Lionel Van Praag
| Born | 17 December 1908 Sydney |
|---|---|
| Died | 15 May 1987 (aged 78) Greenslopes, Queensland |
| Nationality |
 Australia
|
| Current club information | |
| Career status | Deceased |
| Career history | |
| 1931–1939 | Wembley Lions |
| 1947 | New Cross Rangers |
| Individual honours | |
| 1936 | World Champion |
| 1941 | NSW State Champion |
| 1947 | Victorian State Champion |
| Team honours | |
| 1932 | National League Champion |
| 1931, 1932 | National Trophy Winner |
| 1931 | Southern League Champion |
| 1932, 1933, 1947 | London Cup |
Lionel Maurice Van Praag, GM (17 December 1908 – 15 May 1987) was an Australian motorcycle speedway champion, who won the inaugural Speedway World Championship in London on 10 September 1936. Van Praag's victory saw him established as Australia's first ever motorsport World Champion.
In his first full season in British speedway, Lionel was a member of the Wembley Lions team that won the last ever Southern League and the National Trophy in 1931.
Lionel won the inaugural National League title in 1932 with the Wembley Lions
Lionel won the run-off for the Speedway World Championship against Eric Langton in 1936 in somewhat controversial circumstances. The Championship was decided by bonus points accumulated in previous rounds. Despite being unbeaten in the final, Bluey Wilkinson was not crowned Champion. Bonus points accumulated by Van Praag and Langton took them to the top of the standings and into a run-off (match race).
As they lined up at the tapes, Langton broke them which would ordinarily lead to disqualification. However, Van Praag stated he did not want to win the title by default and insisted that a race should take place. At the restart Langton made it to the first bend in front and led until the final bend on the last lap when Van Praag darted through the smallest of gaps to win by less than wheel length.
Afterwards, controversial allegations were abound that the two riders had 'fixed' the match race, deciding between them that the first person to the first bend would win the race and the Championship and split the prize money; Langton led into the first bend but was overtaken by Van Praag. Van Praag reportedly paid Langton £50 "conscience money" after the race for going back on the agreement.
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