Miscellaneous Part 1

Miscellaneous
Part 1

Lee Richardson Ray Taylor Norrie Isbister Digging at the Starting Gate Early Americans NZ Smokey Stratton Speedway Toy Riders The 2 Stroke Scott Machine Scott's Red Devil Frank Varey Billy Lamont Harley Davidsons American Board Tracks Oldest Riders Lady Riders Ice Speedway Slider Shuttleworth Swindon's Red Devil Mike Broadbanks The History of the Sport Cec Warren's 1928 Scrapbook

History of
Dirt Track Speedway

A Short History

By Jeffrey Stafford.

Speedway racing is a sport with an extraordinary history. According to Tom Stenner, speedway correspondent of the London Daily Mail, the first speedway meeting on a dirt track was held at Pietermaritzburg, in South Africa, in 1907. But it can be shown beyond a question of doubt that the United States should be recognized as the birth place of motor cycle racing. One of the principal features of the Butte Athletic Associations meet in July 1901, were motor cycle tandem races featuring Clem and Charles Turville, Gust Lawson, and John Chapman. The track was constructed of board and designed on the saucer principle by Captain T.O. Angel who had successfully used the same design on cycle tracks in Salt Lake and Los Angeles.

At Indianapolis, on Saturday August 14 1909, two accidents, one of them serious, marred the national motor cycle races. In the team mile professional race, which Jake de Pozier, of Springfield, Mass, was going at a terrific speed, the front tyre of his motor cycle tore off, throwing him heavily to the ground. His injuries were not fatal and he recovered later.

Nevertheless, there can be little doubt that the evolution of Speedway as we know it today took place in Australia. The sport of motor cycle racing that had been popularized in America during the early part of the nineteenth century featured a considerably variety of variations - which were subsequently improved and standardized by a number of Australian promoter’s to give us what is probably the most exciting of all automotive sports.

A dirt track meeting was held on Saturday, October 11 1913, under the auspices of the Victorian Motor Cycle Club. The meeting was marred by the death of Harold M'Coll who collided with a fence and was killed instantly. Another rider, A.W.Maplestone had one of his shoulders dislocated. Twenty seven riders competed in six events. As far as I can ascertain Harold M'Coll was the first victim of a Speedway race in Australia.

Nine out of ten speedway historians credit Maitland showground in New South Wales as being the birth place of speedway racing. However, the first Speedway event, the one that perhaps marks the beginning of Speedway proper, predates the Maitland event by eight years. Here is an extract taken from the Saturday Referee, 6 February 1915:

Big Easter Carnival, which should provide motor cycling enthusiasts with some fine sport. The events ; 100 miles open state Championship; 600 c.c. State Championship 66 miles ; open handicap 33 miles; and the club handicap 33 miles. The meeting will take place at Gouldburn on Easter Saturday, 3 April, 1915. Nor was the meeting just a one off event, there was a very large attendance for the second motor cycling meeting at Gouldburn held on Easter Saturday, 22 April, 1916. The big event of the 1916 Easter meeting was for machines of all powers, over 100 miles. Of the twelve motor cycles which started, six were Indians, four Excelsior’s, and two Harley Davidsons. L. Frank, astride a 7 h.p. Harley Davidson, proved victorious covering the 100 miles in 2 h 8 min 55 sec.

The Sale Easter Carnival, held on Saturday, 19 March, 1921, represented the greatest attempt that had then been made in Australia to put motor cycling on a solid footing. The choice of Sale as the site for the meeting was made for a variety of reasons.

When the sport began many difficulties were placed in the way of those promoting it. In and about the Metropolitan area of Melbourne and the outlying areas the civic authorities refused to allow motor and motor cycling on roads and the owners of the racecourses refused to allow them to be used for motor cycle racing.

Sale offered sanctuary to motor cycle enthusiasts. Its racecourse and roads were offered, and the support that was forthcoming made the choice easy. The Sale authorities not only recognized the sport, but officially invited the Victoria Motor Club to hold its carnival in the town. For motor cycle racing the only rival was the motordrome at the amateur Sports ground, which in 1921 was not in site of completion. One of the main features of the Sale Easter Carnival was the appearance of two motor cycles that had been built entirely in Australia.

There was never a more successful motor cyclist in Australia than Charles "Daredevil" Disney of Melbourne, known throughout Australia as the most fearless motor cycle rider, he was able to win contest after contest without losing what is commonly termed as "nerve control."

He was the son of one of the Ministers in the 1924 Labour Government in Victoria. He started his riding career in 1915, by winning a seven mile road race gaining first and fastest time.

He started life as a furniture maker, but when his brother returned from the war they became partners in a motor cycle business. As a member of the South Yarra Cycling Club, he achieved varied success over distances ranging from 10 to 20 miles.

From the start of his career Daredevil Disney only utilized Indian motor cycles due to the speed and reliability for which the machines were famous. He knew no fear. He was often accused of being a reckless rider, but he never injured anyone or put anyone's life in danger.

He won his first motor cycle race in 1919 - a five mile side car event. In the same year at the Sale Easter Carnival he established himself as one of Australia's best motor cycle riders by winning in the fastest time the Blue Ribbon event for the road over 200 miles. Then came the Hopkins Cup open race, and after that success on the Aspendale track, reliability trials and jumping records. He held the Australian long distance jumping motor cycle record, covering a distance of 54ft 6in in the leap. He became well known on the speed track as the "Wizard of the Track," and "Daredevil Disney."

In March 1922, he lowered the Adelaide to Melbourne motor cycle solo record on an "Indian" Scout, by registering 16 hours and 14 minutes, breaking the recent record set by Jack Quigley.

On Saturday February 21, 1925, he sustained an injury to his knee while taking part in a preliminary run at the Geelong racecourse, prior to racing against the American Paul Anderson. He was hospitalized for some weeks at Geelong before surgeons give up hope of saving his leg. Disney in the end resigned himself philosophically to losing his left leg to save his life. But that did not dismay him, after leaving hospital he entered cycle races with an artificial limb strapped to the foot rest.

Charles "Daredevil" Disney" died on 5 July 1954, aged 77. He was cremated and his remains were scattered at the Springfield Botanical Cemetery, Melbourne.

In 1922, John S. Hoskins, later known as the prince of speedway promoters, was appointed Secretary of the West Maitland Agricultural Society. At this time the organization was in a bad way. Its membership over the years had plummeted to about 300.

Hoskins tried all manner of attractions - boxing, rodeos, and cycling - but nothing seemed to grasp the attention of the public. Being a motor cycle rider himself, with a number of riders, he approached the committee of the Agricultural Society to ask permission to run a number of motor cycle trials.

The members thought it was pure madness, and told Hoskins he was taking a short cut to death. No amount of persuasion could convince them that it would prove to be a success and a good investment. Eventually, however, Hoskins got his own way and with a rider named Billy Crampton, who was the only one with an actual racing machine in N. S. W., a Norton, he was allowed to give his idea a try out.

One member of the committee, who was actually taken with Hogkins idea, watched over the fence when Hoskins and Crampton were speeding around the track, and later it was mainly through his imput that Speedway eventually opened at Maitland. Construction of the speedway track at Maitland commenced in October 1923, and the first Maitland Speedway meeting was held on Saturday, November 1, 1924, for a double bill of motor cycle and push bike racing. It was not a success. The push bikes showed up the speed failings of the powered bikes they even recorded better times. The track was very small, and of grass. Under half a mile in circumference and thirty feet broad.

There was much hype for the official opening of the first Maitland Speedway meeting held on Saturday, October 17, 1925, when L. B. Meville, mounted on an h.p. Harley Davidson, succeeded in winning the £100 Motor Cycle Handicap. A princely sum in 1925. The attendance was estimated at around 1300, and the number of riders in the motor cycle handicap was a record, 77 starting. Since the close of 1924 the track had been considerably reconstructed. Instead of two straight and four bad turns where many falls had occurred in 1924, the track was oval with a straight run in front of the main grandstand. The track had also been widened from 30ft to 45ft, the banks at both ends had been made very much higher, and a slight smaller embankment had been built all-round the half mile track. There were 28 races -- 23 for motor cycles and five for push bikes.

Apart from the normal speedway meetings at Maitland, Speedway Carnivals were held throughout the year to raise money for local charities. A speedway meeting was held at the Maitland Speedway Carnival on Saturday, 21 February, 1925. In the final of the Championship race, a serious accident occurred. George Kirkwood hit a fence, and another rider E. Buck crashed into him. Buck escaped injury, but Kirkwood sustained a compound fracture of the right leg, which was later amputated. He also sustained many injuries to his head and body. As a consequence of the terrible injuries received by Kirkwood a safety rail, similar to the one at Speedway Royal was erected.

George Kirkwood was 18 at the time of his accident at Maitland; he was born on 22 April, 1907. He passed away in NSW on 2 March, 1991, the month before his 84th birthday.

A letter from Mr. E. B. Harkness, Under Secretary to the Chief Secretary of NSW to the management of the Hunter River Agricultural and Horticultural Association, criticizing the condition of Maitland Speedway track, was published in the Maitland Daily Mercury, 15 May, 1925. The following is a short extract from the letter:-

"It has been reported to the department, Mr.Harkness stated, "that the speedway on the society's ground is, in its present condition dangerous to riders. It had been presented, moreover, that since motor cycle racing commenced there in 1924, 33 more or less serious accidents have occurred, resulting in riders receiving, in several instances, injuries necessitating surgical treatment."

There can now be little doubt that the case for the start of dirt track racing at Maitland in 1923 cannot be maintained, and that dirt track racing on the Maitland track did not commence until 1924.

In 1924 a number of Speedway enthusiast held a number of private races on the Brisbane paddock. In the course of time the grass surface became worn, but the process was so gradual that the change from grass to dirt was scarcely noticed. Then, when the riders learned to slide the corners on the dirt surface speedway racing became more spectacular. In 1925 - two brothers, A.J. and Frank Hunting, saw the possibilities in dirt track racing, and engaged the paddock riders from Brisbane to appear at the Exhibition Grounds, on Saturday, 16 October, 1926. Brisbane. The five riders were Vic Huxley, Frank Authur, Frank Pearce, Dick Smythe and Charlie Spinks.

