On the local front Norrie Isbister cleaned up a couple of meetings and Jimmie Pinkerton did the double once.

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1 WHITE CITY SPEEDWAY ANNUAL REVIEW 1929 The birth of speedway in Glasgow had seen four new tracks in action but none lasted any length of time. White City, which had been one of the four, lasted a single meeting in June of There were those who had reservations about the rebirth but their fears proved unfounded. The White City promotion staged 50 meetings and lost a further three to rain. It would be fair to say that the crowd levels fluctuated. The holiday periods and wet nights held the numbers down but, given good weather and no other one-off counter attractions, the Glasgow public demonstrated a demand for the cinder shifting game. On one occasion, when Sprouts Elder was the star visitor a number of potential fans were actually locked out of the stadium. The weather was a major feature in most press reports of the meetings. There were a fair number of meetings staged when the track had been soaked by rain earlier in the day and a number staged in the falling rain. One meeting was abandoned at the half way point and three others never started. At least one meeting was carried to a conclusion when the track conditions had reduced the sport to a farce. The Glasgow folk loved their Summer Holidays and, as mentioned above, the crowd levels slumped as fans left the city for their annual break to the Clyde Coast in July, or in local parlance, Went Doon the Watter. The sporting nature of the Glasgow public was, perhaps, reflected in the fact that the crowd for the meeting for 3 August was well down. They chose to go to Ibrox, home of Glasgow Rangers, to watch the annual sports rather than visit the speedway. MOSTLY TUESDAYS AND SATURDAYS The regular fare of the Glasgow Handicap and the Scratch Race events were served up on the Tuesday evenings and Saturday afternoons of most weeks from the 20 April opener until almost the end of September. The attraction of racing under lights prompted a change to Friday evenings, although this may have been partly due to a falling off of supporter numbers and a desire by the stadium owners to run the greyhound meetings on a Saturday night. As it was, after one Friday night event, the Edinburgh based promotion cut back to one night per week until the end of the season. During the May Holiday weekend the promotion ran three meetings in four days with the extra event staged on the Monday afternoon. Nice weather failed to draw the anticipated crowd. BIG STARS AND LOCALS The usual two main event meeting was staged with a number of imported riders facing the local men. As many as 35 riders could appear on the bill, but not all were given a chance to race. Five riders per handicap race heat accounted for up to thirty riders some evenings. A further five could line up in the junior event. The visiting riders tended to have lower handicap start advantages than the locals, but visitors won their fair share of events. Top visitor, although for two spells at the start and end of the season he was more like a resident, was the brilliant wee Australian Billy Galloway. Billy collected all the trophies twice over and enjoyed a four meeting unbeaten spell in his first stay. Sprouts Elder had a reasonably successful visitors record and he cleaned up three meetings including the White City Championships in August. Other visiting clean up men were Arthur Buster Frogley, Drew McQueen, Reg Heller and Billy Lamont. On the local front Norrie Isbister cleaned up a couple of meetings and Jimmie Pinkerton did the double once. Norrie and Jimmie were veterans of 1928 but the big find of 1929 was Andy Nicholl. Blantyre lad Andy started out with a big handicap advantage reflecting his novice status. By the end of September Andy's handicap was down to one second, reflecting his new found star rating.

2 Tiny Blantyre has made a big contribution to Scottish speedway over the years and it is perhaps fitting that it had its own two speedways at the Greyhound Stadium and Craighead Park. Other locals had their share of the Handicap wins, demonstrating the value of a big start and local track experience. TEAM EVENTS The league activity passed Scotland by as the most northerly track in the English Dirt-track League was Newcastle Brough Park. Team activity was sampled late on in the season and Glasgow staged a total of three team events. The four man and a reserve side raced to a draw with Newcastle Gosforth then, in a rematch, managed to beat their Geordie visitors. Local rivalry with Edinburgh, for the magnificent White Horse Distillers Ltd. Trophy, resulted in defeat for the west coast men and the silverware travelling east for the Winter. Away from home the Glasgow foursome was defeated by both Newcastle Gosforth and Edinburgh. The team events were raced over four heats with four points awarded for a win, two for a second and one for third place. These matches operated on the basis of fixed pairings. Other team events were tried out at White City. The first was the second half White City versus The Rest, when individual scores were allocated on the basis of finishing places in the Scratch event in September. This produced a big victory for the visitors. The second was a relay race in which four riders representing White City raced against a four man team called The Visitors. Billy Lamont won the last part of the event to take victory from White City. A MAJORITY OF SCOTS The record of riders who appeared at White City is by no means complete. However, based on best information a total of 65 Scottish riders appeared at White City in There was a large turnover of Scots in in the junior ranks. However, in the Handicap events and Scratch races the number of Scottish riders who could be considered to be regulars was a great deal lower. There was not a great interchange with Edinburgh-based men, even though they could have been used on a Tuesday which was an Edinburgh off day. Few Glasgow or Edinburgh riders doubled-up on a Saturday when they could have spent the afternoon in Glasgow and the evening in Edinburgh. The regulars included Norrie Isbister, Jimmie Pinkerton, George Pinkerton, Andy Nicholl, Andy Marr and Willie Durward. ENGLISH RIDERS A CLOSE SECOND English lads visited White City on a regular basis and accounted for a known 55 riders. Most appeared in blocks of two or three meetings in a row. Whether they came up and stayed over for the week is not known, but this is possible. Some fitted in meetings at Marine Gardens giving a couple of Saturday meetings but the majority rode at Glasgow only. Arthur Moser was a resident in Glasgow and Yorkshire s Arthur Mann raced at White City on a regular basis. Jim Holder was another regular from south of the border, as was young Londoner Eddie Reynolds. George Wigfield was probably the most successful English visitor, with Reg Heller the runner-up. Whilst they did not necessarily win a lot of championships, the English lads, for the most part, did reasonably well. One of the English riders was lady competitor Eva Askquith. According to contemporary reports she gave a good account of herself, was invited back but was thwarted on her trip north by fog. Originally only programmed for a match race with Norrie Isbister, which she lost, Eva took part in the Handicap and Scratch events. Her heat win in the latter in a fast time drew particular praise from the press. TWO DRAGONS

3 Wales was poorly represented with early visitor Aubrey Taffy Williams and the adopted Scot Billy Llewellyn. Taffy was the son of a Swansea hotelier and a sand-tracker turned dirt-track rider. Blacksmith Billy was one of the Blantyre crowd and a regular on the Paisley Road West track. Gordon Spalding, described as a native Scot in press reports, and by George McKenzie as having a strong Welsh accent, also appeared in Glasgow in THE AUSSIE CONTINGENT The Antipodes were represented by 19 Australians and no Kiwis. By far the most successful was Billy Galloway. Had he stayed the whole season he would have monopolised things. The Aussies did not win too many honours and only a clean up by Billy Lamont and a Gold Armlet win by Syd Parsons appear in the winners list. Despite this, the Aussies were popular visitors and were often given a big build up on the basis of their exploits in their home land. Big Aussie stars Frank Arthur and Vic Huxley were out of luck on their visits to the Paisley Road West venue. It is a great pity that neither lived up to their reputations and capabilities. THE STARS FROM THE LAND OF THE STARS AND STRIPES Two Americans appeared at White City. One was Ray Tauser, the man with the name changed from Tauscher, who thrilled the crowd with his hard-nosed riding, but he never collected a trophy for his efforts. The other was Mr Speedway himself, Sprouts Elder. Sprouts appeared in eight meetings and boosted the crowd on every occasion. Bike problems let Sprouts down on a few of his visits, but when they did run well he usually cleaned up. The tall Yank won most of his match races but the notable exception was his defeat by Norrie Isbister. He left his passing move a bit late and fell in a desperate bid to round the man from the Isle of Skye. Few riders can say that Sprouts fell in an effort to pass them. THE TRACK The quarter-mile track at White City had very long straights and tight bends which required a certain amount of skill to ride. However, the early track surface was not good. It was only after a hard hitting article by one of the local journalists that the track was modified in shape, slightly shortened and the bumps, or to use the press word humplocks, removed. Times improved markedly throughout the season. The best times at the end of the season were ten seconds plus below those recorded at the opener. CONCLUSIONS The season was, if anything, a bit on the intense side. It was not helped by the weather which deterred all but the diehard core group of fans. However, overall, it must be adjudged to be a successful opening season in a City which had apparently turned its back on the sport in its inaugural year. The mix of local men and visiting stars was quite successful too and the big favourite had to be Billy Galloway. Norrie Isbister and Jimmie Pinkerton must be considered to be in close competition for favourite home star status. The season's close saw the introduction of team sport, a taster for the Northern League activity in WHITE CITY DETAILS Demonstration Fri Meeting No. 1 Sat Glasgow Handicap Buster Frogley

4 Silver Helmet Buster Frogley Meeting No. 2 Tue Glasgow Handicap Don Taylor Gold Armlet Eric Burnet Meeting No. 3 Sat Glasgow Handicap Sprouts Elder Scratch Race Sprouts Elder Meeting No. 4 Tue Glasgow Handicap Drew McQueen Silver Torch Drew McQueen Meeting No. 5 Sat Glasgow Handicap Arthur Moser Gold Armlet Ivor Creek Meeting No. 6 Tue Glasgow Handicap Bill Naismith Gold Helmet Sprouts Elder Meeting No. 7 Sat Glasgow Handicap Jack Hart Silver Helmet Billy Galloway Meeting No. 8 Tue Glasgow Handicap Jim Holder Gold Armlet Syd Parsons Meeting No. 9 Sat Glasgow Handicap Norrie Isbister Silver Gauntlet Billy Galloway Meeting No.10 Mon Glasgow Handicap Bob McGregor Silver Helmet Drew McQueen Meeting No.11 Tue Glasgow Handicap Norrie Isbister Gold Armlet Norrie Isbister Meeting No.12 Sat Glasgow Handicap Billy Galloway Silver Sash Billy Galloway Meeting No.13 Tue Glasgow Handicap Billy Galloway Silver Helmet Billy Galloway Meeting No.14 Sat Glasgow Handicap Billy Galloway Silver Gauntlet Billy Galloway Meeting No.15 Tue Glasgow Handicap Billy Galloway Gold Armlet Billy Galloway

5 Meeting No.16 Sat Glasgow Handicap Andy Marr Silver Helmet Billy Galloway Meeting No.17 Tue Glasgow Handicap Andy Nicholl Silver Gauntlet Sprouts Elder Meeting No.18 Sat Glasgow Handicap Andy Nicholl Silver Sash Billy Galloway Meeting No.19 Tue Glasgow Handicap Drew McQueen Gold Armlet George McKenzie Meeting No.20 Sat Glasgow Handicap Bill Naismith Silver Helmet Buster Frogley Meeting No.21 Tue Glasgow Handicap George Pinkerton Silver Gauntlet Norrie Isbister Meeting No.22 Sat Glasgow Handicap Sprouts Elder Silver Sash Sprouts Elder Meeting No.23 Tue Glasgow Handicap Jimmie McFarlane Gold Armlet Drew McQueen Meeting No.24 Sat Glasgow Handicap Jimmie Pinkerton Silver Gauntlet Jimmie Pinkerton Meeting No.25 Tue Glasgow Handicap Jimmie Pinkerton Silver Helmet Drew McQueen Meeting No.26 Sat Glasgow Handicap George Pinkerton Silver Sash Andy Nicholl Meeting No.27 Tue Glasgow Handicap Andy Nicholl Gold Armlet Jack Chapman Meeting No.28 Sat Glasgow Handicap Jack Reilly Silver Gauntlet George Wigfield Meeting No.29 Tue Glasgow Handicap Norrie Isbister Glasgow Evening News Trophy Norrie Isbister Meeting No.30 Sat Glasgow Handicap Jim Holder

6 Silver Helmet George Wigfield Meeting No.31 Tue Glasgow Handicap Jimmie Pinkerton Silver Sash Buster Frogley Meeting No. 32 Sat Glasgow Handicap Arthur Marr Gold Armlet Andy Marr Meeting No.33 Tue Rained-off Meeting No.34 Thu White City Championship First Sprouts Elder Second George Wigfield Third Jimmie Pinkerton Meeting No.35 Sat Glasgow Handicap Jack Reilly Silver Gauntlet Jimmie Pinkerton Meeting No.36 Tue Glasgow Handicap Arthur Mann Gold Armlet Billy Galloway Meeting No.37 Sat Glasgow Handicap Reg Heller Silver Sash Reg Heller Meeting No.38 Tue Glasgow Handicap Bill Naismith Scratch Race Andy Nicholl Meeting No.39 Sat Glasgow Handicap Andy Nicholl Silver Sash Billy Galloway Meeting No.40 Tue Rained-off Meeting No.41 Sat Glasgow Handicap Andy Nicholl Silver Sash Billy Galloway Meeting No.42 Tue Glasgow Handicap Andy Nicholl White City Open Championship Billy Galloway Meeting No.43 Sat Glasgow Handicap Billy Galloway Silver Gauntlet Billy Galloway Meeting No.44 Tue Glasgow 14 Gosforth 14 (Challenge) Glasgow Handicap Gold Armlet Hector Bruce Billy Galloway

7 Meeting No.45 Sat Glasgow Handicap Andy Nicholl Silver Sash Billy Galloway Meeting No.46 Tue Glasgow Handicap Sprouts Elder Glasgow 14 The Rest 28 (Challenge) Glasgow v The Rest Tro. Gordon Spalding Meeting No.47 Sat Glasgow Handicap Sprouts Elder Silver Gauntlet Sprouts Elder Meeting No.48 Tue Glasgow 19 Gosforth 9 (Challenge) Glasgow Handicap Silver Sash Eddie Reynolds Billy Galloway Meeting No.49 Fri Glasgow Handicap Arthur Mann Gold Armlet Glasgow Champion Drew McQueen Arthur Mann Meeting No.50 Tue Glasgow Handicap Arthur Mann Scratch Event Rained-off Meeting No.51 Tue Glasgow 8 Edinburgh 10 (W/Horse Distillers Trophy) Glasgow Handicap Silver Sash Arthur Mann Billy Galloway Meeting No.52 Tue Glasgow Handicap Billy Lamont Silver Gauntlet Billy Lamont Meeting No.53 Tue Glasgow Handicap Peter Coia Silver Sash Arthur Atkinson

8 NORRIE ISBISTER, DREW McQUEEN, ANDY MARR AND SAM REID Saturday 20 April 1929 Crowd: 20,000 Sir Iain Colquhoun of Luss Bt. opened the new track at White City and the management were impressed by the turn out to see the reintroduction of speedway to the Second City of the Empire. Speedway was not new to White City but the crowd bore no resemblance to that which had turned out for the event staged in 1928 by the Nelson Club. Much interest was shown by the Glasgow public at the reintroduction of dirt-track racing on Saturday afternoon when the new track at the White City, Ibrox was formally opened. Ideal weather favoured the meeting, and long before the start large crowds began to assemble. When the proceedings were set going the attendance would be 20,000. An attractive programme comprising 20 events was presented and riders including many well known cracks representing Scotland, England, Wales and Australia took part. The Herald columnist wrote: A notable feature of the preliminary heats of the Handicap was the success which fell to riders off the scratch mark. They also observed that: Peter Coia spilled at the home bend when leading the sixth heat of the first round. It must be assumed that the star men, the professionals who had raced the whole of the 1928 season, found it easy to pick off guys who were not in the same class because of their limited experience. The second round races, or, the semi-finals were more exciting. Thrills in plenty were forthcoming in the first heat of the second round, the last two laps being strenuously fought out between Ivor Creek (England) and Billy Galloway (Australia), the former getting the verdict. Excitement reigned in the second heat between Buster Frogley and Don Taylor. The latter started with an advantage but was quickly made up by Frogley. In the last lap Taylor gained a slight lead but ultimately the heat resulted in a dead-heat. The chief event on the programme was that for the Scottish Silver Helmet for motor cycles not exceeding 500cc. The prize in this event was first 20, second 10, the heat winners 1 each. The prize money for the Handicap given as a total sum of 42. In addition the rider who set the fastest time for one lap was to receive 15. This cash went to Buster Frogley, who added it to his Handicap and Silver Helmet winnings to go home very wealthy indeed. In the Silver Helmet event Ivor Creek had very bad luck when 20 yards from the winning line in the fourth heat. He was holding a comfortable lead when he was beaten as a result of his chain coming off. Fortunately Ivor was close enough to the line to push his machine over to take second place and thereby progress to the Final. In the Final Buster Frogley beat Ivor Creek in 97.2 seconds. He thus secured the hat-trick as he also won the handicap and the one lap race. After Buster had been presented with the trophy he rode round the track displaying his new prize to the fans. The picture shows the riders waiting for the off, including Buster Frogley, Taffy Williams, Ivor Creek and Billy Galloway. Ht 1: Ivor Creek (scr), Jack Hart (11), [ Nobby Key (4), Alex Scade (11), Arthur Mann (15), Ht 2: Billy Galloway (scr), Len Reeve (4), [ Jimmie Pinkerton (8), Willie Thomson (12), Andy Nicholl (15), Ht 3: Buster Frogley (scr), Arthur Moser (4), [ Bert Bolt (6), Bill Naismith (12), Houston Anderson (15) Ht 4: Don Taylor (4), Andy Marr (4), [ Jack Reilly (10), Steve Bogie (12), Billy Llewellyn (15), Ht 5: Tommy York (4), George Pinkerton (12), [ Norrie Isbister (4), Johnnie Walker (11), Willie Durward (14), Ht 6: Taffy Williams (1), Arthur Warwick (4), Peter Coia (?) (f), [ John Bissett (14), Tom Shearer (15), 107.4

9 SF 1: Ivor Creek, Billy Galloway, [ Jack Hart, Len Reeve, SF 2: Buster Frogley, Don Taylor, (Dead-heat), [ Arthur Moser, Andy Marr, SF 3: Taffy Williams, [ Tommy York (f), Arthur Warwick, George Pinkerton, Final: Buster Frogley, Ivor Creek, Taffy Williams, Don Taylor (ef), 99.7* Scottish Silver Helmet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Andy Marr, Taffy Williams, [ Len Reeve, Jimmy McFarlane Ht 2: Buster Frogley, Billy Galloway, [ Bert Bolt, Arthur Moser, 96.8* Ht 3: Tommy York, Alex Scade, [ Norrie Isbister, Jack Reilly, Ht 4: Arthur Warwick, Ivor Creek (ef, pushed), [ Nobby Key, Jimmie Pinkerton, SF 1: Buster Frogley, Taffy Williams, Billy Galloway, Andy Marr, 98.7 SF 2: Ivor Creek, Tommy York, [ Arthur Warwick, Alex Scade, 98.9 Final: Buster Frogley, Ivor Creek, [ Taffy Williams, Billy Galloway, Tommy York, 97.2 Match Race (4 laps flying start) Billy Galloway bt Ivor Creek, Lap Record Attempt Buster Frogley, 23.2 Billy Galloway, 24.0 The picture to the right shows the first meeting line-up. Tuesday 23 April 1929 Crowd: 20,000 A crowd of at least 20,000 witnessed a thrilling programme of races in the second event at White City in A total of 20 events were staged over the evening and it appears that all were considered to be spectacular. The Daily Record columnist observed: Dirt-track enthusiasts were kept at high tension last night at the New Speedway, White City, Ibrox for we had thrills and spills in plenty. The writer from the Herald remarked: Tommy York, England, well known to dirt-track enthusiasts, had the bad luck to crash in the fourth heat of the first round of the Glasgow Handicap and George McKenzie had the misfortune to do likewise a lap later. York was most severely injured and required medical attention. The Daily Record report remarked that York and McKenzie had crashed together so there is a definite discrepancy here in the historical facts. Both reports, however, agree that York was sufficiently injured to be carried off. Even more interesting is the report in the local newspaper, the Govan Press. This newspaper advised its readers that George McKenzie was an absentee for this meeting! Take your pick from this choice of scenarios from the contemporary reports. The Glasgow Evening News (News) carried a very formal report: A competitor at the White City dirttrack motorcycle racing meeting in Glasgow last night, Thomas York, of Greenwich, London was removed to the Victoria Infirmary suffering from injuries sustained in a crash. He was found to have injuries to his right arm and to the chest and was detained. Ex-sidecar man, now a solo rider, Peter Coia, was also keeping the crowd entertained. A rather remarkable somersault of Peter Coia and several other mishaps were the features of an exciting meeting. In the Handicap Final Don Taylor, England, took full advantage of his four seconds start...and although hotly pursued by the Edinburgh crack Drew McQueen, he managed to get home by twenty yards. Clearly Drew was gaining on him but the start Taylor held was just too good. The Govan Press (Govan Press) advised that The fourth heat (of the scratch event) was a thriller, Jones coming to grief towards the end of the second lap when he was lying second. He however held his

10 machine thus avoiding what might have been a nasty accident, in fact Marr and Pinkerton following close behind just missed disaster by inches. Unfortunately no report advises which brother it was in this heat. The Daily Record writer was impressed by the Gold Armlet event and wrote: An engaging encounter was witnessed in the Final of the Gold Armlet, first one then another being in the lead. Drew McQueen, however, had the misfortune to break a chain when going well in the third lap, and, Eric Burnet, Edinburgh who was slightly to the rear, raced in front to cross the line in front of Buster Frogley. Norrie Isbister's one lap record attempt was 2.2 seconds over the mark. It must be remembered that at this stage Norrie was still running a 350cc Rex Acme with a Blackburne engine. Buster had set the mark on a full 500cc Douglas machine. Ht 1: Drew McQueen (scr), Nobby Key (4), [ Alex Scade (11), Jack Hart (11), John Bissett (14), Ht 2: Buster Frogley (scr), Arthur Warwick (4), [ Arthur Moser (6), Teddy Lithgow (11), Willie Thompson (12), Ht 3: Bert Bolt (4), Jimmie Pinkerton (4), [ Buzz Hibberd (scr), Willie Durward (14), Arthur Mann (14), Ht 4: Jimmie McFarlane (14), George McKenzie (scr) (f), Tommy York (4) (f), [ Ivor Creek (scr), Billy Llewellyn, Ht 5: Peter Coia (11), Andy Marr (4), [ Eric Burnet (scr), Len Reeve (4), Willie Wilson (14), Ht 6: George Pinkerton (12), Jack Reilly (10), [ Harry Duncan (scr), Norrie Isbister (4), Johnnie Walker (14), Ht 7: Don Taylor (4), Sam Reid (scr), [ Steve Bogie (12), Bill Naismith (12), Andy Nicholl (14), SF 1: Buster Frogley, Drew McQueen, [ Nobby Key, Arthur Warwick, Bert Bolt, SF 2: Jimmie McFarlane, Peter Coia (f), [ Jimmy McFarlane, Oliver Goodfellow, Andy Marr, SF 3: Don Taylor, [ George Pinkerton, Sam Reid, Jack Reilly, (4 riders only) Final: Don Taylor, Drew McQueen, Jimmie McFarlane, Buster Frogley, Scottish Gold Armlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Drew McQueen, Ivor Creek, [ Nobby Key, Don Taylor, 96.4* Ht 2: Buster Frogley, Sam Reid, [ Oliver Goodfellow, Arthur Warwick, 99.9 Ht 3: Buzz Hibberd, Norrie Isbister, [ Bert Bolt, Len Reeve, Ht 4: Eric Burnet, Andy Marr,? Pinkerton, Irvine Jones (f), [ Arthur Moser, Harry Duncan, SF 1: Drew McQueen, Buster Frogley, [ Ivor Creek, Sam Reid, 95.4* SF 2: Eric Burnet, Norrie Isbister, [ Buzz Hibberd, Andy Marr, Final: Eric Burnet, Buster Frogley, Norrie Isbister, Drew McQueen (ef), 95.2* Lap Record Attempt Norrie Isbister, 25.4 Saturday 27 April 1929 Crowd: 15,000 The big Yank, Lloyd Sprouts Elder was back in Glasgow and, described as the American Champion, he helped draw a good crowd to the White City venue. Clearly, as the press noted: He will be remembered by his daredevil riding at Celtic Park last year (and) in keeping with his previous performance Sprouts broke the lap record previously held by Buster Frogley (England) in 23.0 seconds. Sprouts was paid big appearance money in these early days. As the attendance at each meeting he was programmed to ride in appears to be good, irrespective of weather conditions, he was probably worth every penny he earned. The writer from the Bulletin & Scots Pictorial (Bulletin) described the match race between Norrie and Sprouts thus: The match race between Norrie Isbister and Sprouts Elder was a thrilling affair. The local rider gained a lead at the start and determinedly held to it until the fourth and last lap, when Sprouts opened out. The two ultimately came level and for a time ran neck and neck. When half way round the American tossed (fell) and Isbister finished alone amidst loud cheering. The Daily Record writer noted that Norrie got his revenge for the earlier Handicap defeat in a match race in which spectators were held

11 spellbound by the daring and uncanny skill of the riders for the pair kept together until the last bend when the champion came a cropper. The Sunday Mail had a writer present at the meeting, who noted: Sprouts Elder has a method of cornering particularly his own and the angry roar of his engine as he comes into the place where ordinary folk cut-out betokens his iron nerve. Don Taylor and Norrie Isbister strongly challenged all afternoon and, although Elder lifted the two main prizes of the day, Isbister made him go all the way in a match race. And wonder of wonders, Sprouts fell. Few riders ever beat Sprouts in a straight match race where his bike kept going. Even fewer beat Sprouts due to his falling off. Norrie obviously gave Sprouts a run for his money and Norrie fondly remembers the congratulations he received from the big Yank, which are not fully repeatable in print. Suffice it to say Sprouts questioned Norrie's sanity and parentage. Norrie had earlier faced Sprouts in the Final of the Glasgow Handicap and the American did not have things all his own way in this race either. Luckily for Sprouts, Norrie had to retire because of engine trouble when he was well in front, and this allowed the big man from the USA to collect the prize money. Prior to the Final Sprouts and Bill Naismith had had a dust up in the semi-final. The duel between Elder and Naismith provided the outstanding feature of the second round. Naismith managed to keep well in front, for the first two laps but early in the third Elder was at his rear wheel. First one then the other took the lead until the last corner was reached. Two barking exhausts and a shower of cinders was the scene at this corner. The beginning of the home stretch saw Naismith with a slight advantage but Elder, with an amazing burst of speed managed to cross the line with a wheel in front. (Govan Press) One report, written who knows where, advised the readers that: The second Dirt-Track Racing this season at the White City was held during a snowstorm and The heavy ground tended to help the riders. Whilst another noted: Fine weather favoured the meeting and the track was in excellent condition. Contemporary press reports were full of news of the unseasonal snow that fell that Saturday morning in 1929, but by afternoon it had cleared away. The times recorded for the races at this meeting were much slower than the previous Tuesday reflecting the state of the track. Ht 1: Alex Scade (16), Arthur Warwick (6), [ Andy Nicholl (1), Peter Coia (12), Ht 2: Don Taylor (4), George Pinkerton (12), Jack Reilly (12) (f), [ John Bissett (16), Ht 3: Nobby Key (6), Steve Bogie (16), [ Arthur Moser (10), Ralston Dunlop (16), Ht 4: Bill Naismith (16), Sprouts Elder (scr), [ Andy Marr (6), Arthur Mann (16), Ht 5: Norrie Isbister (6), Bert Bolt (6), [ Jack Hart (12), Willie Durward (16), Ht 6: Jim Holder (?), Len Reeve (6), [ Jimmie Pinkerton (12), Johnnie Walker (12), SF 1: Don Taylor, Arthur Warwick, [ Alex Scade, George Pinkerton, SF 2: Sprouts Elder, Bill Naismith, [ Nobby Key, Steve Bogie, SF 3: Jim Holder, Norrie Isbister, [ Bert Bolt, Len Reeve, Final: Sprouts Elder, Jim Holder, Norrie Isbister (ef), Don Taylor (ef), Scratch Race (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Norrie Isbister, Nobby Key, [ Houston Anderson, John Hart, 98.8 Ht 2: Andy Marr, George Pinkerton, Len Reeve (ef), Arthur Warwick (f), Ht 3: Sprouts Elder, Don Taylor, [ Arthur Moser, Jim Holder, Ht 4: Bert Bolt, Jimmie Pinkerton, [ Andy Nicholl, Jack Reilly, SF 1: Norrie Isbister, Andy Marr, [ Nobby Key, George Pinkerton, SF 2: Sprouts Elder, Don Taylor, [ Bert Bolt, Jimmie Pinkerton, 98.2 Final: Sprouts Elder, Andy Marr, [ Norrie Isbister, Don Taylor, 98.0 Match Race (4 laps flying start) Norrie Isbister bt Sprouts Elder (f), 98.6 Lap Record Attempts (Flying start) Sprouts Elder, 23.0* Norrie Isbister, 24.0

12 Tuesday 30 April 1929 Crowd: 20,000 The writer in the Daily Record, one of the few newspapers to report on this meeting, was in fine form. Perhaps the most thrilling race yet seen on the White City track. Such was the opinion of the 20,000 spectators when they had recovered their breath after the Final of the Glasgow Handicap. There was little more than daylight between the quartet as they roared past the winning line. For once the Handicapper had got it right and achieved his aim of a blanket finish from a staggered start. This was the exception rather than rule, more is the pity. The Govan Press commented on heat three of the Handicap semi-finals saying: In the third heat of the second round McQueen, after lying well back during the first two laps, managed to close up at the finish of the third. McQueen by a beautiful cut in at the first bend took the lead which he held. It also commented on the Handicap Final as the most thrilling race seen on the White City track. Mann kept in front for the first three laps with Taylor close behind. Entering the straight in the final lap McQueen, with a terrific burst of speed managed to get in front to win by half a wheel. The Daily Record advised: Andy Marr, taking full advantage of his handicap was slightly in front of Don Taylor at the third lap with the others in close attendance. Here Drew McQueen came away with a terrific burst and forged to the front to win by inches. It went on: The Final for the Silver Helmet brought together Clem Beckett, Don Taylor, Drew McQueen and George McKenzie and here McQueen proved his superiority. He took the lead from the start and was always in front. According to the Govan Press, George was almost level at the last bend but ran wide allowing Drew a clear run to the flag. The News was starting to take interest in the new sport in town. Their columnist, who would write as Pusher Off, in a newsy set of articles reported: Owing to the lack of cinder depth on the track a series of spills marked the opening events. The first heat of the Glasgow Handicap had to be re-run. After a number of closely contested heats this trophy was carried off by Drew McQueen. Handling his speed iron with superb courage and skill he shot away from the broadsiding bunch at the last corner. The News considered The principal event of the day was the match race between McQueen, Scotland and Beckett, England. This also was captured by the Scot, who, after a rerun, won comfortably. The correspondent from the Govan Press gives a brief description of this race. In the International match between Drew McQueen (Scotland) and Clem Beckett (England) McQueen gained the lead and held it throughout. Beckett skidded at the last corner of the last lap and did not finish. Ht 1: Norrie Isbister (3), Les Wotton (scr) (nf), Sam Reid (scr) (nf), Jack Reilly (11) (nf), John Bissett (16) (nf), Ht 2: Don Taylor (3), George Pinkerton (10), [ Charlie Barrett (scr), Bill Dickie (10), Jack Hart (11), Ht 3: Andy Marr (4), Rex Kirby (scr), [ Harry Duncan (scr), Tommy York (?), Teddy Lithgow (14), Ht 4: Clem Beckett (scr), Jimmie Pinkerton (6), [ Allan Campbell (4), Peter Coia (11), Bill Naismith (14), Ht 5: Arthur Warwick (6), Jim Holder (3), [ George McKenzie (scr), Ralston Dunlop (12), Billy Llewellyn (14), Ht 6: Drew McQueen (scr), Arthur Mann (4), [ Arthur Moser (6), Bert Bolt (6), Alex Scade (13), SF 1: Don Taylor, [ Norrie Isbister, George Pinkerton, SF 2: Andy Marr, Clem Beckett, [ Jimmie Pinkerton, Rex Kirkby, SF 3: Drew McQueen, [ Arthur Warwick, Jim Holder, Arthur Mann, Final: Drew McQueen, Don Taylor, Clem Beckett, Andy Marr, 99.9 Scottish Silver Torch (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Clem Beckett, Eric Burnet, Jimmie Pinkerton, Sam Reid (ns), Ht 2: Don Taylor, Norrie Isbister, [ Les Wotton, Jim Holder, 99.9 Ht 3: Drew McQueen, George McKenzie, [ Bill Dickie, Arthur Moser, 98.5 Ht 4: Allan Campbell, Rex Kirkby, [ Harry Duncan, Andy Marr, SF 1: Clem Beckett, Don Taylor, [ Eric Burnet, Norrie Isbister, SF 2: Drew McQueen, George McKenzie, [ Allan Campbell, Rex Kirkby, 97.5

