High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Walter Hartley 'Wal' Phillips (born 17 October 1908 in Tottenham, England - died 1998) was an international motorcycle speedway rider who rode in the first ever World Championship final in 1936.Phillips began his speedway career alongside Gus Kuhn at Stamford Bridge Pensioners in 1929, winning the Southern League Championship, and stayed there until they closed at the end of the 1932 season, where he also appeared in the final of the Star Riders' Championship . Philips then joined the Wimbledon Dons, staying there until the end of the 1936 season.Phillips represented England from 1930 until 1936. His career was ended on the 1936/37 tour of Australia when he suffered a broken leg at the Sydney Showground.