Speaking of the above, the following extract is taken from a letter written by A. J. Hunter, and published in "The Referee," 23 December 1937. His reminiscences of the early days of dirt track racing are interesting.

He states categorically that the first grass track speedway was at West Maitland, but the first genuine dirt track for speedway was laid down and constructed by him at Davies Park, Brisbane in 1927 -- this track brought out the rider’s ability and daring.

When the track in Brisbane was nearly completed Hunter advertised the opening of the meeting although he still didn't have any riders. All the well-known motor cycle riders were skeptical, not one appeared willing enough to give Hunter's dirt track riding idea a try. In despair, Hunter took his idea to the Brisbane Motor Cycling Club and asked for volunteer riders. A young man stepped forward called Frank Pearce, and told Hunter he was willing to give it a go. Charles Spinks, then a bricklayer, was the next to volunteer, and after him Vic Huxley. Nine other riders soon followed -- but then the supply of volunteers dried up. All the riders put in an appearance at the opening of the Exhibition Grounds Brisbane, on Saturday 16 October, 1926.

The visit of the American rider Cecil Brown, a fist class rider on any surface, raised the standard in Australia considerably. He arrived in Australia with a reputation as a great dirt track rider, but at Penrith he was repeatedly beaten by Gus Clifton and Billy Conoulty. However he soon mastered the tracks and developed into one of the best riders in Australia.

The public began to flock to Speedway meetings and new tracks began to spring up everywhere. A track opened at Cessnock, and a year later Newcastle followed suit. The first concrete track in New South Wales at Maroubra was opened on Saturday, 5 December, 1925. Much interest was taken in the Golden Helmet race with a prize of £30 and £10 per week until the winner was defeated at a subsequent meeting. Cecil Brown was crowned with the Golden Helmet and carried off the track shoulder high. He won the Golden Helmet for the fifth time at the Olympia Speedway track on Friday 2 April, 1926. His fastest lap was 93 m.p.h.

It could be argued that the very first speedway meeting took place in New Zealand on 22 October 1923, at the Canterbury Racecourse, Christchurch. The competition included the leading riders from all parts of New Zealand. The races were run on a grass track, and very fast times were recorded. The most successful rider was the well-known New Zealand champion Percy Coleman, who made excellent time in winning the all Powers Championship of 12 miles on his Harley Davidson. On 9 March, 1929, dirt track racing was commenced at the Kibirnie Stadium, Wellington.

Many speedway historians have written about the history of the sport in England. Nine out of ten credit High Beech in Essex as the birth place of English Speedway. But there can be no getting away from the fact that the Moorside dirt track at Droylsden predates the High Beech track by eight months. Many youngsters in the North West got their first taste of dirt track racing at Droylsden, it also paved the way for other dirt tracks in the in the Manchester area like Audenshaw, Stalybridge, New Mills ,Salford Albion, White City and Belle Vue. According to the Australian speedway promoter A.J.Hunting (Sydney Referee Dec 23 1937), he helped lay down the track at High Beech. Mr. Hill Bailey, then secretary of the Ilford Motor Cycle Club, introduced Hunting to Mr. W.S.Cearns who asked Hunting if he would lay down a proper track. The famous Australian Speedway promoter agreed and assisted with the construction of the track. Two other Australians, Keith McKay and Billy Galloway, helped to organize and participate in the High Beech meeting.

Droylsden, unlike High Beech, was an entirely local venture without any assistance from outside sources. The meeting was organized by the South Manchester Motor Club and local motor cycle dealer Fred Fearnley, on land owned by George Dodd, a farmer from nearby Ashton Moss. The event was given a license by the ACU for track racing, and the meeting went off as planned on 25 July 1927. There is absolutely no doubt that the Droylesden meeting was the pioneer of Dirt track racing in England. The ground where the event took place should be recognized by Tameside Council as a site of historical importance Blue Plaque commemorating the site as the birthplace of speedway racing in the UK. The plaque should be positioned as close to the original site of the track as possible. If you agree, please take the time to write to:- Arts and Events, Tameside MBC, Dukinfield Town Hall, King Street, Dukinfield.

6 Riders USA

Courtesy of John Spoor

1939 Book Cover

Courtesy of Lyndsey Skinner

1938 Test Match At Harringay

England & Australia
v
America & Canada

This meeting was dominated by the USA's Milne Brothers who both notched 6 ride 18 point maximums. The England/ Australia side had no-one to trouble the Milnes or Wilbur Lamoreaux who notched 16 points

Letter From The BBC

Courtesy of Tom Roe

Tasmanian

Reginald Aldgate West

Courtesy of Colleen Thorne

Reg on his Rudge. The Rudge Co had come up with a strong engine which could compete with the Douglas and Harley Davidson's Peashooter. The Rudge frame however was inherently weak hence the strengthening struts on this one

The rider pictured above is Reg West. His daughter Colleen has been in touch as follows: -

Would someone be able to help us find out anything more on my father, Reginald Aldgate West. He was born in Tasmania but the family moved from there to Melbourne. He travelled all over Australia racing he was also known to have done some wrestling in his time.

I have a Photo of him having won a race on his motorbike wearing his winners sash.
He was my father-in-law. We know very little of his racing career.

He travelled over to the UK with the Australian team to race at the Isle of Man/Wight in the early 1930's. We believe he raced all over the UK. He never went back to Australia. Seems he stopped racing at the start of the war. Could have been from serious injury?

Any info would be great. Thanks Colleen Thorne

John says: The bike is a Rudge so I would put the picture at around 1928/1931? Can anyone supply info on Colleen's father?

Bryan Tungate has been in touch. He has "found" a Reg West in a 1939 Norwich programme

3 June 1939 Norwich v Middlesbrough ...... 2nd half races show .....

Reserve Race - Alex Lewis, Bert Hutson, Sid Hipperson, Reg West, 81.0

Hellesdon Trophy Heat 4 - Reg West was replaced by Fred Belliveau the 'borough reserve in this race.

Stuart Towner says : -The picture of Reg West would be 1928, well the bike is. Rudge dropped the struts on the frame as they made the bike too stiff. Best wishes. Stuart Towner - Editor of the Rudge Enthusiasts Club magazine, the Radial.

John says: So let us accept that Reg was sitting on an early Rudge possibly 1928 although it is possible that Reg fitted the struts himself to a slightly later model. Who knows!

Colin Jewes says: Probably is a 1928 Rudge: Reg West rode at the Melbourne Exhibition track, Victoria in 1928, where he won the Golden Helmet there at least 3 times in Oct. & Nov. ‘28.

He also won the 2-Mile Australian Dirt Track championship at Melbourne Exhibition, (possibly the same year, – unsure.) The above photo was used in a press report of the day on his 2-Mile win.

Ray "Broadside" Taylor

Robert Crich has sent me this lengthy document mapping the career of Australian Ray Taylor although I did chip in with some photos

Hello John, I stumbled over your website. Just a small file indexing newpaper items regarding Ray Taylor’s speedway career 1930-1948 which are available on Trove newspaper archive on the web. Most items (Clippings) are outlined in the attached index file. This is only what I have and is in no way definitive or complete. Hope this might help. Rob

Ray Taylor: Newspaper articles. Speedway year

1930

Month: January 1930
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
27	Adelaide SA(Mon)	Royale	A Grade Handicap

Month: March 1930
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
7	National Advocate Bathurst(Fri)	Bathurst	Scratch Race

Month: April 1930
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
21	Evening News Sydney(Mon)	Penrith. NSW	Riding a BT Special
22	Newcastle Times(Tue)	Penrith. NSW	Attempt Flying Speed Record on 350cc BT Special bike
26	Nepean Times(Sat)	Penrith. NSW	10 seconds behind world Record at 55. 2-5 seconds. (-world- 45. Sec on 490cc Harley Davidson)

Month: November 1930

Date

Source News Article

track

Comments

The Labour Daily Sydney(Fri)

Wentworth Park. NSW

Advax Gold Helmet
Handicap and Teams Race


Month: December 1930
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
5	Evening News Sydney(Fri)	Speeway Royal	Advax Gold Helmet heats
5	Sydney Morning Herald(Fri)	Speedway Royal	Advax Gold Helmet heats
18	The Sun. Sydney(Thur)	Speedway Royal	Advax Gold Helmet Handicap race
21	The Truth. Sydney(Sun)		Consolation Scratch race. Ray won 1^st Place.

Ray Taylor: Newspaper articles. Speedway year
1931

Month: January 1931
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
10	Evening News Sydney, NSW	Wentworth park	1^st Heat. Advanx Gold Helmet
13	The Newcastle Sun	Newcastle Speedway	First appearance in Newcastle
14	The New Castle Sun	Newcastle Speedway	Upcoming Match Race
15	The New Castle Sun	Newcastle Speedway	Upcoming Match Race
16	The New Castle Sun	Newcastle Speedway	Appearance advert
23	The New Castle Sun	Newcastle Speedway	Appearance advert. For 1 Mile Championship
29	The Labor Daily Sydney	Wentworth Park	“Taylor gets his chance” proved himself for the track championship next Saturday


Month: March 1931
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Atticles
4	The Labor Daily Sydney		Handicap Race

Month: April 1931
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
5	Truth Sydney	Parramatta Speedway	Gold Star Scratch Race .Heat 1. Flying start over 3 laps. Heat 3. 1^st place. Parramatta handicap. Semi Final . 1^st place. Parramatta handicap Grand final. 1^st place.
15	Referee Sydney	Parramatta	Grand Final Thrilling event

Month: May 1931
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
22	Labor Daily		Looking around bike shops with Manager Norm Williams. Will be remembered for stunning performances at Parramatta speedway.

Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
20	The Sun	Paramatta Speedway	Heat 5. Riding an Indian. Time 2 seconds.