13 Final: Drew McQueen, Clem Beckett, [ Don Taylor, George McKenzie, 96.6 Scotland v England Match Race (4 laps flying start) Drew McQueen bt Clem Beckett (f), 95.3 Saturday 4 May 1929 Crowd: 15,000 The Glasgow weather was up to its usual tricks. It started out dry, but, as the afternoon drew on, the rain started. Fortunately the sport on the track was such that the rain had little effect on the enthusiasm of the crowd. The Match Race between the local favourite and the Australian visitor resulted in defeat for Norrie Isbister. The Daily Record recorded the fact that Billy Galloway shot into a lead and stayed in front to win. According to the Bulletin writer: Norrie Isbister, the well known local rider, failed to demonstrate his usual skill, with the result that his opponent Billy Galloway, scored an easy victory. Galloway won a lot of his races from the off and Norrie was not the only rider to follow Billy round after he had made one of his very fast starts. The same scribe described the Final of the Gold Armlet thus: The final of the Gold Armlet brought out four entrants but soon after the start Isbister had to retire owing to engine trouble. The race turned into a duel between Ivor Creek and Eric Burnet. The latter however was disqualified for cutting the corner and Andy Marr took second place. Press reports often help the understanding of the meeting format. For example, the Daily Record writer advised: Although only qualifying for the Final of the Glasgow Handicap as the fastest loser, Arthur Moser took premier place after a thrilling duel with Jimmie Pinkerton. This confirms that only four riders contested the Handicap Final, the winners of the semi-finals were joined by the fastest second. The News carried a sympathetic piece about an Edinburgh rider. One of the most unfortunate Dirt- Track riders in Scotland today is Eric Burnet, Edinburgh. At the White City Glasgow, defending his honour as holder of the Scottish Gold Armlet he rode a brainy race in the semi-final to beat Ivor Creek, England by a yard. In the Final he was the victim of misfortune. During the third lap he was forced off the track by Creek's riding which seemed to have jammed him at the bend. Getting his machine under control he went after Creek and rounding the last bend he took the lead to go on and cross the winning line. As he crossed the line his front tyre was ripped off and with the machine out of control he was thrown and somersaulted, but somewhat luckily he landed on his feet and escaped serious injury. But worse was to follow, for he was disqualified by the judge for leaving the track in the third lap, through no fault of his own. The race was awarded to Ivor Creek who was a very fortunate winner. The News correspondent had discussed the Burnet exclusion with the riders and observed that Freddie Hore had expressed the view that Eric should not have been disqualified, as his leaving the track was a riding incident rather than a mistake of his own making. What Eric Burnet had to say about the incident is not recorded. This was the first meeting at White City which featured Yorkshire s Arthur Mann, who raced at White City on a regular basis up to There was another Arthur Mann, a New Zealander, who raced in Australia, and tried his luck in Britain in Billy Galloway discovered the Kiwi Mann when, in 1931, he congratulated the Yorkshire version on his excellent showings in Australia, only to be told that he had never left the country during the close season. A total of 34 riders were listed for this meeting but a few never rode in any programmed events. These riders were: Ralston Dunlop (14); Bert Paterson (14); Willy Durward (14); Willie Wilson (14) and Billy Llewellyn (14). Ht 1: Arthur Moser (6), George Pinkerton (12), [ Sam Reid (scr), Ed Bradley (3), Willie Thompson (14), Ht 2: Jim Holder (5), Houston Anderson (14), [ Ivor Creek (scr), Alex Scade (10), Teddy Lithgow (13), Ht 3: Peter Coia (11), Arthur Mann (14), [ Freddie Hore (scr), Jack Hart (13), Andy Marr (?) (ns), Ht 4: Norrie Isbister (3), Jack Reilly (12), [ Tommy York (4), Charlie Briggs (?), John Bissett (14), Ht 5: Eric Burnet (scr), Bill Naismith (12), [ Nobby Key (4), Alex Thorburn (14), Andy Nicholl (14), Ht 6: Jimmie Pinkerton (6), Billy Galloway (scr), [ Len Reeves (4), Bert Paterson (14), Steve Bogie (14),

14 SF 1: Jim Holder, Arthur Moser, [ George Pinkerton, Houston Anderson, SF 2: Jack Reilly, Norrie Isbister, [ Peter Coia, Arthur Mann, SF 3: Jimmie Pinkerton, Bill Naismith, [ Eric Burnet, Billy Galloway, Final: Arthur Moser, Jimmie Pinkerton, Jim Holder, Jack Reilly, Scottish Gold Armlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Billy Galloway, Eric Burnet, [ Arthur Moser, Alex Scade, Ht 2: Sam Reid, Ivor Creek, [ Sam Reid, Jimmie Pinkerton (ef), 99.6 Ht 3: Norrie Isbister, Tommy York, [ Peter Coia, Len Reeves, Ht 4: Andy Marr, Jim Holder, [ Nobby Key, Charlie Briggs, SF 1: Eric Burnet, Ivor Creek, [ Billy Galloway, Sam Reid, 98.2 SF 2: Andy Marr, Norrie Isbister, [ Tommy York, Jim Holder, Final: Ivor Creek, Andy Marr, Eric Burnet (exc, left track), Norrie Isbister (ef), 98.3 Scotland v Australia Match Race (4 laps flying start) Billy Galloway bt Norrie Isbister, Tuesday 7 May 1929 Crowd: 22,000 The Daily Record report on this meeting started with the customary weather and crowd numbers report. Despite the unsettled weather conditions there was a record attendance of 22,000 at the White City Speedway, Ibrox last night. Racing throughout was needle-keen and although the track rode heavy, the times returned were consistently good. In the Final of the Glasgow Handicap, Naismith who was the recipient of 15 seconds made good use of his handicap although hard pushed by May. Champion Sprouts Elder was again in brilliant form, for as well as finishing first in the match race he carried off the premier prize of the evening, the Scottish Gold Helmet, being an easy winner of both contests. The News reported on the match race which pitted Elder against Edinburgh based rider Eric Burnet who was a popular visitor to the the early 1929 White City meetings. Sprouts Elder met Eric Burnet, Edinburgh, in a match race over four laps flying start. From the pistol the Yankee went to the front and making all the running, won easily. The News also commented: A remarkable incident occurred in the first heat of the Scottish Gold Helmet race. May and Pinkerton (Jimmie) crossed the line together for a dead-heat. This was the second such incident at White City as the opening meeting had also featured a dead-heat. Roger May and Jimmie Pinkerton renewed their rivalry in a match race later on in the programme. According to the News, Roger won the race over four laps in which the lead changed hands several times. Sprouts did not have things his own way as he clearly failed to progress from the heats of the Handicap for some reason. Sprouts got a shock in the semi-final of the Gold Helmet when Moser pipped him at the bend for the inside berth and went away at a terrific pace. To the surprise of the crowd, Moser's machine became damaged and he was forced to retire leaving Elder to go on to win. From reading of the exploits of Sprouts Elder at both White City and Marine Gardens, the conclusion that can be drawn is that Sprouts had a definite tactic for his racing. If he felt confident that he could beat a rider he would let them go ahead then pick them off at the last gasp and make the crowd think that his opponent was a gallant loser. If he was not sure of a riders ability, or thought they had a chance of beating him, then Sprouts would ensure that he led them from the start. Sprouts did get it wrong from time to time. It was a risk that he had to take. He did lose races where he underestimated the skill of his opponent. In other instances, like his race against Arthur Moser, Sprouts probably had a second place well wrapped up and,

15 with the place in the final in his pocket, there was no real need to push himself to grab a win. In these days a race win paid something like 1, whereas the final victory would pay out 20. To a rider like Sprouts, who was on a big appearance money bonus, the odd pound here or there was nothing. However, a victory over Sprouts was a great feather in a rider's cap. The boost in confidence alone must have been worth its weight in gold to his fellow riders. The scratch event trophy was the Scottish Gold Helmet. It was the main Edinburgh prize and it was the one and only time it was competed for at White City. Holder George McKenzie brought it through to Glasgow for the competition, but a third place in his heat allowed Sprouts to add his name to the list of winners. The Trophy returned to the east and the main prize in Glasgow became the Scottish Silver Helmet. Glasgow Handicap (4 Laps Standing Start) Ht 1: Jim Holder (5), Billy Llewellyn (15), [ NI, Ht 2: Bill Dickie (5), Tommy York (5), [ NI, Ht 3: Arthur Moser (5), Arthur Mann (15), [ NI, Ht 4: Len Reeve (5), Eric Burnet (2), [ NI, Ht 5: Willie Durward (15), George McKenzie (2), [ NI, Ht 6: Roger May (5), Bill Naismith (15), [ NI, SF 1: Jim Holder, [ Billy Llewellyn, Bill Dickie, Tommy York, SF 2: Len Reeve, [ Arthur Moser, Arthur Mann, Eric Burnet, SF 3: Bill Naismith, Roger May, [ Willie Durward, George McKenzie, Final: Bill Naismith, Roger May, Len Reeve, Jim Holder, Scottish Gold Helmet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Jimmie Pinkerton and Roger May (Dead-heat), [ NI, 98.9 Ht 2: Sprouts Elder, Arthur Moser, George McKenzie, [ NI, 97.2 Ht 3: Freddie Hore, Tommy York, [ NI, Ht 4: Len Reeve, Jimmie McFarlane, [ NI, SF 1: Sprouts Elder, Roger May, Jimmie Pinkerton, Arthur Moser (ef), 97.9 SF 2: Tommy York, Len Reeve, [ Freddie Hore, Jimmie McFarlane, Final: Sprouts Elder, Roger May, Len Reeve, Tommy York, Scotland v America Match Races (4 laps flying start) Sprouts Elder bt Eric Burnet, 95.4 Roger May bt Jimmie Pinkerton, 99.5 Saturday 11 May 1929 Crowd: 15,000 According to the Herald: Delightful weather favoured Saturday's dirt-track meeting at White City Speedway, Ibrox. Crack riders were out in full force together with a large mixture of local talent. Two of the foremost riders from Australia Jack Chapman and Frank Duckett made their first appearance at the grounds. The former is of noted prowess and holder of the world's mile record while the latter is the holder of the Australian mile record. Both, however, failed to achieve anything outstanding due perhaps to their not being accustomed to the track. Probably the White City track, with its long straights and comparatively tight corners was something new to the Aussies, who were used to the much bigger circuits. However, Chapman and Duckett were fast learners and did become well used to the British venues. The meeting saw lots of falls in the Scottish Silver Helmet event. According to the Daily Record, this also produced the best racing. The second semi-final of the Silver Helmet proved the most thrilling encounter of the day when Arthur Moser brought the crowd to their feet by his daredevil riding, just failing to catch the leaders after a hold up due to engine trouble. The Herald said: The race for the Silver Helmet was keenly contested and some excitement caused through a number of nasty spills in both this race and the Glasgow Handicap. One machine had the

16 misfortune to catch fire much to the astonishment of the rider who took some time to grasp what had happened. The Sunday Mail report on the meeting described the track as a shade light, which they considered to be the cause of frequent falls until the riders got used to it. This paper also commented on Arthur Moser saying he roared round the bends in wild style but to no avail. By a shade light they probably mean slightly slick or not so deep. Riders in these days needed the depth of cinders to hold the machine up as they powered round the corners. On a shallow surface the bike tended to slide to earth for lack of support. Billy Galloway was also mentioned. In the final (Silver Helmet), the wonderful aberration of Galloway's riding brought the crowd to its feet. The Herald report closed saying: Altogether the meeting was most enjoyable and held the crowd of approximately 15,000 thoroughly interested throughout. Bud Thompson, who fell in Handicap heat 3, was run over by George Pinkerton, but luckily the lad from the North-East of England was unhurt. Stifffy Aston was really Bill Aston and was one of a number of milkmen who have graced the sport. Why Stiffy is not known, maybe he had a somewhat rigid riding style. A least he wasn't nicknmaed after his horse like fellow milkman Nobby Stock. Ht 1: Jim Holder (4), Jimmie Pinkerton (4), [ Arthur Mann (12), Steve Bogie (14), Willie Wilson (14), Ht 2: Billy Galloway (scr), Stiffy Aston (7), [ Jack Reilly (13), Bill Dickie (4), Alex Thorburn (14), Ht 3: Jack Hart (14), Norrie Isbister (4), George Pinkerton (12) (f), Frank Duckett (scr) (f), Bud Thompson (16) (f), Ht 4: Bert Paterson (14), Freddie Hore (1), [ Allan Campbell (4), Ralston Dunlop (10), Bert Paterson (14), Ht 5: Roger May (4), Andy Nicholl (14), [ Andy Marr (4), Tommy York (5), Houston Anderson (14), Ht 6: Willie Durward (14), Arthur Moser (4), [ Jack Chapman (scr), Jimmie McFarlane (12), Billy Llewellyn (14), SF 1: Jimmie Pinkerton, Billy Galloway, Stiffy Aston, Jim Holder (f), SF 2: Jack Hart, Freddie Hore, Bert Paterson, Norrie Isbister (ef), SF 3: Arthur Moser, Roger May, [ Andy Nicholl, Willie Durward, Final: Jack Hart, Arthur Moser, Billy Galloway, Jimmie Pinkerton, Scottish Silver Helmet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Freddie Hore, Tommy York (frm), Andy Marr (f), Jack Chapman (f), Ht 2: Billy Galloway, Norrie Isbister, Bill Dickie, Stiffy Aston, 99.4 Ht 3: Jim Holder, Arthur Moser, [ Frank Duckett, George Pinkerton, Ht 4: Jimmie Pinkerton, Jimmie McFarlane, [ Roger May, Allan Campbell, SF 1: Billy Galloway, Norrie Isbister, [ Freddie Hore, Tommy York, 99.1 SF 2: Jimmie Pinkerton, Jim Holder, [ Arthur Moser, Jimmie McFarlane, Final: Billy Galloway, Jimmie Pinkerton, [ Norrie Isbister, Jim Holder, Match Race (4 laps flying start) Arthur Moser bt Freddie Hore, Lap Record Attempts (Flying start) Freddie Hore, 23.3 Arthur Moser, 24.1 Tuesday 14 May 1929 Crowd: 10,000

17 The Herald told its readers: In spite of the fact that the weather was not at all enticing 10,000 spectators attended the meeting. It then advised that the softness of the track was not conducive to fast racing and several of the competitors, hampered by the rain, had to give up. The Daily Record also commented on the weather noting that Despite the unfavourable weather the White City Speedway was again well patronised. It went on to add: Spills were frequent owing to the treacherous nature of the track but the times returned were about usual. A third newspaper, the News covered this meeting. Despite the inclement weather, close on 10,000 spectators were present. The condition of the track was all against fast racing, while some machines were affected by the water and as a result their riders were unable to stay the course. The dirt-track Douglas was particularly prone to giving up the ghost in the wet and riders sometimes used a sacking type material round the engine to deflect the spray which cost them dearly in lost earnings. The front dirt shield on a Douglas was a gauze or grill which did little to deflect the spray from the front wheel and any rider in front. The competitors who shone were Syd Parsons (Australia) and Jim Holder (England), the pair had a rare duel in the Final of the Glasgow Handicap when Holder shot away to win by forty yards. Jimmie Pinkerton came on the scene to test Parsons. Wheel-to-wheel, they rounded the last bend together ere Parsons crossed the line four yards ahead of his rival. Parsons and Holder met again in the Final of the Gold Armlet. The tables were turned, the Australian getting well away from the start. Holder, in hot pursuit, met with all sorts of trouble; first his engine conked out, then on restarting he was cut out by Harrison (England) and did well to finish third. The Herald was impressed by Parsons and said: A notable newcomer was Syd Parsons of Australia, who proved himself amongst the first flight of exponents of the sport. Ht 1: Jim Holder (3), George Pinkerton (13), [ Drew McQueen (scr), Jimmie McFarlane (8), Ralston Dunlop (14), Ht 2: George McKenzie (scr), Andy Marr (3), [ Billy Galloway (scr), Arthur Mann (3), Willie Wilson (14), Ht 3: Freddie Hore (scr), Jack Hart (8), [ Charles Sanderson (2), Arthur Moser (3), Jack Reilly (13), Ht 4: Roger May (3), Syd Parsons (scr), [ Bill Naismith (8), Willie Durward (14), Bert Paterson (14), Ht 5: Jimmie Pinkerton (3), Alex Scade (11), [ Bob Harrison (scr), Andy Nicholl (14), Bill McFarlane (14), Ht 6: Eric Burnet (scr), Norrie Isbister (3) (nf), Eric Lister (8) (nf), Peter Coia (13) (nf), Steve Bogie (nf), No Time SF 1: Jim Holder, George McKenzie, [ Andy Marr, George Pinkerton, SF 2: Syd Parsons, [ Freddie Hore, Jack Hart, Roger May, SF 3: Jimmie Pinkerton, [ Alex Scade, Eric Burnet, Final: Jim Holder, Syd Parsons, Jimmie Pinkerton, George McKenzie, Scottish Gold Armlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Syd Parsons, George McKenzie, [ Drew McQueen, Roger May, 99.9 Ht 2: Andy Marr, Billy Galloway (nf), Charles Sanderson (nf), Norrie Isbister (nf), Ht 3: Eric Burnet, Freddie Hore, [ Arthur Moser, Bill McFarlane, Ht 4: Jim Holder, Bob Harrison, [ Jimmie Pinkerton, Bill Naismith, SF 1: Syd Parsons, George McKenzie, [ Andy Marr, SF 2: Jim Holder, Bob Harrison, [ Eric Burnet, Freddie Hore, Final: Syd Parsons, Bob Harrison, Jim Holder(ef ret), George McKenzie, Saturday 18 May 1929 Crowd: 23,000 The Sunday Mail carried reports of the Saturday meetings. Their correspondent noted that Galloway was in rampant form and lowered the flying start four laps record. Other points of note recorded by this paper were the fact that Arthur Moser had sustained a broken collarbone in a crash after a hectic slide, and that Jack Chapman had smashed his machine at Southampton the day before and was turning out on

18 a new machine he actually used a sand bike loaned by Jimmie Pinkerton. Jack was in the wars at White City, as he sustained injuries to his face as a result of a crash in the Silver Gauntlet Final. The Mail's sister paper, the Daily Record also carried a short report in the Monday edition. Dirt-track racing at the White City, Ibrox on Saturday reached a very high standard and new records for the track were put up. In the fifth heat of the Glasgow Handicap Norrie Isbister, the Glasgow favourite after a brilliant display, returned 94.8 seconds. The News reported: Saturday's brilliant weather and Billy Galloway's record-breaking performances helped make an afternoon of the best sport that has been seen all season at the White City. Galloway's record of 22.6 seconds cannot be compared with the 23.0 seconds standing to Sprouts Elder. Nor can Norrie Isbister's record for the standing start of 94.8 seconds overshadow the previous best, the track having been reduced by close on 40 yards. Galloway, however, has never ridden better. In his heat he beat Buster Frogley's time of 99.7 seconds by 0.2 second. This did not stand for long as Norrie Isbister returned Galloway was not finished yet. In the Silver Gauntlet race, in which he broke the record standing to (held by) Eric Burnet and Drew McQueen, Edinburgh, he hacked 2.8 seconds off the heat record. Freddie Hore, a brother Australian, and Billy Galloway made attempts on the lap record. Again Billy was the hero, his time being 22.6 seconds against Hore's 23.2 seconds. Norrie Isbister who qualified for the Final of the Glasgow Handicap as the fastest loser had no difficulty in winning the Final. He again showed a return to form as he beat Jimmy Hayes, England in a match race over four laps. An unusual injury was sustained by Ed Bradley who was taken off on a stretcher, his driving chain having broken and given him a nasty smack on the thigh. French mystic Mr Gaston was in town. He displayed his skill in mental telepathy by riding round the obstacle strewn track, covering four laps without mishap. Mr Gaston was a popular interval attraction at a fair number of speedway tracks in Often the local press gave more coverage to Gaston that the actual speedway meeting and a picture of him appeared in the Sunday Post (Post) dodging riders standing on the White City track. The stunt was revived in the the 1990s by one time rider Graham Drury and was very entertaining. Ht 1: Jimmie McFarlane (14), Jack Chapman (scr), [ Stiffy Aston (3), George Pinkerton (12), Jack Reilly (12), Ht 2: Billy Galloway (scr), Jim Holder (3), [ Sandy Smith (11), Arthur Mann (12), Alex Thorburn (16), 99.5* Ht 3: Jimmie Pinkerton (3), Jack White (14), [ Freddie Hore (scr), Alex Scade (11), Tom Shearer (17), Ht 4: Arthur Moser (3), Billy Llewellyn (?), [ Jimmy Hayes (scr), Jack Hart (8), Stewart Fraser (14), Ht 5: Norrie Isbister (3), Eric Lister (8), [ Ed Bradley (3), Bert Paterson (12), Ralston Dunlop (13), 94.8* Ht 6: Roger May (3), Andy Nicholl (14), [ Andy Marr (3), Bill Naismith (8), Willie Durward (12), SF 1: Billy Galloway, Jimmie McFarlane, [ Jack Chapman, Jim Holder, SF 2: Jimmie Pinkerton, Billy Llewellyn, [ Jack White, Arthur Moser, SF 3: Eric Lister, Norrie Isbister, [ Roger May, Andy Nicholl, Final: Norrie Isbister, Jimmie Pinkerton, Billy Galloway, Eric Lister, 89.9 Scottish Silver Gauntlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Billy Galloway, Jack Chapman, [ Andy Marr, Jack Hart, 92.4* Ht 2: Roger May, Jimmie Pinkerton, [ Freddie Hore, Eric Lister, Ht 3: Jimmy Hayes, Bill Naismith, [ Arthur Moser, Jim Holder, Ht 4: Norrie Isbister, Ed Bradley, [ Stiffy Aston, Alex Scade, 98.6 SF 1: Billy Galloway, Jack Chapman, [ Roger May, Jimmie Pinkerton, 92.9 SF 2: Norrie Isbister, Jimmy Hayes, [ Bill Naismith, Ed Bradley, 99.6 Final: Billy Galloway, Norrie Isbister, Jimmy Hayes, Jack Chapman (f), 92.8 Scotland v England Match Race (4 laps flying start) Norrie Isbister bt Jimmy Hayes, 98.4 Lap Record Attempt (Flying start)

19 Billy Galloway, 22.6* Freddie Hore, 23.2 Monday 20 May 1929 Crowd: Not recorded The Bulletin, a sister paper of the Herald, carried a report of this meeting saying: Further evidence of the popularity of dirt-track racing was offered yesterday afternoon when a large holiday crowd was present at White City Speedway, Ibrox and witnessed an attractive programme. Other reports would have you believe the Glasgow speedway fans stayed away from this special holiday meeting as witness the report in the Daily Record. Although the attendance at yesterday's dirt-track meeting at White City Speedway was not up to the usual standard, the sport could not have been bettered. Drew McQueen, Jimmie Pinkerton, Jim Holder and Freddie Hore reached the final stage of the Silver Helmet, which had to be re-run. Hore did not face the starter, being dissatisfied with the declaring void of the first race. McQueen led from the first and won easily. According to the News: Thrills galore were served up at the the holiday meeting... Two finals had to be re-run. In the Final of the handicap event Billy Galloway and Andy Marr came down in order to avoid a collision. In the re-run Bob McGregor, Edinburgh took the premier prize, Andy Marr being runner-up. Roger May, who was fighting out the issue with the winner, had a very nasty spill rounding the last bend. Galloway occupied third place, he also came down. Bob actually came from Killin in Perthshire, as did Jimmy Fraser who was the manager at both White City and Marine Gardens. Both tracks were operated by companies based in Great King Street, Edinburgh. McGregor entered the Final as fastest loser. If the times are accurate, each rider was timed separately as the winner of semi-final one, Billy Galloway was faster than Roger May by a fair few seconds. The report went on: Galloway, holder of the Scottish Silver Helmet, lost his trophy when in the semi-final his engine failed twice. The Final of the event had also to be re-run twice. First Drew McQueen and Jim Holder collided. Freddie Hore and Jimmie Pinkerton were the other finalists, but Hore did not ride in the second attempt which McQueen won easily from the other pair. Holder and Pinkerton having to push their machines the last 50 yards. Arthur Moser did not appear due to his broken collarbone and was reported to be lying in the infirmary. Ht 1: Billy Galloway (scr), Bill Dickie (3), [ NI, 96.9 Ht 2: Norrie Isbister (3), Tom Shearer (8), [ NI, Ht 3: Jimmie Pinkerton (3), Jack Reilly (8), [ NI, Ht 4: Jim Holder (3), Andy Marr (3), [ NI, Ht 5: Roger May (3), Bill Naismith (8), [ NI, Ht 6: Bob McGregor (3), Bert Paterson (12), [ NI, SF 1: Billy Galloway, [ Bill Dickie, Norrie Isbister, Tom Shearer, 98.1 SF 2: Andy Marr, [ Jimmie Pinkerton, Jack Reilly, Jim Holder, SF 3: Roger May, Bob McGregor, [ Bill Naismith, Bert Paterson, Final: Bob McGregor, Andy Marr, Billy Galloway (frem), Roger May (f), 98.6 Scottish Silver Helmet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Billy Galloway, Jimmie Pinkerton, [ NI, 99.8 Ht 2: Drew McQueen, Oliver Goodfellow, [ NI, 98.7 Ht 3: Freddie Hore, Bob McGregor, [ NI, Ht 4: Jim Holder, Andy Marr, [ NI, SF 1: Drew McQueen, Jimmie Pinkerton, Oliver Goodfellow, Billy Galloway (ef), 99.5 SF 2: Jim Holder, Freddie Hore, [ Bob McGregor, Andy Marr, Final: Drew McQueen, Jim Holder (ef, pushed), Jimmie Pinkerton (ef, pushed), Freddie Hore (ns), 97.4 Lap Record Attempt Drew McQueen, Time not known Jimmie Pinkerton, Time not known

20 Tuesday 21 May 1929 Crowd: 17,000 One press reported: The weather was ideal and over 17,000 would be present. The Govan Press, on the other hand, considered that the crowd was as low as 7,000. The Herald observed: Unfortunately, those who anticipated seeing Stewie St.George, the New Zealand wonder who was to have made his first appearance were disappointed. Stewie received an injury while racing in England yesterday, which prevented him taking part in the programme. Jimmie McFarlane was mentioned in the Govan Press. Jimmie McFarlane had it all his own way in the second heat (of the handicap) until he reached the last corner. He was then challenged by Galloway, but a fine burst of speed gained for him the decision by a wheel. It went on: Durward made good use of his 12 second start to win. The tit-bit of this race was the fight for second place. Aston challenged Isbister at the final corner but Norrie held him well and managed to cross the line a wheel in front. In the sixth heat W. McFarlane fell at the end of the third lap when leading. After this Reilly was never challenged. The fans were compensated for the missing Stewie by a local man. Norrie Isbister of local fame was in wonderful form and amazed everyone with his daring riding. By skilful manipulation of his machine he won the Final of the Glasgow Handicap. (Herald) Govan Press's writer noted the race also. The Final was full of excitement. Jimmie Pinkerton held the lead until the beginning of the final lap. At the first corner Parsons and Galloway passed him. Galloway fell entering the final turn and Parsons came down when entering the home stretch leaving Isbister who was following close behind to take first place. The scratch event also raised eyebrows. Much amusement was caused in the second last lap of the Gold Armlet race. Parsons and Galloway were fighting for the leadership when they collided. Both machines caught fire, but the flames were quickly extinguished. The riders were uninjured and able to take part when the race was re-run. Isbister won the trophy and has the honour of being the first Scotsman to win the prize. (Herald) The Daily Record observed that the margin of Norrie's victory was a mere half wheel. In the re-run Billy Galloway used Jimmie Pinkerton's bike. Norrie and Billy had three scraps in this event. In the heat they both battled past Jimmie McFarlane who, for some strange reason seems to have led the race for a couple of laps, and finished almost side by side. In the semi Norrie tailed Billy for almost the full distance but produced a fair burst of speed to pip Billy on the line. The Sunday Mail also considered this to be the best race saying: The Final of the Scottish Gold Armlet had to be re-run owing to Billy Galloway and Syd Parsons crashing in the third lap. Both machines taking fire. In the run-off which produced the race of the evening, Galloway took the lead but Isbister got on level terms and in a thrilling finish got home by half a wheel. The Aussie who would join Edinburgh in 1930, Syd Parsons, was in town. According to the Govan Press he made an attempt on the lap record held by Billy Galloway. In the first lap he succeed in equalling the record of 22.6 seconds. In the second lap he had the misfortune to fall at the home corner when doing so well. But for this I am sure he would have succeed in lowering the record. Ht 1: Syd Parsons (scr), Allan Green (14), [ NI, 95.8 Ht 2: Jimmie McFarlane (8), Billy Galloway (scr), [ NI, Ht 3: Bert Paterson (12), Stewart Fraser (14), [ NI, Ht 4: Willie Durward (12), Norrie Isbister (3), Stiffy Aston (?), [ NI, Ht 5: Eric Lister (8), Andy Marr (3), [ NI, Ht 6: Jack Reilly (12), Jimmie Pinkerton (3), Bill McFarlane (?) (f), [ NI, SF 1: Billy Galloway, Syd Parsons, [ Allan Green, Jimmie McFarlane, 97.6 SF 2: Norrie Isbister, [ Bert Paterson, Stewart Fraser, Willie Durward, SF 3: Jimmie Pinkerton, [ Eric Lister, Andy Marr, Jack Reilly, Final: Norrie Isbister, Jimmie Pinkerton, Syd Parsons (f), Billy Galloway (f), 99.3 Scottish Gold Armlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Syd Parsons, Andy Marr, [ NI, 93.8 Ht 2: Jim Holder, Bill Naismith, [ NI, Ht 3: Billy Galloway, Norrie Isbister, Jimmie McFarlane, [ NI, 96.2

