mIcK50 3 Posted March 22, 2003 Does anyone have any info on a rider by the name of Johnny Chamberlain? I think he was an Aussie from Perth and he rode for Norwich during the early 60's. I have heard a lot of stories about him from old timers here in Perth, Western Australia, and while I love to listen to a bit of bull, I'm very curious about this bloke. He seems to be a bit of a mystery man here locally. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gemini 4,894 Posted March 22, 2003 That name rings a distant bell from way back. :? Would it be the same Johnny Chamberlain who rode for Leicester Hunters in the early 1950's? Our best bet for finding out is our friend Norbold so watch this space. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,116 Posted March 22, 2003 I'll see what I can do, Gem... Johnnie Chamberlain joined Yarmouth in 1952, went to Ipswich in 1954 and in 1958 moved to Norwich. Following Aub Lawson's departure at the end of 1960, Chamberlain became the Stars' second rider behind Ove Fundin but his average was only 6.71 compared to the great man's 12.47! He left Norwich at the end of 1962. He rode in several Test matches for Australia but his main claim to fame is that he is reputed to be the smallest rider ever to ride in speedway, His other claim to fame is that he took part in the first match I ever saw, coming last twice! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moxey63 1,785 Posted March 23, 2003 CHAMBERLAIN, John 1952 43m 195pts 4.53ave Div 2, Yarmouth 1953 17m 147pts 8.64ave Div 2, Yarmouth 1954 15m 65pts 4.33ave Div 2, Ipswich 1958 8m 18pts 2.25ave Div 1, Norwich 1959 7m 29pts 4.14ave Norwich Reserves 1959 12m 46pts 3.83ave Div 1, Norwich 1960 12m 56.5p 4.70ave Div 1, Norwich 1961 17m 107.5p 6.32ave Div 1, Norwich Began racing at Perth in his Australia homeland and was recommended to Yarmouth by Wally Higgs, an ex-rider with the team. Chamberlain was on the verge of big things prior to a broken leg at Poole in June of 1953. A failure to become a regular at Ipswich in '54 saw him retiring from English racing. Two poor seasons back home in Australia eventually ended in retirement. One of the smallest riders at 4ft, 9ins, he injured an arm in on his British return in 1958 which kept him on the sidelines for the early part of the season. A broken wrist in 1961 cut short his career. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gemini 4,894 Posted March 23, 2003 He didn't ride for Leicester then? :-( Perhaps I was thinking of Johnnie Carpenter, but I do remember him and that he was the smallest rider around at the time (or perhaps ever.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moxey63 1,785 Posted March 24, 2003 CARPENTER, Johnny 1949 - 40m, 192p, 4.80ave, Div 3- Leicester 1950 - 35m, 188p, 5.37ave, Div 3- Leicester 1951 - 11m, 30p, 2.72ave, Div 2- Leicester 1952 - 5m, 9p, 1.80ave, Div 2- Leicester Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kiwi 49 Posted March 24, 2003 My dad rode against him. I'll send you his email address, he'll send you back a story or two. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gemini 4,894 Posted March 24, 2003 CARPENTER, Johnny 1949 - 40m, 192p, 4.80ave, Div 3- Leicester 1950 - 35m, 188p, 5.37ave, Div 3- Leicester 1951 - 11m, 30p, 2.72ave, Div 2- Leicester 1952 - 5m, 9p, 1.80ave, Div 2- Leicester Thanks moxey63. Obviously that's who I was thinking of who rode for Leicester. (Same initials anyway. ;-) ) I'm sure he was quite small as well, but not as short as Johnny Chamberlain. I have got a programme somewhere with his picture on the front so I will have to try and find it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stats 5 Posted March 28, 2003 Johnny 'Tom Thumb' Chamberlain is alive and well here in Western Australia. Bumped into him the other day in a shopping centre in Mandurah - around 60km south of Perth. He is a really nice guy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,116 Posted March 28, 2003 I've just spent ten days in Mandurah...but I didn't see him! Is that where he lives? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stats 5 Posted March 28, 2003 He lives somewhere around there - Mandurah area - not sure exactly where. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest starfundin Posted March 28, 2003 I remember Johnnie from his Norwich days, when he was very unlucky with injuries. Because of his size he was always exciting to watch but featured in some very horrifying crashes and was probably among those unsong heros' who never really received the praise they deserved. In the same side was Billy Bales, another mighty atom. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dantodan 314 Posted April 4, 2008 There is a picture of little Johnny on the Norwich page of www.defunctspeedway.co.uk If Johnny was the littlest ever rider it would have been interesting to see him beside Newcastles 1929 rider Harry Huntly whom at 6ft 8ins was the tallest ever Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron Butler 0 Posted April 4, 2008 Was Johnny Chamberlain smaller than Peter Craven - the original Wizard of Balance and arguably England's greatest double world champion? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
star ghost 7 Posted April 4, 2008 (edited) Johnny was at 4 foot 9 inches "big" the smallest speedway rider known. As stated he suffered some hair-raising crashes including one where he took out 20 yards of fence at the Firs after clipping the back wheel of Roy Moreton of Swindon. Johnny also rode for Ipswich for a time. Incidentally the photo of Johnny on John's Defunct Track site is on the Yarmouth Bloaters entry, not Norwich's section Edited April 4, 2008 by star ghost Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