Month: October 1931
Date		Source News Article	track			Comments
6		The Daily Telegraph Sydney	Parramatta Speedway			Spills frequent. Needed ambulance attendance for abrasions to his knee. Lost Gold Star final.
7		Referee Sydney	Paramatta Speedway			Narrowly defeated in Parramatta Handicap over 4 laps.
24			Paramatta Speedway			Parramatta Team Vrs Sydney Team. Selected for Parramatta Team
25		Truth Sydney	Paramatta Speedway			Paramatta Handicap. 2^nd heat 1^st place. 3^rdsemi final 1^st place. A grade teams race 2^nd place in dead heat with Les Roy.
26	The Labor Daily			Paramatta Speedway	Paramatta Handicap 2^nd heat 2^nd place.3^rdsemi final 1^st place.

Month: November 1931
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
5	The Cumberland Argus and Fruit Growers Advocate. Parramatta	Parramatta Speedway	Race cancelled due to wet weather will be brought forward to next Saturday.
8	Truth Sydney	Parramatta Speedway	Third semi final for the Parramatta Handicap. 1^st place.
16	The Cumberland Argus and Fruit Growers Advocate. Parramatta	Parramatta Speedway	As below(both newspapers reported same race and placings.
17	Newcastle Sun	Parramatta Speedway	Final Paramatta Handicap won by Len Roy with Ray in second place. Flying scratch race. Heat 4. 1^st place.
22	Truth Sydney	Parramatta Speedway	Big Twelve Scratch Race. 1^st place
26	The Cumberland Argus and Fruit Growers Advocate. Parramatta	Parramatta Speedway	Big Twelve Scratch Race. 1^st place

Month: December 1931
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
15	Daily Telegraph Sydney	Wentworth Speedway	To race next Saturday for the Track Championship
16	Labor Daily	Wentworth Speedway	As above
18	The Sun Sydney	Wentworth Speedway	Flying nine scratch race
18	Daily Telegraph	Wentworth Speedway	Flying nine scratch race. Heat 3.
19	Daily Telegraph	Wentworth Speedway	Advert for the above race on Saturday night
20	Truth Sydney	Wentworth Speedway	Speedway season opened. Showed he was a real broardside artist 1 second outside the record Wentworth Handicap 3^rd heat. 1^st place.

Month: December 1931 continued
20	Truth Sydney	Wentworth Speedway	Covered 4 laps in 1 min 18 seconds. Just 3-5 of a second short of track record
21	Sydney Morning Herald	Wentworth Speedway	Crowd of 6000 applauded his handling of his bike when the back tyre came off to win as above
24	The Sun Sydney	Wentworth Speedway	Advertisement. 3 heat match next Saturday
26	The Daily Telegraph Sydney	Wentworth Speedway	Advertisement. 3 heat match next tonight.
27	Sun Sydney	Wentworth Speedway	Flying nine scratch race final. 1^st place. Broke Van Praag’s record by 4-5 seconds.
28	National Advocate Bathurst	Wentworth Speedway	As above. His time in 3 laps in 55. 4-5 seconds. Has challenged Van Praag for the Track Championship next Saturday Proved himself the greatest find on the dirt track this season.
29	Labor Daily Sydney	Wentworth Speedway	Clipped 1 3-5 of a second from a rolling start
30	The Sun Sydney	Wentworth Speedway	Proved himself and a new track star. Will compete for the best 3 heats of 2 laps from a standing start.
31	Brisbane Courier Qld	Wentworth Speedway	As above. Proved a star with 17 second average per lap and thought to have broken other records-not stated.
31	Sydney Morning Herald-Sydney	Wentworth Speedway	Australian Motor Cyclists Union impressed with his performance.To contest the scratch mark and compete against Van Praag in Championship Trophy.

1931 to 1935, Paris, France. An Anglo-French promotion syndicate ran an annual Dirt Track “ Championnat du Monde” (World Championship,) for five years at the Buffalo Velodrome, Paris between 1931 and '35. The format usually comprised 9 riders drawn from Europe and the UK scene, (3 per race,) across 13 heats, Semi's and Finals.

Ray, now known as Ray “Broadside” Taylor was 22 years of age and although a relative beginner starting his official racing career only over the past year, he was lauded for his performance at Wentworth Park Speedway during the season of 1931 and considered a new find and a crowd pleasing rising Star of the dirt track.

Ray’s riding standard, wins and broadside skill was such that he had narrowly defeated the distinguished Len Roy and was given the opportunity to compete against Australian Champion Lionel Van Praag who recently returned from successfully competing in England.

Ray Taylor: Newspaper articles. Speedway year

1932

Month: January 1932
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
2	Daily Telegraph Sydney	Wentworth Park Speedway	Advertisement. Lionel Van Praagvrs Ray Taylor. Half mile Championship. Tonight
3	Truth Sydney	Wentworth Park Speedway	Half mile match championship. Van Praag 1^st Ray Taylor 2^nd place Rider Norman Thompson crashed in front of Van Praag in pervious race and Lionel was shaken.
4	Daily Telegraph Sydney	Wentworth Park Speedway	Ray beaten in 2 straight heats as above by Van Praag
4	Newcastle Morning Herald and the Miners Advocate	Wentworth Park Speedway	As above four riders came down although none injured in race.
5		Parramatta Speedway	Ray vrs Bios Blumfield tomorrow. Last Wednesday Ray beat Jack Hollis in 2 straight heats.
8	The Daily Telegraph	Wentworth Park Speedway	Allowances framed for the Wentworth Park Handicap.
9	Daily Telegraph Sydney	Wentworth Park Speedway	Advertisement for thrilling team tests tonight.

Month: January 1932
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
9	Unknown to date.	Wentworth Park Speedway
10	Truth Sydney	Wentworth Park Speedway	Ray placed 2^nd to Wilson in 3^rd Test heat.
16	The Sun Sydney	Wentworth Park Speedway	Big 9 scratch race Ray to meet Cyclone Mookey and Dick Sulway.
16	Labor Daily	Wentworth Park Speedway	As above. Ray wins Flying nine scratch race
19	Labor Daily	Wentworth Park Speedway
21	Cumberland Argus and Fruit Growers Advocate	Parramatta Speedway	Ray Taylor Excels. Won heat and semi final.
23	The Sun Sydney	Wentworth Park Speedway	Ray challenged Van Praag in a Match race for the half mile championship.
Month: January continued 1932
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
23	The Daily Telegraph Sydney	Wentworth Park Speedway	As above. Ray challenged Van Praag in a Match race for the half mile championship.
24	The Sun Sydney	Sydney Royale	Ray challenged Van Praag and lost against Van Praag in straight heats last night
24	The Sun Sydney	Wentworth Park Speedway	Van Praag retained his title against Ray who lost.
26	The Advertiser Adelaide SA	Sydney Royale	Ray to race in an interstate teams match
27	Referee Sydney	Paramatta Speedway
27	Referee Sydney	Paramatta Speedway	Taylor Shines. 5 wins from 5 starts
28	News Adelaide	Speedway Royale	Advertisement. Gala night. Ray Broadside Taylor, Paddy Dean, Jack Hollis
28	News Adelaide	Speedway Royale	NSW Riders to compete. Ray Taylor will compete against Arnold Hansen.
28	Cumberland Argus and Fruit Growers Assoc	Paramatta Speedway	Taylor victorious. Won 2 straight heats.
28	Cumberland Argus and Fruit Growers Assoc	Paramatta Speedway	Taylor excels.
29	News Adelaide	Speedway Royale	NSW Riders to compete against South Australians. Ray Taylor holder of the NSW Wentworth Park Track Record will compete against Arnold Hansen
30		Speedway Royale	Advertisement

Month: February 1932
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Articles
1	Adelaide Advertiser (Thurs)	Speedway Royale Adelaide	Ray lost to Jack Chapman on Saturday.
4	Unknown (pending)	As above	Another big leap. Ray made 1^st appearance at Adelaide Speedway on Saturday deemed as one of the most spectacular riders seen in this state for some time. Will appear with Jack Hollis and Paddy Dean.
6	The Age Melbourne	Exhibition Speedway Melbourne	Ray to make his debut.
6	News Adelaide	Speedway Royale	Ray struck the back of Dick Wise in the 1^st lap of the 3^rd heat and fell.
10	Referee Sydney	Speedway Royale	Ray disqualified by Stewards for interference with Wise.
13	Mail Adelaide	Speedway Royale	Australian Championship over 1-mile Rays bike conked out. Interstate handicap over 3 laps from a flying start and won by 40 yards. 1^st place in the 1^st heat. Special Match Race 1^st Place.
15	Advertiser Adelaide	Speedway Royale	Ray and Paddy Dean run a close race as Ray gained the inside and finished first by only a few yards.
16	Labor Daily Sydney (Tues)	Wentworth Park Speedway	Half mile challenge won by Van Praag. He has beaten Ray twice.
17	Referee Sydney	Wentworth Park Speedway	Ray fell foul of the Stewards in Adelaide. No finer Rider at Wentworth track and is a treat to see him mowing the markers on the straight. However, he seems a little on the reckless side.
24	Sporting Globe Melbourne (Wed)	Speedway Royale	In special Matches on Saturday night, Ray won the Consolation Scratch Race from Fearson and Ras Lee. Lost International Handicap Final to Applebee. Also running were Con Bartelanier and Max Grosskreutz.
25	The Age Melbourne	Exhibition Speedway Melbourne	Ray to make his debut in Victoria. There will be Scratch Races between nine selected riders.
26	The Herald Melbourne (Fri)	Exhibition Speedway Melbourne	NSW and Victorian teams to meet. Ray, world record breaker over three laps on the quarter mile flat track is to be opposed by Lionel Davy Victoria’s international rider and holder of the 4 lap Exhibition record.
26	The Herald Melbourne (Fri)	Exhibition Speedway Melbourne	Victorian half mile championship held over 3 heats on Saturday.
Month: February continued1932
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Articles
27	The Herald Melbourne (Fri)	Exhibition Speedway Melbourne	Ray Taylor the NSW dirt track champion will meet Lionel Davey in a special match race. Ray holds the world title for quarter mile flat track. Will leave for England next month
27	The Age Melbourne	Exhibition Speedway Melbourne	Advertisement. Half Mile Match Championship. Big Mile scratch race. Dare Devil Curtis enveloped in flames will leap from his 110ft ladder.
29	The Argus Melbourne.	Exhibition Speedway Melbourne	Davey-Victoria defeats Taylor New South Wales. Over three heats and Ray fell in the last lap of each heat. Reason being that he had never had an opportunity to practice on the dirt track prior to the race

Month: March 1932
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Articles
2	Sporting Globe Melbourne (Wed)	Exhibition Speedway Melbourne	Davey Supreme. Ray had bad luck to fall near the finish of each heat.
5	Sporting Globe Melbourne (Wed)	Exhibition Speedway Melbourne	Ray and Paddy Dean will represent NSW in team matches.
5	The Herald Melbourne	Exhibition Speedway Melbourne	As above
9	Sporting Globe Melbourne	Exhibition Speedway Melbourne	NSW teams to meet Vic teams-as above tomorrow night
12	Border Watch SA (Sat)	Notice item	Ray going to England shortly. Photo.
16	Kalgoorlie Miner Western Australia (Wed)	Notice item	As above
19	The Daily News (Sat)	Notice item	As above
22	Western Argus (Tues)	Notice item	As above

Month: March continued 1932
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Articles
23	Referee Sydney (Wed)	Exhibition Speedway Melbourne	Max Graham brought down from NSW but experienced same as Ray engine troubles and borrowed mounts.