21 Ht 4: Jimmie Pinkerton, Arthur Mann, [ NI, 95.6 SF 1: Syd Parsons, Andy Marr, [ Jim Holder, Bill Naismith, 95.6 SF 2: Norrie Isbister, Billy Galloway, [ Jimmie Pinkerton, Arthur Mann, 95.6 Final: Norrie Isbister, Billy Galloway, Syd Parsons, Andy Marr, 94.5 Match Race (4 laps flying start) Billy Galloway bt Norrie Isbister, 92.8 Lap Record Attempt (Flying start) Syd Parsons, 22.6 Saturday 25 May 1929 Crowd: 21,000 Continued interest in this form of motor cycling was evident on Saturday afternoon when a crowd of at least 21,000 visited the White City grounds, Ibrox, Glasgow. A varied and interesting programme of events was staged, and, judging by the number of ladies present at the meeting, it is obvious that the fair sex derives as much enjoyment from the entertainment as men do. The writer with the eye for the ladies was the scribe from the Herald. Turning to the meeting the writer noted that among those on parade were the new cracks - Alf Chick, Australia and Ray Tauser, America - the latter of whom proved himself to be a very capable rider. The outstanding cinder-sifters, however, were Billy Galloway, Australia and Buster Frogley, England. The Sunday Mail reported: A welcome reappearance was made by Buster Frogley and he had some splendid tussles with Billy Galloway during the meeting. Both men are very popular with the crowd and their daring skidding and cornering was superb to watch. They also noted that: Ray Tauser and Alf Chick also raced and some excellent judgment was shown by Tauser in the second semi-final of the Silver Sash. The News writer noted: Once they become acquainted with the track they should do better. Tauser was not the man's real name. Apparently it was Tauscher, but Johnnie Hoskins decided that it was difficult to pronounce and shortened it to Tauser. Tauser had been in the wars in this meeting. According to the Govan Press: In the second semi-final (of the scratch event), Isbister and Tauser collided at the turn. Both riders were thrown in the air but managed to escape injury. The race was declared void. In the re-run May and Tauser fought it out neckand-neck for the full distance. At the final corner Tauser stepped on it and won by half a length. The Daily Record advised: Chief feature of Saturday's dirt-track meeting...was the brilliant riding of the Australian Billy Galloway, who was in rampant form carrying everything before him. Galloway opened the carnival by knocking 0.6 of a second off the lap record of 22.6 seconds he himself had established last week. The best race of the afternoon was the Final of the Glasgow Handicap which brought together Eric Lister, Buster Frogley, Billy Galloway and Roger May. Lister, who was in receipt of 7 seconds, led for two laps closely followed by Galloway and May. In the third lap Lister crashed and in a desperate finish Galloway just got the better of May. Lister in his fall received a dislocated shoulder. Galloway had an easier journey in the Final of the Silver Sash race of which he is the holder. The winner, who was presented with the trophy by Tommy Lorne, the famous comedian, was given a royal reception. The Govan Press was full of praise for Galloway. Once Billy gets going there is no stopping him. His bursts of speed on the straight followed by a beautiful cut down to the corner, where he keeps the Douglas glued to the white line proves that he has mastered this track. Eric Lister made it to the Handicap Final but unfortunately met with an accident. Rounding one of the bends he had a spill and pluckily remounted and was going round again when he fell off his machine. On being examined by Dr. Isbister (Norrie's brother Jack), it was found that his right shoulder was dislocated. (News) Ht 1: Arthur Mann (12), Andy Marr (5), [ NI, 110.9

22 Ht 2: Eric Lister (7), W. McFarlane (14), [ NI, Ht 3: Roger May (3), Johnnie Walker (12), [ NI, Ht 4: Buster Frogley (scr), Andy Nicholl (12), [ NI, Ht 5: Jack Reilly (12), Bill Naismith (8), [ NI, Ht 6: Billy Galloway (scr), Willie Durward (12), [ NI, 96.8 SF 1: Eric Lister, [ Arthur Mann, Andy Marr, W. McFarlane, SF 2: Buster Frogley, Roger May, [ Johnnie Walker, Andy Nicholl, 98.6 SF 3: Billy Galloway, Jack Reilly, Bill Naismith, Willie Durward, 96.4 Final: Billy Galloway, Roger May, Buster Frogley, Eric Lister (frm,f), 95.6 Scottish Silver Sash (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Billy Galloway, Andy Marr, [ NI, 93.3 Ht 2: Buster Frogley, Jimmie Pinkerton, [ NI, 97.0 Ht 3: Roger May, Alf Chick, [ NI, Ht 4: Norrie Isbister, Ray Tauser, [ NI, 98.0 SF 1: Billy Galloway, Buster Frogley, [ Andy Marr, Jimmie Pinkerton, 93.1 SF 2: Ray Tauser, Roger May, [ Norrie Isbister, Alf Chick, 97.4 Final: Billy Galloway, Buster Frogley, Roger May (nf), Ray Tauser (frm,f), 93.6 Match Race (4 laps flying start) Billy Galloway bt Buster Frogley, 95.5 Lap Record Attempt (Flying start) Billy Galloway, 22.0* Four Lap Record Attempt (Flying start) Billy Galloway, 95.8 Tuesday 28 May 1929 Crowd: 22,000 In a season in Glasgow when many of the meetings were affected by rain, it is odd to report that weather-wise the Herald writer was recording ideal conditions and a track which had benefited from a period of drought. They backed up this observation by saying: There was an early indication of this in the Final of the Glasgow Handicap when Billy Galloway chopped a full second off the record. The Daily Record correspondent was appreciative of the opening events. The Glasgow Handicap was the race of the evening, the crowd being held spell bound by the stern tussle for superiority between Billy Galloway and Drew McQueen. First one, then the other, gained a slight advantage and it was only on the line that Galloway got in front. Billy was in good form and helped by the track, also reduced the record for the flying start event as he was on his way to annexing that prize. It was not a clean sweep for Billy as arch rival, Edinburgh star, Drew McQueen won a match race. This made up in a small way as Drew had finished behind Billy in the Finals of the main events. Drew had been going quite well. In the match race he had to set a new track record to beat the Aussie. In turn Billy had to best Drew's record time to beat him in the Final of the Silver Helmet. Three riders lined up for a crack at the one lap record. None broke the existing record and the Glasgow Evening News observed that Jimmie Pinkerton's lap record attempt was ruined by bad cornering. The Handicap produced a rare double overtake. Wilson held the lead until the final straight was reached. He was overtaken by Durward and Chapman who beat him on the line. Willie was a long handicap man and Willie's handicap, at 12 seconds, was still on the generous side. It is not known if this Willie Wilson was any relation of the more famous Ashfield rider known universally as the Wasp. Willie's Ashfield team manager, Norrie Isbister was involved in this meeting. He featured in a couple of close finishes. In his heat of the Helmet he had a neck and neck race with Jack Chapman but had to

23 admit second best by a margin of about four yards. In the semi-final it was Drew McQueen who was side by side with Norrie for the four laps before Drew gained a verdict by a machine length." Jim Holder crashed into Chapman in the semi final of the Helmet and had to be carried off with an injured shoulder. This injury would trouble him throughout the 1929 season as he damaged his shoulder in a number of his falls. Ht 1: George Pinkerton (14), Norrie Isbister (2), [ Alf Chick (3), Tom Shearer (9), Jack Reilly (12), Ht 2: Willie Durward (12), Jack Chapman (?), Willie Wilson (12), [ Andy Milne (3), Bill Naismith (9), Ht 3: Drew McQueen (scr), Arthur Mann (?), [ Allan Campbell (3), Jack Hart (9), Bill McFarlane (14), 95.1 Ht 4: Billy Galloway (scr), Allan Green (14), [ Jim Holder (3), Sandy Smith (10), Johnny Walker (10), 95.0 Ht 5: Jimmie Pinkerton (3), Steve Bogie (14), [ Bill Dickie (3), Jimmie McFarlane (9), Bert Paterson (13), Ht 6: Andy Marr (3), Houston Anderson (14), (2 riders only) SF 1: Norrie Isbister, Drew McQueen, [ George Pinkerton, NI, SF 2: Jimmie Pinkerton, Billy Galloway, [ Andy Marr, NI, Final: Billy Galloway, Jimmie Pinkerton, Drew McQueen, Norrie Isbister, 93.8* Scottish Silver Helmet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Jim Holder, Drew McQueen, [ Andy Milne, Bill Naismith (ns), 96.4 Ht 2: Jack Chapman, Norrie Isbister, [ Allan Campbell, Jack Reilly, 94.0 Ht 3: Billy Galloway, Alf Chick, [ Bill Dickie, Jack Hart, 93.9 Ht 4: Jimmie Pinkerton, Andy Marr, [ Billy Llewellyn, Tom Shearer, 98.7 SF 1: Drew McQueen, Norrie Isbister, Jack Chapman, Jim Holder (f), 95.8 SF 2: Billy Galloway, Alf Chick, [ Jimmie Pinkerton, Andy Marr, 94.2 Final: Billy Galloway, Drew McQueen, Norrie Isbister, Alf Chick, 90.4* Match Race (4 laps flying start) Drew McQueen bt Billy Galloway, 90.8* Lap Record Attempts (Flying start) Jack Chapman, 22.6 Jimmie Pinkerton, 23.5 Billy Galloway, 22.1 Saturday 1 June 1929 Crowd: 25,000 The weather was the opening topic in the report of the meeting in the Herald. The report stated: The conditions for racing could not have been bettered and it came as no surprise when Billy Galloway won the Glasgow Handicap in great style in 93.1 seconds. This was 0.8 seconds better than the previous record for the four laps standing start which he himself held. Billy completed the double, winning the Scottish Silver Gauntlet, which was presented to him by an American actress, Miss Babe Egan, who, together with her American Redheads, had been appearing at the Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow. The Daily Record's report noted: The first semi-final of the Glasgow Handicap saw Galloway at his best for his opponents took full advantage of their handicaps. In the Final, however, he had an easier journey, for two of his most dangerous rivals - Isbister and Holder - crashed and, after passing Taylor, he crossed the line in the record time of 93.1 seconds. What the Daily Record did not say was that despite the advantage held by Messers Moon, Marr and Moser, Billy still passed them all to win this race. The Silver Gauntlet Final developed into a duel between Galloway and Isbister, the superior broadsiding of the Australian gave him the verdict. Don Taylor, one of those fancied to win this event, fell.

24 The Sunday Mail was full of praise for the wee Australian. Every superlative must be reserved for Billy Galloway who once again won both premier events. Manoeuvring with verve and splendid judgment, he hugged the inside line and once again beat the four laps standing start record. The crowd were deprived of the opportunity of seeing Australian Ned Kelly in action. For some unexplained reason the rider arrived in Glasgow but his machine did not. Yet again, for some unknown reason the rider did not borrow a machine in order to take part in the meeting. Blantyre based Welshman, Billy Llewellyn was in receipt of praise from the Sunday Mail. Billy Llewellyn rode doggedly all afternoon and with a little more practice should figure prominently before long. He attained the semi-final of the Silver Gauntlet but in the Final he fell. The Blantyre crowd would emerge later in the year and it is a pity that their town did not stage speedway until well after these lads hung up their leathers. The Sunday Mail also observed: The match race between Jimmie Pinkerton and Norrie Isbister culminated a duel which had been fought grimly throughout the meeting. Wheel-to-wheel they raced for three laps but, Isbister's gear jumping out, Pinkerton firmly established his lead and refused to be dislodged. The Douglas had a three speed gear box and riders used to run the machines in second gear. Often the riders would take out the cogs for the other gears to lighten the machine, but they retained the old hand shift gear lever and they could jump out of gear. What with flying fly wheels, gear box troubles, electrical problems in the wet, no wonder the Douglas was the favoured machine of its day (?). Ht 1: Arthur Mann (12), Charlie Moon (3), [ NI, Ht 2: Billy Galloway (scr), Andy Marr (3), [ NI, 93.9 Ht 3: Jim Holder (3), George Pinkerton (12), [ NI, Ht 4: Norrie Isbister (3), Andy Nicholl (14), [ NI, Ht 5: Jack Reilly (12), Jimmie Pinkerton (3), [ NI, Ht 6: Don Taylor (3), Jack Hart (8), [ NI, SF 1: Billy Galloway, Arthur Mann, [ Charlie Moon, Andy Marr, 96.7 SF 2: Jim Holder, Norrie Isbister, [ George Pinkerton, Andy Nicholl, SF 3: Don Taylor, Jack Reilly, [ Jimmie Pinkerton, Jack Hart, Final: Billy Galloway, Don Taylor, Norrie Isbister (f), Jim Holder (f), 93.1* Scottish Silver Gauntlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: James Edward, Billy Llewellyn, [ NI, Ht 2: Don Taylor, Jim Holder, [ NI, 97.8 Ht 3: Billy Galloway, George Pinkerton, [ NI, 96.0 Ht 4: Norrie Isbister, Jimmie Pinkerton, [ NI, 95.2 SF 1: Don Taylor, Billy Llewellyn, [ Jim Holder, James Edward, 98.4 SF 2: Billy Galloway, Norrie Isbister, [ George Pinkerton, Jimmie Pinkerton, 95.2 Final: Billy Galloway, Norrie Isbister, Billy Llewellyn (f), Don Taylor (f), 93.2 Match Race (4 laps flying start) Jimmie Pinkerton bt Norrie Isbister, 97.3 Tuesday 4 June 1929 Crowd: 20,000 The News advised that the Handicapper had changed the status quo, but A revision of the Handicaps made no difference to Billy Galloway. Again he copped the double off scratch. They added: Galloway was slower than usual in getting off the mark - all the more exciting and meritorious, therefore was his progress lap after lap. Galloway completed his fourth double inside ten days when he wrested the Gold Armlet from Norrie Isbister who had to be content with second place. This also completed Billy's collection of all the track trophies on offer, which were Gold Armlet, the Silver Helmet, the Silver Sash and the Silver Gauntlet. The record was unique at the time and would be equalled by Colin Stewart in Drew McQueen completed a similar collection at Marine Gardens in 1929.

25 The Daily Record were also impressed with the wee Australian. Billy Galloway was again in a class by himself. He once more carried off both main events in easy fashion. The 18,000 enthusiasts were not slow in showing their appreciation, the victor being given a great reception. The Govan Press considered the highlight of the Handicap to be heat one. Durward led for the first two laps. Early in the third he was passed by Taylor and Parsons who fought out the last two laps neckand-neck. Taylor got the best of it at the home bend and managed to cross the line ten yards in front. The excitement of the evening had to wait until the Final of the Scottish Gold Armlet. According to the Citizen it was the most exciting race of the lot. Galloway was leading at the second lap with the three others in close attendance. Eric Burnet, Edinburgh, had a spill which involved Norrie Isbister, Glasgow, and in trying to round the fallen riders Andy Marr, Glasgow, crashed into the fence. Fortunately no one was seriously injured though Burnet had to retire from the race. In the re-run Galloway was a good winner with Isbister, the holder, second. The Daily Record also reported this event: Norrie was just behind Burnet and made a valiant, but unsuccessful attempt to avoid the fallen rider. Norrie was flung from his machine which, after executing a pas seul came to rest hanging gracefully by one handlebar to the safety fence. Norrie had a cut shin and a sore head and finished the rerun on a tyre less rim. Marr had a cut hand. Heat three of the Armlet had held spectators' interest. According to the Govan Press: Parsons got the best of the start but Burnet passed him at the first corner and steadily increased his lead to win in 95.2 seconds. Parsons retired halfway through the final lap when lying second and Moon crashed at the home bend leaving Llewellyn to finish second. Norrie featured in a match race with Aussie Dick Wise and managed the feat aboard Don Taylor's bike. Ever the crowd pleaser, the Govan Press noted Norrie's exploits in the semi-finals of the Handicap thus: Isbister riding at the corners in this heat had the spectators on their toes as he took them full out. Norrie's efforts only managed to secure him second place as Taylor raced home with a thirty yard margin between them. Ht 1: Don Taylor (3), Syd Parsons (1), [ Bill Naismith (9), Willie Durward (13), Willie Wilson (15), 96.9 Ht 2: Norrie Isbister (4), Jack Hart (9), [ Arthur Mann (13), Teddy Lithgow (15), Dick Wise (1) (f), Ht 3: Andy Marr (4), George Pinkerton (15), [ Billy Llewellyn (10), Johnnie Walker (13), Keith Litchfield (1) (f), Ht 4: Billy Galloway (scr), Jim Holder (4), [ Tom Shearer (10), Andy Nicholl (11), Eddie Reynolds (15), 95.8 Ht 5: Charlie Moon (4), Eric Burnet (1),[ Bert Paterson (15), Ralston Dunlop (15), Sandy Smith (11) (ns), Ht 6: Jack Reilly (13), Steve Bogie (15), [ Sam Reid (3), Jimmie Pinkerton (4), Stewart Fraser (15), SF 1: Don Taylor, Norrie Isbister, [ Syd Parsons, Jack Hart, 98.6 SF 2: Billy Galloway, Andy Marr, [ George Pinkerton, Jim Holder, 94.8 SF 3: Eric Burnet, Charlie Moon, Steve Bogie, Jack Reilly (f), Final: Billy Galloway, Eric Burnet, Don Taylor (nf), Andy Marr (nf), 95.0 Scottish Gold Armlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Norrie Isbister, Andy Marr, [ Sam Reid, Bill Naismith, 96.0 Ht 2: Don Taylor, Dick Wise (ef), [ Jim Holder, Jack Hart, 94.9 Ht 3: Eric Burnet, Billy Llewellyn, Syd Parsons (ef), Charlie Moon (f), 95.2 Ht 4: Billy Galloway, Jimmie Pinkerton [ Keith Litchfield, Andy Nicholl, 91.3 SF 1: Andy Marr, Norrie Isbister (et), Don Taylor (f), Dick Wise (f), 98.8 SF 2: Billy Galloway,Eric Burnet, [ Billy Llewellyn, Jimmie Pinkerton, 92.3 Final: Billy Galloway, Norrie Isbister, Andy Marr, Eric Burnet (ns), 91.7 Match Race (4 laps flying start) Norrie Isbister bt Dick Wise, 97.8 Saturday 8 June 1929 Crowd: 20,000

26 A great deal of surprise was expressed by the Herald columnist that Jack Reilly had beaten Billy Galloway in the opening heat of the Glasgow Handicap. Jack had had a 14 second start over Billy, and, after all, with second place in his pocket, there was no real need for him to burst a blood vessel to better that position. The Sunday Mail correspondent was also impressed: The first event of the day was a real scorcher. Reilly led all the way and refused to be dislodged although Milne, Galloway and Dunlop sat on his tail. Suffice to say the semi-final was Jack's undoing and Billy overhauled him to progress to the Final. Jack took a fall in this event and had to receive some attention from the track medical staff, which included Norrie Isbister's brother who was the track doctor. The Daily Record considered the crowd to be about 18,000 and they saw Billy Galloway successfully defend his title as holder of the Scottish Silver Helmet. In the Glasgow Handicap, however, he had to be content with third place to two local riders in Andy Marr and Jimmie Pinkerton. The second heat of the Handicap event provided the finest race of the afternoon. Jack Hart took the initial lead in the first lap, closely followed by Charlie Moon and Dicky Wise, Australia, the back marker. The latter caught his field rounding the home bend but Hart came again, just getting home on the line with the rest of the trio less than six feet behind. The second semi-final of the Handicap provided excitement for fans as Andy Marr narrowly held on to win this race. According to the press report, 9 inches separated the riders after a race which had seen them spin round together in very close proximity. Suffice to say it was close, but such degree of precision is, it is suspected, journalistic licence. The Sunday Mail commented on the Handicap Final: Durward, Galloway, Marr and Pinkerton skidded round together at amazing speed with flame-belching exhausts and screaming engines. At long last Marr seemed to find the precious winning m.p.h. and although Pinkerton and Durward broadsided first to one side, then the other in an attempt to pass him, Andy grimly maintained his advantage, and won at the useful speed of 98.4 seconds. The Sunday Mail also provided some details of the Scottish Silver Helmet Final: Wise made a really determined effort to lower Galloway's colours and riding flat all the way gave a really wonderful display of dirt-track racing par excellence. The man who was to earn the nickname Hard Luck, Jim Holder, crashed out of the Scottish Silver Helmet event in his heat. He was fortunate to escape serious injury. Buzz Hibberd, the Aussie who had appeared at Celtic Park in 1928, was paying his second visit to White City but he finished out of the prize list. Debutante, Les Dallimore, was, similarly, out of the prize money. The qualifying race event was introduced at this meeting. Its purpose was to establish who from the junior ranks should join the seniors in the Handicap event the following week. Houston Anderson, another rider who had turned out at Celtic Park in 1928 was the winner of the first qualifying heat. Houston lost his life in a flying accident some years later. Glasgow Handicap (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Jack Reilly (14), Billy Galloway (scr), [ Les Dallimore (5), Andy Milne (5), Ralston Dunlop (16), Ht 2: Jack Hart (10), Charlie Moon (5), Dick Wise (2), [ Arthur Mann (14), Stewart Fraser (16), Ht 3: Willie Durward (15), Norrie Isbister (5), [ Keith Litchfield (2), Billy Llewellyn (12), Willie Wilson (16), Ht 4: Jimmie Pinkerton( 5), George Parker (16), [ Buzz Hibberd (2), Bill Naismith (12), George Pinkerton (16), 97.7 Ht 5: Jim Holder (5), Andy Marr (5), [ Andy Nicholl (10), Johnnie Walker (16), Steve Bogie (16), SF 1: Willie Durward, Billy Galloway, [ Jack Reilly (F), Jack Hart, Charlie Moon, SF 2: Andy Marr, Jimmie Pinkerton, [ Norrie Isbister, George Parker, Jim Holder, 99.9 Final: Andy Marr, Jimmie Pinkerton, Billy Galloway, Willie Durward, 98.4 Qualifying Race (4 laps standing start) Houston Anderson, Alex Thorburn, [ Teddy Lithgow, James Dunlop, Eddie Reynolds, Scottish Silver Helmet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Billy Galloway, Dick Wise, [ Andy Marr, Jack Hart, 92.8 Ht 2: Andy Milne, Bill Naismith, Keith Litchfield, Jim Holder (f), 97.7 Ht 3: Norrie Isbister, Charlie Moon, [ Buzz Hibberd, Jack Reilly, 98.4 Ht 4: Jimmie Pinkerton, Andy Nicholl, [ Les Dallimore, Bill Llewellyn, 98.2

27 SF 1: Billy Galloway, Dick Wise, [ Andy Milne, Bill Naismith, 92.6 SF 2: Norrie Isbister, Charlie Moon, [ Jimmie Pinkerton, Andy Nicholl, 93.2 Final: Billy Galloway, Norrie Isbister, [ Dick Wise, Charlie Moon, 91.6 Match Race (4 laps flying start) Charlie Moon bt Jimmie Pinkerton, Lap Record Attempts Not recorded Tuesday 11 June 1929 Crowd: 27,000 The Citizen carried a report which said: Breath-catching is the only word that could possibly describe the White City racing last night. Event after event was full of the purposeful roar of the man who is out to win and the last race was ever more peppy than the first. Of course with a programme of stars like Galloway, McQueen and the inimitable Sprouts Elder one looks for ginger, and one got it. The report added: But the gratifying result was the premier of the Glasgow Handicap for Andy Nicholl on a brand new machine. Andy nearly had a nasty accident when his front tyre burst at speed; poor Jim Holder got the worst of it when he crashed into the fallen machine and got mixed up with his own. Unfortunately for Andy, his new bike was well bent after this event. Sprouts Elder confirmed his value in appearance money terms as he helped fill the White City Stadium. According to the Herald writer: Increased enthusiasm was evidenced in the dirt-track racing at White City Speedway, Ibrox, last evening, the attendance being 27,000 with hundreds unable to gain admission. The big attraction was the match race between Sprouts Elder, the world's Champion and Billy Galloway who has achieved a particularly warm corner of the hearts of the White City patrons. Much to their delight Galloway proved successful. Another press report, this time from the Evening Times, gave details of the match races. The match race between Sprouts Elder, USA and Billy Galloway, Australia ended in a rather easy win for the popular Australian. The promise of the first heat which ended in a track record time of 88.4 seconds was not fulfilled. In the second heat both riders rode borrowed machines. Elder, owing to a mechanical breakdown, was forced to retire before he had completed the first lap, but Galloway carried on to win the heat and the match. The Citizen writer detailed the match race as follows: From the start, Billy and Sprouts slammed the taps wide open but Billy managed to open them just a little more to take the lead. And he kept it - the contrast in styles was a treat to watch. The Aussie trimmed the grass border all the way never giving anything away to Sprouts' smashing acceleration and the motors just managed to stand it for four laps of it. Galloway won in 88.4 seconds - a new record for the track. Both machines were hors de combat - for the rest of the meeting. For the record, in the second race Billy used Norrie Isbister's bike and Drew McQueen provided the mount for Sprouts. Later in the evening another special match race was run. This was between Sprouts Elder and Drew McQueen, the Edinburgh rider. The Scot crashed before two laps had been completed, but, in the re-run he secured an early lead and held it to the end to win. In between time, Sprouts had gone through the Scottish Silver Gauntlet card unbeaten to pick up the main prize. This he added to his second place cash from the Handicap. The News reported that there a number of spills during the evening. Charlie Moon was thrown from his machine, which continued on its own for some distance. A.D. Cattell (England) and Arthur Mann collided rounding one of the bends. Ht 1: Billy Galloway (scr), Andy Milne (5), [ Andy Marr (5), Steve Bogie (16), Houston Anderson (16), 99.6 Ht 2: Drew McQueen (scr), Billy Llewellyn (12), [ Arnie Cattell (5), Arthur Mann (14), Alan Green (16), 97.0

28 Ht 3: Jim Holder (2), Sprouts Elder (scr), [ Norrie Isbister (5), Willie Durward (15), Stewart Fraser (16), 99.5 Ht 4: Jimmie Pinkerton (5), Jack Hart (10), [ Les Dallimore (5), Sam Reid (5), Jack Hart (12), Ht 5: Andy Nicholl (10), Charlie Moon (5), [ Charles Sanderson (5), George Pinkerton (10), Johnny Walker (16), SF 1: Billy Llewellyn, Billy Galloway, [ Andy Milne, Drew McQueen, Jim Holder, SF 2: Andy Nicholl, Sprouts Elder, [ Jimmie Pinkerton, Jack Hart, Charlie Moon, Final: Andy Nicholl, Sprouts Elder, Billy Llewellyn, Billy Galloway, 99.6 Qualifying Race (4 laps standing start) Johnnie Short, Ralston Dunlop, [ Willie Wilson, Eddie Reynolds, Teddy Lithgow, No Time Scottish Silver Gauntlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Charles Sanderson, Jack Hart, [ Billy Galloway, Jimmie Pinkerton, 97.2 Ht 2: Norrie Isbister, Billy Llewellyn, Andy Nicholl (f), Jim Holder (f), 95.1 Ht 3: Arnie Cattell, Andy Marr, [ Charlie Moon, Sam Reid, 98.0 Ht 4: Sprouts Elder, Andy Milne, Les Dallimore, Drew McQueen (f), 93.6 SF 1: Norrie Isbister, Billy Llewellyn, [ Charles Sanderson, Jack Hart, 96.2 SF 2: Sprouts Elder, Arnie Cattell, [ Andy Marr, Andy Milne, 95.5 Final: Sprouts Elder, Norrie Isbister, Arnie Cattell, Billy Llewellyn, 93.5 Match Races (4 laps flying start) Billy Galloway bt Sprouts Elder, 88.4* Billy Galloway bt Sprouts Elder (ef), 91.2 Drew McQueen bt Sprouts Elder, 93.5 Saturday 15 June 1929 Crowd: 23,000 This event was to be Billy Galloway's last meeting in Glasgow before he headed south to race there. Billy spoke to the crowd telling them that he hoped to be back before he returned to Australia in the autumn. (Billy was back by the end of the month.) According to the Citizen: The local lads, particularly Andy Nicholl, had privately determined to make things quite sultry for the departing guest, who promptly showed how easy it is to best records by romping home in the first race to the record time of 92.1 seconds. The very popular English rider Ivor Creek was back in the Second City and the Evening Times noted that he Made a welcome reappearance. It went on to say: Although not yet so popular as Billy Galloway, he is easily the most spectacular rider in Great Britain and is sure to become a great favourite with the Glasgow public. Ivor was to experience bike troubles. Creek was troubled with misfiring in the machinery all the way, and if he had not ridden the bends flat would have been hopelessly left. The Handicap concluded with a fast and exciting race. Galloway crashed without injury in the beginning of the third lap. In the latter part of this lap Roger May was not so fortunate when he also crashed. After receiving attention, however, he was able to walk off the track. The race went to Andy Nicholl, Charlie Moon being a close second. Roger sustained a broken collar bone in this incident. Jim Holder, injured the week previous, was an absentee from this meeting. It was learned that he is now convalescent. The crowd were treated to a match race between Billy Galloway and Drew McQueen, the top men in Scotland at that time. Billy gained the lead at the commencement and though he made great effort, McQueen was unable to make up the leeway and Galloway secured an easy win. Drew and Billy had battled it out all night. The Final of the Silver Sash had been another great encounter between this pair. The Citizen described it thus. Edinburgh's daring ace - Drew McQueen had also managed to withstand the determined chasing of Moon and Nicholl and lined up with Galloway, Isbister and Creek for the honour of receiving the Silver Sash from Mrs Tommy Mulligan. Galloway would have none of it, however. Right from the start he put everything wide open and shaving the grass border all the way in his own inimitable fashion piloted the rest home in the excellent time of 90.4

29 seconds. Despite bike troubles for Creek He and McQueen kept pushing Galloway at a furious pace and eagerly awaited the little opening which Billy never gave. Ht 1: Billy Galloway (scr), Les Dallimore (15), Ralston Dunlop (?) (f), [ NI, 92.1* Ht 2: Bill Naismith (14), Billy Llewellyn (10), [ NI, Ht 3: Andy Nicholl (6), Charlie Moon (4), Houston Anderson (?) (f), [ NI, Ht 4: Jimmie Pinkerton (4), Norrie Isbister (4), [ NI, 99.5 Ht 5: Roger May (4), Willie Wilson (16), [ NI, SF 1: Billy Galloway, Andy Nicholl, [ Les Dallimore, Bill Naismith, Billy Llewellyn, 96.4 SF 2: Roger May, Charlie Moon, [ Jimmie Pinkerton, Norrie Isbister, Willie Wilson, Final: Andy Nicholl, Charlie Moon, Billy Galloway (f), Roger May (f), 99.3 Scottish Silver Sash (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Billy Galloway, Ivor Creek, [ NI, 91.3 Ht 2: Andy Marr, Jack Jackson, [ NI, 99.5 Ht 3: Drew McQueen, Norrie Isbister, [ NI, 92.9 Ht 4: Andy Nicholl, Les Dallimore, [ NI, 92.6 SF 1: Billy Galloway, Ivor Creek, [ Andy Marr, Jack Jackson, 92.7 SF 2: Drew McQueen, Norrie Isbister,Les Dallimore, Andy Nicholl (f), 93.7 Final: Billy Galloway, Drew McQueen, Ivor Creek, Norrie Isbister, 90.4 Match Race (4 laps flying start) Billy Galloway bt Drew McQueen, 89.2 Lap Record Attempts (Flying start) Norrie Isbister, 23.2 Jimmie Pinkerton, Time not known Tuesday 18 June 1929 Crowd: 17,000 The Times carried a report of this meeting which stated that: An excellent programme was carried through before about 17,000 spectators. The Citizen noted: Despite the determined efforts of a Colonial and a formidable array from over the border, Edinburgh lads carried off the premier prizes at White City. However, Glasgow lads had quite a lot to say about this, of course, but notwithstanding splendid efforts by Isbister and Nicholl, Drew McQueen and George McKenzie won the Glasgow Handicap and Scottish Gold Armlet respectively. The Citizen commented on the weather saying: Despite the drizzling rain and poor visibility McQueen and McKenzie kept the crowd on tiptoe by setting a cracking pace in every race they rode - a pace sufficient to pilot everyone home. The Times went on to say: Roger Frogley the well known English rider took the place of Frank Varey who was unable to appear and incidentally broke the lap record of 22.0 seconds previously held by Billy Galloway. His time was 21.6 seconds. The Citizen expanded on this saying: Positively wonderful was the riding of Roger Frogley on a machine which was strange to him. Roger is not accustomed to the hefty thump of a single cylinder and twice the motor let him down badly, but these things are easily forgotten in the splendid time he set up for the lap record. The Final of the Glasgow Handicap started with four entrants but at the first bend of the first lap Norrie Isbister fell. A similar fate befell Stewart Fraser, another local rider, the race ending in a duel between two Edinburgh men Drew McQueen and George McKenzie. In the principal event of the evening, the Gold Armlet race - George McKenzie, after an exciting race, won the trophy, Sam Reid, also of Edinburgh, being a close second. The man who would be a star at White City in 1930 was in town. The Citizen said: Colin Stewart (Australia) also put in some useful work with a strange machine and the more he circled the quarter-mile, the more he liked it. His riding at the close of the meeting had so greatly improved that he made McKenzie go all the way round in the Final of the Gold Armlet event.

