Ray Duggan
{{short description|Australian speedway rider}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2012}}
{{Infobox Speedway rider
| name = Ray Duggan
| image =
| nationality = Australian
| birth_date = {{birth date text|22 December 1918}}
| birth_place = West Maitland, New South Wales
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1950|01|20|1918|12|22|df=y}}
| death_place = Sydney, New South Wales
| years1 = 1938–1939
| career1 = New Cross Rangers
| years2 = 1947–1949
| career2 = Harringay Racers
| teamyear1 = 1948
| teamhonour1 = Anniversary Cup winner
}}
Raymond Patrick Duggan (22 December 1918 – 20 January 1950) was an Australian motorcycle speedway rider. He first rode in the United Kingdom with the New Cross Lambs. Duggan represented the Australia many times at test level and was the younger brother of five times Australian champion Vic Duggan.Addison J. (1948). The People Speedway Guide. Odhams Press Limited{{cite web |url=https://britishspeedway.co.uk/docs/Ultimate_Index_1929-2022.pdf |title=ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022 |website=British Speedway |access-date=29 July 2023}} Duggan was killed in arguably speedway's worst crash on 20 January 1950, which also saw fellow Australian Norman Clay lose his life.{{Cite web | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/47824444 |title = Famed Speedway Rider Killed in Crash |website = Trove |access-date=30 October 2024 }}
Career
Duggan was noticed by the England captain Jack Parker riding in Australia in early 1938. He persuaded Duggan and fellow Australian Frank Dolan to travel with him to the United Kingdom.{{cite news |title=Speed Riders for Harringay |work=Daily Mirror |date=5 February 1938 |access-date=22 February 2024|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000560/19380205/345/0030 | via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }} He started his career in 1938 with the New Cross Rangers. In 1947, he returned to the UK with the Harringay Racers.Jacobs, N. (2001) Speedway in London, {{ISBN|0-7524-2221-9}}{{cite web |url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/specialfeaturesrideraverages.pdf |title=Rider averages 1929 to 2009 |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=29 July 2023}}
Ray Duggan never became Australian National Champion with his best finish being third on three occasions in 1947, 1948 and 1949. The 1947 event was behind his brother Vic Duggan and Lionel Van Praag, the inaugural World Champion.{{Cite web|url=http://www.vintagespeedway.com/Titles.html|title=Australian Solo Championship Titles |website=Wintage Speedway |access-date=21 January 2023}}{{cite web |url=http://www.historyspeedway.nstrefa.pl/indmaustralii.php|title=Individual Australian Championship|website=Historia Sportu Zuzlowego|access-date=20 January 2023}}
Death
On 20 January 1950, Duggan was killed at the Sydney Sports Ground after being involved in a high-speed crash with friend Norman Clay. Clay also died from his injuries.{{cite web |url=http://www.motorsportmemorial.org/focus.php?db=ms&n=3201 |title=Norm Clay |website=Motorsport Memorial |access-date=30 October 2024 }}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Duggan, Ray}}
Category:Australian speedway riders
Category:Sportsmen from New South Wales
Category:Harringay Racers riders
Category:Australian expatriate speedway riders in England
Category:New Cross Rangers riders
Category:Motorcycle racers who died while racing
Category:Sport deaths in Australia