Steve Reinke (speedway rider)
{{Short description|Former Australian motorcycle speedway rider}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox Speedway rider
| name = Steve Reinke
| image =
| caption =
| nationality = Australian
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1949|4|3|df=y}}
| birth_place = Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
| death_date =
| death_place =
| career1 = Exeter Falcons
| years1 = 1973–1974
| indivyear1 = 1974
| indivhonour1 = Australian champion
| indivyear2 = 1973, 1974
| indivhonour2 = Queensland champion
| teamyear1 = 1974
| teamhonour1 = UK League champion
}}
Stephen John Reinke (born 3 April 1949{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}) is an Australian former motorcycle speedway rider. He was the champion of Australia in 1974 and earned 16 international caps for the Australia national speedway team.{{cite web |url=https://britishspeedway.co.uk/docs/Ultimate_Index_1929-2022.pdf |title=ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022 |website=British Speedway |access-date=18 February 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://wwosbackup.proboards.com/thread/2458/steve-reinke |title=Steve Reinke |website=WWOS backup |access-date=18 February 2024}}
Biography
Reinke, born in Ipswich, Queensland, became the Australian champion after winning the Australian Solo Championship in 1974.{{cite web |url=http://www.historyspeedway.nstrefa.pl/indmaustralii.php |title=Individual Australian Championship|website=Historia Sportu Zuzlowego |access-date=18 February 2024}}{{cite news |title=Good start vital for Vikings |work=Hull Daily Mail |date=23 April 1974 |access-date=18 February 2024|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000324/19740423/016/0016 | via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}
He soon became the Australian test team captain and was quickly coveted by the British teams, signing for Exeter Falcons despite an offer from Coventry Bees.{{cite news |title=Exeter swoop for Reinke |work=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=6 July 1974 |access-date=18 February 2024|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000769/19740706/631/0048 | via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }} He began his British leagues career during the 1974 British League season,{{cite web|url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/1974record.pdf |title=1974 season |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=18 February 2024}} where he helped the team from Devon win the league title.{{cite book |last=Oakes |first=Peter |title=1981 Speedway Yearbook |year=1981 |publisher=Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd |isbn=0-86215-017-5}}
The following season in 1975, he continued to ride for Exeter{{cite web|url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/yearbyyear.html |title=Year by Year |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=18 February 2024}} and averaged 6.07.{{cite web|url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/specialfeaturesrideraverages.pdf |title=Rider averages 1929 to 2009 |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=18 February 2024}}
Unlike most Australian riders, he chose not to continue to ride in Britain due to his business commitments. He was also Queensland champion in 1973 and 1974.{{cite web |url=https://www.mqld.org.au/about-us/honour-board/ |title=Honour Board | website=MQLD |access-date=18 February 2024}}
References
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Reinke, Steve}}
Category:Australian speedway riders
Category:Exeter Falcons riders
Category:Australian expatriate speedway riders in England
Category:Sportspeople from Ipswich, Queensland
Category:Sportsmen from Queensland
Category:20th-century Australian sportsmen
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