30 This race contained a magnificent duel between Stewart and McKenzie. The Aussie roared into the lead at the start with McKenzie hot on his heels. McKenzie has virtually nothing to learn about holding the motor to its job but Stewart rode with such splendid dash that he kept the issue in doubt right to the last 20 yards. However, George just managed to receive the chequered flag in the excellent time of 94.9 seconds. George had been a lucky man a bit earlier in the evening. Perhaps the finest bit of riding skill of the whole evening occurred when Moon hit the fence in the second semi-final of the Armlet. His machine riccochetted back on the track right in the path of McKenzie, Marr and Reid. If McKenzie had faltered in his judgment something nasty might have happened but the crowd breathed again as the Edinburgh lad just skimmed past. Ht 1: Drew McQueen (scr), Allan Green (15), [ Charlie Moon (3), Jimmie Pinkerton (3), Billy Llewellyn (10), 91.5 Ht 2: Stewart Fraser (15), Bill Naismith (13), [ Col Stewart (scr), Andy Milne (3), Stewart Fraser (15), Ht 3: George Pinkerton (9), Houston Anderson (15), Roger Frogley (scr) (ef), [ Sid Hylton (3), Ralston Dunlop (12), Ht 4: George McKenzie (scr), Norrie Isbister (3), [ Andy Marr (3), Johnnie Short (15), 98.1 Ht 5: Andy Nicholl (3), Sam Reid (3), [ Les Dallimore (3), Willie Durward (13), Willie Wilson (15), SF 1: Drew McQueen,, Stewart Fraser, [ Allan Green, Bill Naismith, George Pinkerton, 97.9 SF 2: George McKenzie, Norrie Isbister, [ Houston Anderson, Andy Nicholl, Sam Reid, 98.9 Final: Drew McQueen, George McKenzie, Norrie Isbister (frm), Stewart Fraser (f), 96.5 Qualifying Race (4 laps flying start) Houston Anderson, Teddy Lithgow, [ Stewart Fraser, Johnnie Short, Willie Wilson, Scottish Gold Armlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Andy Nicholl, Col Stewart, Les Dallimore, Drew McQueen (f), 98.5 Ht 2: Norrie Isbister, Jack Hart, Roger Frogley (ef), 96.2 Ht 3: George McKenzie, Andy Marr, [ Sid Hylton, George Pinkerton, 98.0 Ht 4: Sam Reid, Charlie Moon, [ Jimmie Pinkerton, Billy Llewellyn, 99.4 SF 1: Andy Nicholl, Col Stewart, [ Norrie Isbister, Jack Hart, 95.1 SF 2: George McKenzie, Sam Reid, Andy Marr, Charlie Moon (f), 99.6 Final: George McKenzie, Col Stewart, Andy Nicholl, Sam Reid (nf), 94.9 Match Race (4 laps flying start) Norrie Isbister bt Sam Reid, 98.9 Lap Record Attempt (Flying start) Roger Frogley, 21.6* Saturday 22 June 1929 Crowd: 21,000 The press had no doubt's about the main attraction on this day in The Herald reporter recorded: The chief attraction at the White City Speedway, Glasgow on Saturday afternoon was the appearance of Miss Eva Askquith who has quickly come to prominence in speedway circles. A native of Yorkshire, Miss Askquith demonstrated that she possesses the requisite nerve for the sport. The Times observed: The appearance of Miss Askquith attracted a big crowd. Long before the time of commencement crowds began to assemble to gain the best vantage points. Prior

31 to the first heat of the Glasgow Handicap being run off Miss Askquith led the Grand Parade of riders. Eva competed in both the main events and in a special match race with Norrie Isbister. The photograph to the left shows her preparing for the off. In the Glasgow Handicap Eva was off 5 seconds and was overhauled by Andy Marr and Eric Lister who had started two seconds after she had done. According to the Times, Eva was replacing Glasgow-based George Parker in this event. In the other event she did a little better. The lady accomplished a wonderful achievement in the second heat of the Scottish Silver Helmet race. Taking the place of Jimmie Pinkerton who was involved in a spill with Jim Holder in a previous race, she registered her first victory in this country in an excellent time of 97.1 seconds which proved the best return of the day with the exception of the Final event of the same race. The Times carries a report of the match race. In a special match race she (Eva) was opposed by Norrie Isbister. Isbister gained an early lead but Eva quickly made up ground and at the end of the first lap was leading the way. She held her lead until the last bend when she had the bad luck to fall. This is the only report which suggests Eva fell. Eva was the only woman to race in Glasgow in the pre-war era. Fay Taylour had raced at Marine Gardens in The Citizen writer was impressed and considered the lads were faced by a formidable competitor. They wrote: There was no suggestion of After you Miss about the races in which she rode and Norrie Isbister had all the taps open wide to pass her in a match race. Arthur Buster Frogley was back. The Citizen said: Buster Frogley made a welcome reappearance at the White City and although he was troubled by an elusive misfire all day, his superlative skill won for him the custody of the Scottish Silver Helmet. The best race of the day was event number 13 which was heat three of the Scottish Silver Helmet. It did not get off to a smooth start as the riders had bike troubles and it never got past the starter on a couple of occasions. However, When at last they started, Isbister turned everything on and rounded the first bend absolutely flat out. Thereafter he kept up a terrific pace that as a result an interesting duel between Moon and George Pinkerton was almost tame in comparison. However, a chain, which had troubled Norrie earlier on, broke once more and the younger Pinkerton received the chequered flag in the useful time of seconds. The Final of the Silver Helmet was a cracker: Buster Frogley set a cracking pace right from the start and emerged from the first bend leading the other three. Nicholl and Lister challenged strongly, however, the Glasgow lad made particularly desperate endeavours to get on terms with the burly leader. He paid the penalty for rashness, however, when he turned it on a shade too early on the west bend and, skidding violently, allowed Buster to sail home a popular winner in 95.1 seconds. Bill Naismith used his original bike to carry him to a win in the Handicap. The Citizen writer stated that he was looking forward to seeing him perform on a real dirt-track bike. Ht 1: Buster Frogley (scr), Alex Thorburn (15), Jim Holder (?) (f), Jimmie Pinkerton (?) (f), [ NI, Ht 2: Andy Nicholl (3), Les Dallimore (3), [ NI, Ht 3: Bill Naismith (13), Willie Durward (13), [ NI, Ht 4: Norrie Isbister (3), Houston Anderson (13), [ NI, Ht 5: Andy Marr (3), Eric Lister (3), Eva Askquith (5), [ NI, SF 1: Andy Nicholl, Bill Naismith, [ Buster Frogley, Alex Thorburn, Les Dallimore, SF 2: Houston Anderson, Eric Lister, [ Norrie Isbister (f), Andy Marr, Willie Durward, Final: Bill Naismith, Eric Lister, Andy Nicholl, Houston Anderson, Scottish Silver Helmet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Buster Frogley, Andy Marr, [ NI, 99.0 Ht 2: Eva Askquith, Billy Llewellyn, [ NI, 97.1 Ht 3: George Pinkerton, Charlie Moon, Norrie Isbister (ef), [ NI, Ht 4: Eric Lister, Andy Nicholl, [ NI, 99.5 SF 1: Buster Frogley, Andy Marr, Billy Llewellyn, Eva Askquith (f), SF 2: Eric Lister, Andy Nicholl, [ George Pinkerton, Charlie Moon, Final: Buster Frogley, Eric Lister, Andy Marr, Andy Nicholl, 95.1 Match Race (4 laps flying start) Norrie Isbister bt Eva Askquith, 99.0

32 Lap Record Attempt (Flying start) Eva Askquith, 24.3 Tuesday 25 June 1929 Crowd: 21,000 The big attraction for the fans of White City was a special scratch race between Scotland and Australia. Two riders from each country competed. This is how the Herald set the scene for a report of the race which was recorded as follows: Ned Kelly, Australia, was leading in the first three laps with Andy Nicholl, Scotland a short distance behind when the former cut across and caught the rear wheel of Nicholl's machine. Both riders came to grief. The match was then a duel between Norrie Isbister, Scotland and Dicky Wise, Australia. It was an exciting finish, Isbister gaining the verdict by only seven yards. The Citizen reported the event thus: After Kelly and Nicholl fell out the struggle devolved upon Isbister and Wise with the odds seemingly all in favour of the Australian. By sheer dare devilling, however, Norrie entered the last bend a length behind Wise and, with the motor fully unbuttoned emerged level. And as one man put it, Norrie won by putting his tongue out. Where at the crowd let loose a breath that had been inside for a full minute. The Citizen also reported on the Handicap. It was won by George Pinkerton. George never wasted a yard on the bends, and turning all on at the precise moment every time round, emerged into the straight at a terrific pace. That is why he won. Buster Frogley was a favourite for this event but he was very unfortunate in having his motor go dead just as he was all set for winning the fourth heat. The best race was considered to be the first semi-final. Anderson who rides a single with a note reminiscent of a Lewis Gun piled up a huge lead at the start and proceeded to lose it all to Hart. In the process Kelly found himself blanketed and could make no headway until Hart passed the other man. Even after hitting the fence Ned did not come off but bored steadily after the leader. On the last bend the Aussie sportingly jeopardised his chance of a second place by easing off behind Anderson while the Glasgow man was wobbling, but Hart had to keep the taps open to lead Kelly home in seconds. Norrie was thrilling his fans in the scratch event. Isbister again raised enthusiasm when in the third heat of the Silver Gauntlet race he beat Ned Kelly, Australia, by inches. In the scratch event Buster was in trouble again. Ill fortune again was Frogley's portion in the Silver Gauntlet series, in his own spectacular style he was leaning the motor over on the east bend when he unaccountably sat down. Buster doesn't usually do these things and he tore after Nicholl and Lister (after re-mounting) at a terrific pace. And he nearly caught Nicholl when the Glasgow lad bought one on the paddock bend. However, Andy just managed to follow Lister in the splendid time of 96.1 seconds. Ned Kelly was, as it might suggest, not the man's real name. He was in fact Les Kelly. His racing name is the namesake of a well known Australian bad guy and was more interesting than plain old Les Kelly. Jim Holder progressed to the semis of the Gauntlet after winning his heat. Jim did this despite a distinct lack of air in his rear tyre. Andy Marr, to his credit, rode in this meeting. In the afternoon he had been the innocent motorcyclist in a crash, when a careless motorist had driven out of a side street into his path. Ht 1: Ned Kelly (scr), James Edward (3), [ Andy Marr (3), Ralston Dunlop (11), Alan Green (15), 98.0 Ht 2: Jack Hart (9), Eddie Reynolds (15), [ Sam Clark (3), Jack Hart (9), Bill Naismith (9), Ht 3: Houston Anderson (13), Dick Wise (scr), [ Norrie Isbister (3), Billy Llewellyn (11), Stewart Fraser (13), Ht 4: Andy Nicholl (3), Jack Howlett (3), [ Willie Durward (13), Teddy Lithgow (15), Buster Frogley (scr) (ef), 99.1 Ht 5: George Pinkerton (9), Eric Lister (3), [ Jim Holder (3), Jimmie McFarlane (11), Steve Bogie (13), SF 1: Jack Hart, Ned Kelly, Houston Anderson, [ James Edward, Eddie Reynolds, SF 2: George Pinkerton, Eric Lister, [ Dick Wise, Andy Nicholl, Jack Howlett, 100.5

33 Final: George Pinkerton, Eric Lister, Jack Hart, Ned Kelly, Qualifying Race (4 laps standing start) Willie Wilson, Pat McLinden, [ Johnnie Short, Robert Louden, Johnston Ashwood, Scottish Silver Gauntlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Eric Lister, Andy Nicholl, Buster Frogley (frm), Jimmy Edwards, 95.1 Ht 2: Dick Wise, Eric Burnet, [ Andy Marr, George Pinkerton, 97.1 Ht 3: Norrie Isbister, Ned Kelly, [ Jack Howlett, Ralston Dunlop, 94.2 Ht 4: Jim Holder, Bill Naismith, [ Sam Clark, Jimmie Pinkerton, SF 1: Eric Lister, Andy Nicholl, [ Dick Wise, Eric Burnet, 95.7 SF 2: Norrie Isbister, Ned Kelly, [ Jim Holder, Bill Naismith, Final: Norrie Isbister, Andy Nicholl, Eric Lister (ef), Ned Kelly (ef), 93.9 Scotland v Australia Special Scratch Race (4 laps flying start) Norrie Isbister, Dick Wise, Andy Nicholl (f), Ned Kelly (f), 95.2 Saturday 29 June 1929 Crowd: 24,000 The writer in the Times was giving news of Stewie St. George's bike building escapades. It seems that what he was intending was to put a Douglas engine into a Harley Davidson frame. The some what odd ball combination would have given a low centre of gravity machine for sure. The same writer was on his soap box and Glasgow-based riders were in the forefront of his tirade. So far Glasgow lacks a real star, one who can ride to within a second of the record that is. Norrie Isbister is inclined to be spasmodic - brilliant one week; almost mediocre the next. Jimmie Pinkerton may ultimately reap the reward of his efforts to emulate Billy Galloway by sticking to the inside edge. Andy Nicholl and Andy Marr are most consistent, but still fall short of record-breaking. None is equal, for instance of Drew McQueen, the Edinburgh Champion. But the Glasgow boys are stickers. Perhaps it would pay them to do as others are doing - pay visits to other tracks and thereby gain experience. The Citizen concentrated on the meeting. An expectant crowd were not disappointed at the White City on Saturday when the high standard of sport we have come to expect at the track was again on tap. Outstanding in the fascination was the special match between Sprouts Elder and Billy Galloway. On the preliminary circuit it was evident that both motors were in perfect tune and on the fall of the white flag, they darted off like hawks. Of course Galloway put himself on the white line and stayed put leaving Elder the difficult job of getting round the outside of him. On the paddock bend Sprouts did it. With the handlebars six inches from the cinders and the tank almost crushing his left thigh, the amazing American went into a perfect broadside and slid into the straight at considerable speed. Thereafter Galloway took Elder's dust all the way and was eventually piloted home in 88.5 seconds - two wonderful efforts. Jim Holder was putting on a show as he chased Elder in the Final of the Silver Sash. Holder in a welcome return to form, trod the loud pedal so effectively that Sprouts had to ride everything flat to finish first. The Sunday Mail majored on the match race: The magnetic personalities of a wonderful Australian and a daring American added several thousands to those who weekly feel the lure of the Ibrox White City cinder track. Both men had given splendid preparation to their machines and startled the spectators with some head shaking riding. The Sunday Mail mentioned the skill shown by Galloway in a difficult situation. Galloway fully demonstrated his masterly control in heat two (of the Handicap) when he passed a fallen rider who had fallen under his front wheel, and pipped Jimmie McFarlane on the finishing line. Thrill followed thrill - the Final of the Handicap was run hard on the heels of the match race. Jim Holder had brilliantly fought his way to the Final and made Sprouts use every horse in his motor to win in 94.9 seconds and wonder of wonders, Galloway fell. However, he managed to finish third. The Silver Sash second semi-final saw Norrie Isbister inflict his second defeat on Sprouts but in the Final Sprouts managed to find a bit more speed and won the trophy.

34 Ht 1: Jim Holder (4), Johnnie Walker (1), [ Norrie Isbister (3), Jack Howlett (4), Arthur Mann (12), 99.2 Ht 2: Billy Galloway (scr), Jimmie McFarlane (12), [ Sam Clark (4), Jack Hart (8), John Bissett (15), 97.0 Ht 3: George Pinkerton (6), Eddie Reynolds (16), [ Dick Wise (1), Willie Durward (13), Andy Marr (4), Ht 4: Jimmie Pinkerton (4), Alex Thorburn (16), [ Maurice Bradshaw (1), Billy Llewellyn (12), Ralston Dunlop (12), Ht 5: Sprouts Elder (scr), Andy Nicholl (4), [ Bill Naismith (9), Sandy Smith (12), Willie Wilson (16), 95.8 SF 1: Jim Holder, Billy Galloway, [ George Pinkerton, Johnnie Walker, Jimmie McFarlane, SF 2: Sprouts Elder, Jimmie Pinkerton, [ Eddie Reynolds, Alex Thorburn, Andy Nicholl, 94.0 Final: Sprouts Elder, Jim Holder, Billy Galloway (frm), Jimmie Pinkerton, 94.9 Qualifying Race (4 laps standing start) James Cook, George Parker, [ Johnnie Short, Bob Loudon, W. Kirkwood, Scottish Silver Sash (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Billy Galloway, George Pinkerton, [ Jack Howlett, Andy Marr, 97.4 Ht 2: Jimmie Pinkerton, Ralston Dunlop, [ Dick Wise, Sam Clark, 96.5 Ht 3: Norrie Isbister, Maurice Bradshaw [ Jimmie McFarlane, Bill Naismith, 96.1 Ht 4: Sprouts Elder, Jim Holder, [ Andy Nicholl, Billy Llewellyn, 92.8 SF 1: Billy Galloway, Ralston Dunlop, [ Jimmie Pinkerton, George Pinkerton, 97.3 SF 2: Norrie Isbister, Sprouts Elder, [ Jim Holder, Maurice Bradshaw, 95.2 Final: Sprouts Elder, Norrie Isbister, [ Billy Galloway, Ralston Dunlop, 92.6 Match Race (4 laps flying start) Sprouts Elder bt Billy Galloway, 88.5 Tuesday 2 July 1929 Crowd: 15,000 A very sporting Glasgow crowd gave the newly crowned 500cc Scottish Champion Drew McQueen a good reception. Drew McQueen received a wonderful ovation from the White City crowd when he came out for his heat of the Glasgow Handicap thus acknowledging his win on Saturday. So reported the News. It went on to say: McQueen proceeded to win his heat with ease but in the semi-final, misfortune in the shape of another rider, literally overtook him and he was thrown. Billy Galloway was out in the same semifinal as Drew. His new Douglas, specially acquired for the Saturday before, gave out on him. The Citizen's scribe reported: The Glasgow Handicap was started at a splendid pace by a tussle between Galloway and McGregor. Cornering in road-racing fashion, McGregor gave the Aussie something to think about for a time, but a couple of yards wide on the paddock bend was all the chance Billy needed to pilot the other home in 94.7 seconds. Jimmie McFarlane was the hero of the rest of the Handicap story. His huge machine had plenty of beef behind its punches and although a spot of eight stroking troubled him in his heat, he rode all the way like a veteran. His victory was a real triumph with a motor that is not built to slide. The toll of four tearing laps was very evident hereabouts. Syd Parsons had some magnificent work brought to naught by what sounded like a rich mixture and McKenzie's daring riding had to compensate for quite a lot of misfiring. Indeed he went the length of the straight on one occasion with only one lung breathing. And in the semi-final a particularly hard broadside fetched his chain off the sprocket and George retired. The West met the East at White City but only in a special match race event. The person from the Glasgow Herald noted: An interesting innovation at White City Speedway, Glasgow... was an Inter-City scratch race in which Drew McQueen, Scottish Open Champion and George McKenzie (Edinburgh) were matched against Norrie Isbister and Andy Nicholl (Glasgow). Isbister jumped into the lead at the first bend and keeping up a hot pace led McQueen for two laps. The Glasgow idol, however, had a burst tyre on the second circuit and had to drop out, leaving McQueen with a clear field. The Champion went on to win by 40 yards from the other Edinburgh representative, McKenzie, with Nicholl half a wheel at the rear.

35 The Scottish Gold Armlet Final brought together the three finalists from the Scottish Championship with Bill Naismith thrown in for good measure. Galloway and Kelly, however, crashed at the first lap, the former slightly injured. McQueen won the re-run from Kelly. Billy Galloway crashed out of the original staging of the Final of the Gold Armlet. While trying to shave past Kelly on the outside Billy had laid the motor over a shade too far and tangled his foot with the chain wrenching some of the ligaments. In the heat, Billy had had to be content with following arch rival McQueen. The Citizen's description is worth repeating: McQueen bored into his work in fine style in the second heat of the Gold Armlet and Galloway could not get past the smell of his Castrol for all his cunning. Ht 1: Billy Galloway (scr), Bob McGregor (3), [ NI, 94.7 Ht 2: Drew McQueen (1), Jimmie McFarlane (12), [ NI, 96.3 Ht 3: Ned Kelly (1), Jim Holder (4), [ NI, Ht 4: Norrie Isbister (3), George Pinkerton (6), [ NI, 98.2 Ht 5: Willie Wilson (15), George McKenzie (1), [ NI, SF 1: Jimmie McFarlane, Ned Kelly, Bob McGregor, Billy Galloway (ef), Drew McQueen (f), SF 2: George Pinkerton, Norrie Isbister, [ Jim Holder, Willie Wilson, George McKenzie (ef), Final: Jimmie McFarlane, Norrie Isbister, Ned Kelly, George Pinkerton, Scottish Gold Armlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: George Pinkerton, Andy Nicholl, [ NI, 94.6 Ht 2: Drew McQueen, Billy Galloway, [ NI, 90.8 Ht 3: Ned Kelly, Jimmie Pinkerton (exc), [ NI, 95.4 Ht 4: Syd Parsons, Bill Naismith, [ NI, 96.9 SF 1: Drew McQueen, Billy Galloway, [ George Pinkerton, Andy Nicholl, 92.7 SF 2: Bill Naismith, Ned Kelly, Syd Parsons, Final: Drew McQueen, Ned Kelly, Bill Naismith, Billy Galloway (ns), 93.7 Glasgow v Edinburgh Scratch Race (4 laps flying start) Drew McQueen, George McKenzie, Andy Nicholl, Norrie Isbister (f), 91.5 Junior Race (4 laps standing start) Ht 1: James Cook, [ NI, Ht 2: Johnnie Short, [ NI, Saturday 6 July 1929 Crowd: 12,000 The Citizen's scribe noted that things did not go to plan: The meeting did not progress too well to begin with. Norrie Isbister was delayed for the want of a wheel and the opening heat had to be shuffled a bit. In addition the Australian ace Frank Duckett had not arrived for the opening events, although his brilliant riding largely atoned for this little delinquency. Jimmie Pinkerton was earning the plaudits of the press as he completed the double at White City. According to the Herald writer Jimmie was the provider of the first taste of excitement in the second heat of the Glasgow handicap when he shot out quickly near the winning line to make it a dead heat with Jack White. The Citizen's writer observed: Things soon settled down, (after the delay) however, and the fourth heat of the Glasgow Handicap was exhilarating. Colin Stewart, Andy Nicholl and the younger Pinkerton had all different ideas about who should be first and although the Australian managed to nip past Nicholl in the third lap, he had to wait until the last six inches before he could persuade George that he was really in earnest. In the first semi-final Isbister had all the fates against him when grimly pursuing the elder Pinkerton. A bit of a tail wag on the east bend lost him a valuable second or two which he almost recovered when a rider who had fallen calmly pushed his machine across the track. A first time broadside saved the situation however but Jimmie got the chequered flag. The second semi was considerably brightened by

36 Arthur Moser. This wonderfully clever rider fights the motor into and out of the most breath-catching positions and his riding is never dull. Mann and Stewart fought out a great duel in this event, the verdict going to the Glasgow lad. The Citizen concluded its report of the Handicap event by describing the Final thus: Jimmie Pinkerton was never seriously troubled in the Final - at least he gave one that impression! However, ginger in plenty was supplied by Stewart and Isbister for three spectacular laps. Stewart's ultra low riding position gives the impression of speed - all of which Colin can use - and he immediately headed home Norrie for second place. Jimmie was the subject of a further comment from the Herald: Pinkerton made a wonderful race in the Final of the Silver Gauntlet race to carry off the trophy for the first time. Jimmie made it through the semi of the Gauntlet despite having to ride the last three laps on a flat tyre. Norrie Isbister, the holder of the trophy made it to the semi but Norrie was disqualified in an earlier race (semi) for cutting the corner and this prevented him from defending the title. Norrie made it up to his fans later in the evening when he shaved 0.1 of a second off the lap record. The writer form the Herald observed: Norrie Isbister put up a wonderful performance by reducing the lap record of 21.6 seconds to 21.5 seconds. Others in the wars were Col Stewart and Frank Duckett. Their claim to the Silver Gauntlet ended with a coming together in the second lap of the second semi-final. Col was the one who took a stretcher ride to the ambulance, then on to the Victoria Infirmary. A Scotland versus Australia four-man race was reduced to half field by fallers, leaving Messers Isbister and Litchfield to fight it out. Norrie gave a beautiful exhibition of cornering on the paddock bend and was heartily cheered for an excellent win for Glasgow. Ht 1: Norrie Isbister (2), Willie Durward (11), [ NI, 99.2 Ht 2: Jack White (16) and Jimmie Pinkerton (4) (Dead-heat), [ NI, 97.9 Ht 3: James Cook (14), Jim Holder (2), [ NI, Ht 4: Col Stewart (scr), George Pinkerton (5), Andy Nicholl (?), [ NI, 95.5 Ht 5: Arthur Moser (3), Arthur Mann (11), [ NI, SF 1: Jimmie Pinkerton, Norrie Isbister, [ Willie Durward, Jack White, James Cook, 96.5 SF 2: Arthur Mann, Col Stewart, [ Arthur Moser, George Pinkerton, Jim Holder, Final: Jimmie Pinkerton, Col Stewart, Norrie Isbister, Arthur Mann, 93.7 Scottish Silver Gauntlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Norrie Isbister, Jimmie Pinkerton, [ NI, 92.6 Ht 2: Jim Holder, Keith Litchfield, [ NI, 97.9 Ht 3: Frank Duckett, Andy Nicholl, [ NI, 96.2 Ht 4: Col Stewart, Arthur Moser, [ NI, 95.5 SF 1: Jim Holder, Jimmie Pinkerton, Keith Litchfield, Norrie Isbister (exc), 96.2 SF 2: Andy Nicholl, Arthur Moser, Col Stewart (f), Frank Duckett (f), No time taken Final: Jimmie Pinkerton, Andy Nicholl, Jim Holder, Arthur Moser (et), 93.5 Junior Race (4 laps standing start) Jack White, [ NI, Glasgow v Australia Match Race (4 laps flying start) Norrie Isbister, Keith Litchfield, Frank Duckett (f), Arthur Moser (f), 92.9 Lap Record Attempt (Flying start) Norrie Isbister, 21.5* Tuesday 9 July 1929 Crowd: 7,000

37 The weather was dull and showery but the performance never lacked interest. This was one newspaper's view of the events at White City the previous night. The dirt-track meeting at the White City last night suffered somewhat from Glasgow's traditional predilection for a July holiday, but the racing lacked nothing in keenness and virility. At very few meetings since Scotland succumbed to the speedway has it been our good fortune to see so many close finishes and determined and unyielding riding. What a joy it was to see the old Pinkerton and Moser duels back again as cheerful as ever! noted the Citizen. The Handicap event started brightly. The Citizen again: Arthur Mann piled up a huge lead in the opening event which Jimmie Pinkerton promptly started to demolish with George McKenzie coming up with a wet sail behind. George bought quite a nice one on the last bend, however, and the other two finished in the order named. Then Arthur Moser took charge of the proceedings. The crowd always brightens visibly thereat and despite a few hair raising episodes Arthur managed to pilot home McQueen and break 100 seconds. The most exciting preliminary to the Final of the Handicap occurred during the first semi-final when Jimmie Pinkerton and Arthur Moser kept the crowd on tiptoe for quite a while. However, Arthur gave McQueen a ghost of a chance to tear after Pinkerton which the Edinburgh man accepted. In the Final McQueen fell. The Silver Helmet event produced a few thrills. Heat four was won by Aussie, Stan Catlett. Norrie Isbister was unfortunate in over-sliding at the second corner, as the Glasgow idol was well set and doing magnificently. The first semi-final was again the star event of this series and Jim Holder confirmed his recent splendid form by sitting on McQueen's tail for four tearing laps. McKenzie's voice contributed a thundering bass to the chorus and what a fearful wobble he came out of proclaimed the sort of rider he is. It is assumed that George was close to a fall but his skill, balance and experience saved him from the wobble becoming a fall. McQueen made no mistake about the Final and although his back wheel wandered a bit on the paddock bend he held on to his lead. Sanderson was always a danger and Drew had always to exercise all his track craft to finish first. Billy Galloway was at the track but not as a rider. His recent injury had not healed but he had a wonderful reception when he hobbled on to the track to present the Helmet. Ht 1: Arthur Mann (13), Jimmie Pinkerton (3), George McKenzie (scr) (f), [ NI, Ht 2: Arthur Moser (4), Drew McQueen (scr), [ NI, 99.3 Ht 3: Billy Llewellyn (12), Andy Nicholl (4), [ NI, Ht 4: Norrie Isbister (3), Jack White (14), [ NI, 97.1 Ht 5: George Pinkerton (7), Willie Durward (13), [ NI, SF 1: Jimmie Pinkerton, Drew McQueen, [ Arthur Moser, Arthur Mann, Billy Llewellyn, 98.3 SF 2: Jack White, Andy Nicholl, [ Norrie Isbister, George Pinkerton, Willie Durward, Final: Jimmie Pinkerton, Andy Nicholl, Jack White, Drew McQueen (f), 95.1 Scottish Silver Helmet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: George Pinkerton, Jim Holder, [ NI, 96.2 Ht 2: Drew McQueen, Arthur Moser, [ NI, 93.5 Ht 3: Andy Nicholl, Dick Wise, [ NI, 95.3 Ht 4: Stan Catlett, Charles Sanderson, Norrie Isbister (f), [ NI, 97.3 SF 1: Drew McQueen, Jim Holder, [ George McKenzie, Arthur Moser, 91.2 SF 2: Charles Sanderson, Dick Wise, [ Stan Catlett, Andy Nicholl, 96.2 Final: Drew McQueen, Charles Sanderson, Dick Wise (f), Jim Holder (f), 94.3 Junior Races (4 laps standing start) Ht 1: John Bissett, James Russell, [ NI, Ht 2: Jack White, James Cook, [ NI, Saturday 13 July 1929 Crowd: Poor

38 The Glasgow Fair holiday period had an detrimental affect on the crowd as lots of Glaswegians left the City. Those who were not there missed what was considered to be an interesting meeting. The Herald sung Jimmie Pinkerton's praises: In a special match race - Scotland v Australia - Jimmie Pinkerton was again the hero. Dick Wise, the Australian, was leading when he came a cropper thus allowing Pinkerton to fill his place. This report probably caused Jimmie to chuckle as all he did was be in the right place at the right time. The Citizen also reported on this event: A match race of any kind can be a soul stirring affair, but when four dour riders refuse to yield an inch to one another then there is fireworks! And that is how the match race Scotland versus Australia worked out at White City on Saturday. From the stampede to the first bend, Dick Wise emerged first - with his hands full of courage and twist grip. Despite the most alarming of wobbles the Australian stuck there with Jimmie Pinkerton playing a cat and mouse game. In the rear Isbister and Kelly fought out a duel of their own and both seemed in imminent danger of blowing up the motor. What they lost on the straights, however, they made up by laying the machine right over on the bends. The fateful east bend, which has been a grave of many bright chances again claimed its toll and Wise was particularly unfortunate to over slide when all set for a clean run on home. Just previously a furious broadside had made both Kelly and Isbister cut out for a couple of seconds - enough to allow the fleet Pinkerton to finish on his own in the excellent time of 92.8 seconds. The report continued: The star event in this series (Handicap) was probably the third heat. White took full advantage of his lead although Holder put his machine into a perfect slide on each corner to catch up. White wrenched his mount round everything to maintain his position and eventually improve it. Wise seemed troubled with a disagreement in the carburettor. The Citizen went on to report on the scratch race event for the Silver Sash. The fourth heat appeared to be all over, with another good win for Jimmie Pinkerton, when an incautious glance over his shoulder on the pit bend made him sit down. When will the boys learn that looking round on the bends looks unsafe and is unsafe? In the second semi-final Holder had just lost a fierce two lap duel with Moser when his tail shot from under him. Hunt, who was coming with a wet sail could not absolutely avoid a crash but after knocking several pieces off with a glancing blow, showed wonderful nerve and machine control by remaining on top of the motor - lying full length. Clearly the track at White City was not what it could be and in a very pointed article published in the Times this day in 1929 Cinder Sifter was speculating about a forthcoming championship event at the Paisley Road West venue. I doubt, however, if the same standard of performance given at Marine Gardens will be repeated in Glasgow. Certainly there will be the very best of talent competing but the condition of the track, I think, is all against them. This fact struck me more after having seen the one in the Capital. This is the only disadvantage to running such an event in the Second City. The White City scores on all other points. But no doubt the Ibrox promoters will have this point seriously considered. The surface appears too soft, with the result that after every race the ground is left badly dented. There are several bad humps, particularly at the corners, which riders experience much difficulty in overcoming. This tends to reduce speed and increase the number of spills. Ht 1: Billy Llewellyn (11), Ned Kelly (scr), Andy Marr (?), [ NI, Ht 2: Jimmie Pinkerton (2), Willie Durward (11), [ NI, 96.6 Ht 3: Jack White (11), Jim Holder (3), Dick Wise (scr) (et),[ NI, Ht 4: George Pinkerton (7), James Cook (11), [ NI, Ht 5: Arthur Moser (4), Maurice Bradshaw (scr), [ NI, SF 1: Jimmie Pinkerton, Billy Llewellyn, [ Ned Kelly, Willie Durward, Jack White, 96.9 SF 2: George Pinkerton, Maurice Bradshaw, Jim Holder (f), Arthur Moser (f), James Cook (nf), 99.6 Final: George Pinkerton, Jimmie Pinkerton, Maurice Bradshaw, Billy Llewellyn, 100.0

