Frank Charles

Frank Charles (10 March 1908 – 15 July 1939) was a former international motorcycle speedway rider who won the Star Riders' Championship in 1935 and rode in the first ever World Championship final in 1936.

Career summary Prior to taking up speedway, Charles worked as a baker and grocer, and performed in music halls with a piano accordion. In 1933, the Belle Vue Aces tempted him out of retirement, and looked to have regained his former form when he won the Wembley championship that year, also breaking the track record. Charles topped the club's scoring again, was top scorer for the England Test team, and qualified for World Championship final, tying for fourth place with Cordy Milne, and broke the track record during the meeting. He qualified again for the 1937 final. At the end of the 1938 season, he decided to retire to concentrate on his long-term hobby of gliding.