One of the greatest Speedway riders ever to hail from Kent, Cyril Roger has passed away at his home in Sutton Valence, near Maidstone aged 93 years.
Cyril was the oldest surviving World Finalist having reached the first of five World Speedway Championship Finals first in 1949 – five World Final appearances is a record for any rider born in Kent.
Cyril was born in Ashford, Kent on December 27, 1921 and was the second of three racing brothers. Bert (who died in 1995) was the eldest by almost two years, while Bob (who passed away in 2002) came along seven years after Cyril. All three starred for the famous London club the New Cross Rangers in the early 1950s.
Cyril appeared in five World Finals (1949, 1950, 1952, 1955 and 1959), was the London Riders Champion in 1950 and won national league championship titles with Exeter, New Cross and Southampton. He also had spells with Norwich, Poole and Ipswich.
He also used to ride grasstrack in his home county and to this day remains the track record holder at the old Brands Hatch Grass Speedway circuit. Cyril leaves behind his widow Phyllis and their three sons, Simon and John (who both rode themselves for a while at Iwade) and Luke, plus six grandsons and two granddaughters.
His protégé and team mate at Southampton in the early 1960s where Cyril finished his 18 year racing career, fellow Kentish rider Reg Luckhurst was one of Cyril’s last visitors before he sadly succumbed to a bout of pneumonia on Tuesday (26 May).
Kent Speedway and all fans of the sport in the county send their condolences to the Roger family and to all his many friends.