39 Scottish Silver Sash (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Andy Nicholl, Ned Kelly, [ George Pinkerton, Walter Trumbell, 92.5 Ht 2: Andy Marr, Jack Hart, [ NI, Ht 3: Jim Holder, Dick Wise, [ NI, 97.3 Ht 4: Arthur Moser, Eddie Hunt, Jimmie Pinkerton (f), [ NI, 97.7 SF 1: Andy Nicholl, Andy Marr, [ Ned Kelly, Jack Hart, 93.6 SF 2: Arthur Moser, Dick Wise, Eddie Hunt, Jim Holder (f), 95.6 Final: Andy Nicholl, Arthur Moser, Dick Wise, Andy Marr (f), 93.9 Junior Race (4 laps standing start) Jim Russell, George Parker, [ NI, Scotland v Australia Match Race (4 laps flying start) Jimmie Pinkerton, Ned Kelly, Norrie Isbister, Dick Wise (f), 92.8 Lap Record Attempts Jimmie Pinkerton, Time not known Norrie Isbister, Time not known Tuesday 16 July 1929 Crowd: Not recorded The press carried reports of a serious crash at White City. The Herald stated: A serious accident marred the proceedings at the White City Speedway, Glasgow last night when two of the leading local riders came into collision in the final of the Gold Armlet race. At the first bend of the last lap Norrie Isbister skidded badly and his machine swung round broadside on to Andy Nicholl who was two close behind to avoid a crash. The impact threw Nicholl over the top of both machines and Isbister was thrown to the ground with both machines coming down on top of him. When the riders were removed from the track on stretchers prior to being removed to Victoria Infirmary, Isbister seemed to be more seriously injured. The press checked with the hospital and reported: On inquiring at the Infirmary later it was learned that Isbister had suffered concussion of the brain while Nicholl was suffering from rib injuries. Both were quite lucky that the injuries were not more serious. Norrie was back racing on the Saturday after his prang, tough as nails these Skye men! Andy Nicholl wasn't back in the results until 3 August. Speedway of the Citizen did not say too much about the prang, commenting: Local lads with long handicaps had a somewhat better innings last night than usual and Durward, Mann and White performed in a manner that will make their future riding interesting. Anderson, riding McFarlane's James had something of a runaway win in the first heat and all of Isbister's daring could not catch him. The two dark horses who were ultimately to take their place among the elect in the Final of the Handicap divided first and second place in heat two. The second semifinal was the kind of race that has Scotland bitten with the speedway craze. Walker started with a big lead and Holder, Nicholl and Moser promptly started in pursuit. Roaring, flaming motors contested every inch and Nicholl just managed to pip Holder on the last bend to receive the flag. Nicholl proved his wonderful form was no fluke by running through the entire field in the Final. The Scottish Gold Armlet started furiously with Moser, Duckett and Holder racing round wheel-towheel for quite a while. One after another they packed up and left Moser to pilot himself home. Before the Final, with its serious crash, A thrilling duel marked the third heat. Chapman and Pinkerton opened all the taps at the beginning and left the condition of the motors to decide the issue in conjunction with the corner work. Pinkerton just managed it. Ht 1: Houston Anderson (11), Billy Llewellyn (11), Norrie Isbister (?), [ NI, Ht 2: Arthur Mann (10), Willie Durward (11), [ NI, Ht 3: Jack White (11), Joe Palastrand (7), [ NI, 108.4

40 Ht 4: Andy Nicholl (2), Johnnie Walker (13), [ NI, 95.1 Ht 5: Arthur Moser (3), Jim Holder (1), [ NI, SF 1: Willie Durward, Arthur Mann, [ Houston Anderson, Billy Llewellyn, Jack White, SF 2: Andy Nicholl,Jim Holder, [ Joe Palastrand, Johnnie Walker, Arthur Moser, 96.8 Final: Andy Nicholl, Arthur Mann, Jim Holder, Willie Durward, 94.0 Scottish Gold Armlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Arthur Moser, Frank Duckett (ef), Jim Holder (ef), [ NI, 92.2 Ht 2:Andy Nicholl, Buzz Hibberd, Joe Palastrand (f), [ NI, 92.9 Ht 3: Jimmie Pinkerton, Jack Chapman, [ NI, 92.3 Ht 4: Norrie Isbister, Walter Trumbell, [ NI, 95.3 SF 1: Andy Nicholl, Arthur Moser, Buzz Hibberd, 93.2 SF 2: Norrie Isbister, Jack Chapman, [ Jimmie Pinkerton, Walter Trumbell, 94.4 Final: Jack Chapman, Arthur Moser, Norrie Isbister (f), Andy Nicholl (f), 92.5 Junior Races (4 laps standing start) James Russell, Bob Loudon, [ NI, Saturday 20 July 1929 Crowd: 9,000 As always the Times report started with a comment about the weather. Glorious weather favoured the meeting...but the attendance was still affected by the absence of holidaymakers, and only about 5,000 were present when the proceedings started. This 4,000 less than the other crowd estimate given in the Glasgow Herald. According to the Herald writer: Racing at White City was marred by a series of accidents almost unprecedented in the annals of the track. There were no serious injuries but the racing suffered and riders whose chances of success seemed remote found themselves easy victors. It is also possible that the changes introduced by the Handicapper also had a hand in the change of status of riders as there was a general reshuffling before this meeting. Notable changes included reductions of one second for Jimmie Pinkerton and Arthur Moser. The comment regarding the injuries appears to be fair, but, the comment about the riders is a little unfair. After all, unpredictability has been an element of speedway for so long and one which is an essential part of the sport. The spills waited until the Final of the Glasgow Handicap according to the scribe, but, he must have missed the others in the heats. Arthur Moser's tyre burst in the second lap and in the third lap Holder broadsided in front of Kelly and the Australian could not avoid a collision. Jack Reilly, the only rider to finish, took seconds to cover the distance. Jim Holder was flung well clear but poor old Ned Kelly had to be helped off the track for attention, but thankfully, he quickly revived. The Times observed that: George Wigfield, from England, the British mile record holder, made his first appearance in Scotland. In the second heat of the Glasgow Handicap George Wigfield started in a fashion becoming to a celebrated visitor and looked like having a cake walk, but spilled in the second lap. Very Hard Luck. Other noteworthy fallers were Jimmie Pinkerton and Arthur Moser, who departed from their machines in the first and second semi-finals of the Gauntlet event respectively. Cinder Sifter considered Arthur to be Singularly unlucky and his face suffered from too close acquaintanceship with the cinders. As the announcer suggested with his white pullover and blackened face, Moser looked a study in black and white. Much to the surprise of many fans, Norrie Isbister has recovered very quickly from his accident on Tuesday we are pleased to notice, and his appearance at the fifth heat (of the Handicap) was cheered. His racing third place suggested there was little loss of nerve. Norrie took part in the Silver Gauntlet but pulled out due to bike trouble. Cinder Sifter was sounding off: The afternoon's racing, on the whole, did not turn out as one would have expected from such a host of talented riders. Was the condition of the track, the carelessness of the riders, or merely a bad day that caused all the mishaps. They also decided to comment on Jimmie Pinkerton's riding style which was worthy of note. He has cultivated a style that gains yards. He seems to throw his machine over before he reaches the bend, and in this way takes the run without breaking, with the consequent help to acceleration. A paying action, but it carries obvious dangers as was found out.

41 Joe Palastrand was advertised as Joe Palastrang, but the former is probably the correct spelling of this rider's name as he was programmed as Joe Palastrand in a 1928 White City, Manchester programme. Ht 1: Jack Reilly (7), Jim Holder (2), Joe Cox (?), [ NI, 98.8 Ht 2: Arthur Mann (8), Joe Palastrand (3), George Wigfield (?) (f), [ NI, Ht 3: Jimmie Pinkerton (1), Ned Kelly (scr), Willie Durward (?), Eddie Hunt (?), 94.6 Ht 4: Arthur Moser (2), Andy Marr (3), [ NI, 97.5 Ht 5: Billy Llewellyn (9), Walter Trumbell (3), Norrie Isbister (?), [ NI, SF 1: Jack Reilly, Jim Holder, [ Arthur Mann, Joe Palastrand, Jimmie Pinkerton, SF 2: Arthur Moser, Ned Kelly, [ Andy Marr, Billy Llewellyn, Walter Trumbell, 95.9 Final: Jack Reilly, Arthur Moser (t), Jim Holder (f), Ned Kelly (f), Scottish Silver Gauntlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Jimmie Pinkerton, Roger May, [ NI, 93.5 Ht 2: Eddie Hunt, Jim Holder, Norrie Isbister (ef), [ NI, Ht 3: Jack Hart, Billy Llewellyn, [ NI, Ht 4: George Wigfield, Arthur Moser, [ NI, 91.9 SF 1: Roger May, Jim Holder, Eddie Hunt, Jimmie Pinkerton (f), 97.4 SF 2: George Wigfield, Billy Llewellyn, Jack Hart, Arthur Moser (f), 94.5 Final: George Wigfield, Jim Holder, [ Roger May, Billy Llewellyn, 95.5 Junior Race (4 laps standing start) Johnnie Short, John Bissett, [ NI, Tuesday 23 July 1929 Crowd: 23,000 That critical scribe of the Times, Cinder Sifter, was voicing his concern after a visit to the pits prior to the meeting on Saturday. He wrote: I was surprised at the discontented feeling that exists between many of the riders and those officials who are in charge of the workings of the meetings. And mark you, I really believe that they have justification. I have on several occasions hinted on matters which I thought ought to be remedied and improved upon and which I knew would be beneficial for all concerned. Matters, however, have been allowed to drift and unless some drastic measures are taken immediately one never knows where it all might end. It is not a matter of one person having a grievance. If it had been so the matter, no doubt, could have been ignored but as I strolled round I learned a big majority were of the same opinion. The great difficulty - and it is not the only one - seems to lie with the judges. At this meeting this bad feeling seems to have ripened when Jimmie Pinkerton viewed matters differently with Ray Tauser, the American. The incident occurred in the third heat of the trophy race. Taking the bend in the first lap, Tauser was immediately in front of Pinkerton when suddenly the back wheel of the American's machine spun underneath that of Pinkerton's. Jimmie fell, the front wheel of his bike swinging round and hitting him on the face. The general opinion was that the judges did not give this incident due consideration. Cinder Sifter went on: Another incident which received much comment occurred later in the programme. The riders had covered the best part of a lap when the No Race signal was given and if there was any retrieving feature in the business it was the amazement of the riders. They looked at one another, at their bikes and then they seemed to understand. But what a waste of energy and petrol! But there has been much inconsistency shown lately by those responsible in this matter and one cannot but agree that it is bound to have a disheartening effect on those competing in races. Whilst Cinder Sifter dealt with the politics, the writer from the Citizen got on with a meeting report. Organisation was brought to a really high pitch at the White City last night and a splendid programme was run off with a minimum of delay or trouble. An average of three and a half minutes per event means pits work of a very good order but in some cases the starting of races could be better. The International match race - Australia, England, America and Glasgow - had excited keen interest and the four riders chosen put up a magnificent show. Jimmie Pinkerton rode probably his finest race on the dirt-tracks to win almost as he pleased in 90.8 seconds which left the spectacular part to be supplied

42 by Tauser and Holder. The English boy was lying last until the final circuit when he went berserk on the east bend and roared into second place - this with a frame that was decidedly out of truth and a chain that refused to stay put. The first Handicap semi-final produced some great racing. The five riders had what was practically a simultaneous start and thirty feet covered them right to the chequered flag, Holder just beating Isbister in a wonderful finish. The second semi-final was almost like a broker's visit from the amount of seizures that took place. Mann, Eldridge and Reilly each tried to seize first position, meantime Hart seized his front forks. Eldridge eventually got in front and Reilly was left in fresh air when he grabbed a handful of throttle and held it longer than Mann. And to finish things, five yards past the post Eldridge seized the motor solid. Isbister rode a magnificent race to win the first half of a splendid double. The Final of the Handicap was his own all the way. Reilly, who was the most promising challenger, was unlucky to overslide on the pit bend. The Trophy race proved another triumph for the popular Norrie, and the events leading up to the final were packed with incident. A few cylinders were only passengers in the second heat and Roger May could not get things balanced at all. Frank Duckett set such a lively pace from the beginning that he had time to limp over the last half lap with half his motor on strike and his time of 97.7 seconds indicates the daring of his preliminary riding. But the joy of the whole meeting was the carefree abandon of Bill Dickie. With a cheery grin never far away, he simply turned the motor loose and put the helm hard over in true Edinburgh fashion. Anyone in Bill's vicinity last night kept the button finger well down the handlebar and in the final he had bad luck to lose a couple of seconds by a hectic slide on the east bend. Riding Jimmie Pinkerton's machine for this event, Dickie extracted most of its noted power and tore after Isbister to make up a lot of lost time. However, Norrie never looked like faltering and completed a specially good night's work by riding the track one handed bearing the trophy aloft. Ht 1: Bill Dickie (1), Jim Holder (2), [ NI, 94.9 Ht 2: Andy Marr (3), Norrie Isbister (1), [ NI, 99.2 Ht 3: Jimmie Pinkerton (1), Arthur Mann (8), [ NI, 93.9 Ht 4: Clarrie Eldridge (1), Jack Hart (6), [ NI, 96.9 Ht 5: Jack Reilly (4), Billy Llewellyn (9), [ NI, 98.8 SF 1: Jim Holder, Norrie Isbister, [ Bill Dickie, Andy Marr, Jimmie Pinkerton, 97.9 SF 2: Clarrie Eldridge, Jack Reilly, Arthur Mann, [ Jack Hart, Billy Llewellyn, 95.1 Final: Norrie Isbister, Clarrie Eldridge (frm), Jim Holder (f), Jack Reilly (f), 94.9 Glasgow Evening News Trophy (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Jack Reilly, Bill Dickie, [ NI, 95.7 Ht 2: Frank Duckett, Arthur Moser, Roger May, [ NI, 97.7 Ht 3: Jim Holder, Ray Tauser, Jimmie Pinkerton (f), [ NI, 97.8 Ht 4: Norrie Isbister, Andy Marr, [ NI, 97.4 SF 1: Bill Dickie, Frank Duckett, [ Jack Reilly, Arthur Moser, 98.9 SF 2: Norrie Isbister, Ray Tauser, [ Jim Holder, Andy Marr, 97.4 Final: Norrie Isbister, Bill Dickie, [ Ray Tauser, Frank Duckett, 92.9 Junior Handicap (4 laps standing start) Ht 1: James Russell (13), Hector Bruce (10), [ NI, Ht 2: John Skelly (14), [ NI, International Match Race (4 laps flying start) Jimmie Pinkerton, Jim Holder, Frank Duckett, Ray Tauser, 90.8 Saturday 27 July 1929

43 Crowd: 4,000 The attendance was again an opening topic in the report filed by the Sunday Mail reporter. The crowd has not yet returned in strength to the speedway, and holidays still cause numbers to be thin at White City. Matters were somewhat slow in warming up yesterday, but when the delayed first heat of the handicap was eventually run (as the fifth item on the programme) thrills arrived in abundance. Mann hung onto his initial lead all the way but a splendid duel was fought between Kelly and May as to whom would challenge the second man - Willie Durward. May stalled off the strongest efforts of the Aussie, and just managed to pip Durward for second place. The third heat was very involved owing to the number of falls. First George Pinkerton had some tremendous slides then Don Taylor spoiled an excellent winning chance by sitting down (falling). Matters were so bad that Bissett managed to eight stroke his way into second place. The fifth heat contained an epidemic of purlers. White lost an excellent chance of going further by staging a wonderful tumble on the east bend, but Holder was pretty well pleased in seconds. The first semi-final eliminated George Wigfield after a glorious attempt to keep the throttle wide open and pass three men on the pit bend. Roger May held on to his pace slightly longer than Pinkerton on the second lap, but, although he obtained the lead thereby, came off on the pit bend. That same bump was Roger's Waterloo, for he managed to find it twice in the later heats and bought it both times. The Final saw the fates turn a kindly face in Jim Holder's direction after a long spell of near things. Mann made excellent use of his starting lead and Holder had to use all his speed and track craft to receive the chequered flag, in the excellent time of 95.5 seconds. The winner was recorded a cordial reception from the spectators. The Scottish Silver Helmet was responsible for a lot of heart-burning among the riders because of poor starting. Pinkerton was badly left in the first heat, and Wigfield was half way round the bend before George had entered it. Riding absolutely flat all the way the mile record holder (Wigfield) kept his lead right to the finish. The fourth heat saw Roger May display some of his best work. He simply streaked away from the starting line and riding everything in the same furious fashion, led everyone home in 95.0 seconds. In the Final, Holder took command of things on the first bend, but Wigfield twisted it all on on the pit bend, and despite a furious challenge by Isbister, won the trophy in 90.9 seconds. The Citizen observed that Purl (ie. fall) in the first event and plain (sailing) in the second seems to be George Wigfield's fate at Glasgow, for both meetings he has attended, his run of luck has been similar. Ht 1: Arthur Mann (7), Roger May (2), Willie Durward (?), Ned Kelly (?), [ NI, Ht 2: George Wigfield (scr), Arthur Moser (?), [ NI, 97.6 Ht 3: George Pinkerton (4), John Bissett (14), Don Taylor (?) (f), [ NI, Ht 4: Jack Reilly (4), Clarrie Eldridge (1), [ NI, Ht 5: Jim Holder (2), Walter Trumbell (3), Jack White (?) (f), [ NI, SF 1: Arthur Mann, Arthur Moser, George Wigfield (f), Roger May (f), George Pinkerton (f), SF 2: Jim Holder, Jack Reilly, [ John Bissett, Clarrie Eldridge, Walter Trumbell, 97.5 Final: Jim Holder, Arthur Mann, Jack Reilly, Arthur Moser, 95.5 Scottish Silver Helmet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: George Wigfield, Clarrie Eldridge, [ George Pinkerton, NI, 91.4 Ht 2: Norrie Isbister, Walter Trumbell, [ NI, 95.2 Ht 3: Jim Holder, Arthur Moser, [ NI, 95.6 Ht 4: Roger May, Andy Marr, [ NI, 95.6 SF 1: George Wigfield, Norrie Isbister, [ Clarrie Eldridge, Walter Trumbell, 90.5 SF 2: Jim Holder, Roger May, [ Arthur Moser, Andy Marr, 93.5 Final: George Wigfield, Norrie Isbister, [ Jim Holder, Roger May, 90.9 Junior Race (4 laps standing start) Johnnie Short, Alex Thorburn, [ NI, Lap Record Attempt (Flying start)

44 Ned Kelly, 22.6 Tuesday 30 July 1929 Crowd: Not recorded According to the Citizen: Every week sees a tremendous improvement in the performance of the White City boys and last night they made the visitors keep their fingers off the button for the full distance. Noticeable in this connection was Jimmie Pinkerton. The fact that he had the two fastest times of the evening - standing start and flying start - speaks volumes for his machine, his determination and his riding ability. The opening event was almost a disaster and eliminated one of the most promising Ibrox lads for the rest of the evening. Eddie Hunt was the first to taste the cinders but Freddie Hore immediately followed suit and blanketed Reilly. The Glasgow lad made a valiant endeavour to pass but got mixed up in the fence and the race was declared void. In the rerun Hunt won comfortably. The first heat of the Handicap resulted in a fall for Jack Reilly but it was not his fault. Freddie Hore was the culprit as he drove Jack wide whilst overtaking him. Jack was carried wide and into the fence or guard fence as it was described in the meeting report. (The words safety fence do not enter the vocabulary of the press men of the day.) Jack was hurt about the face, although not seriously. The Citizen report continued: Buster Frogley did not seem to be his usual confident self last night and it was certainly strange to see the Wembley star taking seconds to do four laps. In the third race Holder was badly left at the start but actually managed to pass Buster and then proceed to demolish the rest of the opposition. The crowd roared with sympathy when the last bend fetched Jim off and allowed Frogley to show Marr home. Jimmie Pinkerton with his 97.7 seconds win in the fifth heat gave an indication of the mood he was in and with a nicely warmed engine proceeded to chip three-tenths of a second from this time in the second semi. One of the old time Pinkerton - Moser duels was a notable feature of the Final and with all the handles very emphatically on both tore into White's starting lead in no half hearted fashion. Jimmie had a little pony up his sleeve, however, and turned it loose in nice time to pilot everyone home. In the scratch event the brothers Pinkerton staged a really splendid double turn and brotherly love was temporarily put on the shelf. In an excess of eagerness, George transgressed on the forbidden ground and although he finished grandly was verboten from second place. The handicap winner reserved nothing in his heat of the scratch event. Right from the first bend he put the motor on its side and with only brief spells of buttoning never looked like being caught. Sporting Wallie Trumbell! He seemed well out of it in the second heat, what time a titanic tussle was being staged for first spot by Frogley and Moser, but when Arthur eventually pipped Buster, Wallie turned the wick right up and ran in to dead heat for second place. In the first semi-final, Trumbell gracefully yielded the place to Frogley who thereupon resumed his little discussion with Moser. Jimmie Pinkerton ploughed a lonely furrow in the lead while the duel in the rear resolved itself into a few gyrations on the pits bend. Arthur's trick of turning a full circle was useful hereabouts but lost him enough distance to enable Buster to finish second. For the third time in the Final Jimmie Pinkerton found the same bump on the pit bend and it was pertinently queried last night as to whether this humplock is his own property now! Buster Frogley bored into a determined lead at the start and was eventually flagged off in 97.5 seconds. Ned Kelly being second. Ht 1: Eddie Hunt (3), Steve Bogie (9), Freddie Hore (?), Jack Reilly (?) (f), Ht 2: Houston Anderson (9), Arthur Moser (1), [ NI, Ht 3: Buster Frogley (scr), Andy Marr (3), Jim Holder (?) (f), [ NI, Ht 4: George Pinkerton (4), Roger May (2), [ NI, Ht 5: Jimmie Pinkerton (1), Jack White (9), [ NI, 97.7 SF 1: Arthur Moser,Eddie Hunt, [Steve Bogie, Houston Anderson, Buster Frogley, SF 2: Jimmie Pinkerton, Jack White, [ Andy Marr, George Pinkerton (exc), Roger May, 97.4 Final: Jimmie Pinkerton, Arthur Moser, Jack White, Eddie Hunt, 97.0 Scottish Silver Sash (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Jimmie Pinkerton, Jack Chapman, George Pinkerton (exc), [ NI, 94.1

45 Ht 2: Arthur Moser, Buster Frogley and Walter Trumbell (Dead-heat), [ NI, 98.3 Ht 3: Jim Holder, Ned Kelly, [ NI, 99.5 Ht 4: Freddie Hore, Les Maguire, [ NI, 99.3 SF 1: Jimmie Pinkerton, Buster Frogley, Jack Chapman, Arthur Moser (f), 94.2 SF 2: Jim Holder, Ned Kelly, [ Freddie Hore, Les Maguire, 99.4 Final: Buster Frogley, Ned Kelly, Jim Holder, Jimmie Pinkerton (f), 97.5 Saturday 3 August 1929 Crowd: Poor If the attendance was poor, according to the Herald writer, the racing was not. The Sunday Mail advised that: Heavy rain rendered the cinders somewhat heavy...and the riders were naturally somewhat chary of opening up on the bends. However, the racing was fast and clever. Not all riders were bothered as Jimmie Pinkerton rose superior to the heavy conditions. Also, according the Sunday Mail, Colin Stewart ignored the sloppy surface and roared into each bend at an impossible speed. Both riders paid for their abandon and crashed. The duel between Colin Stewart and Norrie Isbister in the Glasgow Handicap started the excitement and Jimmie Pinkerton maintained it. Speedway reported on a bit of a melee in the pits prior to the meeting. A regular chapter of accidents preceded the racing...and wherever one looked one saw worried frowns and telegraph boys. First of all a mechanic was trying out Arthur Moser's bike behind the pits when a weak wrist suddenly jumped out of gear and mechanic and motor charged George Pinkerton's machine full bore. Arthur's bike was wrecked at the steering end and George had to borrow a wheel from Jim Holder to carry on. One felt sorry for Moser, however, in that two hours of furious repair work was unavailing and although he managed a very uncomfortable run in the handicap, was unable to ride in the scratch event. The writer in the Times also commented on the attendance saying that it was notably small. However, they had a reason for this state of affairs, the Rangers Sports day at nearby Ibrox Stadium. Cinder-track racing comes round twice weekly, but a Rangers' sports meeting is an annual affair and the crowd went there. The writer from the Times concentrated on the Glasgow Handicap. The second heat of the Glasgow Handicap went off first and Jim Holder maintained his reputation with proverbial luck by coming off at the east bend. Eddie Hunt had an easy victory and then a couple of Glasgow riders qualified for the semis. Then came the first heat, held back because of late riders and the first thrills of the meeting. Colin Stewart was there and Norrie Isbister, and, after a false start the excitement started. Colin Stewart rides really close to the grass. He passed Reilly, neatly dodged Coia, who had fallen, and Isbister and Durward, and came home in a bunch. The Times scribe noted: Jimmie Pinkerton was not to be outdone. With as cute a dodge as Colin Stewart had cut, Jimmie passed his brother, who had the misfortune to fall on the last bend, and a great win was recorded over Billy Llewellyn. The first semi-final was a very quiet affair. Arthur Moser closed his throttle with half a lap to go and taxied to the post in front of Norrie Isbister. Then Jimmie Pinkerton settled to real stuff, heavy broadsides and speedy straight, and returned the fastest time so far of 99.2 seconds. The Final of the Gold Armlet was also considered by the Herald writer to be a thrilling event for the fans. First Frogley spilled and then Norrie Isbister's machine developed mechanical troubles and Andy Marr took the lead to beat George Pinkerton. The juniors were given a mention in the Times. No risks and plenty of calculation. Johnnie Short got his third victory in and George Fletcher put the only touch of attraction into it by hastily remounting after a spill, and almost recording second place. The Sunday Mail writer was concerned about an Aussie visitor. A malign fate seems to pursue Colin Stewart. At the start (of the handicap) a pusher off fetched him off unintentionally and caused the race to be re-run. Collision with a pusher off was always a danger, which, thankfully, did not happen very often. Ht 1: Norrie Isbister (1), Willie Durward (11), Col Stewart (scr), Jack Reilly (?), Peter Coia (?) (f), Ht 2: Eddie Hunt (3), Jack Hart (6), Jim Holder (?) (f), [ NI, Ht 3: Arthur Mann (6), Andy Nicholl (1), [ NI, Ht 4: Jimmie Pinkerton (1), Billy Llewellyn (8), George Pinkerton (?) (f), [ NI,

46 Ht 5: Andy Marr (3), Buster Frogley (scr), [ NI, SF 1: Arthur Mann, Norrie Isbister, [ Willie Durward, Jack Hart, Eddie Hunt, SF 2: Jimmie Pinkerton, Andy Marr, [ Billy Llewellyn, Buster Frogley, Andy Nicholl, 99.2 Final: Arthur Marr, Jimmie Pinkerton, Norrie Isbister, Andy Mann, Scottish Gold Armlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Jimmie Pinkerton, Jack Hart, [ NI, 99.7 Ht 2: Norrie Isbister, George Pinkerton, Col Stewart (f), [ NI, 94.2 Ht 3: Buster Frogley, Walter Trumbell, [ NI, 98.8 Ht 4: Andy Marr, Arthur Mann, [ NI, 98.7 SF 1: Norrie Isbister, George Pinkerton, Jack Hart, Jimmie Pinkerton (f), 97.4 SF 2: Buster Frogley, Andy Marr, [ Arthur Mann, Walter Trumbell, 96.6 Final: Andy Marr, George Pinkerton, Norrie Isbister (ef), Buster Frogley (f), Junior Race (4 laps standing start) Johnnie Short, Robert Barclay, George Fletcher (frm), [ NI, Tuesday 6 August 1929 Rained-off The original line-up for this event was somewhat different from the one which lined up for the restaging despite the comments in the press. The Bulletin and Scots Pictorial stated: Wet weather made racing impossible at the White City Speedway, Glasgow last night. The management and riders considered it was in the interests of the public to postpone the meeting until tomorrow night. The riders attended a show in Glasgow last night and all are staying over until tomorrow. With three riders per heat the riders are listed in heat order. The line-up was to have been :- Jimmie Pinkerton, Drew McQueen and George Pinkerton; George Cumming, Frank Duckett and Freddy Hore; Billy Galloway, Charles Tiger Sanderson and Jack Parker; Roger Frogley, Stan Catlett and Jack Chapman; George Wigfield, Arthur Sherlock and Ivor Creek; Ron Johnson, Dick Wise and Ned Kelly; Jim Kempster, Norrie Isbister and Eric Burnet; Sprouts Elder, Syd Parsons and Jim Holder; Andy Nicholl, Arthur Moser and Frank Arthur. Unfortunately for the fans many of the riders did not stay. Thursday 8 August 1929 Crowd: 25,000 Held over for a couple of days to allow the track to dry out a bit, the writer from the Herald considered: The track looked in perfect order, if perhaps a little wet at the east bend. Jimmie Pinkerton thrilled the spectators right away. A tearing four laps in the first heat gave him an easy victory in a record time 88.3 seconds. Sprouts Elder was the only rider to equal this time. Jimmie did not just have things all his own way, but a good run into the first turn let him best McQueen. Drew gave his bike just a little too much throttle, just a little too early and paid the penalty. Following up his heat win Jimmie gave the fans something to cheer about, as he made it to the final with an easy win over fellow Scots Andy Marr and Edinburgh track man Bill Dickie. George Wigfield outpaced Ned Kelly after his fellow Englishman, Roger Frogley had spilled from his machine. Last, but no means least, Sprouts Elder joined the duo in the three man final thanks to a win over Norrie Isbister and Andy Nicholl. In this semi Isbister rode well for two laps but lost it with a bad skid at the west bend. According to Speedway of the Citizen: Bill Dickie completed a hat-trick of Glasgow wins. Craftily sitting on Keith Litchfield's tail for three and a half laps Bill could not help notice that the Aussie always took the pit bend wide. It was just a case of taking the gift of the Gods in 95.6 seconds. Wigfield and Creek made cinders scatter in heat 5. Creek, riding one of Sprouts Elder's motors, claimed the lion's share of attention for a series of spectacular front wheel slides, but Wigfield simply opened things full out and left things there for 90.9 seconds. The all Australian heat (6) was very unfortunate for Ron Johnson who had to walk half the length of the straight for his flywheel. Riding thereafter on a spare machine he was never able to make both cylinders agree about the firing interval. Notwithstanding this he rode very purple to keep up and most

47 people only spared the occasional glance at Kelly and Wise. Seldom has riding like Ron's been seen in Glasgow and on some occasions he slid as much as 30 yards at a time. The scene was set for Jimmie Pinkerton to be giant-killer, but Sprouts had different ideas. The finalists Pinkerton, Wigfield and Elder supplied a rare race. Elder took a yard lead by the second lap and slowly increased it. The dual between Pinkerton and Wigfield was good until Pinkerton spilled but he remounted to finish in third place. Elder won by 25 yards. According to the Citizen: Sprouts acceleration was terrific and Wigfield tore after him in vain. By this time all three were like Al Jolson, particularly Pinkerton who got filled up to the eyes on the second lap. Yet again Cinder Sifter of the Times had a few words to say about this big event: Those who had never seen dirt-track racing were thrilled at Thursday evening's open championship display. Those who were regular visitors were nearly bored. It must be agreed that, with the exception of two heats, the whole programme never rose above the mediocre, and mark you I don't blame the riders, - far from it - but the track. No racer on a series of bumps and traps like that Ibrox track could do himself justice and many good races were spoiled by falls which would not have occurred on a more favourable speedway. Cinder Sifter then went on to describe the meeting thus: It is perhaps a pity that with the postponement of the meeting so many stars had to return to engagements south of the border. But only perhaps. Our own home riders were as good. They excelled themselves. Andy Marr and Bill Dickie deserve congratulations. And Jimmie Pinkerton! He did just what I expected him to, and proved all I have said about him. He had a fresh track in the first heat, he had heaps of determination, and the record went down to 88.3 seconds. Not another rider could beat it and only by sheer brilliant control in the torn track could Sprouts Elder equal it. There were several riders who disappointed - just an off-day for them I suppose (or was it the track?) - but there were two who had my sympathy. One was Roger Frogley, whose tearing broadside into the guard fence was the most unfortunate incident of the evening. The other was Frank Arthur, the victor of Edinburgh's open, whose rear spindle snapped at the third bend of his heat. What a look of single disgust he threw on his unruly mount. Sprouts' Final win was a great piece of judgment and from the drop of the flag he was the victor leaving George Wigfield and Jimmie Pinkerton to provide the duel for second place which was one of the tit-bits of the evening. What a pity Jimmie came a cropper on the bumps of that east end corner - but that's all in the sport. Two bikes caught fire during this meeting. One belonged to Frank Duckett, the other to Frank Arthur. White City Open Championship ( 100 plus Silver Helmet) (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Jimmie Pinkerton, George Pinkerton, Drew McQueen (f), 88.3* Ht 2: Andy Marr, [ Frank Duckett, Harry Huntly, 93.4 Ht 3: Bill Dickie, Keith Litchfield, Dan Craig, 95.6 Ht 4: Roger Frogley, [ Bud Thompson, Jack Chapman, 90.9 Ht 5: George Wigfield, Ivor Creek, Jack Reilly, 90.7 Ht 6: Ned Kelly, Dick Wise, Ron Johnson, 91.3 Ht 7: Norrie Isbister, [ James Logie, Eric Burnet, 91.3 Ht 8: Sprouts Elder, Jim Holder, Arnie Cattell, 88.3* Ht 9: Andy Nicholl, Arthur Moser, Frank Arthur (ef), 91.5 SF 1: Jimmie Pinkerton, Andy Marr, Bill Dickie, 93.8 SF 2: George Wigfield, Ned Kelly, Roger Frogley (f), 92.2 SF 3: Sprouts Elder, Norrie Isbister, Andy Nicholl (f), 92.2 Final: Sprouts Elder, George Wigfield, Jimmie Pinkerton (frm), 88.8 Saturday 10 August 1929 Crowd: Not recorded According to the Times: Added zest has been given to dirt-track racing by the Championships on Thursday (last), and, considering the counter attractions, there was a remarkably good attendance at White City, Ibrox this afternoon. The drying weather of the past few days had improved the track considerably, and not only was the racing of a more attractive nature, but the times returned were considerably better than of recent meetings. The International Race was won by Jack Ormston. Jack replaced the programmed Frank Duckett because Frank's machine had valve problems.