Month: April 1932
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
2	News Adelaide (Sat)	On route to England	Going to compete at the Wembley Speedway in England, Ray Taylor, dirt track rider, who took part in the recent Australian Championship meeting in Adelaide, is a passenger on the Morton Bay from Sydney. The boat will leave outlet harbour on Monday.
4	News Adelaide (Mon)	On route to England	Speedway Men avoid customs duties. Ray and Ernie Fox and mechanic Martin Barry are on their way to Wembley. With small prize money in Australia customs duties on bikes is too expensive. Motor cycles are to be purchased in England. They will not have to pay landing duties when returning home. The men will leave late tonight.
4	The Canberra Times (Mon)	Queanbeyan Club Carnival	Ray entered to ride. (Possibly prior to travel arrangements??)
14	The Cumberland Argus and Fruit Growers Advocate. Thurs)	Parramatta Speedway	Philip and Mervyn Atkins of Windsor Road Northmead impersonating Ray Taylor and Frank Weldrick of Parramatta speedway fame, awaiting the starters signal at the charity’s carnival, they won first and second prizes for the” best advertising costumes” section
27	English record	Owlerton, Sheffield	The rider in these events is named “Goeff” Taylor. And it is suspected by the writer that it might be a mistake for “Ray” who apparently had just arrived in England. In any case it is decided to include the event with very reasonable confidence.

Australian Cigarette Card


Month: May1932
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments

11	England record	Owlerton, Sheffield	Owlerton Scratch race. Geoff (Ray) 2^nd in heat 1.

12	Records	Plymouth	Ray rode for “Overseas” against English “Homeland” team ran 2^nd in 4^th heat.

18	NSA National League records	Owlerton, Sheffield	Ray rode for South Hampton in the National League Trophy. Heat 7. 2^nd place and one fall. Sheffield won 34to19 points. Ray rode on same day Speedway Trophy heat 1. 4^th place.

21	Recorded item Reference-attached documents	Possibly Owlerton, Sheffield	Saturday 21 May 1932. Bellevue 34 defeated South Hampton 12. (National League NSA Trophy) Ray (South Hampton) fell in heat 4.

Month: June1932
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
1	Recorded item-National League Trophy (The Saints / Lea Bridge team)	Clapton, London	Wednesday 1 st June 1932 Clapton, London. The Saints 22 Stamford Bridge 31 (National League NSA Trophy) 4^th places in heats 3 and 7. Ray (Rode as The Saints for Lea Bridge) fell in the 7^th heat. Note: In contrast the opening league match at Lea Bridge attracted 12,000. This marked the revival of Gus Kuhn 3 2 2 7 the track after a period of closure because of allowing betting. The name of the team had not been Arthur Warwick 3 2 1 6 decided at this stage so they rode as "The Saints" and kept the Southampton light blue colours

9	Recorded item-National League Trophy	Brandon, Coventry	Thursday 9th June 1932 Brandon, Coventry Coventry 23 Lea Bridge 29 (National League NSA Trophy) Ray in 4^th place after a fall.

Month: June continued1932
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments

22	England record	Clapton, London	Wednesday. Reserves scratch race. Ray 2^nd in heat 2.

26	National league record	Plymouth	Tuesday. Ray rode for Plymouth. 3^rd in heat 3. 4^th in heat 5 (Fall) 4^th in heat 7. Chain broke.

27	National league record	Clapton, London	Monday. Ray rode for Clapton. Ray rode for Clapton. National League. Clapton was defeated by Wimbledon 33-19. Ray 4^th in heat 6. 3^rd in heat 8.

29	Recorded item- National Trophy England	London, Clapton	Wednesday 29th June 1932 Clapton, London Clapton 22 was defeated by Crystal Palace Glaziers 32 (National League) Ray 2^nd place in the reserves scratch race final.

Month: July 1932
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments

12	Recorded	Plymouth	Homeland vrs Overseas. Ray placed 2^rd in heat 4 and 2^nd in heat 13.

23	Labor Daily	Item only

Month: July continued 1932
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments

26	Recorded National League	Plymouth	Tuesday 26 July. (National League) Plymouth vrs Wembley Ray (Plymouth) 3^rd in heat 3, 4^th in heat 5 and fell, 4^th in heat 7 with a broken chain. The track could have been better prepared and did not lend itself to good racing.

Month: August 1932
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments

4	Recorded National League	Pennycross, Plymouth	Thursday 4th August 1932 Pennycross, Plymouth Plymouth 32 defeated West Ham 18 (National League) Ray (Plymouth) 4^th place in heat 1 and 3^rd in heat 6.

9	Recorded National League	Pennycross, Plymouth	Tuesday 9^th August 1932. Plymouth 31 defeated Coventry) 22 (National League) Ray 4^th in heat 1 and 4^th in heat 6. Heat 6 - Tims and Ray fell independently near the end of the race. They both pushed home vying with each other for the final point. Arthur Tims won the pushing race!

11	Recorded National League	Pennycross, Plymouth	Thursday. Wembley defeated Plymouth 27-24. Ray rode for Plymouth. 3^rd in heat 1. 3^rd in heat 4.

15	The Cumberland and Fruit Growers Advocate	Article item only	IN ENGLAND-extract “Young Ray Taylor the dirt track rider who rode at the Parramatta Speedway last season, has been putting up some wonderful performances in England, defeating the British Champion, Jack Parker a few weeks ago and breaking some records over there. Ray is a favorite with speedway fans for his daring racing and good sportsmanship when racing. In a recent letter he would like to be remembered to all his speedway supporters, and that he intends bringing some “hot” motors home when he returns from overseas”.

16	Recorded National League	Pennycross, Plymouth	Tuesday 16th August 1932 Pennycross, Plymouth Plymouth 33defeated Clapton 20 (National League) Ray 1^st place in heat 8.

18	Recorded National League	Pennycross, Plymouth	Thursday 18^th August. (National League) Coventry 34 defeated Plymouth 18. Ray (Plymouth) 3^rd in heat 4 and 3^rd in heat 7.

20	Recorded National League	Pennycross, Plymouth	Saturday 20 August 1932. Bellevue vrs Plymouth. (National League) Bellevue 35 defeated Plymouth 15. Ray (Plymouth) excluded from heat 4 for false start and 3^rd place in heat 5

Month: August continued 1932
Date	Source News Article		track		Comments
29	Recorded National League		Pennycross, Plymouth		Monday 29 August 1932. Wimbledon 33.5 defeated Plymouth 22.5. (National League) Ray(Plymouth) 4^th place heat 1. Eric Collins was a real star for Plymouth at this time and was at the top of his form. He beat Dick 4 Jack Jackson 0 0 1 1 Case on his own track in heat 2. His battle with Vic Huxley in heat 8 was brilliant speedway 5 Bert Spencer E 2 2 4 and Eric only lost out on the last lap after leading all the way

Month: September 1932
Date		Source News Article		track		Comments

1		Recorded Challenge Match		Pennycross, Plymouth		Thursday 1st September 1932 Pennycross, Plymouth Plymouth 21 West were defeated by West Ham Hammers 32 (Challenge) Ray (Plymouth) 1^st in Heat 1, 4^th in heat 4 and 3^rd in heat 7.

2		Arrow Sydney		Item. Great Season Promised.		Australians played a big part in the English season. Frank Auther, Vic Huxley, Max Groskrents. Billy Lemont who has been away for some years. Another success was Ray Taylor who rose from obscurity last year and finished by being one of the finest drawcards in the game.

3		Labor Daily Sydney (additional enlarged copies attached)		Plymouth Speedway and Lea Bridge		Due to leave England in early October to compete for the Ashes against England. He has done extremely well. Annexed Gold helmet at Plymouth defeating Frank Varey in the final and Eric Langdon, the English test team Captain. Beat Jack Parker, the British Champion. Reported to be bringing home one of the fastest machines in England. This together with one of the latest racing outfits.

Date	Source News Article	track	Comments

13	Recorded National League	Pennycross, Plymouth	Tuesday 13 September 1932. Plymouth 19 was defeated by Crystal Palace 32. (National League) Ray (Plymouth) 3^rd in heat 9.Eric Collins was right off form suffering from tonsilitis. A big blow for Plymouth. This meeting was rained off from the previous Tuesday.

14	Recorded National League	Pennycross, Plymouth	Wednesday 14th September 1932 Clapton, London Clapton 36 defeated Plymouth 18 (National League) Ray (Plymouth) 3^rd in heat 3, 3^rd in heat 6 and 2^nd in heat 9.

20	Recorded National League	Pennycross, Plymouth	Tuesday 20^th September 1932. Plymouth 22 lost to 32 Wimbledon. (National League) Ray (Plymouth) in 4^th place in heat 3 after fall. 4^th in heat 5 Lamont and Jackson also fell. Lamont, Jackson and Ray were in a 3 way pile up in heat 3. Bill injured his chin. Ray was back on and tried for second but Dick Case lapped him.

