Claude Rye

Arthur Claude Rye known as Claude Rye (13 January 1908 – 18 October 1988) was an international speedway rider from England.[1][2]

Claude Rye
Born13 January 1908 (1908-01-13)
Fulham, London, England
Died18 October 1988(1988-10-18) (aged 80)
NationalityBritish (English)
Career history
1929–1930Preston
1931–1937Wimbledon Dons
Team honours
1929English Dirt Track KO Cup Winner

Speedway career

Rye came to prominence in 1929 after gaining a two year contract with Preston (speedway) and then joined Wimbledon Dons in 1931.[3] In 1933, he broke a leg in his first Test appearance for England.[1]

He became the captain of Wimbledon and finished second in the league averages during the 1933 Speedway National League.[4] He competed in the 1934 Star Riders' Championship and went on to represent England against the United States and Australia.[1]

Personal life

Rye was the Managing Director of one of Britain's largest ball bearing firms and became a Freeman of the City of London.[1]

Film appearance

The speedway scenes from the 1933 film Britannia of Billingsgate were shot at Hackney Wick Stadium and featured some of the leading riders in Britain at the time including Rye, Colin Watson, Arthur Warwick, Gus Kuhn, Tom Farndon and Ron Johnson.[5]

Players cigarette cards

Rye is listed as number 39 of 50 in the 1930s Player's cigarette card collection.[6]

References
  1. "Claude Rye". Gus Kuhn. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  2. "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  3. "The Advance of Rye". Lancashire Evening Post. 2 August 1930. Retrieved 22 August 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. "Year by Year". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  5. "Britannia Of Billingsgate (1933)". YouTube. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  6. "Speedway Riders, 39 Claude Rye (Wimbledon)". Speedway Museum. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
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