48 The Sunday Mail covered this meeting, describing it as One of those days when nothing would go right happened at the White City yesterday and although the attendance had slightly improved, the racing was much held up by trouble with machines. The first heat of the Glasgow Handicap promised magnificently. Peter Coia started off at a reckless pace which soon piled up a good lead for him. Nemesis in the form of a tremendous purler overtook him on the pit bend and Jimmie Pinkerton had a clear run home. Heat two provided the classic example of dirt-track riding par excellence when George Wigfield without falter or mistake ran clean through a very good field to win. In the fifth heat Jack Ormston cutely profited by a lot of wide running on the bends by the local lads. He simply waited on each bend for the opening which always came and though shadowed closely by Reilly, led everyone home. In the Final, Reilly simply opened all the speed he had and used it all the way. He never had a falter, though George Pinkerton was unfortunate to get into a couple of fierce slides when disputing the leading position. Reilly won a capital race in 99.7 seconds. The International Race suffered from engine troubles and although postponed twice to allow repairs, eventually Ormston had to come in as a substitute for Duckett making the event Scotland versus England. And the imported rider - Ormston - had a well deserved win. He rode like a demon to take the lead from Pinkerton and thereafter kept the leading position all the way. Jim Holder had a splendid win in the first heat of the Silver Gauntlet. The chief interest was a thrilling duel between Duckett and Reilly as to who should be last. The Glasgow boy fought furiously to the last twenty yards and just snicked home before the Aussie. The Final of the Gauntlet was easily the finest race of the day. Riding at the top of his form, Holder was firmly established in the lead when his motor cut out. Pinkerton and Isbister passed and carried on a hectic tussle for the premier position. Ormston meanwhile was sadly troubled by a spluttering motor and never had a chance to show more of his match race form. Still battling furiously Jimmie Pinkerton led home Norrie Isbister in 93.6 and had to make a few adjustments before he came up for the Gauntlet. Ht 1: Jimmie Pinkerton (scr), Andy Marr (3), Peter Coia (?) (f), [ NI, 96.1 Ht 2: George Wigfield (scr), George Pinkerton (4), [ NI, 93.5 Ht 3: Billy Llewellyn (8), Ron Hieatt (1), [ NI, Ht 4: Jack Ormston (1), Jack Reilly (4), [ NI, 95.0 Ht 5: Norrie Isbister (scr), Reg Heller (1), [ Jack Hart (f), NI, 96.1 SF 1: George Pinkerton, Billy Llewellyn, [ Jimmie Pinkerton, Andy Marr, George Wigfield, 96.9 SF 2: Jack Reilly, Jack Ormston, [ Ron Hieatt, Norrie Isbister, Reg Heller, 96.1 Final: Jack Reilly, George Pinkerton, Jack Ormston (frm), Billy Llewellyn (f), 99.7 Scottish Silver Gauntlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Jim Holder, George Pinkerton, Jack Reilly, Frank Duckett (ef), 94.2 Ht 2: Norrie Isbister, Bert Fairweather, [ NI, 93.4 Ht 3: Jack Ormston, Jimmie Pinkerton, [ Ned Kelly, NI, 91.3 Ht 4: Andy Nicholl, Arthur Moser, [ NI, 92.8 SF 1: Norrie Isbister, Jim Holder, [ George Pinkerton, Bert Fairweather, 94.8 SF 2: Jack Ormston, Jimmie Pinkerton, Andy Nicholl, Arthur Moser (f), 93.4 Final: Jimmie Pinkerton, Norrie Isbister, Jim Holder (ef), Jack Ormston (ef), 93.6 International Scratch Race (4 laps flying start) Jack Ormston, Jimmie Pinkerton, Norrie Isbister, George Wigfield (f), 91.8 Tuesday 13 August 1929 Crowd: Poor According to the columnist of the Herald: Few spectators were present at the White City Speedway last night because of the inclement weather. Heavy rain fell throughout the proceedings which quickly made the track in a sodden condition. The lack of floodlighting was highlighted at this meeting as the article in the Herald also observed: The last two races had to be run in semi darkness.

49 Not even the return of Billy Galloway could draw out the supporters who took their cue from the weather. Speedway of the Citizen considered: Conditions were almost hopeless from a riding point of view...but one could not help admiring the pluck of men who battled round furiously for four laps on one cylinder. If it had not been for Moser's white jersey in the second heat of the Handicap the winner would not have been identified. As it was we saw a white jersey (in patches) pass the post first in seconds. The boys were really sporting about it all and cheerfully suffered a mud bath in every race for the sake of keeping the meeting going. The Times questioned: How many enthusiasts gave up hope of the White City meeting on Tuesday night ever taking place? Certainly there must have been many, considering the few that were scattered over the grounds. (They were afterwards hospitably invited to make themselves comfortable in the stand.) But what a treat that few got. Dirt-track in dry weather means cinders flying, but on Tuesday it was mud splashing. The riders wallowed in it. They shot it over the guard fence, they covered themselves with it until neither colours, numbers nor faces could be distinguished. It was good fun, though not exactly track racing, and what astonished me was the abandon of the riders under such conditions. Vic Huxley was hot stuff and did he not prove it? He simply let himself go and the way he cut corners was amazing. Billy Galloway not to be outdone by his fellow Cornstalk went one better in returning the best time for the evening. And then the light faded! Mud and darkness - what a night! It was fascinating when the dog lights were switched on. They did not help much, those arc lamps focussed on the grass, but we got an idea of the thrills in store when the real illuminations are provided for the ashes (cinder track ). Cinder Sifter concluded his report by saying: Don't stay away next wet night. Bright lights and soft mud make cinder-track racing just great. Speedway vividly paints a picture by saying: In Huxley's heat we had some really healthy exhausts for a lap then the noises gradually faded. Dickie and Pinkerton managed to work up a scrap for a bit (but) the inevitable fate was cutting out (which) soon becalmed them. He went on to describe Vic Huxley's spirited riding: And again Huxley served up excellent stuff in his semi-final. He rode as if the track was bone dry and passed under rider after rider quite calmly. It was really wonderful control that allowed him to return the fastest time of the evening. It was only by keeping the engine going that riders managed to win races. However, they were not necessarily the crowd pleasers. Speedway noted: Arthur Moser simply revelled in the conditions and paddled round in the most cheerful manner possible. Star man Huxley had cruel luck to have his motor cut out on him while riding like a demon in the Handicap Final. After the International Race which again featured bike troubles things became worse. Thereafter conditions became really murky. Riders emerged from the gloom and were identified by familiar characteristic attitudes. The Final of the Armlet gave the fans a memorable finale. But nearly all the disappointments and discomforts were forgotten in a wonderful Final. Galloway rushed away in his own inimitable fashion to be furiously challenged by Isbister. Moser bored along in the rear and when Norrie lost one of his firing strokes, Arthur took up the pursuit of Billy. However, the little Australian never looked like being caught and amid tremendous enthusiasm won the first of the trophies he lost during his absence in seconds. Ht 1: Houston Anderson (8), James Logie (?) (nf), [ NI, Ht 2: Arthur Moser (3), Billy Llewellyn (8), [ NI, Ht 3: Roger Frogley (scr), Arthur Mann (4), [ NI, Ht 4: Billy Galloway (scr), Andy Marr (3), [ NI, Ht 5: Vic Huxley (scr), Bill Dickie (3), [ NI, SF 1: Arthur Moser, Houston Anderson, [ Billy Llewellyn, Roger Frogley, SF 2: Vic Huxley, Arthur Mann, [ Billy Galloway, Andy Marr, Bill Dickie, Final: Arthur Mann, Arthur Moser, Houston Anderson, Vic Huxley (ef), Scottish Gold Armlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Norrie Isbister, Andy Marr, [ NI, 98.9 Ht 2: Roger Frogley, Andy Nicholl, [ NI, Ht 3: Vic Huxley, Arthur Moser, Houston Anderson, [ NI, Ht 4: Billy Galloway, Jimmie Pinkerton, [ NI, 118.1

50 SF 1: Norrie Isbister, Andy Nicholl, [ Roger Frogley, Andy Marr, SF 2: Billy Galloway, Arthur Moser, [ Vic Huxley, Jimmie Pinkerton, Final: Billy Galloway, Arthur Moser, [ Norrie Isbister, Andy Nicholl, International Scratch Race (4 laps flying start) Vic Huxley, Jimmie Pinkerton, Norrie Isbister, Roger Frogley (et), Saturday 17 August 1929 Crowd: 8,000 Wet weather was, yet again, a factor in the White City equation. The writer from the Glasgow Herald noted: After heavy rain during Saturday the track at White City was in surprisingly good condition and the racing was especially attractive. This view was echoed by the report in the Times. The Sunday Mail writer was much more graphic: Thunder growled and rain threatened, but the gods of good weather consented to smile intermittently on yesterday's meeting at White City Speedway. The Sunday Mail went on: Things did not get really wound up until the first heat of the semi-final of the Handicap however. Tut Tut Tut! the five of them were off with Reg Heller leading a furious field into all sorts of mischief. Arthur Moser was compelled to run off the track with a spluttering motor and Norrie Isbister overslid. despite the best endeavours of George Pinkerton, Heller won. Visitors were to the fore, especially Drew McQueen and Reg Heller. In the Glasgow Handicap thrilling heats were followed with a great dual in the Final between Reg Heller, a visiting rider from England, and Drew McQueen of Edinburgh. Heller eventually established a lead and held it to win in 96.9 seconds. The Scottish Silver Sash event provided a rematch for Heller and McQueen.... although McQueen beat his rival in the semi-final, Heller got the better of the Edinburgh rider in the Final to repeat the success of the Glasgow Handicap. Earlier in this event the Sunday Mail writer observed: George Pinkerton made the first heat one of the most spectacular yet seen at Ibrox. For three terrific laps, a good sized tarpaulin would have covered Isbister, Kelly and George. Entering the last lap all three were dead level but from some mysterious source the younger Pinkerton conjured up plenty more knots and simply streaked away to win handsomely. Heller was not considered for the Special Match Race which featured McQueen, Galloway and Jimmie Pinkerton. Some excitement was lost by Pinkerton's fall in the first lap and Galloway's disadvantage of an injured leg protected by steel supports gave McQueen an easy victory. This is the first reference of this era to riders using a brace to give support to an injured limb. This tends to suggest that Billy had made his comeback just a little on the early side, before he had fully recovered. The falls he is recorded as taking probably were made a deal more painful by the braces. The Times reports his first race fall as follows Galloway failed badly in the first race, however, the ground at the last bend playing him tricks. The brace was not Billy's only problem. The Sunday Mail noted: with a weak leg in a sort of splint and a flat tyre the ken speckle (the Scottish for well known) Aussie ran a very good second to Norrie Isbister and brought the crowd to its feet. Down in the junior ranks Johnnie Short's run of three wins was halted by George Fletcher. Johnnie contributed to his own down fall as he parted company with his machine. The interesting item in the article in the Times was the mention of the availability of half-price tickets. Half-price tickets were available, but even with this concession only about 7,000 spectators were present. Another item of interest in the contemporary press was the news that the track shape had been altered prior to this meeting. Cinder Sifter observed: This is a big improvement and should go far in assisting the stars to put up new track records. The track itself looked as if it had undergone a much needed overhauling. Ht 1: Arthur Moser (2), Don Taylor (4), Arthur Mann (?), Billy Galloway (scr) (f), 96.2 Ht 2: George Pinkerton (3), Norrie Isbister (scr), [ NI, Ht 3: Reg Heller (3), Steve Bogie (?), [ NI, 98.0 Ht 4: Jimmie Pinkerton (scr), Houston Anderson (7), [ NI, 97.4 Ht 5: Drew McQueen (scr), Billy Llewellyn (8), [ NI, 93.4 SF 1: Reg Heller, George Pinkerton, Don Taylor, Norrie Isbister, Arthur Moser (ef), 97.2

51 SF 2: Drew McQueen, Houston Anderson, [ Jimmie Pinkerton, Billy Llewellyn, Steve Bogie, 94.4 Final: Reg Heller, Drew McQueen, [ George Pinkerton, Houston Anderson, 96.9 Scottish Silver Sash (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: George Pinkerton, Norrie Isbister, Ned Kelly, [ NI, 94.9 Ht 2: Billy Galloway, Don Taylor, [ NI, 96.3 Ht 3: Drew McQueen, Andy Nicholl, [ NI, 93.2 Ht 4: Reg Heller, Andy Marr, [ NI, 99.2 SF 1: Norrie Isbister, Billy Galloway, [ George Pinkerton, Don Taylor, 98.3 SF 2: Drew McQueen, Reg Heller, [ Andy Nicholl, Andy Marr, 95.6 Final: Reg Heller, Drew McQueen (frm), Norrie Isbister (et), Billy Galloway (f), 99.5 Junior Race (4 laps flying start) George Fletcher, Johnnie Short(f), [ NI, No Time Special Match Race (4 laps flying start) Drew McQueen, Billy Galloway, Jimmie Pinkerton (f), 92.4 Tuesday 20 August 1929 Crowd: 13,000 The Times columnist was enthusiastic about racing under lights. In the Tuesday editions of their paper they advised: The new lighting effect will be introduced tonight, so don't stay away if you want to see something really spectacular. Adding: A worthy lot of competitors will be out to provide excitement. The novelty of racing under floodlights duely arrived in Glasgow and the Herald said: The new lighting effects on the track at White City, Glasgow were put into operation... and from a spectator point of view they were a success. However, just what the Herald writer was saying is not clear. Did he mean that the riders did not like them? We shall never know. The Special Event at this meeting was an all Glasgow match race. A special all Glasgow match race attracted much attention but with Arthur Moser and Andy Nicholl coming to grief in the first lap the race ended an easy win for Jimmie Pinkerton. It is surprising the race was not re-started, as this was a tactic allowed by the rules of racing utilised in The Citizen advised: It was certainly a night out for the Blantyre contingent at the White City last night. But probably their finest work was not so much winning the finals as the magnificent presence of mind of Andy Nicholl in the match race. Jimmie Pinkerton had roared into a determined lead with Isbister, Moser and Nicholl furiously pursuing in that order. Entering the pit bend the positions were unchanged but Moser left his buttoning too late and came down - completely blanketing Nicholl. Like a flash Andy slammed the motor on its side, and, with a desperate broadside, just managed to obviate a nasty crash. The race was not stopped. While an appreciative crowd was still cheering, Nicholl remounted but could not quite catch Isbister who followed Pinkerton home past the post. The Citizen went on: A newcomer to White City made an excellent debut, in the person of Jack Adams of West Ham - deputising for Ray Tauser. In the first heat of the handicap Adams promptly made himself quite at home by running through an excellent field to win. Billy Galloway managed to chip a second from Adams' time in heat two making dirt-track racing look like child's play as he did so. Bill Naismith, riding for the first time since his accident several weeks ago tore into the lead in determined fashion and George Pinkerton had to ride one of his best races to get in front. Colin Stewart was wonderfully spectacular but had too much to do. Naismith was giving nothing away and never gave up hope of overtaking Pinkerton until George received the pistol in 98.2 seconds. However, positions were reversed in the second semi-final. Naismith clung grimly to his starting lead and led everyone else home. The younger Pinkerton was unfortunate to overslide in this event - brother Jimmie might have got in if he hadn't swerved to avoid him - but Naismith never looked like being caught. The scratch event produced some thrills for the fans. Yet again the Citizen said: Col Stewart and Jim Holder now came into the picture with one of the finest duels of the evening...colin had a spot of tailspin which lost him a lot of distance but promptly rode with more devil than ever and just failed to catch Holder.

52 For heat three the lights were switched on and although Reilly took seconds to win that event, Andy Nicholl took the opportunity to return some of his best times at the White City in the succeeding races. Indeed, the Final was won by him in the fastest time of the evening, the Blantyre contingent were two up. Jimmie Pinkerton was unfortunate to sit down on the top bend thereby baulking Isbister and Holder. A lap record attempt is rarely a source of amusement, but Pinkerton lay down, seemed to like it, and then lay down again. The crowd laughed heartily when Jimmie did some dry land swimming in this position. Ht 1: Jack Adams (scr), Billy Llewellyn (8), [ Arthur Moser (1), Bill Barclay (3), Arthur Mann (3), 94.8 Ht 2: Billy Galloway (scr), Reg Heller (2), [ Andy Nicholl (1), Peter Coia (6), Eddie Reynolds (9), 93.8 Ht 3: Jim Holder (1), Jimmie Pinkerton (scr), [ Andy Marr (3), Jack Hart (6), Sandy Smith (9), 96.9 Ht 4: George Pinkerton (3), Bill Naismith (7), [ Col Stewart (scr), Boyd Pratt (1), Hector Bruce (9), 98.2 Ht 5: Jack Reilly (3), Norrie Isbister (scr), [ Art Warren (2), Houston Anderson (7), Willie Durward (9), 98.0 SF 1: Jim Holder, Jack Adams, [ Billy Galloway, Billy Llewellyn, Reg Heller, 94.8 SF 2: Bill Naismith, George Pinkerton, [ Jack Reilly, Jimmie Pinkerton, Norrie Isbister, 98.9 Final: Bill Naismith, George Pinkerton, Jack Adams, Jim Holder, Scottish Silver Gauntlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Jack Adams, Norrie Isbister, [ Reg Heller, George Pinkerton, 94.8 Ht 2: Jim Holder, Col Stewart, [ Bill Barclay, Andy Marr, 92.9 Ht 3: Jack Reilly, Arthur Moser, [ Billy Galloway, Boyd Pratt, Ht 4: Jimmie Pinkerton, Andy Nicholl, [ Art Warren, Arthur Mann, 93.1 SF 1: Jim Holder, Norrie Isbister, [ Jack Adams, Col Stewart, 94.8 SF 2: Andy Nicholl, Jimmie Pinkerton, [ Jack Reilly, Arthur Moser, 92.3 Final: Andy Nicholl, Norrie Isbister, Jim Holder, Jimmie Pinkerton (f), 91.3 Junior Race (4 laps standing start) Stewart Fraser, [ Alan Green, Bill Barclay, Johnnie Short, George Fletcher, Special All-Glasgow Match Race (4 laps flying start) Jimmie Pinkerton, Norrie Isbister, Andy Nicholl (frm), Arthur Moser (f), 91.8 Lap Record Attempts (Flying start) Billy Galloway, 22.6 Jimmie Pinkerton frm, fell, No Time Saturday 24 August 1929 Crowd: 20,000 The Citizen opened its report by advising its readers that one of the best crowds, with the exception of the Championship, turned out for this meeting and their reward was some excellent racing. The Times carried a picture of Billy Galloway receiving the Gold Armlet in the Monday edition. Unfortunately the trophy is obscured by the lady who was fixing it round Billy's arm. The Sunday Mail was a source of a report of this meeting. It said: Sunshine graced speedway racing at the White City yesterday and in consequence the crowds were happy and times good. By the third heat of the Handicap things were nicely warmed up and Jack Ormston fulfilled all the promises of his previous visits by neatly slipping past everyone on the second lap. Anderson seemed his most dangerous opponent but for some mysterious source Andy Marr bored in and pipped him on the east bend. Then in the fifth heat Sprouts Elder was left at the start. It looked hopeless to make up three quarters of a lap but in a ride that only the Tiger could produce, he caught everyone but Nicholl. On the

53 last bend Sprouts flattened out to an extent he seldom finds necessary but Nicholl was in invincible form. The Citizen reported on the first semi-final thus. It was the sort of race that gives those nearest the safety fence boots full of heart, and when Peter Coia hit the wire an audible gasp almost blew over the loudspeakers. In some unexplained fashion Peter managed to hang on and ricocheted clean across the track and just carried on. Fence bashing was Peter's party piece. In one episode, he told a Sunday Post reporter about a race when he lost half a set of leathers to the fence and yet still continued on! Up at the front, according to the Citizen: Jack Ormston had meanwhile obtained quite a nice lead from Norrie Isbister, but was unlucky enough to find a loose patch on the last bend during the last lap. As Norrie was right on his exhaust, Jack would have been quite excused if he had let the motor lie where it was and bemoan his luck. But in one lightning move he swivelled the bike, made a flying leap and slammed open the throttle and finished first in 97.9 seconds. A wonderful effort. The Sunday Mail report went on: In the second semi-final Sprouts managed to chip another flake from the standing start record and did it in easy-going fashion. In the Final Andy Nicholl won in classic company by sheer riding. Ormston pursued desperately with Sprouts thundering along in the rear but could not catch the local lad. The first chance Sprouts had of challenging the leadership occurred when Ormston caught a nasty wobble on the east bend. The American promptly nipped in but could not catch Andy. According to the Citizen, Sprouts completed his record-breaking semi-final ride and did not see the flag. He went round at full racing speed for a further lap. The Sunday Mail noted: A lot of interest was taken from the big match race by sheer keenness. Try as they would, the riders could not come to the line together and when they were eventually allowed to go Ormston was left and Sprouts had used nearly all his petrol. The result was a fierce duel between Galloway and Pinkerton which the Australian won. Speedway of the Citizen sided with the starter in pulling the riders up on three occasions and agreed with the Sunday Mail writer, that the bad starts were down to the over-keenness of the riders. A few runaway wins in the heats of the Scottish Gold Armlet led up to some sterling work in the Final. After being assured by Norrie Isbister that he would break his neck if he didn't blow up his back tyre, Arthur Moser consented to do so, but Galloway passed him there after on the first lap and Holder managed a similar service on the last bend. Ht 1: Jimmie Pinkerton (1), Peter Coia (7), [ Reg Heller (2), Boyd Pratt (3), Sandy Smith (9), 94.7 Ht 2: Jack Hart (7), Norrie Isbister (1), [ Hilary Buchanan (2), Jack Reilly (3), Hector Bruce (7), Ht 3: Jack Ormston (1), Andy Marr (3), Houston Anderson (?), [ Jim Holder (2), Willie Durward (9), 92.9 Ht 4: Bill Naismith (6), Art Warren (9), [ Billy Galloway (scr), Arthur Moser (2), Arthur Mann (4), Ht 5: Andy Nicholl (2), Sprouts Elder (scr), [ George Pinkerton (3), Billy Llewellyn (8), Eddie Reynolds (9), 93.9 SF 1: Jack Ormston (frm), Norrie Isbister, [ Jimmie Pinkerton, Jack Hart, Peter Coia (ret), 97.9 SF 2: Sprouts Elder, Andy Nicholl, [ Andy Marr, Art Warren, Bill Naismith, 92.0* Final: Andy Nicholl, Sprouts Elder, Jack Ormston, Norrie Isbister, 93.1 Scottish Gold Armlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: George Pinkerton, Jim Holder, [ Norrie Isbister, Hilary Buchanan, 92.8 Ht 2: Billy Galloway, [ Arthur Moser, Jack Reilly, 92.0 Ht 3: Sprouts Elder, Jack Ormston, [ Boyd Pratt, Arthur Mann, 92.4 Ht 4: Andy Nicholl, Art Warren, [ Jimmie Pinkerton, Andy Marr, 92.6 SF 1: Billy Galloway, Jim Holder, Arthur Moser, George Pinkerton, 91.6 SF 2: Sprouts Elder, Jack Ormston, [ Andy Nicholl, Art Warren, 90.5 Final: Billy Galloway, Sprouts Elder, [ Jim Holder, Jack Ormston, 88.5 Junior Race (4 laps flying start) Robert Barclay, [ Fraser Steele, Andrew Ritchie, George Fletcher, Robert Louden, Match Race (4 laps flying start)

54 Billy Galloway, Jimmie Pinkerton, Sprouts Elder (ef), Jack Ormston (ef), 91.3 Tuesday 27 August 1929 Rained-off The rain-off robbed the Glasgow fans of their favourite visitor, Sprouts Elder, and a few more stars besides. Vic Huxley was on the menu as was Hilary Whiskey Buchanan, Jack Ormston and Charles Tiger Sanderson. These were the big names but add to the these visitors the local stars of Billy Galloway, Norrie Isbister, Jim Holder, you have the recipe for a good meeting. The remainder of the bill included Boyd Pratt, Arnie Cattell, Bud Thompson, Charlie Barratt, Reg Heller, Bill Naismith, Andy Nicholl, Peter Coia, Arthur Moser, Jack Hart, Andy Marr, Houston Anderson, Jack Reilly, Sandy Smith, Hector Bruce, Willie Durward and Steve Bogie. What could have happened was academic as it never did. The Bulletin writer noted: Keen disappointment was felt among dirt-track enthusiasts in Glasgow last night. They then went on to say: However, it is only a case of a pleasure being deferred as the management and all the riders, including Sprouts Elder, Vic Huxley and Billy Galloway for the special match race, have agreed to carry on with the proceedings next Tuesday. Saturday 31 August 1929 Crowd: Not recorded The newspapers in Glasgow rarely allow the full field for meetings to be listed. However, the Bulletin had a list of performers for their readers on the day of this meeting. Those who were due to ride but didn't appear in the heat results included:- Boyd Pratt, Jack Hart, Peter Coia, Johnnie Walker, Eddie Reynolds, Sandy Smith, Willie Durward and Willie Wilson. Yet again the weather took a role. The drizzle of rain which fell shortly after the start of the meeting at White City Speedway, Ibrox on Saturday afternoon did not spoil the sport and, considering the condition of the track, the times returned were surprisingly fast. (Glasgow Herald) The Times advised: The rain had fortunately abated before the start of the meeting but the track was in a comparatively sodden condition and the times returned were correspondingly low. The Citizen advised: It was touch and go for a time whether rain was to wash out speedway racing at White City, but herculean efforts by Mr Guthrie and his willing crew just saved the situation. In a brief dry spell before the grand parade, relays of motor lorries dumped loads of cinders and the tractor must have had a spot of tuning to make it lap at the speed it did. According to Billy Galloway they used red ash to cover layers of slushy cinders and it worked for a fair few races before the surface degenerated once more. The local star man Jimmie Pinkerton was missing from the scene and in his absence the role of top local fell on the shoulders of Andy Nicholl who was called upon to provide the competition for the visiting riders and he certainly did so. The Times scribe noted: Racing was keen, however, and although Jimmie Pinkerton, the Glasgow favourite was having a holiday from cycling, an attractive list of riders, including two new visitors from England, (Jack) Riskit Riley and Smoke Robinson, saw to it that thrills were provided in every race. According to the Times: A drizzle of rain marred heat two. In spite of that Andy Nicholl went all out in the third heat, beat Hilary Buchanan, the Australian star, left Smoke Robinson, whose machine was giving trouble, far behind and finished the four laps in five seconds outside the record. Winning his heat in the Glasgow Handicap in 0.5 seconds outside the record time, Nicholl went on to beat Billy Galloway in the semi and again in the Final. The dual between the Australian and Nicholl was carried to the Silver Sash race where in the Final Billy Galloway made a great spurt in the third lap, passed Nicholl and won by 20 yards in (Glasgow Herald) Ned Kelly's antics in the opening heat of the sash event deserved mention in the Times. Kelly (was) doing tricks in the first heat. He swerved smartly to clear a fallen rider, lost considerable ground, yet made up sufficiently to qualify. According to the Citizen: Kelly was allowed to do a late couple of laps for second place. This was heartily cheered by the crowd - the Australian had gone to earth in a desperate broadside to save Buchanan who had collected one under his front wheel. Jack Riskit Riley and Smoke Robinson were based in the Manchester area. Presumably Riskit was prone to taking the odd risk in his races. How the Smoke in that particular rider's name came about is not known. There is no clue as to it either, unless he was a heavy smoker or a fireman?

