Strikes, bans and protests

[iris123]

Seems there were quite a few problems in speedway in the pre-war days

One such incident took place just before the first Australia v England test of 1939 in Sydney

Riders were informed that heats were to be run over 4 laps instead of the usual 3. Riders of both teams protested to officials of N.S.W  A.C.U, but were told the instructions came from Melbourne and there was nothing they could do. 'Bluey' Wilkinson, the Australian captain stated the additional lap would increase the risk of machine failure. 3 laps produce harder and closer races. Jack Parker, the England captain was also worried about mechanical failure, but stated big meetings like tests had a bearing on what riders could earn from signing contracts and poor performances could cost them.

Riders started the first heat not knowing whether it would be concluded after 3 or 4 heats. In the end they got their way and all heats were run over 3 laps !!!

 

[chunky]

Riders trying to dictate to the authorities? Whatever next? Good thing that doesn't happen now... 

[iris123]

The funny bit about the incident that at the end of one report it stated there would be a 10 lap race at one meeting, but Parker wouldn't compete because he had hurt his back !!!

[iris123]

1926 and maybe the first ever speedway strike !!!

Before a crowd of 35,000 4 riders went on strike for more money. The management refused their demands and had them escorted from the track

It seems that a Jones a rider from the south was promised he could make 70 pounds from the meeting, but on arrival it was discovered only 45 was possible. So with his father who was manager he asked for a match race with Frank Pearce for a sum of 60 pounds to be split 40-20 or 30-30. The management refused the request. He then refused to race in the meeting.

Shortly after a written request for substantially more money was handed in from Charlie Spinks and Frank Pearce, who then refused to ride after a rise of 20 pounds was given on account that they had given their word to stand by Jones and his fellow rider from the south Leo Melville. According to the management the total demands came to a sum of 240 pounds !! In another account all the riders were brought together for a conference and one, Yenson was heard to be arguing with the strikers, but they couldn't be convinced to back down and were even joined by another, Bob Gream also from the south

In an interview Spinks, Pearce and Melville said they was offered money, but wouldn't 'scab' on fellow rider Jones. It seems the crowd were voiciferously behind the strikers and shouted 'scabs' at the others and were booing the announcer and cheered a couple of riders they mistakenly thought were joining the strike

A letter from one of the spectators reads

' Sir- as a spectator of saturday night's upheaval in the Speedway's hitherto well arranged programme. I was one of a crowd of spectators loyal to the local riders, who I see in the mornings paper have been expelled from the track for good. I for one, will not be a spectator again until these boys are re-instated....'

Another wrote

' Sir,- I wish to express my admiration of the speedway riders who went on strike last saturday night. As one who has attended every meeting held and noted the steady increase in the number attending (17,000 to 35,000) I imagine the money receipts must make the thing a huge financial success. I have often thought how ill repaid the riders were for the risks they run in order to give the public a comparatively cheap thrill....'

The management held a meeting on the Monday night with all the riders apart from those banned and gave them a bonus for their loyalty and set out their financial case on all the costs they had to pay out in keeping the speedway running. They also stated that one of the strikers had actually received 4 weeks pay for an injury not involving the speedway. They also announced a rise in prize money for the holder of the Golden Helmet etc. It stated the total prize money would be 300 pounds, which was almost double what the Speedway Royal in Sydney was paying out(160)

Frank Pearce also sent a letter admitting it was a mistake and so the management lifted the ban on him, as did Leo Melville. I guess Charlie Spinks took a while longer as he spent a month riding in Sydney before his return

 

[Sotonian]

On 1/3/2020 at 5:55 PM, iris123 said:

Seems there were quite a few problems in speedway in the pre-war days

One such incident took place just before the first Australia v England test of 1939 in Sydney

Riders were informed that heats were to be run over 4 laps instead of the usual 3. Riders of both teams protested to officials of N.S.W  A.C.U, but were told the instructions came from Melbourne and there was nothing they could do. 'Bluey' Wilkinson, the Australian captain stated the additional lap would increase the risk of machine failure. 3 laps produce harder and closer races. Jack Parker, the England captain was also worried about mechanical failure, but stated big meetings like tests had a bearing on what riders could earn from signing contracts and poor performances could cost them.

