The 1963 National League was the 29th season and the eighteenth post-war season of the highest tier of motorcycle speedway in Great Britain.
Summary The seven entrants were the same as those that had finished the previous season and matches were ridden home and away twice. Belle Vue Aces won their first title in 27 years.
Belle Vue's successful season was soured by a tragedy and the speedway world was in shock when the double world champion Peter Craven died following a challenge match at Edinburgh's Old Meadowbank stadium, on 20 September 1963."Peter Craven Tragedy", Speedway Star, 28 September 1963, p. 18 Just six days after he lost world crown, Craven swerved to avoid hitting fallen race leader George Hunter and hit the safety fence. Craven was rushed to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where he died on 24 September.
Final table Pos Team PL W D L Pts1 Belle Vue Aces 24 17 0 7 342 Norwich Stars 24 13 2 9 283 Wimbledon Dons 24 12 1 11 254 Coventry Bees 24 11 2 11 245 Swindon Robins 24 10 2 12 226 Southampton Saints 24 11 0 13 227 Oxford Cheetahs 24 6 1 17 13
Fixtures and results A Fixtures
B Fixtures
+Norwich awarded points
Top ten riders The top ten riders are listed by their points average and only applies to the league. Rider Nat Team C.M.A. 1 Ove Fundin Norwich Stars 10.71 2 Dick Fisher Belle Vue Aces 10.19 3 Ronnie Moore Wimbledon Dons 10.17 4 The late Peter Craven Belle Vue Aces 10.13 5 Nigel Boocock Coventry Bees 9.84 6 Ron How Wimbledon Dons 9.68 7 Björn Knutson Southampton Saints 9.27 8 Barry Briggs Southampton Saints 9.13 9 Ken McKinlay Coventry Bees 8.99 10 Peter Moore Swindon Robins 8.98
National Trophy The 1963 National Trophy was the 25th edition of the Knockout Cup. Norwich were the winners.
First round Date Team one Score Team two22/06 Norwich 60-24 Wimbledon17/06 Wimbledon 38-46 Norwich20/06 Oxford 39-45 Swindon15/06 Swindon 53-31 Oxford18/06 Southampton 46-37 Coventry15/06 Coventry 54-30 Southampton Semi-finals Date Team one Score Team two21/08 Belle Vue 55-29 Coventry14/08 Coventry 41-43 Belle Vue09/08 Swindon 48-36 Norwich31/07 Norwich 49-35 Swindon Final
First leg
Second leg
Norwich were National Trophy Champions, winning on aggregate 90–78.
Riders & final averages Belle Vue
10.19 10.13 8.67 7.77 6.17 2.87 2.07 2.00
Coventry
9.84 8.99 7.31 5.52 5.35 4.00 3.59 3.05 1.33 0.80
Norwich
10.71 8.64 8.39 8.00 5.51 4.65 4.35 3.04
Oxford
8.28 7.39 6.83 6.00 6.00 5.16 4.31 4.27 3.67
Southampton
9.27 9.13 8.55 6.17 5.78 5.58 5.05 4.93 1.82
Swindon
8.98 8.74 6.57 6.44 6.36 5.80 5.01
Wimbledon
10.17 9.68 8.53 7.29 6.57 5.41 4.71 4.44
See also List of United Kingdom Speedway League Champions Knockout Cup (speedway)
References