55 Qualifying Heat: Steve Bogie, Hector Bruce, [ NI, Ht 1: Arthur Moser (2), Billy Galloway (scr), Jack White (?), Jack Reilly (?), 93.5 Ht 2: Andy Marr (4), Jack Adams (scr), [ NI, 99.3 Ht 3: Andy Nicholl (1), Hilary Buchanan (2), Bill Naismith (?), [ Smoke Robinson (?), NI, 92.5 Ht 4: Arthur Mann (5), Reg Heller (3), [ NI, Ht 5: Billy Llewellyn (6), George Pinkerton (3), [ NI, SF 1: Andy Nicholl, Billy Galloway, [ Arthur Moser, Andy Marr, Jack Adams, 94.2 SF 2: Billy Llewellyn, George Pinkerton, Arthur Mann, [ Hilary Buchanan, Reg Heller, 98.2 Final: Andy Nicholl, Billy Galloway, Billy Llewellyn, George Pinkerton, 93.1 Scottish Silver Sash (4 laps flying start) Qualifying Heat: Arthur Mann, Andy Marr, [ NI, 96.1 Ht 1: Andy Nicholl, Ned Kelly, Hilary Buchanan (f), [ NI, 91.4 Ht 2: Arthur Moser, Reg Heller, [ NI, 91.7 Ht 3: Billy Galloway, Andy Marr, [ NI, 92.9 Ht 4: Arthur Mann, Norrie Isbister, [ NI, 97.5 SF 1: Andy Nicholl, Arthur Moser, [ Reg Heller, Ned Kelly, 91.8 SF 2: Billy Galloway, Andy Marr, [ Arthur Mann, Norrie Isbister, 89.6 Final: Billy Galloway, Andy Nicholl, [ Arthur Moser, Andy Marr, 91.1 Junior Race (4 laps standing start) Bob Loudon, [ Johnnie Short, Stewart Fraser, George Parker, Hugh Adamson, Tuesday 3 September 1929 Crowd: 20,000 The crowd had turned up expecting to see their American favourite, Sprouts Elder, but they were to be disappointed. In Sprouts' place they had Harry Whitfield. The drawing power of Sprouts was evidenced by the crowd figure, the biggest for some time, and the fact that it was a wet night. Normally a wet night in Glasgow held the crowd numbers down. Billy Galloway also described the weather conditions in his Daily Record report thus: Tuesday night was the same again (as Saturday) only with mist to add to the interest. The thick air gave the increased lighting and the track became really treacherous. There were one or two bad patches which were hard underneath and slushy on top and when you struck one your back wheel whizzed round and tried to go from underneath you. Still, considering the conditions, I thought the racing was remarkably good. What was considered worthy of note was the crowd at nearby Ibrox Stadium where on that evening Glasgow Rangers were playing Queen's Park, with only 16,000 in attendance. The Herald writer observed: The principal race of the evening was for the White City Open Trophy and 50 in prizes. The Trophy was the original White Horse Distillers Trophy and it was won outright by Billy Galloway. Thrills were not long in coming for in the first heat Andy Nicholl, when holding a commanding lead, lost control of his machine and crashed into the safety fence. Nicholl was not seriously injured. Star visitor, in the absence of Sprouts, was Vic Huxley and though he made it to the semi of the Open with a heat win, he crashed badly and did not make it to the Final. This event was contested by Galloway, Hayman, Ormston and Isbister, and Galloway soon gained a big lead. The race then resolved into a fight for second place and this was won by Hayman. Isbister was injured when he dashed into the safety fence at the last bend. The special match race event, also a win for Billy Galloway, had what must have been four nervous riders as it took five attempts to start. The false starts were commented on by Galloway who wrote: I should think all records for starts were broken in Tuesday's match race. We didn't get away until the fifth attempt so that we had completed four laps before the race started. This sort of thing is heavy on the juice. I think we were all just a little over anxious. When we did start I was kept very busy for a time, Jack Ormston handling a fast bike remarkably well until he came off. It was a wild ride. I reckon for about quarter of each lap we had to keep our eyes shut and I must be doing about 450 blinks per lap to try and get my eyes clear of mud.

56 Qualifying Heat 1: Billy Llewellyn (6), Peter Coia (6), [ Andy Marr (4), Arthur Mann (5), Eddie Reynolds (9), Qualifying Heat 2: Johnnie Walker (7), Bill Naismith (6), [ Jack Reilly (4), Jack Hart (6), Houston Anderson (7), Ht 1: Billy Galloway (scr), Charlie Barratt (2), [ Jack Adams (scr), Jim Holder (10), Reg Heller (3), 96.4 Ht 2: Vic Huxley (scr), Bill Dickie (2), [ Charles Sanderson (1), Hilary Buchanan (2), Gordon Spalding (3), 97.8 Ht 3: George Pinkerton (3), Andy Nicholl (1), [ Harry Whitfield (scr), Smoke Robinson (1), Boyd Pratt (3), 99.2 Ht 4: Billy Llewellyn (6), Arthur Moser (2), [ George Wigfield (scr), Riskit Riley (1), Andy Milne (2), Ht 5: Johnnie Walker (7), Jack Ormston (scr), [ Dick Hayman (1), Norrie Isbister (1), Bud Thompson (2), SF 1: Vic Huxley, Billy Galloway, [ George Pinkerton, Bill Dickie, Charlie Barratt, 96.9 SF 2: Andy Nicholl, Billy Llewellyn, Johnnie Walker, [ Arthur Moser, Jack Ormston, 96.0 Final: Andy Nicholl, Billy Llewellyn, Vic Huxley, Billy Galloway, 94.2 Glasgow White City Open (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Charles Sanderson, Allan Campbell, George Wigfield, Andy Nicholl (f), 98.6 Ht 2: Norrie Isbister, Smoke Robinson, [ Jack Adams, Boyd Pratt, Ht 3: Dick Hayman, Arthur Moser, Arnie Cattell, Harry Whitfield (ef), 97.6 Ht 4: Billy Galloway, Bud Thompson, [ Riskit Riley, Andy Marr, 92.2 Ht 5: Vic Huxley, Charlie Barratt, Jim Holder, George Pinkerton (et), 92.2 Ht 6: Jack Ormston, Bill Naismith, [ Bill Dickie, Reg Heller, 96.3 SF 1: Norrie Isbister, Dick Hayman, [ Charles Sanderson, Arthur Moser, 97.1 SF 2: Billy Galloway, Jack Ormston, Bud Thompson, Vic Huxley (f), 91.4 Final: Billy Galloway, Dick Hayman, Jack Ormston, Norrie Isbister (f), 90.1 Match Race (4 laps flying start) Billy Galloway, Vic Huxley, George Wigfield (f), Jack Ormston (f), 89.8 Saturday 7 September 1929 Crowd: 15,000 The report in the Citizen noted: White City basked in a genial atmosphere on Saturday when sunshine and a perfect track made for a splendid afternoon's sport. On the bill but not on the score sheet was Arthur Bluey Wilkinson, the Aussie who would go on to win the 1938 World Championship. According to Billy Galloway, Bluey had only been in Britain for a matter of three weeks. Also on the bill were Ian Ritchings (who was a well-known boxer) from Belle Vue and Leeds rider Frank Dank Ewing. The Citizen went on: Billy Galloway has been slowly but surely regaining the trophies and records that were won from him during his enforced holiday and now there remains only one record to which his name is not attached. To commence the meeting, he clocked 20.8 seconds for the one lap record with a perfect exhibition. In the first heat of the Handicap, Jim Holder made a terrific attempt to catch Arthur Mann who was fleeting round in his usual fast style but a furious finish saw Mann still in the lead. George Pinkerton bought a tremendous lemon when his wheel collapsed but was fortunately unhurt. In the third heat, Billy Llewellyn kept in front for 98.3 seconds and led home Arthur Moser who jazzed his way into second despite some hair-raising stuff by himself and Ray Tauser. Peter Coia nearly got there in heat four, his diminutive figure rebounding all over the track in his effort to retain a precarious lead. However, he took one chance too many and Reynolds led Bogie into the semi. The fastest time of the day occurred in heat three of the Silver Gauntlet series when Billy Galloway returned 89.9 seconds. George Pinkerton came off in the first lap and pluckily re-mounted, and carried on at the rear. It was well that he did so, for he was awarded second place in preference to Harrison and Moser, who had both sliced off a hefty corner. Jim Holder did some of his best work in the first semi-

57 final. Reg Heller had emerged from the first bend scramble with a little advantage which he promptly threw away by going to earth on the pit bend. Just when the afternoon was finishing the Final served up the surprise that is always a possibility in dirt-track. Norrie Isbister had overslid at the start leaving Holder to chase Billy Galloway, and the last bend of the last lap was reached in that order. Suddenly Holder went down, however, with no time to spare Isbister slammed the motor on its side - heartily earning the handshake which the West Ham lad extended for obviating a nasty accident. Qualification Heat: Hector Bruce (?), [ NI, Ht 1: Arthur Mann (4), Jim Holder (1), [ NI, 99.1 Ht 2: Billy Galloway (scr), Reg Heller (3), Johnnie Walker (?), [ NI, 91.7* Ht 3: Billy Llewellyn (6), Arthur Moser (2), Ray Tauser (scr), [ NI, 98.3 Ht 4: Eddie Reynolds (9), Steve Bogie (10), Peter Coia (?) (f), [ NI, Ht 5: Hector Bruce (10), Andy Marr (3), [ NI, SF 1: Billy Galloway, Billy Llewellyn, [ Arthur Mann, Jim Holder, Reg Heller, 92.8 SF 2: Steve Bogie, Hector Bruce, [ Arthur Moser, Eddie Reynolds, Andy Marr, Final: Billy Galloway, Billy Llewellyn, Hector Bruce, Steve Bogie, 91.2* Scottish Silver Gauntlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Reg Heller, Bill Naismith, [ NI, 98.1 Ht 2: Jim Holder, Jack Reilly, [ NI, 94.2 Ht 3: Billy Galloway, George Pinkerton (frm), Bob Harrison (f), Arthur Mann (f), 89.9 Ht 4: Norrie Isbister, Billy Llewellyn, Andy Marr, [ NI, 95.6 SF 1: Jim Holder, Bill Naismith, Jack Reilly, Reg Heller (f), 93.4 SF 2: Billy Galloway, Norrie Isbister, [ Billy Llewellyn, George Pinkerton, Final: Billy Galloway, Bill Naismith, [ Jim Holder (f), Norrie Isbister (laid down), 90.4 Junior Race (4 laps standing start) Alfie Williams, George Parker, [ NI, Lap Record Attempt (Flying start) Billy Galloway, 20.8 Tuesday 10 September 1929 Crowd: 20,000 Speedway, the scribe with the Citizen was, as usual, at this meeting. An excellent programme was again witnessed at White City last night, and the innovation of a series of matches with Gosforth (Newcastle) riders raised so much excitement that more of this type of event will be seen. It is odd that the writers of this era never call these events team meetings. However, In the first match George Pinkerton slammed into a good lead at the start, but a spot of unintended sliding nearly put him down. However, with Norrie Isbister out, George was forced to turn it all on to finish in front of the two visitors. A splendid encounter. Norrie had been well away but his tyre burst, ending his race. Jim Holder rode number two under the effects of a previous crash and unluckily managed to spill again. Jim actually remounted after his fall and completed the race. Arthur Moser had been last on the first bend, but when he realised the position rode pretty desperately to emulate Pinkerton's feat of leading home the visitors. A splendid effort by Cattell of Gosforth now put the Sassenachs in the lead for the first time. For a time it looked as if Thompson was going to increase that lead by getting second place, but a magnificent effort by Isbister saw the Glasgow boy squeeze into second place. With Jim Holder suffering from the effects of his weak shoulder, Arthur Moser was left to ride alone against the brothers Sanderson in the last event. and with the score 11 points to 10 in favour of Gosforth the plot was that Arthur had to win to make a draw of the series and win he did - with one of his most brilliant rides in 93.0 seconds. The Handicap started with a surprise win for Peter Coia. Speedway observed: His little figure hurtled round in a thrilling pace to keep out Roy Sanderson, who had to be contented with a good second

58 place. Arthur Mann set everyone to work in furious fashion in heat three. Billy Galloway managed to pass everyone but Arthur by the second lap, but had to get well down to it to beat the Rudge exponent. However, he did it in the fastest (standing start) time of the evening seconds. But it was not to be. The first semi-final saw Billy sit down while trying to pass Moser who carried on to win. A feature of this race was the splendid riding of the younger Sanderson who just beat Coia for second place. Jim Holder and Arnie Cattell touched handlebars in the second semi and although Jim fell rather heavily he refused the stretcher and walked back to the pits. Despite some good work by Llewellyn, first place was annexed by Hector Bruce whose very fast motor and confident riding gave him victory in the Final. The fall in the Handicap event did not dampen Billy's spirits. He had not been too happy with the condition of the track. In his Daily Record column he said: The track was if anything on the dry side. I noticed that they had put down more refuse ash instead of the red ash I recommended a week or so ago. Anyway it was like riding on ball bearings. When you laid the machine over the ashes slid away from the wheel instead of banking it up. The result was there were a lot of over broadsides which did not make for fast times. The Citizen stated: Billy was not yielding the Armlet. In fact he was so determined about it that he just failed by 0.3 second to equal the track record and Whitfield did his stuff splendidly to come within measurable distance of the wonderful Australian's 88.6 seconds win in the Final of the Scottish Gold Armlet. Glasgow White City 14 Newcastle Gosforth 14 (Challenge) (4 laps flying start) Glasgow Newcastle Gosforth Norrie Isbister t 2 = 2 Charles Sanderson 1 2 = 3+1 George Pinkerton 4 0 = 4 Roy Sanderson 2 1 = 3+1 Jim Holder f ns = 0 Arnie Cattell 1 4 = 5+1 Arthur Moser 4 4 = 8 Bud Thompson 2 1 = 3 Ht 1: George Pinkerton, Roy Sanderson, Charles Sanderson, Norrie Isbister (t), 97.7 Ht 2: Arthur Moser, Bud Thompson, Arnie Cattell, Jim Holder (frm), 93.7 Ht 3: Arnie Cattell, Norrie Isbister, Bud Thompson, George Pinkerton, 92.5 Ht 4: Arthur Moser, Charles Sanderson, Roy Sanderson, Jim Holder (ns), 93.0 Qualifying Heat: Willie Durward, [ Sandy Smith, Houston Anderson, Steve Bogie (no handicaps), Ht 1: Peter Coia (6), Roy Sanderson (2), [ Norrie Isbister (1), Andy Marr (3), Gordon Spalding (3), 98.4 Ht 2: Arthur Moser (2), Harry Whitfield (1), [ Charles Sanderson (1), Jack Reilly (4), Johnny Walker (6), 95.8 Ht 3: Billy Galloway (scr), Arthur Mann (4), [ Bud Thompson (2), George Pinkerton (3), Jack Hart (6), 92.7 Ht 4: Jim Holder (1), Billy Llewellyn (5), [ Tommy York (2), Eddie Reynolds (9), Jack White (9), 98.1 Ht 5: Hector Bruce (9), Arnie Cattell (2), [ Reg Heller (2), Bill Naismith (6), Willie Durward (?), SF 1: Arthur Moser, Roy Sanderson, Peter Coia, Harry Whitfield, Billy Galloway (f), 98.7 SF 2: Hector Bruce, Billy Llewellyn, [ Jim Holder (f), Arnie Cattell, Arthur Mann, Final: Hector Bruce, Arthur Moser, Roy Sanderson, Billy Llewellyn, Scottish Gold Armlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Billy Galloway, Gordon Spalding, [ Bud Thompson, George Pinkerton, 92.3 Ht 2: Harry Whitfield, Roy Sanderson, [ Arnie Cattell, Arthur Moser, 92.5 Ht 3: Charles Sanderson, Bill Naismith, [ Andy Marr, Jack Reilly, 93.7 Ht 4: Norrie Isbister, Tommy York, [ Reg Heller, Arthur Mann, 96.9 SF 1: Harry Whitfield, Billy Galloway, [ Gordon Spalding, Roy Sanderson, 96.9 SF 2: Charles Sanderson, Norrie Isbister, [ Bill Naismith, Tommy York, 97.1 Final: Billy Galloway, Harry Whitfield, Charles Sanderson, Norrie Isbister, 88.6 Consolation Race (4 laps standing start) Bob Louden, [ Taylor Wilson, Jimmy Cook, Alfie Williams, Time not known

59 Saturday 14 September 1929 Crowd: 12,000 Glasgow introduced their track championship which was to be run on the basis of a series of qualifying heats and a final. One heat was to be run each week prior to the Final which was to be staged on 28 September. The Herald scribe observed: Much interest was shown in the first of a series of four races to determine the Glasgow Championship. Speedway of the Citizen was waxing allegorically: White wings propelled by powerful engines above and straight through exhausts below made the White City pulsate with the atmosphere of speed on Saturday, and despite a slight preliminary shower of rain the track was on the dry side. Times were consequentially good and Andy Nicholl gave a perfect exhibition of acceleration and judicious broadsiding at the outset in heat two of the handicap. Alfie Williams, just promoted from the juniors clung grimly to his starting advantage for two fast laps but Arthur Mann then pushed his fleet Rudge into the lead. Just when Arthur seemed all set for a fine win, however, a vicious wrench of his back wheel sent him to earth on the pit bend leaving Galloway and Moser to finish in 94.8 seconds. George Pinkerton kept everyone's fingers off the button for the full distance and although Jack Chapman managed to concede starts to the other three riders he could not get to grips with the local boy. In the last furious spurt the Australian collected on the paddock corner and Sandy Smith followed George past in 99.3 seconds. The semi-final was really Galloway versus the Black Country boys and the wonderful Australian found himself up against a tough handful. For three laps Naismith and Llewellyn fought desperately to retain every cinder of their lead - with Nicholl leading them a merry pace at the front - but in the end experience triumphed and Billy was allowed to pursue Andy in lap four. Once again the Blantyre star remained on high with a fine win by Nicholl. But Nicholl had to use all the track knowledge he is rapidly acquiring in the Final. George Pinkerton rode like a veteran all the way but Nicholl was invincible and once again annexed the Handicap. The Citizen writer then went on to describe the Glasgow Championship event first leg. For some strange reason the Glasgow promotion decided to stage one heat a week with the final to be held on the third and final week. Probably the best tussle of the meeting occurred in the first heat of the series of races to select Glasgow's Champion. One cloud of dust was sufficient for the four riders and although all had a chance of the leadership, no one managed to hold it for long. Arthur Mann had last turn, however, by reason of his skilful handling of a very fast motor and he qualified for the Final. The scratch event was also reported upon as usual. The second heat of the Silver Sash was notable for the parent of all broadsides by Jimmie Pinkerton. Riding in cheerful abandon Jimmie seemingly had a sitting win when the motor started sliding - and the elder of the famous brothers sat down, not violently but very definitely. Thereafter, Tommy York eight-stroked his way into second place. Brother George managed to clock one of his best heat times at White City in heat four being pushed there by the riding of Les Maguire. In the Final A magnificent duel by Chapman and Galloway and an unlucky tumble by Isbister brought the afternoon's sport to a close - leaving Galloway with the Sash by reason of a popular 92.8 seconds win. 27 senior riders were listed for the meeting of which 25 took part in the Handicap event. Those who did not race were Willie Wilson (10) and Houston Anderson (10). No rider was listed at number 13. Six junior riders were also listed. Reserve George Parker was the only one not to race. Ht 1: Bill Naismith (6), Jack White (6), [ Les Maguire (1), Tommy York (3), Willie Durward (10), 97.7 Ht 2: Andy Nicholl (1), Billy Llewellyn (6), [ Reg Heller (3), Johnnie Walker (7), Steve Bogie (10), 92.9 Ht 3: Billy Galloway (scr), Arthur Moser (2), [ Arthur Mann (4), Jack Hart (6), Alfie Williams (9), 94.8 Ht 4: George Pinkerton (3), Sandy Smith (9), Jack Chapman (1) (f), [ Jack Reilly (5), Hector Bruce (6), 99.3 Ht 5: Eddie Reynolds (9), Peter Coia (6), [ Jimmie Pinkerton (1), Norrie Isbister (2), Andy Marr (3), SF 1: Andy Nicholl, Billy Galloway, Bill Naismith, [ Jack White, Billy Llewellyn, 95.1 SF 2: Peter Coia, George Pinkerton, [ Sandy Smith, Eddie Reynolds, Arthur Moser, Final: Andy Nicholl, George Pinkerton, Peter Coia, Billy Galloway (ef), 93.9

60 The Glasgow Championship (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Arthur Mann, Norrie Isbister, [ Billy Llewellyn, Arthur Moser, 95.7 Scottish Silver Sash (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Billy Galloway, Norrie Isbister, [ Reg Heller, Bill Naismith, 92.9 Ht 2: Andy Nicholl, Tommy York, Jack Reilly, Jimmie Pinkerton (f), 94.4 Ht 3: Jack Chapman, Billy Llewellyn, [ Arthur Moser, Andy Marr, 94.9 Ht 4: George Pinkerton, Les Maguire, [ Arthur Mann, Peter Coia, 92.7 SF 1: Billy Galloway, Norrie Isbister, [ Andy Nicholl, Tommy York, 92.5 SF 2: Jack Chapman, Billy Llewellyn, Les Maguire, George Pinkerton (ef), 95.3 Final: Billy Galloway, Jack Chapman, Billy Llewellyn, Norrie Isbister (f), 92.8 Junior Race (4 Laps Standing Start) Hugh Adamson, [ Andrew Young, Angus Mathieson, Fraser Steele, John Selly, Tuesday 17 September 1929 Crowd: 30,000 As always the weather started the report by Speedway of the Citizen. Conditions were almost perfect for fast racing at the White City and the fact that both the standing start and flying start figures for four laps were revised indicates the high level of the contests. Special interest had been taken in the appearance of Frank Varey and his Scott, which proved to be a deceptively innocent looking machine with amazing acceleration. In the challenge match race the machine was ridden into record breaking performances in the second of the series and Varey's daring ride in 87.6 seconds aroused a perfect frenzy of excitement. The first race had a rather hollow win for Elder with all three motors having spasms. The third and deciding race saw Billy Galloway determined to be in the picture and he was off like a scalded cat before Varey and Sprouts. On the pit bend however, the American got on level terms and in determined fashion took the lead and held it. Varey overslid just in front of Galloway leaving the Australian no chance to avoid a nasty looking crash and Elder carried on to win the series in 89.1 seconds. Yet again Sprouts showed that, when there was big money up for grabs, he had the determination to win the event, plus the skill and equipment too. According to the Citizen: The Handicap opened in splendid style with a good win by Nicholl. Buster Frogley, on a new motor, made desperate endeavours to catch the Blantyre boy but could do no better than second. Andy's one second advantage was clearly more than adequate to allow him to stay in front of the big Englishman. The report went on: Deputising for Harry Whitfield, who injured himself at Wembley and was unable to ride up here, Gordon Spalding staged a spectacular duel with George Pinkerton. Eddie Reynolds hung grimly on to a big starting advantage, however, and retained the lead to the finish. Spalding was, according to contemporary reports, a native of Edinburgh. George McKenzie questioned this saying that Gordon had a very strong Welsh accent. Gordon, a teenager at this time settled in Edinburgh for the early part of 1930, where he was the League team reserve. The remainder of the Handicap heats were won by the star scratch men. The first semi-final was a sort of a traffic jam Nicholl was hemmed in for three laps but managed through to win. Varey sought everywhere for an opening but was unplaced, as was Frogley. Jack White gave a stylish exhibition in the second semi and although Galloway made a gallant endeavour to overcome his starting deficit, the Aussie had the mortification of seeing White lead Sprouts home. But the American was finished with the leading home stuff in the Final. It took him three laps of ignoring slides, bumps and swerves to take the lead but without thought of cutting out he carried on to the finish a record ride in 89.0 seconds. Nicholl nearly claimed a sensational second place in the last fifty yards but Reynolds slid inside and followed the American home. The second-half was bit of an odd-ball as the riders were split into two teams and points allocated by finishing order. Despite there being two home men and two visitors in each heat it was however still an individual event. Every man for himself. The home lads didn't do too well. Billy Galloway was their only heat winner and George Pinkerton gave Sprouts a fair old chase in their heat. The Citizen said: George Pinkerton made Sprouts keep his finger away from the button. The Final was a chapter of spills with

61 the three stars all coming to earth. Elder was quickest to get up and get going again and claimed second place. The score can be accounted for if the winner is awarded four points and the second place man two points, with no other scorers allowed. Ht 1: Andy Nicholl (2), Buster Frogley (1), [ George Pinkerton (4), Andy Marr (4), Peter Coia (6), 91.4 Ht 2: Eddie Reynolds (10), Gordon Spalding (1), George Pinkerton (?), Jimmie Pinkerton (2), Ht 3: Frank Varey (scr), Jack Reilly (5), [ Les Maguire (2), Tommy York (4), Hector Bruce (6), 91.3 Ht 4: Billy Galloway (scr), Jack White (6), [ Ron Hieatt (2), Arthur Moser (3), Billy Llewellyn (7), 93.7 Ht 5: Sprouts Elder (scr), Bill Naismith (6), [ Bert Fairweather (2), Norrie Isbister (3), Johnnie Walker (7), 93.6 SF 1: Andy Nicholl, Eddie Reynolds, [ Buster Frogley, Gordon Spalding, Frank Varey, 92.3 SF 2: Jack White, Sprouts Elder, [ Billy Galloway, Jack Reilly, Bill Naismith, 97.6 Final: Sprouts Elder, Eddie Reynolds, Andy Nicholl, Jack White, 89.0* Glasgow White City 14 The Rest 28 (Challenge) (4 laps flying start) Scoring: Win 4-pts; Second 2-pts Glasgow The Rest Norrie Isbister 2 0 = 2 Buster Frogley 4 0 = 4 Jimmie Pinkerton 0 = 0 Ron Hieatt 0 = 0 Billy Galloway 4 4 F = 8 Gordon Spalding = 8 Andy Marr 0 = 0 Bert Fairweather 0 = 0 Andy Nicholl 2 0 = 2 Sprouts Elder = 10 George Pinkerton 0 = 0 Les Maguire 0 = 0 Arthur Moser 2 0 = 2 Frank Varey 4 2 F = 6 Jack Reilly 0 = 0 Tommy York 0 = 0 Ht 1: Buster Frogley, Norrie Isbister, [ Ron Hieatt, Jimmie Pinkerton, 90.6 Ht 2: Billy Galloway, Gordon Spalding, [ Bert Fairweather, Andy Marr, 90.8 Ht 3: Sprouts Elder, Andy Nicholl, [ Les Maguire, George Pinkerton, 92.5 Ht 4: Frank Varey, Arthur Moser, [ Tommy York, Jack Reilly, 91.1 SF 1: Billy Galloway, Gordon Spalding, [ Buster Frogley, Norrie Isbister, 91.4 SF 2: Sprouts Elder, Frank Varey, [ Andy Nicholl, Arthur Moser, 89.9 Final: Gordon Spalding, Sprouts Elder (frm), Frank Varey (f), Billy Galloway (f), Challenge (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Sprouts Elder, Frank Varey, Billy Galloway, 90.5 Ht 2: Frank Varey, Sprouts Elder, Billy Galloway, 87.6* Ht 3: Sprouts Elder, Frank Varey (f), Billy Galloway (f), 89.1 Saturday 21 September 1929 Crowd: 14,000 Another contemporary weather report started the report by Speedway of the Citizen. A freshening breeze blowing hard along the back straight did not promise very good times at White City, yet some excellent rides made hay of both the four lap records. Wind is not mentioned very often, usually it was the amount of meteoric water that was the principal topic of interest. Andy Nicholl thrashed on to the flag in the opening heat of the Handicap, but it was heat two which merited further comment in the Citizen. Several spasms of eight-stroking (engine mis-firing) made heat two comparatively slow. Both York and Durward suffered from spluttering motors, but the West Ham lad just managed to lead Hibberd ashore, when Coia - who was leading bought a beauty on the pit bend. Things woke up considerably in heat four when Sprouts Elder roared in pursuit of the field. Two laps were sufficient for the American to take the lead and thereafter he would have trickled round if George Pinkerton hadn't harassed him into clocking 91.8 seconds. George was heartily cheered as was Walker, who ran right out to the fence on the last bend to avoid Reynolds. It is assumed that Eddie had fallen in Johnnie's path. The Final was a fast and spectacular race. From the start Nicholl set a hot pace, strongly challenged by Naismith and Jimmie Pinkerton, with Sprouts Elder boring along in the rear. Pinkerton's

62 motor sounded smothered, however, and only splendid riding kept him in the picture at all. Latterly the event developed into a desperate endeavour by Elder to catch the fleet Nicholl, and in a wonderful burst in the last twenty yards Sprouts received the pistol in the record time of 89.4 seconds. This meeting saw heat two of the Glasgow Championship. Nicholl qualified with relative ease. A report on the match race event makes interesting reading: A match between riders like Galloway and Elder has all the ingredients of a good tussle but when Elder goes berserk, most of the interest evaporates because of the sheer perfection of his riding. Billy fought gamely of course, with a fluffy motor, but although Sprouts won in the record time of 84.1 seconds the feat seemed so easy to him that he did not seem at all particular about a few seconds. That he snipped 3.5 seconds off the record was incidental. On to the scratch event and Using Moser's machine, Jimmie Pinkerton got back into his usual winning form in heat one leading Spalding past the post in 94.1 seconds. The second heat was responsible for an unfortunate accident however. Arthur Moser, who had been riding much more steadily than usual all day, managed to acquire a nice lead when a simple looking slide sent him to earth on the east bend. Like a flash Arthur was up again, but cracked collarbones are hard task masters and he had to submit to the doctor. In the second semi-final, Galloway managed to tack himself to the white line in the lead at the first bend. Sprouts waited quite a while for the inside opening which never came however, a lurid broadside for Billy whipped his chain off the sprocket and allowed Elder to pilot Llewellyn past in 89.4 seconds. And in a final burst of brilliance Elder crowned a magnificent afternoon's work in the Final. In modern terms, Sprouts completed the grand slam at this meeting, racing unbeaten and annexing a few records along the way. How many more times he would have done this at Glasgow had his bikes been a bit more reliable remains open to speculation. Ht 1: Andy Nicholl (2), Billy Llewellyn (6), [ NI, 94.8 Ht 2: Tommy York (4) (et), Buzz Hibberd (1), Willie Durward (?) (et), Peter Coia (?) (f), [ NI, Ht 3: Bill Naismith (6), Jimmie Pinkerton (2), [ NI, 99.4 Ht 4: Sprouts Elder (scr), George Pinkerton (2), Johnnie Walker (?), Eddie Reynolds (?), [ NI, 91.8 Ht 5: Jack White (7), Alfie Williams (10), [ NI, 99.5 SF 1: Bill Naismith, Andy Nicholl, [ Billy Llewellyn, Tommy York, Buzz Hibberd, 98.3 SF 2: Sprouts Elder, Jimmie Pinkerton, [George Pinkerton, Jack White, Alfie Williams, 91.0 Final: Sprouts Elder, Andy Nicholl, Bill Naismith, Jimmie Pinkerton, 89.4* Scottish Silver Gauntlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Jimmie Pinkerton, Gordon Spalding, [ NI, 94.1 Ht 2: Andy Nicholl, Buzz Hibberd, Arthur Moser (frm), [ NI, 91.8 Ht 3: Sprouts Elder, Norrie Isbister, [ NI, 91.6 Ht 4: Billy Galloway, Billy Llewellyn, [ NI, 89.4 SF 1: Andy Nicholl, Gordon Spalding, [ Jimmie Pinkerton, Buzz Hibberd, 91.9 SF 2: Sprouts Elder, Billy Llewellyn, Norrie Isbister, Billy Galloway (ef), 89.4 Final: Sprouts Elder, Gordon Spalding, Billy Llewellyn, Andy Nicholl, 89.8 The Glasgow Championship (4 laps flying start) Ht 2: Andy Nicholl, Peter Coia, [ George Pinkerton, Jack Reilly, 91.1 Junior Race (4 laps standing start) Steve Bogie, [ NI, No Time Match Race (4 laps flying start) Sprouts Elder bt Billy Galloway, 84.1* Tuesday 24 September 1929

