Lionel van Praag , the Australian international and Wembley captain became the first world ' s speedway champion at Wembley Stadium , London . At the end of 20 heats Van Praag and Eric Langton of Belle Vue , Manchester , tied with 26 points . Van Praag defeated Langton in the decider . Bluey Wilkinson of West Ham was third . Photo shows : Lionel van Praag ( centre ) with Eric Langton , runner - up ( left ) and Bluey Wilkinson , third , after the competition . 11 September 1936