Gus Kuhn's 1936 Season with Wimbledon
Page updated 08-Jan-2011
Many thanks to the Speedway Researcher for all of this information
(NL = National League : NT = National Trophy )

In 1936 Gus is now 38 and still riding for Wimbledon. The Speedway News describes him as "Better Than Ever. For sheer consistency no one can hold a candle to Gus Kuhn, whose value as a points scorer is so great to Wimbledon." Read More >>>

April 15th Weds at New Cross. The April Cup. Two 3rd and two 4th. 2 pts.

Once in the lead, Gus is a most difficult man to pass.

April 22nd Weds: Away vs New Cross NL. A win and a 2nd. 5 pts. Also 2nd in his heat of the New Cross Scratch Race. The final was won by J Milne.

April 27th Mon: Home vs New Cross NL. Four 3rd. 4 pts.

May 2nd Sat: Home vs Wembley NL. Three wins and a 3rd. 10 pts.

May 7th Thurs: Away vs Wembley NL. Three wins and a 2nd. 11 pts. Veteran Gus Kuhn had a fantastic night. He had an economical easy looking style and to watch him fend off the persistent daring challenges of Ginger Lees in heat 5 must have been quite something. "It was to Gus Kuhn that Wimbledon really owed their success. Rarely has the 'Old Dependable' shown to such advantage. He collected 11 out of a possible 12 points, Van Praag alone being able to beat him. Kuhn's victory over 'Ginger' Lees - whose riding was as hot as his nick-name - was the result of terrific grit, coupled with speed." [Speedway News 16/05/36]

'The Sleuth' of
Speedway News asks:

I wonder how many speedway fans who have lately watched Gus Kuhn, now riding better than in his whole speedway career, realise that he is the father of four very bonny girls?

Doreen, the eldest, is 15, and now going to Pitman's Commercial College. Gus isn't too keen on the idea, but, like a wise father, is letting her have her head for a time anyhow. His other three girls are 13, 11 and 7.

Imagine if they had all been boys! Why, in a few years' time, Gus could have fielded a team, and what a stock to belong to!

Gus idolizes his girls, and the Kuhn household is a very happy one.

May 9th Sat: Home vs Hackney Wick NL. A win and three 3rd. 6 pts.

May 13th Weds: Away vs New Cross, ACU Cup. Four 2nd. 8 pts.

May 16th Sat: Home vs New Cross, ACU Cup. A win and two 3rd. 5 pts.

May 21st Thurs: Away vs Wembley, ACU Cup. A 3rd and an engine failure. (Gus billed in 'Two Lap Dash' Match Race v Wally Kilminster)

May 23rd Sat: Home vs Wembley, ACU Cup. Two wins and a 2nd. 8 pts.

May 28th at Wembley: The first official test match between England and Australia. The English Team proved too good for Australia and won 65 points to 43. The hero of the match was George Newton who scored 16 points and finished top scorer on either side. Gus Kuhn was a reserve, and scored no points.

June 2nd Tues: Away vs West Ham NL. Two 2nd, a 3rd and a 4th. 5 pts.

June 8th Gus and his wife attended a Grass Track meeting in aid of the Redhill Hospital Surrey at the Old Rectory Grounds Chipstead and Mrs Kuhn presented the Vic Huxley cup to S Seymour (Levis).

 
1936 English Test Team
Left to Right: G Newton (New Cross),
W Kitchen (Belle Vue), Eric Langton Capt. (Belle Vue), Joe Abbot (Belle Vue), H R Less Res. (Wembley), Frank Charles (Wembley) and Gus Kuhn Res. (Wembley)

June 6th Sat: Home vs West Ham NL. A 2nd and three 3rd. 5pts. After this match Wimbledon headed the League table.

June 11th Thurs: Away vs Wembley NT. A win and two 3rd. 5 pts.

June 13th Sat: Home vs Wembley NT. Two 3rd. 2 pts.

June 27th Sat: Home vs Wembley NL. A 3rd, a 4th and two non-starts. 1 pt.

July 1st Weds: at New Cross, World Championship qualifying round. Two wins and a 2nd. 8pts. Gus also got a 2nd and a 3rd in Championship vs New Cross riders.

July 3rd Fri: Away vs Hackney Wick NL. Two 2nd and a 4th. 4 pts.

July 6th Mon: Home vs Belle Vue NL. Two 3rd and two 4th. 2 pts.

For sheer consistency no one can hold a candle to Gus Kuhn, whose value as a points scorer is so great to Wimbledon.

July 11th Sat: Away vs Belle Vue. NL.
Two 3rd, 2 pts.

July 13th Mon: Home vs Hackney Wick NL. Three 2nd and a 4th. 6 pts.

July 25th Sat: Away vs Harringay, London Cup. A 2nd and three 3rd. 5 pts.

July 27th Mon: Home vs Harringay, London Cup. A 3rd, a fall and four non starts.

August 15th Sat: Away vs Harringay NL. Three 3rd and a 4th. 3pts.

September 14th Mon: Home vs Harringay NL. Two 2nd and two 3rd. 6 pts.

September 15th Tues: Away vs West Ham NL. Two 3rd and two 4th. 2 pts.

September 19th Sat: Away vs Belle Vue NL. Three 4th and a non-start. 0 pts.

September 21st Mon: Home vs West Ham NL. Two 4th, a mechanical failure and a non start. 0 pts.

September 24th Thurs: Away vs Wembley NL. Four 3rd. 4 pts.

October 3rd Sat: Away vs Harringay NL. A win and three 3rd. 6 pts.

October 5th Mon: Home vs New Cross NL. A 3rd and three non starts. 1 pt.