On 10 September 1936 Australian Lionel Van Praag controversially became Speedway World Champion at Wembley Stadium. Arthur "Bluey" Wilkinson also from Down Under won all of his five races finishing top with 15 points. Van Praag scored 14 points and Eric Langton from England scored 13 points.

However a bonus system in place from qualifying rounds saw Wilkinson finish third by just one point after the points had been added on! Van Praag and Langton tied on 26 points and so a run-off took place which Van Praag won by a couple of lengths. Justice was done two years later when Wilkinson won by one bonus point!