27	Recorded National League	Pennycross, Plymouth	Tuesday 27 September 1932. Plymouth 30 defeated Stamford Bridge 22. (National League) Ray scored 1 point and no place.

*Month: October 1932**
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments


	*Records for this English season month are unknown. Ongoing


Month: November 1932
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
4	Arrow Sydney	Item only	Ray on way back to Australia. Had a good year but did not get into the Australian Test Team. He is bringing back a JAP Machine and several fast motors. He became a flying enthusiast while away and has a pilot’s ticket.

5	Labor Daily	Item only	As above. Bringing back a motor used in his winning the gold and silver gauntlets in England. Ray has been taking flying lessons while down in Plymouth and hope to continue flying at Mascot. He was asked to sign up for a new speedway just opened in America but turned it down due to commitments in Australia.

8	The Daily Telegraph (Thurs)	Photo Only	Ray pictured on bike

12	West Australian (Sat)	Item only	Ray arrived in Perth yesterday on the Lars Bay from London. Details of English team races on attached sheet.

12	Labor Daily	Item only	Ray had seven weeks consecutive riding at Wentworth speedway this season his most impressive performances however were at the Paramatta track.

18	Arrow Sydney (Fri)	Item only	Ray had a successful season in England winning the Golden helmet and Silver Gauntlet. 22 riders competed in the English Championship in which Ray finished 3^rd.He is bringing back the latest JAP machine.

Month: November continued1932
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
18	As above	As above	Ray returned on 11 November of that year on the ship Balranald. Also on board were dirt track riders, Bert Spencer, Maurice Bradshaw, S.W. Lipton, Eric Collins, Charlie Spinks and S.C. Stratton. Ray showed wonderful improvement since he went abroad and played no small part in the Test matches in which he was a member of the Australian team.
19	The Labor Daily Sydney (Sat)	Item only	Ray arrives home next Monday. He is bringing something very “Hot” in the way of a motor.
21	Age Melbourne (Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Much interest was taken in the “Mystery Rider”
22	The Daily Telegraph (Sydney Tue)	Wentworth Park	Ray who returned from England this week will compete for the first time this season.
23	Sporting Globe (Melbourne Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to made his debut in the presence of several thousand onlookers. He was announced as the “Mystery Rider” Defeated by Ernie Evans in two straight heats who gave a good display. Ray had engine trouble in both heats.
24	The Advertiser Adelaide (Thurs)	Item only	Ray and Jack holis will feature at the speedway on Saturday night
25	The Sun (Sydney Fri)	Wentworth Park	Taylor vrs Hollis
26	The Daily Telegraph (Sydney Sat)	Wentworth Park	Advertisement. Ray vrs Jack Hollis tonight. Ray just returned from England where he defeated Eric Langdon winner of the British individual championship in straight heats at Pyymouth.Ray also won the Golden Helmet and Silver Gauntlet on the same track.

Month: November continued 1932
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
26	The Sydney Morning Herald	Wentworth Park	Rays first appearance when he meets Hollis.
27	The Sun Sydney	Wentworth Park	Large attendance and good riding in the international event
28	The Labor Daily	Wentworth Park	Ray defeated by Jack Hollis in straight heats.
28	National Advocate (Bathurst Mon)	Wentworth Park	As above. Jack Hollis defeated Ray by half a wheel. (1 metre ?)

Month: December 1932
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
2	Arrow Sydney (Fri)	Remarks only as written in article “Cinders from the dirt track”	Rays remarks to the Lads.” InEngland the JAPs are the only things on the Tracks. I took a fast motor of a different make to Plymouth and the boys came across and enquired kindly where I thought I would get the speed from. Dirt Track racing in England is an absolute business. Every day riders who are permanently attached to a track go through a physical culture drill for an hour or two, and then put in some solid practice on the course. England is no place for an ordinary class rider. Stars can make good money, but there are so many of the average quality men in England that outsiders cannot make a crust”. Quite an unassuming chap Taylor, and he thinks that local Lads have a good chance with the Champions coming along with Jack Hoskins. We sincerely hope your right, Ray.

Month: December continued 1932
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
2	Arrow Sydney (Fri)	As above	Rays defeat by Jack Hollis was partly due to engine trouble. Dave Brewster his mechanic said his motor was not performing up to JAP standards. Gone is the wild man who didn’t care about fences or crashes a year or two years ago. Who also answered to the name Taylor in his place is a heady rider who, on a speedy track should be well worth seeing?
7	The Daily Telegraph Sydney (Wed)	Wentworth Park	Ray will be seen in action in the Gold Helmet scratch race which includes all local stars.
9	Arrow Sydney (Fri)	Wentworth Park	Possible team match Royale and Wentworth being arranged. Ray is a member of the Wentworth quartet team
9	The Daily Telegraph (Sydney Fri)	Wentworth Park	Ray to compete in the Golden Helmet scratch race on Saturday offering the biggest prize money. Match race between Bobbie Blake the unbeaten match Champion of the season and Ray.
10	The Sydney Morning Herald (Sat)	Wentworth Park	As above.
10	The Daily Telegraph	Wentworth Park	As above
11	Truth (Sydney)	Wentworth Park	Ray mentioned previously beating Bobbie Blake in the gold star match race
12	The Sydney Morning Herald (Mon)	Wentworth Park	Bobbie Blake won from Ray in the first heat but Ray beat him in the second and third heats
15	The Daily Telegraph (Thurs)	Royale	Mention of Blakes defeat of Ray. (but no mention of Ray’s wins)
20	The Sun (Sydney Thurs)	Wentworth Park	Wentworth and Royale teams match should provide some excitement on Saturday.

Month: December continued 1932
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
21	The Daily Telegraph (Wed)	Wentworth Park	Artie Fenn who won the Gold Helmet will oppose Ray. Fenn is riding at the top of his form and Ray is reproducing his best.
22	The Daily Telegraph (Thurs)	Wentworth Park	Ray to race as part of the “Flying Twelve”
23	The Sun (Sydney Fri)	Wentworth Park	As Above
24	The Sydney Morning Herald (Sat)	Wentworth Park	Improved arrangement at the Track. Ray and Arnie Fenn to match race.
24	The Daily Telegraph (Sat)	Wentworth Park	As above tonight
27	The Sydney Morning Herald	Wentworth Park	The gold star match was won by Ray. His opponent Arnie Fenn fell in the final heat.
28	National Advocate (Bathurst Wed)	Wentworth Park	Arnie Fenn beat Ray in the match race and Ray challenged for a rerun but Fenn beat him again in the final heat.
29	The Sun (Sydney Thurs)	Wentworth Park	Good line up of Riders. Considered one of the best on Saturday
31	The Daily Telegraph (Sat)	Wentworth Park	Benefit Carnival for the family of Bert Brenman popular rider of the Wentworth Team. Flying Fifteen to contest as well as country and International riders. Ray to ride.

Ray left for England boarding the ship, Morton Bay during the evening of the 4^th April 1932 just ten days before his 23^rd birthday and returned on 11 November of that year on the ship Balranald. Also on board were dirt track riders, Bert Spencer, Maurice Bradshaw, S.W. Lipton, Eric Collins, Charlie Spinks and S.C. Stratton.

National League Averages 1932

Rider	Team	M	Mx	Pa	Ra	Pts	Bon	Ave
Ray Taylor	Plymouth	12			24	14	2	2.67
Ray Taylor	Southampton Saints	3			8	2	0	1.00
Ray Taylor	Lea Bridge	5			11	2	0	0.73

The above table is copied from the internet although sources from 1932 records the dates were not listed and other details defined.

Rays Bike "Daisy"

Ray Taylor: Newspaper articles. Speedway year

1933

Month: January 1933
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
1	The Sun (Sydney Sun)	Wentworth Park	Gold Helmet scratch race. 3 Laps . Heat 1. Ray 1^st. Second semi final Ray 2^nd place.
2	The Sydney Morning Herald(Mon)	Wentworth Park	As Above. Ray riding 495cc Rudge Withworth.
4	Referee (Sydney Wed)	Wentworth Park	As above. Ray showed plenty of dash and gave the winner Blake a great ride.
5	The Labor Daily (Thurs)	Wentworth Park	International Match Race Ray mentioned.
6	The Daily Telegraph (Fri)	Wentworth Park	Ray riding in scratch race.
7	The Sydney Morning Herald	Wentworth Park	Preliminary to selection of Australian Test Team to meet England decided tonight. Ray to ride. Additional match race will include Ray.
8	The Sun (Sydney Sun)	Wentworth Park	Ray beaten in Gold Star race.
9	Sydney Morning Herald (Mon)	Wentworth Park	As above. Ray 2^nd place to Jack Hollis
12	The Daily Telegraph (Thurs)	Wentworth Park	Ray will be a starter for the Gold Helmet on Saturday night.
14	The Lobor Daily (Sat)	Wentworth Park	As above.
15	Truth Sydney	Wentworth Park	As above. Ray in 2^nd place in the Wentworth Handicap run 4 laps in final heat.
16	The Sydney Morning Herald(Mon)	Wentworth Park	As above.
20	Arrow (Sydney Fri)	Wentworth Park	Ray having a bad spin. His motor is not performing up to the standard he presented on his return from England. His riding is up to standard but the “horses” are not there. He fell on Saturday but lucky not hurt.
21	The Sydney Morning Herald (Sat)	Sydney Royale	England team vrs NSW. Ray reserve and will contest the scratch race.
25	Referee Sydney(Wed)	Item only	Ray visited boxers Carnera and O’Malley
26	The Brisbane Courier(Thurs)	Sydney Royale	As on 21^st.
Month: January continued 1933
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
27	Arrow Sydney(Fri0	Sydney Royale	As 21^st.

