1936 Individual Speedway World Championship

The World Championship would consist of a semi final round, where points would be added to the final to determine the winner. One of the favourites Jack Parker had a broken hand injury and was unable to compete in the final.[5] Joe Abbott was also unable to line up for the final due to injury, despite qualifying for the final. They were replaced by Norman Parker and Bill Pitcher.[3][6]

Despite being unbeaten in the Final, Australian Bluey Wilkinson only finished third as the Championship was decided by bonus points accumulated in previous rounds plus the score from the final. Van Praag defeated England's Eric Langton in a runoff to be declared the inaugural Speedway World Champion.[7][8][9]

As they lined up at the tapes for the runoff, Langton broke them which would ordinarily lead to disqualification. However, Van Praag stated he did not want to win the title by default and insisted that a race should take place. At the restart Langton made it to the first bend in front and led until the final bend on the last lap when Van Praag darted through the smallest of gaps to win by less than wheel length.[10]

Afterwards, controversial allegations were abound that the two riders had 'fixed' the match race, deciding between them that the first person to the first bend would win the race and the Championship and split the prize money; Langton led into the first bend but was overtaken by Van Praag.[10] Van Praag reportedly paid Langton £50 "conscience money" after the race for going back on the agreement.[10]

The top 16 riders over 7 rounds would qualify for the World final. Ron Johnson and Bill Pitcher qualified as first reserves.

Pos.	Rider	Qual Points	Points carried forward
1	Eric Langton	66	13
2	Frank Charles	59	12
3	George Newton	59	12
4	Jack Parker	59	12
5	Lionel Van Praag	58	12
6	Morian Hansen	48	10
7	Bob Harrison	48	10
8	Vic Huxley	48	10
9	Bluey Wilkinson	48	10
10	Dicky Case	47	9
11	Jack Ormston	47	9
12	Jack Milne	45	9
13	Cordy Milne	43	9
14	Ginger Lees	37	7
15	Wal Phillips	37	7
16	Joe Abbott	36	7
17	Ron Johnson	34	7
18	Bill Pitcher	32	6

1. Lionel Van Praag (Australia)
2. Eric Langton (Great Britain)
3. Bluey Wilkinson (Australia)

• 10 September 1936
• London, Wembley Stadium

Pos.	Rider	Semi-Final Points	Final Points	Final Heats	Total Points
1	Lionel Van Praag	12	14	(3,3,3,2,3)	26
2	Eric Langton	13	13	(3,3,3,2,2)	26
3	Bluey Wilkinson	10	15	(3,3,3,3,3)	25
4	Cordy Milne	9	11	(2,2,1,3,3)	20
5	Frank Charles	12	8	(3,3,0,2,0)	20
6	Dicky Case	9	8	(2,0,3,1,2)	17
7	Jack Ormston	9	8	(1,1,2,3,1)	17
8	Vic Huxley	10	7	(1,2,0,2,2)	17
9	George Newton	12	4	(0,0,3,1,0)	16
10	Jack Milne	9	6	(1,2,1,0,2)	15
11	Morian Hansen	10	5	(2,1,2,0,0)	15
12	Bob Harrison	10	5	(0,0,2,0,3)	15
13	Wal Phillips	7	5	(1,1,0,2,1)	12
14	Jack Parker	12	-	-	12
15	Ginger Lees	7	4	(2,0,1,0,1)	11
16	Arthur Atkinson	6	3	(0,2,1,0,0)	9
17	Bill Pitcher (res)	6	2	(0,1,X/-,0,1)	8
18	Norman Parker (res)	6	1	(1)	7
19	Joe Abbott	7	-	-	7
20	Ron Johnson (res)	7	-	-	7