Ross Garrigan

Al Stewart wrote: - It's an excellent obituary. I met his daughter Liz many years ago and she told me her dad had been World champion. I knew that wasn’t right, but lo and behold in the article there is a mention that he won an unofficial world series in Sydney in 1932-3. ************************************************** Jack Ormston did not win an unofficial world series in Sydney in 1932-33 - he won a qualifying round of that series held in Sydney.

If anyone is going to help daveoo out with his request, forget about this business of Bluey racing in England on May 2 of 1929. That qualifies as one of speedway's great myths. Bluey raced at the Bathurst track until it shut down in April, and then he rode elsewhere at the start of June. A boat trip to England in 1929 took about 6 weeks. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out he can't have been in England on May 2.

Norman is correct. If absolute proof Bluey was in England in May of 1929 can be produced, I'd be most surprised. I have found him racing in New South Wales in Australia in June of 1929 (and I have written about that in the past). People constantly tell me I am wrong and that he arrived in England in May BECAUSE JOHNNIE HOSKINS SAID SO. What Johnnie Hoskins said or wrote about pre-war speedway should not be taken as gospel as his track record is abysmal. I also now have in my possession an interview Bluey gave in 1930 in which he makes some very interesting revelations. A date is given in that interview on the subject of when he did arrive in England in 1929 (and it is NOT in May and he didn't arrive alone), but I suspect Bluey's memory either failed him or he was misreported. The date given is that of what I consider was his first racing appearance in England. If he did arrive on the date given, he rode that same night, something which I doubt would have happened.

Could anyone tell me when Australian Norman Pritchard started his association with Wimbledon Speedway (he was manager at the club) and when that association ceased? I have reason to believe he was there during the time W.J. Cearns promoted at the club. Also, Norman was the first editor of Speedway News in the U.K., taking up the post in 1928. "Sammy" Samuel took on the post as editor in 1934. What I need clearing up is whether Norman Pritchard was editor from 1928 to 1933.

I'd say 46.

I'm trying to establish if the Bill Allen who was involved in the fatal racing accident which resulted in the death of Australian Noel Johnson in England in 1931 was the same Bill Allen who pioneered speedway in New Zealand in 1929. The Bill Allen who rode in New Zealand also rode here in Brisbane at Davies Park during the 1928/29 season. Mention has been found in an English newspaper report from 1931 that the Bill Allen who was riding for Coventry in England at the time of Johnson's death had ridden "in the Antipodes".

Norbold, it was "db" who asked for Gus's birth date. I have db's email address if you haven't got it.

The Forum disappeared last month. Considering what had been achieved in the way of research by the members who participated in the discussions on that Forum, its loss is very sad. If prior notice had been given about the Forum's impending closure, members would have had the opportunity to retrieve information from it. I have had a number of emails from people wanting to either resurrect it or start another one along similar lines.

I appreciate that Norman.

His account of Bluey's 1929 season is not completely historically accurate.

I require help with my research into Bluey Wilkinson's appearances in 1929 at Southampton. Would anyone have contact details for Paul Eustace or any other Southampton historian who may have programmes or results for that season?

For those interested in the career of the great Jack Young, Craig Fordham has added Chapter Three of The Jack Young Story to the Australian History Page on his web site. The link is: - : http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/jack_young/jyoung3.htm

From the October 10, 1998 issue of Speedway Star. Police are investigating the death of former Australian international Craig Hodgson. The 30-year-old former Peterborough and Bradford favourite was found hanged in Adelaide - shortly after he had escaped unhurt in a car crash. Hodgson, who last rode in Britain in 1993, was known to have been depressed following the break-up of his relationship with long-term partner Sonia. Police, who launched an inquiry into his death as a matter of course, are convinced that there are no suspicious circumstances and that the Aussie took his own life. He is known to have been in contact with his former Peterborough team-mate Scott Norman shortly before his death. Hodgson first came to Britain when he was still in his teens and made his debut for Peterborough in the old National League when he was only 18. He spent four seasons at the East of England Showground before being transferred to First Division Bradford in 1991. Hodgson stayed at home in Australia the following year but returned to Odsal in 1993 for what turned out to be his farewell British campaign. After returning to Australia he only raced irregularly but maintained his links with the sport and when he wasn't riding was a spectator at most meetings in the South Australia area. He had a hard upbringing in his native Australia. His father Laurie, a former rider, was paralysed in a track crash and his mother was killed in a car accident. It is understood that Hodgson was the only occupant of a car that crashed and, a few hours later, he was found hanged close to his partner's Adelaide home.

I have kept an obituary which appeared following Craig's death. If you wish me to post that obituary (it isn't all that long but is very informative) I will do so.

John used to be a promoter but as far as I know he hasn't staged any meetings for quite some time. There was talk a few years ago that he was thinking of dabbling in promotion again. The risks are too great in Australia, especially for one-off meetings. John did stage some big one-off meetings in Melbourne at one time. I remember Simon Wigg doing well at one of them.

Chapter Two of The Jack Young Story is now on Craig's site. Jack's continuing development as a rider during the 1947/48 and 1948/49 Australian seasons is covered, as is the offer he received in late 1948 of a trial for Second Division British club Edinburgh. : http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/jack_young/jyoung2.htm

Jim, I have sent out a plea for photos of Peter from that visit but have had no success. I have only ever seen one and that is of 3 riders across the track with Peter up against the fence. He is hardly visible.

Following a request from England for information on Peter Craven's visit to Australia in 1959-60, a short article titled "The Wizard in Oz" has been added to the Australian Speedway History Page on Craig Fordham's website. The link for the story is http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/1950-60/pcraven.htm Australian Speedway History Page http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/ashist_header.htm

Brent Collyer also rode for Eastbourne in the Elite League. He was another who had far more than his fair share of injuries. A crash at Arena Essex ended his career. He and his dad were at a meeting on Queensland's Gold Coast a few months back. One of the greatest thrills of my life was watching Brent win the Queensland Championship.

I have sorted this one. Ross.

Thanks for that. I spoke to Graham about Les Marshall but wasn't aware at the time about Deeley. Even though he was ill at the time of our conversation, Graham still spoke of Marshall as "the boss". He even spoke to me about my childhood hero, Keith Gurtner. It made my day. I walked away from that meeting knowing I had been in the presence of a true legend of the sport.

The Australian Speedway History page on Craig Fordham's Australian site has been updated with two new short speedway stories. The first, "We Start Them Young in Queensland", is set during the 1927-28 Australian season and is about a five year-old boy, Teddy Cloake. His memories of that season lasted a life-time. He mixed with future speedway legends such as Sprouts Elder and Billy Lamont. Teddy appeared on the racetrack in two Australian States during that season. http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/1920-30/start_young.htm The other story, "Ronnie Moore and the Dare Devil Moorsons", mentions a few episodes from Ronnie Moore's early days in both Australia and New Zealand. http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/1940-50/ron_moore.htm Australian Speedway History webpage http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/ashist_header.htm

Have just followed your advice. Thanks.

Bill Landels did ride in Australia after emigrating here. He suffered horrific ankle injuries in a fall at Liverpool Speedway in New South Wales in 1968 when his foot was caught in his bike's rear wheel. A huge gash in his heel resulted in extensive tendon and ligament damage.

I am trying to determine the historical accuracy of some information in my possession concerning something which is supposed to have occurred at the White City track in Glasgow in March of 1949. Would anyone know of someone who followed that team in 1949?