Riders started the first heat not knowing whether it would be concluded after 3 or 4 heats. In the end they got their way and all heats were run over 3 laps !!!

 

Interesting. When did 4 laps become the standard?

[iris123]

29 minutes ago, Sotonian said:

Interesting. When did 4 laps become the standard?

Good question which I really don't know the answer to in Test matches, but at least in the Australian Solo Championship there was a 3 lap champion into the 1950's

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Solo_Championship

[chunky]

11 hours ago, iris123 said:

Good question which I really don't know the answer to in Test matches, but at least in the Australian Solo Championship there was a 3 lap champion into the 1950's

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Solo_Championship

I'm pretty sure it was dictated by the length of track; you will see how the Sydney Showground was a 3-lap track.

[iris123]

3 hours ago, chunky said:

I'm pretty sure it was dictated by the length of track; you will see how the Sydney Showground was a 3-lap track.

That could be right. I got the impression it only applied in that State and not others. But it could well be specific to that track. I tried looking on Brian Collins international site , but saw no mention of this and there weren’t many race times to see if there was a sudden jump in the times

[iris123]

After the strike in December 1926 things rumbled on into the new year, despite the apology from Pearce. The management elected Yenson to be spokesman for the riders. But it seems the money promised the riders after the strike wasn't paid and so a Union was formed. The Racing Motorcycle Rider's Association of Queensland' and Frank Pearce was elected chairman.

Pearce said that after the dispute the officials had submitted a schedule of prize money. The riders hadn't asked for it, but the company had presented it of its own free will. On the next Saturday night Mr Hunting came to them a few minutes before the meeting was to start and asked if they were willing to be paid in bonus money. Pearce said it was all done in a rush and without knowing what it meant the riders said 'yes', but after thinking it over and realising what it meant didn't agree to it. The Dick Smythe had a problem with his money for winning the handicap, seemingly getting less than agreed and one of the officials said 'We don't want men who win by half a mile. If you want the money you must ride to suit the public ' When it was heard the riders were holding a meeting the officials gave Smythe the correct money. This was thought to be good justification of having an association.

When officials got wind of the meeting to form the association they sent letters to all the riders requesting them to attend a meeting with officlas the night before the association meeting. They were all advised not to attend and seems they stuck together. There was also a rumour put into the press that Pearce would be leaving to ride in the south, which Pearce strongly denied and called it foul play from the management, who of course denied this

Hunting also tried to call their bluff by saying riders from the south would be willing to ride instead, but Pearce had received a letter from the President of the N.S.W riders assoc. saying they were behind them and he would advise his riders not to 'scab' Mr Ernie Odlum (the rider Norbold pointed to as riding in a 1916 motorcycle meeting I think) advised the riders not to sign any contracts with the management without representation as some f the clauses were trying to tie them up and also stop them being members of the riders assoc. Including

'I agree to give my entire services to your company for a period of 6 calendar months from even date as a motorcycle racing rider, and to compete when, and if called upon, so to do'

A motion was then carried giving the committee authority to negoiate

[norbold]

Very interesting, iris, and also very interesting to see Ernie Odlum's name turn up again.

[BOBBATH]

In more modern times  I recall the British Final at West Ham in 1965 where the riders refused to go out and race unless they got an increase for the meeting. Start was delayed but eventually went ahead after the promoters agreed to ante up.

 Also the 1963 Provincial League Riders Final at Belle Vue-there was a beef about who qualified for the four man Grand Final  and there was  a mutiny led by that famous pirate Jim Squibb--the promoters agreed and there was , I think, a five rider run off to determine the final 2 places in the Grand Final-won inevitably by Ivan Mauger. Any forumlanders remember these incidents?

[andout]

39 minutes ago, BOBBATH said:

In more modern times  I recall the British Final at West Ham in 1965 where the riders refused to go out and race unless they got an increase for the meeting. Start was delayed but eventually went ahead after the promoters agreed to ante up.

 Also the 1963 Provincial League Riders Final at Belle Vue-there was a beef about who qualified for the four man Grand Final  and there was  a mutiny led by that famous pirate Jim Squibb--the promoters agreed and there was , I think, a five rider run off to determine the final 2 places in the Grand Final-won inevitably by Ivan Mauger. Any forumlanders remember these incidents?

