Ron Johnson

Ron Johnson (born Ronald Johnston; 24 February 1907 – 4 February 1983) was a speedway rider who won the London Riders' Championship in 1945 (unattached) and in 1946 whilst with the New Cross Rangers.

Career Johnson emigrated to Australia with his parents when he was just a child. He started racing at the Claremont Speedway in Perth, Western Australia in 1927 (the same year the venue first held racing), before his travelling to the UK with promoter Johnnie Hoskins in 1928 to start a career with Crystal Palace. Johnson initially struggled on British tracks that were half the size of the ones he was used to (the Claremont Showground, which doubled as the speedway, was some in length, while other Australian tracks of the day, usually showground tracks, ranged from to in length). In 1931, he won the British Match Race Championship, defeating Claude Rye, retaining the title against Syd Jackson before losing it to Tiger Stevenson. In 1933 he was runner up in the Star Riders' Championship, the forerunner of the Speedway World Championship. with whom he retained connections throughout his career. During his time with New Cross, he lived at The Dorchester with his wife Ruby and lived an opulent lifestyle.

He qualified for the 1937 Speedway World Championship final as reserve, but did not ride.

Injuries Johnson's career was beset with injuries. In 1935 he was involved in a crash which saw teammate Tom Farndon suffer fatal head injuries at New Cross. Johnson had multiple lacerations to his arm which kept him from competing in the Star Riders' Championship final.

Up until 1949 he had lost a toe (after a crash at Exeter in 1929) and the tops of two of his fingers (after catching them in his chain in 1931) as results of track injuries.