63 Crowd: 14,000 Speedway was waxing lyrical: A perfect Autumn night, excellent racing, good times and no serious troubles, no wonder the huge crowd seemed well satisfied with life last night at White City. One tooth in a sprocket caused the only potentially anxious moment when Jimmie Pinkerton came off in a thirty yard slide at the pits bend, but happily no worse evil resulted than a bruised left ankle. The manner of it went thus Jimmie's machine went out in the first semi of the Handicap with mag (magneto) trouble. Thereafter, he obtained the use of Johnnie Walker's motor which was geared as Johnnie likes it, that is high. Jimmie prefers one tooth less and as both lads corner quite differently, he was unaccustomed to entering a bend so fast as the high gear demanded. Round about which point books could be written on gearing and cornering. It is hoped that this is not too technical for the average reader but of interest to those of a technical Bent. Speedway went on to describe the meeting: The second heat of the Handicap was the first race and Walker led for three very fast laps. McQueen however, snapped into the lead on the east bend by a clever outside movement and led Llewellyn home. The first heat was delayed until after the fourth owing to trouble and expensive noises in Arnie Cattell's motor - which trouble dogged him all night. Fine work by Jimmie Pinkerton characterised this event. For two laps he could find an opening nowhere and buttoned his way along until a copyright wriggle enabled him to catch everyone but White in round three. On the east bend Jimmie's front wheel only occasionally fulfilled its purpose in life - but nevertheless he carried on to win. One cannot pass over the second semi-final without reference to the grim riding of Peter Coia. With handles very much on, he rode the fence in desperate manner peculiarly reminiscent of Drew McQueen when speedway was young. And Peter was a real source of worry to the winner of the Final. From the pistol, Reynolds took command but by the last lap White and Naismith had gone to earth. Peter had been rather left in the getaway, but he pursued so relentlessly that only a yard or two relegated him to second place to Reynolds. Scotland's top two were pitted in a match race challenge. At the end of four laps the Australian was the winner and the home bred Scot second. Drew did not do his cause much good by a wobble which slowed his progress as he regained control of the machine. The team match or The series of races with Gosforth, Newcastle Speedway provided some thrilling work, particularly when, despite a vicious slide, Jimmie Pinkerton ran through a fast field to score for White City in match one. Nicholl, with Cattell at his exhaust, clocked 90.3 seconds to win match two. George Pinkerton was sadly troubled with plugs hereabouts - indeed he oiled no less than four in quick succession. Jimmie Pinkerton and Andy Nicholl also annexed matches three and four respectively to give White City a win over Gosforth by 19 points to 9. Thus, Glasgow won their only team match of In the Final of the Silver Sash McQueen bored after Galloway in determined fashion but his motor gradually faded from one cylinder to none at all. The Australian took the lead in the second lap to led Nicholl past in 89.1 seconds. Glasgow White City 19 Newcastle Gosforth 9 ( 100 Challenge Trophy) (4 laps flying start) Glasgow Newcastle Gosforth Jimmie Pinkerton 4 4 = 8 Charles Sanderson 1 2 = 3 Norrie Isbister 2 0 = 2+1 Roy Sanderson 0 0 = 0 Andy Nicholl 4 4 = 8 Arnie Cattell 2 2 = 4 George Pinkerton 0 1 = 1 Harry Huntley 1 1 = 2+2 Ht 1: Jimmie Pinkerton, Norrie Isbister, Charles Sanderson, Roy Sanderson, 95.5 Ht 2: Andy Nicholl, Arnie Cattell, Harry Huntley, George Pinkerton, 90.3 Ht 3: Jimmie Pinkerton, Arnie Cattell, Harry Huntley, Norrie Isbister, 91.2 Ht 4: Andy Nicholl, Charles Sanderson, George Pinkerton, Roy Sanderson, 91.2 Glasgow Handicap (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Jimmie Pinkerton (1), Jack White (7), Arnie Cattell (?), [ NI, 97.4 Ht 2: Drew McQueen (scr), Billy Llewellyn (6), Johnnie Walker (?), [ NI, 90.1 Ht 3: Eddie Reynolds (8), Bill Naismith (7), [ NI, 98.7 Ht 4: Andy Nicholl (1), Peter Coia (7), [ NI, 93.1 Ht 5: Billy Galloway (scr), Norrie Isbister (2) (et), [ NI, 94.6

64 SF 1: Jack White, Eddie Reynolds, [ Drew McQueen, Billy Llewellyn, Jimmie Pinkerton (ef), 97.2 SF 2: Peter Coia, Bill Naismith, [ Billy Galloway, Andy Nicholl, Norrie Isbister, 98.4 Final: Eddie Reynolds, Peter Coia, Jack White (f), Bill Naismith (f), 99.0 Scottish Silver Sash (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Billy Galloway, Jimmie Pinkerton, [ NI, 88.4 Ht 2: Andy Nicholl, Roy Sanderson, [ NI, 91.2 Ht 3: Drew McQueen, Norrie Isbister, [ NI, 90.2 Ht 4: Charles Sanderson, Billy Llewellyn, [ NI, 91.6 SF 1: Billy Galloway, Andy Nicholl, [ Jimmie Pinkerton, Roy Sanderson, 90.8 SF 2: Drew McQueen, Charles Sanderson, [ Norrie Isbister, Billy Llewellyn, 91.2 Final: Billy Galloway, Andy Nicholl, Charles Sanderson, Drew McQueen (ef), 89.1 Match Race (4 laps flying start) Billy Galloway bt Drew McQueen, 87.0 Friday 27 September 1929 Crowd: 10,000 The newspapers of the day prior to this meeting were not full of good speedway news. Scots-Aussie Ron Johnson had been in a London court and had ended up with a fine for assaulting a police officer and two fines for dangerous driving. In addition to fines he was disqualified from driving for two years. Ron had been speeding round Hyde Park in a sports car and a sudden turn had flung his passenger out of the car. He was maybe fortunate not to have been done (convicted) for drunk driving at the same time as, the police surgeon refused to certify him drunk. The Daily Record carried a shortish match report and the reporter filed: Dirt-track riders no doubt are reckless speed merchants, but I do not think there is a finer band of sportsmen in any sphere. At White City last night Jimmie Pinkerton, with the Glasgow Championship his own, saw that Andy Nicholl was out of the race owing to a breakdown and drew up. When the event was again put on Nicholl forged in front but he also stopped when Pinkerton's machine rebelled. The long of it is that on the third attempt, victory went to Arthur Mann, whom few expected to gain the honour. Arthur also triumphed in the Glasgow Handicap. Billy Galloway also reported on the meeting in his column in the Daily Record the following Friday. He noted that: Our first Friday evening meeting was quite a success and there were one or two exciting spots in the racing. However, there weren't any fast times as the track had been watered and was a bit on the patchy side. Billy was taken on by the picturesquely named Onanoff Johnson. His real name was David Johnson, not nearly so colourful. Unlike at Edinburgh, the Gosforth-based man did not live up to his nickname. According to Billy, Onanoff didn't have any luck and came across some engine trouble in his heat of the scratch event. He wasn't observed doing any onanoffing. Peter Coia put in some useful work in the Handicap winning the first semi-final in good style. Engine trouble smote him in the Final. The word smote has more biblical than speedway connections. Billy had a nice turn of phrase for a rider falling off saying: Quite a lot of people got cinders in their ears but not so bad as any was bent. Judging by the riding garb of the day getting cinders in your ears was only a part of your worries. The number of riders photographed with no goggles or face mask is quite phenomenal, and questions how many cinders they had to clean out of their eyes and mouths. Just how many tonnes of dust they breathed in during a meeting must also be open to speculation. Ht 1: Andy Nicholl (1), Willie Durward (11), [ NI, 91.1 Ht 2: Jimmie Pinkerton (1), Hugh Adamson (11), [ NI, 96.0 Ht 3: Peter Coia (5), Arthur Mann (4), [ NI, 95.5 Ht 4: Drew McQueen (scr), Jack White (5), [ NI, 93.6 Ht 5: Hector Bruce (7), Billy Llewellyn (7), [ NI, SF 1: Peter Coia, Andy Nicholl, [ Willie Durward, Jimmie Pinkerton, Hugh Adamson, 97.7 SF 2: Arthur Mann, Drew McQueen, [ Jack White, Hector Bruce, Billy Llewellyn, 97.6

65 Final: Arthur Mann, Andy Nicholl, Drew McQueen, Peter Coia (ef), 96.0 Scottish Gold Armlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Billy Galloway, Jack Reilly, [ NI, 92.4 Ht 2: Andy Marr, Bill Naismith, [ NI, 93.1 Ht 3: Drew McQueen, Norrie Isbister, [ NI, 94.1 Ht 4: Arthur Mann, Gordon Spalding, [ NI, 97.5 SF 1: Andy Marr, Jack Reilly, [ Billy Galloway, Bill Naismith, 94.5 SF 2: Drew McQueen, Gordon Spalding, [ Norrie Isbister, Arthur Mann, 94.5 Final: Drew McQueen, Gordon Spalding, Andy Marr, Jack Reilly, 93.9 The Glasgow Championship (4 laps flying start) Ht 3: Jimmie Pinkerton, [ Andy Marr, Bill Naismith, Jack Hart, 93.6 Final: Arthur Mann, Jimmie Pinkerton, Andy Nicholl, 91.5 Tuesday 1 October 1929 Crowd: 5,000 According to the Herald: Heavy rain was again the means of disappointing the dirt-track enthusiasts who attended the White City Speedway last night. The track was almost flooded and after the Final of the Glasgow Handicap the management decided to abandon the meeting. The 5,000 spectators who defied the weather however were each given a complimentary ticket for the meeting next Tuesday. The Citizen report stated: A dirt-track meeting in a sea of mud can be very funny sometimes but under the conditions prevailing last night a mechanical ear is apt to consider the show rather brutal on good machinery. The riders were their usual sportsmanlike selves and treated the whole affair most lightheartedly, but the management adopted the wisest course in sending the spectators home with complementary tickets after the handicap event. The racing was pretty difficult to follow owing to the allpervading mud and a good knowledge of the idosyncracies was invaluable. Jimmie Pinkerton made heroic efforts to keep both plugs firing in the first heat and tried all the usual dodges to keep the leads dry. However, he didn't make it to the finish. In the next heat the finishers pushed for part of the way as bikes refused to do the full four laps. It was Frank Varey on a Scott who defeated the weather this time and he kept going, albeit slowly, to record the best time of the night. Jack Parker came out in the next and won from Walker after Roger had completed fifty yards in which he was covered in mud and was compelled to retire. After a bit of light relief, Galloway came out for his heat. Peter Coia in his own devil may care fashion turned everything on right from the start but a lurid slide on the pit bend turned him into what everyone else looked like. Billy Galloway (pictured left) and Steve Bogie had hard work to finish it at all. The first semi-final was the first complete race and eventually Mann on his Rudge won from Varey. Semi-final two was another lottery and at the end of the third lap only Galloway and Parker were in the running when both bikes stopped. The two lads started to push for the whole lap but by the pit bend Parker was winded and was carried into the paddock in mock distress by Varey. Galloway carried on pushing, however, to where the pistol was gravely fired in his honour. Varey was going well in the Final when a stern wave from Mann filled his motor right in and the familiar scream became a squeak, One must congratulate Mann on winning what must have been the hardest earned 20 this year. The attractions of Frank Varey and Jack Parker were obviously enough to tempt the Glasgow fans out and it was a nice gesture to reward them with complimentary tickets. Cinder Sifter was pleased that the promotion rewarded the fans who had turned out in such poor weather. In one way Tuesday last proved a disappointing but in another way those who braved the elements were recompensed. Not only did they enjoy the events that were carried through - that was up to the Final of the Glasgow Handicap, when it was decided not to carry on any further owing to the torrential rain which had practically flooded the track but, on the meeting being abandoned, they were presented with a complimentary ticket which will admit them to next Tuesday's meeting. This was a very thoughtful action on the part of the promoters and one which I take the opportunity of complimenting them on. The racing must have been poor as times were way above normal and in some cases the times were not even recorded.

66 Ht 1: Arthur Mann (6), Alfie Williams (10), Jimmie Pinkerton (?) (ef), [ NI, Ht 2: Jack Hart (6) (pushed), Norrie Isbister (3) (pushed), [ NI, No time taken Ht 3: Frank Varey (scr), Hector Bruce (7), [ NI, Ht 4: Jack Parker (scr), Johnnie Walker (7), Roger May (?) (ret), [ NI, No time taken Ht 5: Billy Galloway (scr), Steve Bogie (10), Peter Coia (?) (f), [ NI, No time taken SF 1: Arthur Mann, Frank Varey, [ Alfie Williams, Jack Hart, Norrie Isbister, SF 2: Billy Galloway, Jack Parker & Hector Bruce (Dead Heat), Steve Bogie, Johnnie Walker, No time taken Final: Arthur Mann, Jack Parker, Frank Varey, Billy Galloway (nf), Hector Bruce (nf), Remainder of meeting abandoned due to rain Tuesday 8 October 1929 Crowd: Poor A crowd considered by the meeting reporter from the Daily Record to be poor, and by the then special correspondent Billy Galloway, to be good, saw the Glasgow team engage in the third team match at White City. Two previous encounters with Newcastle Gosforth, had resulted in a draw, followed by an emphatic win. This was the first full scale meeting between the two rival Cities, and after four heats the result stood in Edinburgh's favour. Drew McQueen, raced to a very quick win in the opening heat, and with team mate Bill Barclay in third place behind Glasgow's Arthur Mann. Edinburgh opened up a 5-2 advantage thanks to the scoring system of 4 for a win, with second and third place men collecting 2 and 1 points respectively. George McKenzie took the second race with Jimmie Pinkerton following him home in second. Jimmie Valente could afford the luxury of falling on the last turn and pushing for home as the second Edinburgh man, Andy Milne, had spilled earlier in the race. Billy Galloway observed in his column in the Daily Record that Andy had tried to get between the Glasgow riders and the fence on one bend, when the space available was only enough for a rabbit. Andy tried the same on the next bend and collected the fence, a trip to the ambulance tent and treatment for cuts and concussion. The race produced a 4-3 for Edinburgh. This crash ruled Andy out of the return at Marine Gardens. Heat 4 was raced next for some reason, and the outcome was a win for Glasgow's Arthur Mann. Arthur was only in the side because Andy Nicholl was out due to injury. Gordon Spalding, replacing Andy Milne, grabbed second as the only other scoring finisher, George McKenzie fell and retired, unlike Norrie Isbister who fell, remounted, fell again and pushed manfully, if leisurely, up to the post, and then collapsed over his mangle (A mangle is a Billy Gallowayism for bike). Unfortunately, the Steward had seen Norrie receive outside assistance after one of his falls and excluded him from the points. The final heat saw Drew McQueen complete his maximum and Edinburgh take maximum points from the heat. Bill Barclay took his chance to grab second spot when Jimmie Pinkerton collected an earful of cinders (fell). Jimmie Valente took third spot. Edinburgh carried off the superb Distillers White Horse Trophy to the East. With hindsight Glasgow should not have taken the risk of pushing returnee Jimmie Valente into the side, as his experience of the White City track was very limited. He would have been race rusty coming back so late in the season. This, together with leaving Billy Galloway out of the side, was a tactical error on Glasgow's part. In the second-half Glasgow's top scorer Arthur Mann made the best of his 2 seconds handicap advantage to win the Glasgow Handicap from Billy Galloway, while Billy won the Scottish Silver Sash from Warrington's Charlie Hornby. Hornby was substituting for Arthur Franklyn. In third place was Harry Whitfield, who, according to a Glasgow newspaper man, had the benefit of income from a greengrocer business in the Midlands, and had a superbly kitted out van which was a mobile workshop. Drew McQueen, whilst failing to reach either final, won the Special Match Race from Billy Galloway and Harry Whitfield in what was the fastest time of the night. Glasgow White City 10 Edinburgh 17 (White Horse Distillers Ltd. Trophy) (4 laps flying start) Glasgow Edinburgh Arthur Mann 2 4 = 6 Drew McQueen 4 = 8

67 Norrie Isbister 0 ef = 0 Bill Barclay 1 2' = 3+1 Jimmie Pinkerton 2 f = 2 George McKenzie 4 f = 4 Jimmie Valente 1' 1 = 2+1 Andy Milne f = 0 Gordon Spalding 2 = 2 Ht 1: Drew McQueen, Arthur Mann, Bill Barclay, Norrie Isbister, 91.2 Ht 2: George McKenzie, Jimmie Pinkerton, Jimmie Valente (f, pushed), Andy Milne (f), 92.5 Ht 3: Drew McQueen, Bill Barclay, Jimmie Valente, Jimmie Pinkerton (f), 92.0 Ht 4: Arthur Mann,Gordon Spalding (frm),george McKenzie (f), Norrie Isbister (frm,f), 94.1 Ht 1: Jimmie Pinkerton (2), Drew McQueen (scr), Andy Marr (?), [ Danny Craig (1), Jack Reilly (5), Andy Marr (3), 95.5 Ht 2: Arthur Mann (2), Andy Milne (1), [ Harry Whitfield (scr), Jack White (4), Eddie Reynolds (5), 93.5 Ht 3: Billy Llewellyn (4), Norrie Isbister (2), [ George McKenzie (scr), Jimmy Valente (1), Hector Bruce (5), 97.3 Ht 4: Bill Naismith (4), Charlie Hornby (scr), [ Gordon Spalding (1), Jim Holder (2), Jack Hart (5), 98.4 Ht 5: Billy Galloway (scr), Bill Barclay (1), [ George Pinkerton (3), Peter Coia (4), Alfie Williams (6), 93.9 SF 1: Billy Llewellyn, Arthur Mann, [ Jimmie Pinkerton, Drew McQueen, 96.3 SF 2: Billy Galloway, Bill Naismith, [ Bill Barclay, Charlie Hornby, 92.3 Final: Arthur Mann, Billy Galloway, Billy Llewellyn, Bill Naismith, 96.3 Scottish Silver Sash (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Billy Galloway, Gordon Spalding, [ Arthur Mann, Jim Holder, 92.7 Ht 2: Charlie Hornby, Danny Craig, [ Jimmie Pinkerton, Norrie Isbister, 91.6 Ht 3: Drew McQueen, Billy Llewellyn, [ Jimmy Valente, George Pinkerton, 91.7 Ht 4: Harry Whitfield, Bill Barclay, [ George McKenzie, Andy Marr, 93.3 SF 1: Billy Galloway, Charlie Hornby, [ Gordon Spalding, Danny Craig, 89.7 SF 2: Harry Whitfield, Billy Llewellyn, [ Drew McQueen, Bill Barclay, 95.6 Final: Billy Galloway, Charlie Hornby, Harry Whitfield, Billy Llewellyn, 89.9 Special Match Race (4 laps flying start) Drew McQueen, Billy Galloway, Harry Whitfield, 89.2 Tuesday 15 October 1929 Crowd: 15,000 According to Speedway : Despite the earnest endeavours of a heavy ground mist at White City last night, some excellent racing was enjoyed. The vagueness added a touch of the mysterious which produced unrehearsed thrills worth a fortune to any promoter who could produce them. Newcomer Billy Lamont was the star attraction for the Glasgow public. His efforts more than made up for the absence of Eva Askquith who was on her way north, but had been held up by fog. A new type of event was introduced at White City, the relay race. Cinder Sifter got his wish and his idea for the relay race materialized. The Glasgow team turned out in red and the visitors were resplendent in white. The speedway columnist of the Bulletin and Scots Pictorial described the event thus: The first rider in each team will be sent away in the usual way and the first lap will be a flier. Immediately the initial member completes his lap the second member will be dispatched or rather pushed off. And so on. Should any rider crash or experience engine trouble or anything of that sort the next member of the team will be sent away after a lapse of 30 seconds from the time of the start of the victim. It is somewhat difficult to describe the affair and after all it is much better to go by practice than principle. In the event the relay race took place and the Visitors won by half-a-wheel as Billy Lamont just eased home ahead of Billy Galloway. The Herald writer noted: The relay race proved to be a successful experiment. It was a flat race and it caused much enthusiasm. Speedway noted that it opened very

68 tamely, but a desperate finish saw the Aussies cast a single shadow on the finish post and very few spectators could give a definite opinion as to who was the winner. Galloway thought he had won it by a whisker, but the loud speakers announced that Lamont had just got it. Whether the Glasgow line-up is accurate is open to question. An article in the Times carried a comment from a reader who had been unhappy about the standing starts used in the relay and had written to say: Standing starts are not satisfactory. Glasgow lost 4 or 5 seconds through Billy Llewellyn's bike failing to pull away properly. The event was only staged once more at White City, but the format was a bit different. Billy Lamont cleaned up and ended the evening unbeaten. His nickname of the Cyclone was lived up to this time round. Also on the bill was a young lad from the Leeds area, Arthur Atkinson. Arthur would later gain fame as a West Ham star. Speedway described one of his races thus: Something stirring was seen in heat three (of the Handicap) when Mann and Atkinson unleashed the Rudges. If Mann's tyres had been enamelled he would have pipped the Southron, but as it was Atkinson followed home Naismith - who had led all the way. Bill Naismith was fence bashing. Bill Naismith tried to wreck the whole fence in the semi-final and succeeded in removing yards of it but did not seem much affected thereby. Galloway and Jimmie Pinkerton had been coming up with wet sails but Jimmie sat down on the pit bend and Billy annexed the event in 95.0 seconds. In the scratch event: The star race of the evening was the second semi-final of the Silver Gauntlet. From the outside berth Lamont entered the bend with Mann, Pinkerton and Galloway but actually ran round them all to emerge in the lead. Galloway of course tore in pursuit while Pinkerton played a canny waiting game. Nothing short of a brick wall would have stopped Lamont, but just when Galloway seemed to be a safe second things began to happen. Pinkerton went berserk, entered the last bend ignoring the button and followed Lamont ashore in 89.8 seconds. Again Jimmie sat on Lamont's back wheel in the Final, but in a wonderfully spectacular fashion, the Australian completed a magnificent triple win. The brick wall comment is apt as Billy Lamont once rode through a barbed wire fence when using a big oval in his native Australia. It seems the site belonged to four different owners and one had fenced off his land without telling anyone. Ht 1: Jimmie Pinkerton (1), Jim Holder (3), [ NI, 93.7 Ht 2: Billy Galloway (scr), Jack Reilly (5), [ NI, 89.5 Ht 3: Bill Naismith (5), Arthur Atkinson (scr), Arthur Mann (?), [ NI, 97.4 Ht 4: Billy Lamont (scr), Peter Coia (5), [ NI, 90.2 Ht 5: Billy Llewellyn (4), Jack Ormston (scr), [ NI, 98.4 SF 1: Billy Galloway, Jack Reilly, Jim Holder, Jimmie Pinkerton (f), Bill Naismith (f), 95.0 SF 2: Billy Lamont, Arthur Atkinson, [ Billy Llewellyn, Jack Ormston, Peter Coia, 92.7 Final: Billy Lamont, Billy Galloway, Arthur Atkinson, Jack Reilly, 90.1 Scottish Silver Gauntlet (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Arthur Atkinson, Andy Marr, [ NI, 93.4 Ht 2: Drew McQueen, Billy Llewellyn, [ NI, 91.1 Ht 3: Billy Lamont, Arthur Mann, [ NI, 88.4 Ht 4: Billy Galloway, Jimmie Pinkerton, [ NI, 91.4 SF 1: Arthur Atkinson, Drew McQueen, [ Andy Marr, Billy Llewellyn, 88.7 SF 2: Billy Lamont, Jimmie Pinkerton, [ Arthur Mann, Billy Galloway, 89.9 Final: Billy Lamont, Jimmie Pinkerton, Arthur Atkinson, Drew McQueen, 88.7 Visitors v White City Relay Race Visitors Drew McQueen Arthur Atkinson Jack Ormston Billy Lamont White City Jimmie Pinkerton Andy Nicholl Arthur Mann Billy Galloway Deciding Lap: Billy Lamont bt Billy Galloway, No Time

69 Tuesday 22 October 1929 Crowd: 20,000 The last meeting in Scotland in 1929 attracted 20,000 fans. How else to start the report but by quoting Speedway : The last meeting of the season was favoured with favourable weather for once in a while and some excellent racing was the result. Billy Lamont was back again, but his return was not as triumphal as the week before. Lamont tried to set a new lap record but his time was just 0.2 seconds outside the record held by Billy Galloway. Lamont did not progress beyond the heats in the Glasgow Handicap event as his machine broke a chain in the heat. According to Speedway : Billy Lamont was seriously challenged by McGregor in heat 3 and the Edinburgh man gave as good as he received for two furious laps. In order to pass, Lamont had twisted and tortured his machine beyond endurance, so that on the commencement of lap three the long-suffering chain broke. Naismith had a good handicap lead, however, and McGregor could not better a good second. Lamont did progress to the Silver Sash final but did not win this one either. A special match race had been set up to pit Billy Lamont against the home-based Aussie Billy Galloway and young Englishman Arthur Atkinson. Lamont managed to fall in the original staging of the event and a re-run was organized. It proved to be a thriller for much of its duration, as the two Aussies raced neck-and-neck round the Paisley Road West track. On the last bend Galloway fell and gifted the race to his namesake who crossed the line 40 yards in front of young Arthur. Jimmie Pinkerton was coming in for praise from Speedway : Jimmie Pinkerton would certainly not have managed to gain second place in heat four if he had not been a superlative rider. On the last bend a vicious skid fought him round in a circle without fetching him off but his brilliance was to no avail against the lead of the Pocket Lamont - Peter Coia. Peter gave promise of the reckless mood he was in by clocking 96.2 seconds to secure this event. Peter again beat Jimmie in the semi and did the treble by taking a win in the Final. This was Peter's first win in a premier event at White City. Billy Lamont qualified for the Silver Sash Final, but met his Waterloo on the first bend. Thus ended the first full season at White City and the star of the season was runner-up in each of the main events had been Billy Galloway's year, and would have been an even bigger year for him had he not left for a while and also not suffered injury. Ht 1: Andy Nicholl (1), Billy Galloway (scr), [ NI, 93.7 Ht 2: Arthur Mann (1), Jack Hart (6), Dan Craig (?), [ NI, 94.8 Ht 3: Bill Naismith (6), Bob McGregor (1), Billy Lamont (ef), [ NI, 96.6 Ht 4: Peter Coia (6), Jimmie Pinkerton (1), [ NI, 96.2 Ht 5: Onanoff Johnson (2), Norrie Isbister (3), [ NI, SF 1: Billy Galloway, Andy Nicholl, [ Arthur Mann, Jack Hart, Bill Naismith, 93.0 SF 2: Peter Coia, Jimmie Pinkerton, [ Bob McGregor, Onanoff Johnson, Norrie Isbister, 96.6 Final: Peter Coia, Billy Galloway, Andy Nicholl, Jimmie Pinkerton, 96.6 Scottish Silver Sash (4 laps flying start) Ht 1: Arthur Mann, Jim Holder, [ NI, 92.0 Ht 2: Billy Galloway, Arnie Cattell, [ NI, 90.4 Ht 3: Billy Lamont, Andy Nicholl, [ NI, 90.5 Ht 4: Arthur Atkinson, Norrie Isbister, [ NI, 89.8 SF 1: Billy Galloway, Arnie Cattell, Arthur Mann, Jim Holder (f), 93.1 SF 2: Billy Lamont, Arthur Atkinson, [ Andy Nicholl, Norrie Isbister, 91.4 Final: Arthur Atkinson, Billy Galloway, Arnie Cattell, Billy Lamont (f), 90.4 Consolation Race (4 laps standing start) Johnnie Walker, Andrew Young, [ NI, Special Match Race (4 laps flying start) Billy Lamont, Arthur Atkinson, Billy Galloway (f), 87.8

70 Lap Record Attempt (Flying start) Billy Lamont, 21.0 TRAVELLERS' TALES Manch ter, W/C v Glasgow Challenge (Result n/k) Newcastle, G th 19 Glasgow 9 Challenge Edinburgh 16 Glasgow 12 W/Horse Distillers Trophy White City, Manchester Wednesday 1 May 1929 Crowd: Not recorded According to an advert, in the (Manchester) Evening Chronicle, White City Manchester were to have a Grand International Challenge Match against White City, Glasgow. The teams were given as:- (Manchester) Arthur Jervis, Billie Dallison, Walter Hull and Broadside Burton; (Glasgow) Norrie Isbister, Andy Marr, Chris Hughes and Allan Campbell. As yet no details of this fixture have been located. Newcastle Gosforth Wednesday 28 August 1929 Crowd: 15,000 With the other Newcastle track, Brough Park, operating as a member of the Northern Dirt-track League, the Gosforth venture also entered into team events. Glasgow could have been the first team opponents for this Newcastle side. The results for the match do not indicate the fourth member of the Glasgow side, but in a press advert Jack Reilly was listed in the eight riders and all other seven featured in the meeting. It is possible that George Pinkerton could have been involved as he featured in the side that raced the home leg at Glasgow. From reports the match was not particularly full of incident. Jim Holder fell in heat 2. Heat four was the most interesting as it was re-run twice. In the first attempt Andy Marr fell and the race was brought to a halt. In the second attempt it was Arnie Cattell who came to grief resulting in the race being halted. In the re-run of the re-run, Glasgow secured their first and only heat win. Scoring used the four points for a win, two for second and one for third place. Newcastle would go on to take a draw with Wembley at 14-all, a win from Edinburgh and would also beat a Belle Vue side Gosforth staged a couple of Inter-County events as well in 1929 and a Tyneside v Scotland fixture. Scottish riders were popular visitors to Newcastle and a Scotland side with Holder, Isbister, Allan Campbell and one unknown rider, thought to be Jack Reilly, raced and lost to a Tyneside team on 4 September. The area that had no tracks in 1928 had three in Whitley Bay was the first to open on 20 April. Brough Park opened on 17 May, then Gosforth opened in early June under the same promotion as Whitley Bay. The seaside track appears to have closed in late June Newcastle Gosforth 19 Glasgow White City 9 ( 100 Challenge Match) (4 laps flying start) Newcastle Gosforth Glasgow Charles Tiger Sanderson 1 2 = 3 Norrie Isbister 2 1 = 3 Arnie Cattell 4 1 = 5+1 Jack Reilly (?) 0 0 = 0 Bud Thompson 4 2 = 6+1 Andy Marr 2 0 = 2 Roy Sanderson 1 4 = 5 Jim Holder 0 4 = 4 Ht 1: Arnie Cattell, Norrie Isbister, Charles Sanderson,?, 1min 30.7 Ht 2: Bud Thompson, Andy Marr, Roy Sanderson, Jim Holder (f), 1min 32.0

71 Ht 3: Roy Sanderson, Bud Thompson, Norrie Isbister,?, 1min 29.9 Ht 4 Jim Holder, Charles Sanderson, Arnie Cattell, Andy Marr, 1min 31.3 Marine Gardens, Edinburgh Saturday 12 October 1929 Crowd: 10,000 The last meeting of the season saw Edinburgh beat Glasgow by over four heats, with scoring on the basis. George McKenzie's two heat wins turned the match round after Glasgow took a 5-2 opening heat lead. This meeting was Jimmy Valente's Edinburgh swan song. He had come out of retirement for Glasgow and had raced at White City on the Tuesday before. Jimmie Pinkerton was entrusted with the captaincy of Glasgow whilst Drew McQueen was similarly honoured by Edinburgh. McQueen was due to race in a triangular event with two Aussies, but withdrew due to an injured hand. The injury was sustained in the first heat of the match. Had Drew stayed aboard the score would probably have been greater than the recorded. Equally, had Glasgow used their star man, Billy Galloway in the team, the result might have been tilted a little more in the favour of the White City men. In the event the Edinburgh team retained the White Horse Distillers Ltd. Trophy which they had won in Glasgow and were to keep it in their cabinet until the middle of George McKenzie joined his rival McQueen on the injury list. After winning his Gold Sash heat by 50 yards he came down in circling the track after passing the winning post and did not ride again. This type of incident is not common, but George is not the only one who has completed a race and fallen off on the easy bit. Edinburgh 16 Glasgow White City 12 (White Horse Distillers Ltd. Trophy) (4 laps flying start) Edinburgh Glasgow Drew McQueen f = 0 Jimmie Pinkerton 4 2 = 6 James Logie 2 2 = 4 Arthur Mann 1 0 = 1 George McKenzie 4 4 = 8 Jimmy Valente 0 4 = 4 Bill Barclay 2 1 = 3+1 Jim Holder 1 0 = 1 Bob McGregor 1 = 1+1 Norrie Isbister DNR Ht 1: Jimmie Pinkerton, James Logie, Arthur Mann, Drew McQueen (f), 89.6 Ht 2: George McKenzie, Bill Barclay, Jim Holder, Jimmy Valente, 91.4 Ht 3: George McKenzie, Jimmie Pinkerton, Bill Barclay, Arthur Mann, 89.8 Ht 4: Jimmy Valente, James Logie, Bob McGregor, Jim Holder, 93.2