Month: February 1933
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Atticles
	Arrow Sydney (Fri)	Sydney Royale	London to meet NSW Team but Ray not included.
9	New Castle Sun (Thurs)	Sydney Royale	England vrs Australia. Ray 2^nd place in heat 16.
10	Arrow Sydney	Sydney Royale	Ray not mentioned
	Truth Sydney (Sun)	Sydney Royale	4^th Test England and Australia. Bobbie Blake seriously suffering head injuries. International scratch race Ray only rider to finish. Final heat Ray won 1^st place.
13	Sydney Morning Herald (Mon)	Sydney Royale	As above more detail.
15	The Sun Sydney (Wed)	Sydney Royale	World Championship.EnglandVrs Australia. Ray team member alongside Van Praag, Wilkinson, Frank Arther, Bill Lamont, Max Grosskreutz and Dick Smythe.
19	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	Ray had a lucky escape in the 12^th heat. He fell opposite the grand stand and his machine was in front of him. He was not hurt,
24	Northern Star Lismore NSW(Fri)	Local item	Ray referenced only

Month: March 1933
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
5	Truth Sydney (Sun)	Sydney Royale	Jack Hollis unconscious after crash. World Speedway Championship. NSW Vrs The Rest Heat 1. Ray in NSW Team 1^st place. Heat 1 (second heats) 3^rd place. Final score. 38-21 NSW Team defeated
6	Sydney Morning Herald (Mon)	Sydney Royale	Hard to read but detailed account of Saturdays NSW Vrs The Rest and Rays point score.

Month: March 1933 continued
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
7	National Advocate Bathurst (Tue)	Not sure Bathurst?	Ray mentioned for previous nights point score and will be riding tonight.
8	National Advocate Bathurst (Wed)	Bathurst?	Ray Champions Scratch Race. Ray second to Bluey Wilsenson in 1^st heat.
8	Labor Daily Sydney(Wed)	Sydney Royale	Ray reserve foe the Australian Team vrs England.
10	Arrow Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Royale	The Rest beat NSW Team. 29 to 23. Ray ticked up 4 points for NSW.
11	The Sydney Morning Herald(Sat)	Sydney Royale	Fifth and final test between England and Australia tonight. Also a 3 corner international race Ray Australia, D Lloyd England and Ray Tauser USA.
12	The Sun Sydney (Sun)	Sydney Royale	England defeated Australia in the final test. 52 to 43. Ray 2^nd place in the International match race Heat 1. Ray 1^st place in heat2. Ray International Match Race Champion.
13	Labor Daily Sydney. (Mon)	Sydney Royale	As above. Ray showed better form than when called for reserve for the above test. Winning as above.
15	Sporting GlobeMelbourne (Wed)	Sydney Royale	As above. Ray stood in for Van Pragg and finished a fine 2^nd to Wally Little in the fifth Australia/England Test match heat.
16	Labor Daily Sydney(Thurs)	Wentworth Park	No mention of Ray
17	The Daily Telegraph Sydney	Wentworth Park	Ray in Conten…… Scratch Race tomorrow night.
19	The Sun Sydney (Sun)	Wentworth Park	Ray 1^stplace Heat 5. Wentworth Handicap and 2^nd place in the Ares Handicap. Heat 2 with Van Praag win.
22	The Sun Sydney (Wed)	Wentworth Park	Principal event a 3 corned match race with Ken Kirkman, Artie Fenn and Ray.
22	Sporting Globe Melbourne (Wed)	Wentworth Park	As above Acres Scratch Race -Ray beaten by Wally Little by a wheel.
24	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Fri)	Wentworth Park	Match racing will feature tomorrow night. Wally Little to match Ray Again. Winners to meet following Saturday.
24	The Sun Sydney(Fri)	Wentworth Park	Advertisement. Ray vrs Wally Little
25	The Sun Sydney(Sat)	Wentworth Park	As above.

Month: March continued 1933
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
26	The Sun Sydney(Mon)	Wentworth Park	Wentworth Handicap. Heat 1.Little beat Ray for second place. Semi Final Heat 2 A Fenn beat Ray for second place. Final Ray scored 1^st place. Ray was overall winner. Ray also won the Match race against Wally Little.
27	Labor Daily Sydney(Mon)	Wentworth Park	As above. Ray and Wally Little showed great performance. Little had fastest time overall and had mechanical trouble.

Month: April 1933
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
22	The Labor Daily Sydney(Sat)	Item Only	Ray manufacturing Jackets

Month: July 1933
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
1	The Labor Daily Sydney (Sat)	Item	Ray featured in “Great Riders”
15	The Labor Daily Sydney (Sat)	Item	Ray featured in “Great Riders”
15	The Labor Daily Sydney (Sat)	Item	Ray featured in “Great Riders”
29	The Labor Daily Sydney (Sat)	Item	Rays outstand Tuning Mechanic-Jonny Horwood married(Brother of Daisy?)

Month: August 1933
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
29	Daily Standard Brisbane	Brisbane Exhibition	Ray, Wally Little and Dick Sulway all signed to ride at Exhibition Track in Brisbane when ready.


Ray Taylor

Month: September 1933
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
2	Daily Standard Brisbane (Sat)	Exhibition Speedway(QLD)	Racing carnival will be conducted on Oct 14. Will be the finest speed riders in the commonwealth. 3/and a half hours each evening. Ray not mentioned but will race -interesting reading.
12	The Courier Mail(Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway(QLD)	Riders engaged. Ray to race.
13	Daily Standard Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway(QLD)	Star riders engaged. Ray included.
14	The Telegraph Brisbane (Thurs)	Exhibition Speedway(QLD)	Highly successful season is promised. Ray will race.
17	Truth Brisbane(Sun0	Exhibition Speedway(QLD)	Arrival of motors already for reopening. Training will begin 1^st October.
20	(Unknown)	Exhibition Speedway(QLD)	Ray mentioned among other outstanding riders. His training of recruits and clothing manufacturing.
20	Daily Standard Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway(QLD)	As above.
21	Referee Sydney(Thurs)	Exhibition Speedway(QLD)	Suggested England vrs Australia tests and Qld hoping for two matches.
28	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Thurs)	Exhibition Speedway(QLD)	To open 14 October. Main race will be the Golden Helmet.
30	Daily Standard Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway(QLD)	Only 2 weeks away. Speedway opening. Ray matched with Pearce. Model plane exhipition.

Month: October 1933
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
4	Daily Standard Brisbane (Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Riders interchanged between venues for Grand Opening. Ray to race Frank Pearce in Match race at Grand opening. Golden Helmet match race to be held.
Month: October 1933
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
5	Courier Mail Brisbane (Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	Several southern riders have arrived. Program to comprise of Golden Helmet scratch race, First class riders handicap, special “B” grade scratch race, Model planes contest, two match races on attempt for Lap record
6	Telegraph Brisbane (Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Opening riders are of “High” reputation.
6	As above	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement for opening on 14^th October.
10	Daily Standard Brisbane (Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisment-as above.
11	Telegraph Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Details as previously for Grand Opening.
13	Daily Standard Brisbane (Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement for Opening tomorrow night.
13	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	The Golden Scratch race will have 16 riders in 4 heatsan d 2 seminal and Grand final. First class handicap in 5 heats B grade scratch race 3 heats and final.
14	The Courier MailBrisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
15	Truth Brisbane (Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Details of events. Golden Helmet-Ray won 3^rd heat. Final -Ray broke away by ten lengths to win.
16	The Telegraph Melbourne	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Frank Pearce defeated Ray in Interstate Match Race.
16	Daily Standard Brisbane (Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above with added detail.
16	Courier Mail Brisbane (Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
16	Daily Standard Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above with photo.(2 copies)
16	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Helmet to Taylor.
16	The Telegraph Brisbane (Mon	Exhibition Speedway	As above Taylor Wins Helmet. 2 copies Ray photo described as “Lucky”
Month: October 1933
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
17	The Courier Mail Brisbane (Tues)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
18	Daily Standard Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Ray anxious to race for the Bulimba Gauntlet.
19	Referee Sydney(Thurs)	Exhibition Speedway	As above with detail.
21	The Northern Herald Cairns Qld.	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
22	Sunday Mail Brisbane	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Detail.
22	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
22	Sunday Mail Brisbane	Exhibition Speedway	Golden Gauntlet Final. Ray gave furious race. Won.Details.
22	Unknown)Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Taylor wins Golden Gauntlet.2^nd detail copy.
23	Daily Standard Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Quote: “ Taylor to win Gauntlet”
23	Daily Standard Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Says Ray should have been disqualified for” boring Frank Arthur out”
23	The Telegraph Brisbane	Exhibition Speedway	As previously mentioned for the Golden Gauntlet and no mention of disqualification.
24	The Telegraph Brisbane	Exhibition Speedway	Ray gave the Bulimba sign shortly after winning the Bulimba Golden Gauntlet. Photo.
27	The Courier Mail Brisbane (Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to Captain the NSW TEST match against Qld Interstate Match race on Saturday. Also race in the “Black Cat ‘ Pennant .
28	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Ray won the pennant.
29	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
30	Daily Standard Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Taylor wins third big tital. Ray now achieved a “Hat trick” after taking out the “Black Cat” pennant on Saturday night.(2 pages)

Month: November 1933
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
1	Daily Standard Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray heads Winners in prize money 64 pounds total. (Aust dollars to 2019-($45,00 labour cost-$174,100 economic value ) Ray topped in Trophies with Wally little topped in overall value track wise. Crowds favored Frank Arthur , a Queenslander ,over Ray.
2	Referee Sydney (Thurs)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray won the Black Cat Silver Pennant making his total a “Hat Trick”. 2 copies attached.
3	Daily Standard Brisbane (Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Can Ray win the Silver Pennant?
3	TheTelegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement for Silver Pennant. 2 attached copies.
6	The Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray may compete? Indian Cup.
8	Unknown	Parramatta Speedway	Event to be held on 9^th Nov. Outstanding feature is Ray to meet Charlie Pegabo In a match race of 2 laps. 2 copies attached.
8	Daily Standard Brisbane (Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray may ride in the Indian cup.
9	Referee Sydney(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	Meeting postphoned due to wet weather last Saturday.
10	The Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray out to win the Silver Sash.
10	Daily Standard Brisbane (Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement Interstate teams test and Silver Sash tomorrow night.
11	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	After 3 postponements the teams test will be run tonight.
14	The Telegraph Brisbane(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	Prise money for the new 33-34 season will be 150 pounds per week divided.
15	Courier Mail Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	After many postponements the Silver Sash will be run tonight.

