norbold

McKay was on a mission and had contacts in Britain. All I'm saying is that he didn't arrive until 1928 so he couldn't have ridden at Stamford Bridge in 1927. The fact he met Galloway on board was a bonus and may have led to the changing of his plans, as he now had someone he could race against to demonstrate the art of speedway as understood in Australia. His contact in this country was Jimmy Baxter. No-one did!

That wasn't quite how it happened though. It wasn't all premeditated from Australia. I would guess it only happened after they arrived through the offices of Jimmy Baxter. It seems that McKay and Galloway met by chance on board ship. McKay had no real intention of racing when he arrived in Britain. He came over to promote rather than race.

I'm not sure I see the relevance. However, it took about four weeks and McKay and Galloway left Australia on 10 December 1927. That's why they couldn't have arrived before January 1928.

Even if they did arrive at Christmas 1927 - which they didn't - the chances of arranging Pathe News to film them racing at Stamford Bridge in 1927 would be pretty slim I would think...

It's you, Derek. Most clubs and societies now have their speakers booked until the end of 2010...at least! See http://www.clactonhistory.com/ for example! Sorry, Jim. But now you mention it, the launch of the Tom Farndon book would be a good time.

I do have evidence of the date they arrived. You will see that Cyril May says they arrived "around Christmas, 1927". Not too specific and early January is "around Christmas". They arrived in early January 1928 and raced at Stamford Bridge for Pathe News shortly before the High Beech meeting.

Good idea, Jim. By the way, I am giving a talk on the History of New Cross Speedway to the Lewisham Local History Society on 26th November next year. Anyone in the area welcome...

1928. It was 1928. Not 1927. 1928 was the year. McKay and Galloway did not arrive in England until 1928 which makes it impossible for them to have ridden at Stamford Bridge in 1927. Now that we've established it was in 1928, I can add, however, it was before the High Beech meeting. All will soon be revealed in a forthcoming article in Speedway Star. By the way, McKay and Galloway raced at Stamford Bridge in 1928 not 1927. Did I mention that?

As I said above, Galloway and McKay did not reach England until January 1928 and as far as I know they certainly weren't in Paris then.

And Keith McKay, probably early 1928 as McKay and Galloway didn't arrive in Britain until January 1928. Still before High Beech though. But, yes, that's the one we want to see.

Thread already started: http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/ind...showtopic=51780

According to their own website they lasted from 1896 - 1970. Hmmmmm!!!!!! According to Wikipedia they lasted from 1910 to mid 1956. Even more hmmmmmm!!!!!!

I said it was an "excellent" book!

Yes, sorry, you're quite right. 1935 was meant to be 1936. Typographical error. I know Ronnie Greene took over in 1937 because it says so in that excellent book, "Speedway in London".

Ah yes, just found a copy of Speedway in London on my book shelf. It seems from reading it that Cearns took over as promoter with J R Cory until 1935, after which Ronnie Greene took over. With Cearns and Cory, Norman Pritchard was the team manager. Seems to be the remnants of ISL. There's quite a bit about Cearns's involvement with High Beech in Speedway in the South East by the same author...

I think it would depend on what size the neutral track is. A large track and Billy's your man; a small track (like New Cross) and yes, I think you've been too generous.

I'm with you there, Derek. Split for me too.

Well that's put me in my place. In future then it won't matter whether people get their facts right or not and no-one need bother to do any research. While people are dying in wars all over the world who cares? In fact, who cares about speedway at all? Why should anyone go to speedway when their is famine in Africa? Come to think of it isn't it all a bit pointless posting on the BSF while much of the third world is living in poverty?

Barry Briggs did once...and I have the photos.

A few years ago I bought a copy of "The Tip Top Book" for 1951. The front cover featured a scene from the story, "Lure of the Speedway": "It was Uncle Bill's gift of a motor-bike that set Tommy on the path to fame as a Speedway Star. You will enjoy every word of this tale of the flying cinders!" The Tip Top Book was a boy's comic. Other stories in this edition included, "Flyers of the Far North", "Peter's Peculiar Party" and "The Gunman of San Parral".

I'm afraid the Speedway Museum doesn't deal with questions of this nature.

:lol:

Absolutely 100%! The Crystal Palace promoters were Fred Mockford and Cecil Smith, but they didn't go to Australia. I think you are thinking of Lionel Wills whose reports from Australia was one of the key factors in Jack Hill-Bailey looking to promote speedway in this country, which he did at High Beech on 19 February 1928 without any help or input from Mr Hoskins. Lionel Wills later linked up with Mockford and Smith at Crystal Palace along with Ron Johnson (one of Hoskins' boys).

The Pre-War Years is a good book, Rob, but not actually when it comes to the first meeting at High Beech as Robert also makes several mistakes!

From this week's Speedway Star, A-Z by Brian Burford: "H - Hoskins, Johnnie The father of speedway racing...He brought speedway to Britain by staging the first meeting at the King's Oak Arena, High Beech on February 19, 1928." No, he didn't, Brian. The first meeting at King's Oak had nothing whatsoever to do with Johnnie Hoskins. When will this myth ever be put to rest??????????????????