Remember both, at least read about the '63 but I don't think the West Ham one was in '65 think it was '67? Anyone?

And yes, I was there in '65 and '67!

Edited January 7, 2020 by andout
change

[norbold]

6 hours ago, andout said:

Remember both, at least read about the '63 but I don't think the West Ham one was in '65 think it was '67? Anyone?

And yes, I was there in '65 and '67!

It was the 1965 final. I have a note in my programme that says, "Meeting started 8.35. Rain started 8.36" and then another note at the end that says "Meeting finished 11:10".

[andout]

5 hours ago, norbold said:

It was the 1965 final. I have a note in my programme that says, "Meeting started 8.35. Rain started 8.36" and then another note at the end that says "Meeting finished 11:10".

Thanks norbold....time play's tricks!

[iris123]

Wasn't Barry Briggs, who at the time I think was world champion, threatened with a ban from the world championship if he didn't ride for Wimbledon by Ronnie Greene ?

[BOBBATH]

2 hours ago, iris123 said:

Wasn't Barry Briggs, who at the time I think was world champion, threatened with a ban from the world championship if he didn't ride for Wimbledon by Ronnie Greene ?

Hi Iris123, think the Ronnie Greene thing was in 1958 or 59 as by the mid sixties Briggo was riding for Swindon

[BOBBATH]

Re the 1965 British Final, I was there supporting Peter Vandenberg, after an e.f. in his first ride , Peter won his second ahead of Charlie Monk. I think I  might be  correct in thinking that this was the first point Charlie had dropped in any of his World Championship rounds to that point. In fact for me that final was all about Charlie-with 7 points from 3 rides he was joint top with Briggo and McKinlay.  Looked a cert to qualify until his last ride when he got excluded and put Jim Gooch thru'. I reckon Charlie if he had made it to the Final would have put on a better show than Reg Luckhurst, Jim Gooch, Ken McKinlay and perhaps even Brian Brett. What say other forumlanders?

 Also do you reckon the exclusion was a fair call, I think it resulted from a clash with Ken McKinlay but not sure? As an aside I recall Charlie as a fair rider who seldom got excluded-any thoughts?

BTW-am sure I bought Andout a beer and Norbold a coke at that meeting!!!!! After all it was only 54 years ago!!

[norbold]

1 hour ago, BOBBATH said:

Hi Iris123, think the Ronnie Greene thing was in 1958 or 59 as by the mid sixties Briggo was riding for Swindon

Yes, it was 1959. He sat nearly all of the season out but came back for just one or two matches with Wimbledon just before the World Final. He was seeded direct to the final as reigning champion.

[iris123]

In the aftermatch of the 1934 US national championship, the dethroned champ, Wilbur Lamoreaux was upset that new champ, Cordy Milne used what he called a 'trick machine'. It seems Cordy's frame was shorter than the standard frame which according to Lammy gave him an unfair advantage on the turns. The promoter of Emeryville Speedway got wind of this and held a series of conferences to match them up at his track.

Through Lammy's manager he heard Wilbur would agree as long as Cordy used a standard bike. It was then that AMA president Hap Alzina stepped in to threaten Cordy with a lifetime ban from all tracks if he didn't agree. In the end Milne had no choice, but requested the track be specially prepared so he could ride 'full throttle'. He then sent a telegram stating he would bring both his short bike and a standard one and said 'understood race to decide best man.Why not trade machines? Will beat him anyway'

When told of this Lammy replied 'All I want is a chance to meet him again on even terms.Let me at him'. The race was to be over two laps and a huge cash prize was waiting for the winner to settle the argument.

In the end Milne proved yet again he was the better man at that time and not only won the revenge race, but also beat Lammy in the scratch race final that night

[iris123]

See there was also a strike in Denmark in the 1930s. Again because the crowds were so good and the money wasn’t getting to the riders. At least in their opinion. Not long after speedway suffered from an entertainment tax.....seems the Danish government didn’t consider speedway to be a sport !!!

Edited January 14, 2020 by iris123