Ross Garrigan

Would anyone know what role John Deeley had in Graham making the decision to travel to England in 1948?

Re Bill Harris: - There were many Australian riders who travelled to the UK to try their luck immediately following the war. I can't place Bill Harris, and neither can a knowledgeable friend of mine whom I asked today. There was a major exodus of riders at that time from the Sydney area. Re William James Pomroy: - He is remembered as a racer on the huge banked concrete tracks in Australia. If he did any speedway racing at all pre his trip to the UK, it would have been very little. If you have any information about him appearing on speedway tracks in the UK, I'd like to hear about it. He would have been more at home at Brooklands. He didn't travel as a member of A. J. Hunting's group of riders in 1928. In fact he wasn't even aboard the Oronsay for that voyage. He travelled over earlier, mainly to have a look at the various forms of motorcycle racing in England. Re Max Pearce: - If he was indeed Frank's son, you have come up with a very important piece of information.

I hadn't forgotten your query on Bill Harris. The only Harris which springs to mind was Bluey Wilkinson's nephew, but he didn't go to England until 1951 if my memory is correct. I'll look into the matter further when I get time. 2 questions: - Where did you get the name "William James Pomroy" as having travelled to England in 1928 to ride speedway? Where did the information that Max Pearce was Frank Pearce's son come from?

The name was Irvine Jones. Galloway, Hibberd, Dean and Elder were not in A. J.'s party of riders which left Fremantle on that famous voyage of the Oronsay. A. J. wasn't on board the Oronsay either, he was in England at the time his group of riders sailed from Fremantle. Keith McKay was fatally injured at the end of 1928. Paddy Dean wasn't in Britain in 1929. If you want to find out when Dean & Elder left Australia, and details of their racing leading up to their departure for England, it's on the Australian Speedway History webpage. Also on the webpage is an account of the racing of Vic Huxley and Dick Smythe just prior to their departure. I'll point you to the relevant sections on the webpage if you want to follow it up. Ross Garrigan Australian Speedway History http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/ashist_header.htm

Jack Sharp, Harry Lewis and Charlie Datson all went to Singapore on that occasion.

Yes, he was a West Australian.

That is interesting Norbold. Steve was a great character. He loved nothing better than to get away from it all and go prospecting.

Reg Hay did it all- raced on the grass, the concrete and the dirt. I don't know if anyone has mentioned another Tasmanian who went to England - Percy Bryant.

I can now confirm that 1930 was the first year Tiger Hart and Steve Langton went to England.

I checked and Peter was in England in 1990. He had some outings for Milton Keynes. Peter also did some sidecar racing on our local tracks as a passenger. He always stood out in his black and yellow racing gear. I have one vivid memory of Peter coming around turn 4 at Labrador aboard his solo and losing control. He always wanted to go that little bit faster. His bike turned a complete 180 degrees and Peter was left facing the oncoming field. It was "hearts in the mouth" stuff for those watching.

Peter was an unforgetable person. Yes he did visit the UK, it would have been about 15 years ago. He was tall, thin, fair-haired, and a real dynamo of a character - he just couldn't sit still. He suffered in later years on the tracks in my area due to suspect machinery, but he loved his racing. He had retired from speedway but just couldn't stay away from it, and got involved again a few years back. He died following a crash on his road bike. His family and friends were devastated. He left a devoted wife and young child. If my memory is correct, Peter won an individual meeting in England.

Les died shortly after his car crashed at Timaru on October 24, 1960. I quote from the front page of the New Zealand Herald dated 25/10/1960: - "Mr. Moore was the father of Ronnie Moore, former world champion speedway rider. "The winner of the Wigram race on two occasions, Mr. Moore was competing in the second race of the day. He was thrown out as his R. A. Vanguard Special overturned at a corner."

Has anyone put forward the name "Les Moore" for inclusion on this New Zealand list? He was Ronnie's dad. Ross Garrigan Australian Speedway History http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/ashist_header.htm

Frank Pearce was one of the finest motorcycle racers of his time. His achievements on the large grasstracks pre-war were outstanding. Not only was he a member of A. J. Hunting's famous Oronsay group in 1928, but he wrote a lengthy account of that sea journey to England. It was serialised in issues of Speedway News, the name of the Davies Park programme of the day. Ross Garrigan Australian Speedway History http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/ashist_header.htm

Alan came from New Zealand but has resided in Australia for a number of years. He has represented both New Zealand and Australia. He is now living in South East Queensland. I have some great memories of him racing at the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds.

Re your list of Australian Champions, it is mostly correct. However, you may be interested to know that the first Australian Championships held on small dirt tracks in this country and sanctioned by a National Australian body were the two held at Davies Park in December 1928 (won by Frank Pearce and Max Grosskreutz). Most lists don't include the Tommy Benstead Championship as there were problems with the authorities concerning the running of that event. Sadly, there are Australian Championships mentioned on your list which were hardly more that State Championships. However, the riders who won them must be given due credit.

I've just written a story on Ronnie Moore which includes section of a letter written by his mother in 1951 addressing the matter of his nationality. There were some who were questioning his eligibility at the time to ride for Australia in Test Matches. If one looks at his early appearances in World Finals, he represented Australia. Australian Speedway History http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/ashist_header.htm

I notice on the list of New Zealand riders one "Ronnie Moore". I think his name should be on the Australian list as well. He rode in England as an Australian before he rode there as a New Zealander.

Sorry Steve. Can't help you with that one. Ross.

Jack Gates had a fascinating nick name - he was known as "Rusty" Gates. Australian Speedway History http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/ashist_header.htm

Thanks for that Norbold. I can now cross that off my list of problems to be solved. Australian Speedway History http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/ashist_header.htm

I have details of a press interview Keith McKay gave on arriving back in Australia at the end of 1928. He had such great plans for the following season, including racing in the USA. He did well financially out of his 1928 season in the UK and on the Continent. He was fatally injured at his first racing appearance back in Australia. There is a great little story, and a sad one it is, just waiting to be told. Australian Speedway History http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/ashist_header.htm

One of the great speedway myths, which has been perpetuated down the years in print in the UK, is that Keith McKay was an experienced speedway rider prior to venturing to the UK. That is not so. Not only was Keith McKay not an experienced speedway rider prior to leaving Australia, I have never found his name in meeting results at all as having competed in motorcycle speedway events in this country. He was a highly intelligent person with the future of speedway one of the main goals in his life. His tragic and premature passing robbed the sport of a great asset. Australian Speedway History http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/ashist_header.htm

I have every reason to believe Steve Langton (his first name was Joseph by the way, but he preferred to be known by the shortened version of his middle name) first went to England in 1930. I do know for certain he was there in 1931. Re Bat Byrnes: I have the very lengthy tribute printed in his honour which appeared in the Bathurst programme the year following his death. That is how I know where the "Bat" came from. It was more of a life story than a tribute. He was extremely highly thought of in Australian motorcycling circles. His first love was road racing and he was often late arriving in the UK for the new speedway season as he fitted in his speedway around his road racing in Australia.

The bit about 1928 is not correct.