Ken McKinlay

John Robert Vickers (Ken) McKinlay (7 June 1928 – 9 February 2003)

McKinlay from Blantyre, was a grocer and farme before he took up speedway while serving with the British Army in Germany, riding as a despatch rider and for the Neumünster forces team.^[4] He went on to captain the team and finished in joint sixth place in the 1948 Combined Services Speedway Championship.^[4] His nickname Hurri-Ken was given to him by famous speedway promoter Johnnie Hoskins. On his return to Britain, he started his career with the Glasgow Tigers in 1949 and had five successful seasons there. However, in 1954 the track closed and Ken transferred to the Leicester Hunters for a club record fee.^[5] He spent eight seasons with the Hunters, moving up with them into the First Division in 1957, and averaging close to 11 points in the 1958 and 1959 seasons.^[5] A spell with the Coventry Bees followed after Leicester dropped down to the Provincial League. He also finished on the rostrum of the British Speedway Championship finals twice, second in 1964 and third in 1965.

When the British League was formed in 1965 Ken was allocated to the West Ham Hammers, and as captain led them to winning the 1965 treble of League Championship, KO Cup and London KO Cup trophies. He was renowned for his team-riding with younger riders and his contribution throughout his five seasons with the Hammers was immeasurable.

1970 saw him return to the Coventry Bees for one season before he moved to the Oxford Cheetahs for a further two seasons. Ken considered retirement but in 1973 he was approached by the management of the Scunthorpe Saints to become rider/coach of the second division side. He stayed with the Saints for three seasons before retiring in 1975 aged forty-seven.

While still a Second Division rider with Leicester he rode for England in the 1955 Test series against Australasia, top scoring for England in the third test with 11 points, and going on to represent England regularly until the early 1970s.^[6]

Ken McKinlay was also a success when he ventured to Australia to race in the late 1950s and through the 1960s, winning the

McKinlay had two short spells as team managers of Scunthorpe and Long Eaton. He died in 2003 aged seventy four.[3]

World Final Appearances

Individual World Championship

• 1955 - London, Wembley Stadium- Reserve - did not ride
• 1956 - London, Wembley Stadium - 5th - 10pts
• 1957 - London, Wembley Stadium - 7th - 8pts
• 1958 - London, Wembley Stadium - 5th - 11pts + 1pt
• 1959 - London, Wembley Stadium - Reserve - did not ride
• 1960 - London, Wembley Stadium - 9th - 6pts
• 1961 - Malmö, Malmö Stadion - 11th - 5pts
• 1962 - London, Wembley Stadium - 7th - 9pts
• Göteborg, Ullevi
  - 11th - 6pts
• 1965 - London, Wembley Stadium - 13th - 4pts
• 1966 - Göteborg, Ullevi - Reserve - did not ride
• 1969 - London, Wembley Stadium - 8th - 7pts^[7]

World Team Cup

• 1960* - Göteborg, Ullevi (with Peter Craven / Ron How / Nigel Boocock / George White) - 2nd - 30pts (8)
• Olympic Stadium (with Ron How / Bob Andrews
  / Peter Craven) - 3rd - 21pts (4)
• Abensberg Stadion (with Ron How / Barry Briggs / Nigel Boocock / Brian Brett
  ) - 3rd - 21pts (7)
• Charlie Monk / Nigel Boocock / Jimmy Gooch
  ) - 3rd - 18pts (7)