a whole a total of six and a half million. From the abandoned 1939 season, Southampton Saints and Harringay Tigers were no longer racing whilst Odsal Boomerangs brought National League speedway to Bradford for the first time.
Wembley Lions won their second National League title.

National League Final table

On account of the small number of teams in the league the ACU Cup was run in a league format. Belle Vue Aces came out on top.

A.C.U. Cup Final table

TeamPLWDLPts
Belle Vue Aces1080216
Wembley Lions1061313
New Cross Rangers1060412
Odsal Boomerangs104159
Wimbledon Dons104068
West Ham Hammers101092

Such was the dearth of new riders caused by the war that all of the top ten riders were established pre-war riders and none were below the age of 32.

Top Ten Riders (League only)

RiderNatTeamC.M.A.
1Eric LangtonBelle Vue Aces11.13
2Jack ParkerBelle Vue Aces11.00
3Bill KitchenWembley Lions10.75
4Ron JohnsonNew Cross Rangers10.69
5Eric ChittyWest Ham Hammers10.30
6Norman ParkerWimbledon Dons10.12
7Tommy PriceWembley Lions10.00
8Alec StathamOdsal Boomerangs9.72
9Ron ClarkeOdsal Boomerangs9.50
10Bill LongleyOdsal Boomerangs9.20

National Trophy

The 1946 National Trophy was the tenth edition of the Knockout Cup.

First Round

Second Round

Quarter Finals

Semi Finals

Final