Joe Weichlbauer RIP

[britmet]

Former Cradley Heath and Reading rider Joe Weichlbauer (1966 & '67; 1968 resp'ly,) passed away on July 24^th 2018, age 76, just a few weeks after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour.

Born in Graz, Austria in April 1942, he emigrated to Western Australia c.1964 along with fellow Austrian Gunther 'Hec' Haslinger, where both of them took up speedway at the 640yd Claremont Speedway, Perth.

Weichlbauer accompanied Chum Taylor to the UK in 1966 when the Heathens signed the new Aussie champ, but at 367yds, little more than half the size of Claremont, the junior found Dudley Wood difficult and had a limited 14 matches for the injury-stricken Heathens. In '68 he moved to Reading in the newly formed British Lge Div.2 and averaged 6.88 across the season.

(Hec Haslinger came to the UK in 1970 and rode for Doncaster Dragons, moving over to the re-opened Birmingham the following year when the licence was transferred. Hec returned to Oz after the '71 season, but having married here, Joe remained in the UK, spending the last 40 years in Shropshire.)
Joe Weichlbauer: Graz, April 1942 – Salop, July 24th, 2018.

Edited August 15, 2018 by britmet

[BL65]

I remember Joe well from his brief period in British speedway.  He had a cheery disposition even though he struggled to make an impression on the track during his time with the Heathens in 1966 and 1967.  The highlight of his 1966 season was third place with double figures in the Midland Junior Riders Championship at Brafield on 14th August, although I saw him struggle at the same track a few weeks later when representing Cradley Heath B against the home side.

Joe was restricted to second half racing in 1967, but as with so many junior riders the creation of the second division of the British League in 1968 provided an opportunity for regular team outings and a chance to progress.  Joe had an unspectacular start with the Racers, but then began to make steady progress, achieving a few double figure scores (some including bonus points) and even taking the number one race jacket for a time.  His season and career with Reading was unfortunately curtailed when he was the innocent victim of a heat 7 pile up in a meeting against Canterbury on 9th September.  Joe had already notched 5 points plus a bonus from two rides (defeating Barry Crowson, the otherwise unbeaten Canterbury star rider) and was possibly on his way to achieving his best ever score.  

Edited August 16, 2018 by BL65