John Charles Titman (born 26 January 1951) is an Australian former motorcycle speedway rider who was Australian Champion in 1977.
Biography Born in Brisbane, Queensland, Titman initially worked as a mechanic, making his speedway debut at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground in April 1968.Oakes, Peter & Mauger, Ivan (1976) Who's Who of World Speedway, Studio Publications, , p. 136-7 He made his British League debut with Halifax Dukes in 1972, and also made his international debut for Australia that year against the British Lions. In 1973, he averaged 6.92 from 38 matches, and became a regular member of the Australian team. In 1973 he finished in seventh place (with John Boulger) in the Australian qualifying round of the World Pairs championship. He also raced in Poland and New Zealand. He moved on to the Exeter Falcons in 1975.
Titman won the Australian Solo Championship in 1977 on his home track, the Brisbane Exhibition Ground. He also finished runner-up in the Australian championship to Phil Crump in 1975 at the Sydney Showground Speedway, and again in 1986 at the Pioneer Park Speedway in Ayr behind fellow Queenslander Troy Butler.
Titman signed for the Leicester Lions in 1978, becoming club captain in 1979.Jones, Alan (2010) Speedway in Leicester: The Lions Roar, Automedia, p. 179 After falling to third in the Lions averages in 1981 and being stripped of the captaincy, he was transfer listed at the end of the season, and moved on to the Hackney Hawks in 1982.Oakes, Peter (1982) 1982 Speedway Yearbook, Studio Publications, , p. 173 He moved on again in 1984 to the Wimbledon Dons, and this was his final season in British speedway.
During his career, Titman made the World Final on two occasions, finishing eighth in 1978 and ninth in 1979. Titman also rode in longtrack speedway, reaching the world final in 1983 and 1984. After returning home at the end of 1984, Titman continued to ride, captaining the Australian national team for a further three years.
In 2022, Titman was inducted into the Speedway Australia's Hall of Fame.
Career record
All figures relate to the British League.
Year Team Matches Rides Points Bonus Total Average FullMaximum PaidMaximum1972Halifax Dukes34119101191204.03 1973Halifax Dukes38167274152896.92 1975Exeter Falcons32127165221875.89 11976Exeter Falcons37155251202716.99 1977Exeter Falcons40177327383658.25141978Leicester Lions40175375163918.94621979Leicester Lions35163326193458.47111980Leicester Lions31129227212487.69 11981Leicester Lions47227376464227.44111982Hackney Hawks36145215242396.59 1983Hackney Hawks41167233282516.25111984Wimbledon Dons47187238342725.82
World Final Appearances Individual World Championship 1978 - London, Wembley Stadium - 9th - 7pts 1979 - Chorzów, Silesian Stadium - 12th - 5pts
World Pairs Championship 1979 - Vojens, Speedway Center (with Phil Crump) - 4th - 19pts (6)
World Longtrack Championship
Finalist
1983 Mariánské Lázně 9pts (11th) 1984 Herxheim 11pts (10th)
References