Month: November 1933
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
17	Courier Mail Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway
			Criticism of inexperienced riders for false starts.2 copies attached.
19	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray won his heat by a full lap in the Silver Sash but his chain broke in the semi final. The winner was Frank Pearce.
20	Telegraph Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Frank Pearce won Silver Sash. Ray suffered a broken chain.
22	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray is paired with Clem Mitchel for a special match 2 lap race on Saturday
22	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement for above.
23	Referee Sydney(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray lost match race but won as part of the NSW team comp. Rough track although skillfully negotiated by Frank Pearce and Ray. Both run a record time of 74.3 seconds.
24	The courier Mail Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Castrol Gold helmet and NSW vrs Qld to be held on Saturday.
25	Unknown	Exhibition Speedway	Ray wins Castrol Gold Helmet.

Month: December 1933
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
7	Referee Sydney(Thurs)	Parramatta Speedway	Ray to race at Parramatta with photo
8	Unknown(Fri)	Parramatta Speedway	Ray to race tomorrow night. Mentioned his performance and his record travel time between Sydney and Qld as 18 hours.
8	Windsor and Richmond Gazette NSW (Fri)	Parramatta Speedway	Ray to meet Charlie Pegarbo In a match race over 2 laps. 2 copies.

Ray Taylor : Newspaper articles. Speedway year

1934

24	Worker Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement. As above
24	Daily Standard Brisbane (Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement. As above
Month: January continued 1934
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
24	The Telegraph Brisbane	Exhibition Speedway	Details as above
24	Courier Mail Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Details as above.
24	Daily Standard Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Details as above.
25	Daily Standard Brisbane(Thurs)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement. As above
25	The Courier Mail Brisbane (Thurs)	Exhibition Speedway	Details as above.
25	The Telegraph Brisbane	Exhibition Speedway	Details as above.
26	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	More information as above.
26	The Telegraph(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement. As above.
26	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement. As above. Photo of George Greenwood.
26	Daily Standard(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement. As above. Photos of Bill Jefferies and Bill Lamont.
26	Labor Daily Goggles comment (Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Complementary words about Rays time in Brisbane.
27	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement. As above.
27	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above with details.
28	Truth Brisbane (Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray in 3^rd heat and was second to Len Langedon. George Greenwood’s team won. 28-23
29	Daily Standard(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above Ray had to be content with 5 second places in the team heats.
29	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. In race with George Greenwood Ray was behind and when ready to gain ground he hit a bump near the pits.

Month: February 1934
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Atticles
8	Daily Telegraph Brisbane(Thurs)	Sydney Royale	Clem Mitchell to meet Dick Sulway in duel match. Dick Sulway in dispute over fine of one pound which he says is injust. Ray will ride in his place if the matter is not settled.
11	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	Ray 3^rd place in Australian scratch race.
Month: February 1934
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Atticles
24	The Daily Telegraph(Sat)	Sydney Royale	Tigar Stevenson to make farewell appearance tonight. NSW vrs the rest.

Month: February continued 1934
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Atticles
25	Truth Sydney (Sun)	Sydney Royale	Ray was top scorer but beaten by Wally Little.
			Tiger Stevenson broke several records on the night and was awarded an opel studded silver sash.
25	Sun Sydney (Sun)	Sydney Royale	As above Ray run close seconds to Wally Little and Tiger Stevenson.

Month: March 1934
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
4	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	Speedway accidents. Ray 2^nd place in his heat.
4	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Sydney Royale	As above. Ray rode well and won his heat and 2^nd place in the final a gruling race with Iron Mitchel and Ken Kirkham.
5	The Daily Telegraph(Sydney)(Mon)	Sydney Royale	As above.
10	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Sat)	Sydney Royale	Fireworks and battle displaysRay to race.
11	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	As above.Farewell speedway meeting of the season. Interstate match race (3 laps)Clem Mitchel beat Ray by half a wheel.
17	Labor Daily Sydney(Sat)	Wentworth Park	Ray to race.
21	Labor Daily Sydney(Wed)	Wentworth Park	Ray mentioned.

Month: September 1934
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
7	Labor Daily Sydney(Fri)	News item only	Ray interested to start dirt track training school. Clem Mitchill also interested. Friends as they toured England together.
7	Labor Daily Sydney(Fri)	News item only	Ray left to race in New Zealand.

Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
2	The Labor Daily(Tue)	Parramatta Speedway Item only	Noel Terry is interested in the scheme of Ray and Clem Mitchell for a training school.
4	The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate Parramatta(Thurs)	Item only	Ray was thinking of leaving the sport and as he had an auctioneering with a weekly market at Ryde resisted offers from Melbourne for the centenary celebrations and offer for a trip to England in March 1935. He is leaving for Melbourne on the weekend.
22	Argus Melbourne(Mon)	Melbourne Exhibition Speedway	Ray won 6^th heat of the Contenent scratch race. Photo

Month: November 1934
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
2	The Herald Melbourne(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to compete in an International scratch race tomorrow night.
7	Sporting Globe Melbourne(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray did well race unknown.
13	The Argus Melbourne(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	Match race heats. Ray,s placing not clear.
14	Sporting Globe Melbourne(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	As above though stated Bill Rogers outmaneuvered Ray.
15	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Thurs)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Bill Rogers defeated Ray 2 heats to 1.
15	The Advertiser Adeliade (Thurs)	Exhibition Speedway	England vrs Australia. Teams to be selected and Ray will be considered.
22	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Thurs)	Sydney Royale	Ray to be included in NSW team vrs England on December 8.
29	The Cumberland and Fruitgrowers Advocate Parramatta(Thur)	Paramatta Speedway	Ray vrs Jack Hollis to race on Saturday.
29	The Cumberland and Fruitgrowers Advocate Parramatta(Thur)	Paramatta Speedway	Advertisement. Ray vrs Jack Hollis to race on Saturday. 1^st December.

Month: December 1934
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
1	Labor Daily Sydney(Sat)	Sydney Royale	Comment that Ray is returning from Melbourne.
2	The Sun Sydney(Sun)	Parramatta Speedway.	As above unfortunately Jack Hollis’s back wheel toughed Rays bike and he crashed and was taken to hospital. Ray won heats and final for the Big nine scratch race.
2	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	Ray chosen for the NSW team between England.
3	Maitland Dailey Sydney(Mon)	Sydney Royale	As above the English team to arrive on Tuesday.
3	The Age Melbourne(Mon)	Sydney Royale	As above.
3	The Labor Daily(Mon)	Sydney Royale	As above
3	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Mon)	Sydney Royale	As above. To be graded on Tuesday.
3	The Sydney Morning Herald (Mon)	Sydney Royale	As above and previously mentioned.
9	Truth Sydney (Sun)	Sydney Royale	England vrs NSW no mention of Ray.
10	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Mon)	Sydney Royale	As above. Several falls and crashes In heat 4 of the all commers race. Ray who finished in 3^rd place (NSW) was cheered when he crashed to avoid fallen rider in front of him.
11	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Tue)	Sydney Royale	Australian team to be chosen Ray is considered.
16	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	Ray 2^nd place in semi final.
20	Daily Telegraph Sydney	Sydney Royale	Ray to ride for Australia vrs England next Saturday.
21	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Royale	Ray to ride tomorrow night. Committee working on big international tests including American teams.
24	The Courier Mail Brisbane	Sydney Royale	1 Mile Championship -heat 5. Bluey Wilkinson beat Ray who finished 2^nd.
26	West Australian Perth(Wed)	Sydney Royale	Details of 1 mile championship.

Ray Taylor: Newspaper articles. Speedway year

1935

Month: January 1935
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
4	The Sun Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Royale	Paring of riders. Ray to compete tomorrow night.
5	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Sat)	Sydney Royale	Joe Abbot and Les Gregory -England will compete against Bluey Wilkinson and Ray -Australia. Best pairs Championship
6	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	Second washout due to rain. Compete tomorrow night.
8	The Daily Telegraph(Tue)	Sydney Royale	Best pairs Championship.Heat 1. Bluey Wilkinson 1^st. Joe Abbott 2^nd and Ray 3^rd place. Heat8. Bluey Wilkinson 1^st Cliff Parkinson 2^nd Ray 3^rd. Heat 14 Bluey Wilkinson and Ray dead heat 1^st.
8	Labor Daily Sydney (Tue)	Sydney Showground(Royale)	As above.Ray rode the best race of the season in heat 14.
8	The Labor Daily Sydney(Tue)	Sydney Royale	As above.
11	The Labour Daily(Fri)	Sydney Royale	As above. Ray has an offer for a contract in England and the terms of such have him well covered. Likely he will accept.
13	Sun Sydney( Sun)	Sydney Royale.	Heat 1 -Scratch race Ray 2^nd. Yesterday night.

Month: February 1935
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Atticles
13	Sporting Globe Melbourne(Wed)	Item only	Ray negotiating for an American offer. Namely a team of Dirt Track Riders to race in USA.
14	Referee Sydney (Thur)	Item only	Ray in New Zealand and has been engaged to ride for Wembley this English season.
14	Daily Telegraph Sydney (Thur)	Item only	Ashes to be renamed Cinders.

Month: March 1935
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
21	The Daily Telegraph Sydney	Western Springs New Zealand	Ray had a successful season in New Zealand and left for America and England. He established records in NEW Zealand with a new record for 3 laps on the Western Springs Track . Ray has been offered a contract in NZ when he returns from England. (3 extracts on single copies.)

Month: May 1935
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments

9	Records from England	Empire Stadium. London	Thursday. Ray rode for the Wembley Cubs against the West Ham Hawks. National League. 3^rd in heat 1. First in heat 3.
16	Records from England	Empire Stadium. London	Thursday. Junior Race. Ray Heat 1. First and first in Final. Scratch race. 2^nd in heat 2.
23	Records from England	Empire Stadium. London	Thursday. Ray rode for Wembley against West Ham. 3^rd in heat 2. 2^nd in heat 3.
23	Advertiser Adelaide(Thurs)	Wimberley England	Start of English Season and Wembley is making an effort to gain Dick Smythe, Billy Lamont and Ray,(3 copies attached)
27	Records from England	Wimbledon, London	Ray Wimbledon. Junior challenge match. 4^th in heat 2. 3^rd in heat 4.
27	The Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Item abt England season	Monday. Ray and Billy Lamont are signed up and on their way over to UK.(3 copies attached)
28	Courier Mail Brisbane(Tues)	Item abt England season	As above.
30	Records from England	Empire Stadium. London.	Thursday.Ray Wembley Cubs. 2^nd heat 1. 4^th in heat 4.

