Ken Le Breton

Infobox Speedway rider
ridername= Ken Le Breton


nationality = flagicon|AUS Australia
dateofbirth = 15 August 1924
dateofdeath = death date and age|1951|1|6|1924|8|15|df=y
cityofbirth = Sydney
countryofbirth = Australia
nickname = The White Ghost
britishleague = -
polishleague =
swedishleague =
years = 1947
1947
1948-1950
career = New Cross Rangers
Newcastle Diamonds
Ashfield Giants
indivhonour = None
indivyear =
teamhonour = None
teamyear =

Francis James (Ken) Le Breton (born 15 August 1924 Sydney [Addison J. (1948). "The People Speedway Guide". Odhams Press Limited ] , Australia - died 6 January 1951) [Henry, J. & Moultray, I. (2001). "Hammerin' Round". ISBN 0-7524-2229-4] was an international speedway rider who was nicknamed "The White Ghost" due to his wearing white racegear.

Early career

After World War II, Ken took part in novice trials at the Sydney Sports Ground but failed to impress and was turned away. He then took part in trials at the West Maitland Showground in New South Wales and was immediately noticed by everybody as he appeared with all white leathers and bike. Ray Duggan was at the meeting took an interest in Ken and helped him get established back at the Sydney Sports Ground where Ken rode in all white as "The White Ghost."

UK career

He rode in the UK for the New Cross Rangers in 1947 but things did not go so well so the Newcastle Diamonds signed him in exchange for Jeff Lloyd and £1000. He moved with the Newcastle promotion to Glasgow with the Ashfield Giants 1948 and completed three season there until 1950.

World Final Appearance

* 1949 - Flag|GBR Wembley - 13th - 4pts [Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). "A History of the World Speedway Championship". Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5]

Death

Ken was involved in a crash on 5 January 1951 at the Sydney Sports Ground where he first rode a speedway bike. He was representing Australia in the 2nd England v Australia Test match of the 1950-51 season. In heat eighteen, he was attempting to pass England's Eddie Rigg on the last bend, looking to gain third place when he cut into Rigg's rear wheel. Ken's bike locked and he hit the safety fence hard and straight on. He died the next day in St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney due to severe head injuries including a fractured skull. He had also punctured his lung.

References