Month: June 1935
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments

12	Records from England	Seaforth Stadium, Liverpool.	Wednesday. Ray rode for Australians against Seaforth. 3^rd in heat 4. And 3^rd in heat 9. Seaforth defeated Australians 33-20.
20	Records from England	Empire Stadium, London	Thursday. Scratch Race. 4^th in heat 4.

Month:July 1935
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
4	Records from England	Empire Stadium, London	Thursday. Ray rode for Wembley. DNR Code(to be researched)
11	Records from England	Empire Stadium, London	Thursday. Ray Wembley. As above.
13	Records from England	Empire Stadium, London	Saturday. Ray 4^th in heat 15. Reserve.
16	Records from England	Pennycross Stadium, Plymouth	Tuesday. Raven Trophy race. First in heat 1. 2^nd in heat 1 sf. 2^nd in Final. Challenge Match race. Lewis beat Ray. Flying nine. 2^nd heat 3. 2^nd in final.
23	Records from England	Pennycross Stadium, Plymouth	Tuesday. Ray rode for Plymouth. 1^st in heat 7. Jones replaced Ray in heat 3. Challenge Match race Ray beat Dick Wise. Plymouth Distance Handicap. 1^st in heat 4. And 4^th in final.
25	Records from England	Empire Stadium, London	Thursday. Preliminary scratch race. 4^th. Scratch race 4^th in heat 1.
27	Records from England	Wimbledon, London	Satursday. Handicap race. 3^rd in heat 2. 5 yards handicap.
29	Records from England	Seaforth Stadium, Liverpool	Monday. Ray rode for the South team vrs North. 3^rd heat 2. 2^nd Heat 9.

Ray Taylor
On Daisy at
Wimbledon

Month:August 1935
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
1	Referee Sydney(Thur)	Wembley UK	Ray reserve for Wembley. Established a track record in Paris and scored 14 points out od 15 in a teams match.(Believed to be the Buffalo Velodrome. Paris)

Month:August continued 1935
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
12	Record from England	Seaforth Stadium, Liverpool	Monday. Ray was due to ride for Australians vrs Seaforth but replaced by Ernie Price.
26	Record from England	Seaforth Stadium, Liverpool	Monday. Ray rode Wimbledon. Vrs Seaforth. 3^rd heat 3. 3^rd heat 7.
27	Western Morning News	Pennycross Stadium, Plymouth	Tuesday. Ray rode for Eastbourne vrs Plymouth. 2^nd heat 6. 1^st heat 8. Ray was returning after injury and was appearing as the “Mystery Rider”. One lap record attempt was cancelled due to weather. Billy Lamont beat Ray in the Match race.

Month:September 1935
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
3	Western Morning News	Pennycross Stadium, Plymouth	Tuesday. Ray riding for London vrs Plymouth. 2^nd heat 3. 1^st heat 6. Ray beat Eric Collins in Match race. Plymouth Distance Handicap.heat 3. 2^nd.
4	Western Mail England(Wed)	White City Stadium. Cardiff. UK.	Wednesday. Ray in Cardiff team. 2^nd place in Heat 7.
7	Record of England	Wimbledon, London	Ray 4^th Heat 1. Handicap race (5 yards)
10	Western Morning News	Pennycross Stadium, Plymouth	Tuesday. Plymouth Trophy Heat 4. 3^rd. Heat 8. 3^rd.
21	Records of England	Wimbledon, London	Saturday. Graded Scratch race. Heat 1 3^rd. Wimbledon Distance Handicap. Heat 4. 4^th.
23	The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate(Mon)	Item only. England.	Victor Pope RAN on board HMAS Brisbane went to the track at Plymouth and felt a slap on the back from his Ryde friend Ray.2 copies.

13	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	Opening season. Overseas riders from England and America and interstate. Ray on way back from England.
18	Labor Dailey Sydney(Fri)	Item only	Ray due to arrive this week. Racing for Wembley and flew over to Paris,Germany and other countries. He has been offered a contract to return. Also bringing latest racing equipment.

Month: November 1935
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
28	Herald Melbourne	Exhiibition Speedway	Ray and Clem Thomas to contest 3 heat 3 lap race.
15	Labor Daily Sydney(Fri)	Item only	Ray will return from England on Thursday on board the Oronsay.
16	News Adelaide(Sat)	Item only	As above. Riders break records in England and Ray and others will take part in Sydney Carnivals .
19	Herald Melbourne(Tues)	Exhibition Speedway	Riders returned from America and Ray from England will appear next Saturday. Ray said to be going to New Zealand.
20	The Argus Melbourne(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray arrived in Melbourne on the Oronsay. Will make his first appearance in Melbourne.
20	Sporting Globe	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to attend as above. The paper stated that Ray was struck by a steel toe cap while in England at the Liverpool track and was in hospital for 3 weeks with injury to his right cheek and when he was discharged he broke all records at the Buffalo trach in Paris. Bringing a ton of spare parts back with him
21	The Herald Melbourne(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	As previously. Ray to make his debut on Saturday. Entry into the Exhibition scratch race.
22	The Labor Daily Sydney(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray returned to Melbourne for 5 weeks as the offer was too good to turn away. Photo.
23	Sporting Globe Melbourne(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
Month: November continued 1935
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
23	Speedway Record(Sat)	Article	Ray returned home with a new JAP Special and spareparts. A deep scar covering a fracture on his right cheek bone an inch below his eye luck to escape permanent injury or death. He was unconscious for 3 days and in hospital for 2 weeks. A week after hospital he crashed a record at the Buffalo track, Paris.
27	The Sporting Globe Melbourne(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray did not appear in usual form as his new machine and fuel requirements led to tuning problems.2 copies attached.
28	Herald Melbourne(Thurs)	Exhibition Speedway	Main attraction next Saturday night is a Challenge match between Ray and Clem Thomas. 3 laps and 3 heats.
29	Herald Melbourne(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement. For above.
29	The Age Melbourne(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
29	Herald Melbourne(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
30	The Herald Melbourne(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above tonight.

Month: December 1935
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
4	Sporting Globe Melbourne(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray and Clem Thomas provided highlights of the night. In a special 3 lap 3 heats match race there was some exceptional riding. Ray was the winner.
5	Referee Sydney(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Ray won decisively over 2 heats.
7	Sproting Globe Melbourne(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray tp be in match race tonight.
10	The Herald Melbourne(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray amd Jack Bibby to race in a special match and th winner to rave against Danish speedster Morian Hansen.
11	Sporting Globe Melbourne(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Details.

Month: December 1935
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
13	The Herald Melbourne(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Details.
13	The Herald Melbourne(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement for above.
1	Sporting Globe Melbourne(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Details.
15	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Jack Bibby defeated Ray. Hansen fell in both races.
18	Sporting Globe Melbourne(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Ray to compete in 12 Aces scratch race on Saturday.
31	The Advertiser Adelaide	Exhibition Speedway	Special Challenge race between Clem Thomas and Ray over 3 heats. Ray was the winner.

Comments: It may be considered that between 29^th July and when Ray returned to the track on 27^th August1935 that he sustained his injury when he was hit by a steel toe plate of another rider which came off and flew up into his face during a race. It was reported on 23rd November by Speedway Record. Cinder Siftings. Quote ” It is a reminder to Ray Taylor of the lucky escape he had from permanent injury or death on the Liverpool track. Struck by a steel toe plate dropped by another rider Ray was knocked unconscious sustaining a severe fracture extending from an inch below the eye to the upper jaw bone. Unconscious as a result of a severe concussion for three days he was out of hospital in two weeks and a week later crashed a record on the Buffalo track in Paris”.

Ray Taylor : Newspaper articles. Speedway year

1936

Contents:

Month: January 1936
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
8	Herald Melbourne(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	American riders to be introduced. Ray to meet Jack Milne.( 2copies unreadable)
9	Referee Sydney(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	Cordy Milne (brother of Jack) In second heat of the 3 lap scratch race Ray and Cordy had a wheel to wheel race and finished in a dead heat. Ray had a wheel wobble in the final heat and was beaten by Cordy.(2 copies)
9	The Herald Melbourne(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. The track has a new innovation as ‘electronically controlled” and the above”dead heat” determined by this system.
10	The Herald Melbourne(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to meet Cordy Milne the American National Champion.
11	The Age Melbourne(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Best 2 out of 3 heats.
13	Age Melbourne(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Cordy Milne beat Ray in two heats and dead heat in the third.
16	Referee Sydney(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Stated that Cordy Milne wins every start in Melbourne. Note Rays dead heat.
18	The Age Melbourne(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Jack Milne to meet Ray.
19	The Herald Melbourne(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement. Cordy Milne vrs Ray.
22	Sporting Globe Melbourne(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Continental Handicap. Ray disqualified although after his appeal his false start was due to mechanical trouble. Ray finished third. (2 copies)
23	The Herald Melbourne(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray (NSW TEAM) to compete against Dane-Morian Hansen.

Month: January continued 1936
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
23	Referee Sydney(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	Continental Handicap. Ray crashed through a barrier and was disqualified but upon appeal as his clutch was faulty he was allowed to compete.

Month: February 1936
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Atticles
5	Sporting Globe Melbourne(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Crowd of 9000 came to see the American Milnes brothers and were hard pressed by Ray and Clem Thomas.
7	The Herald Melbourne(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement. Cordy Milne USA vrs Ray.
7	The Herald Melbourne(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Challenge Match(International Match Race) on Saturday as above.
8	The Age Melbourne(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray best on dry track. Also in Pairs Championship.
11	The Herald Melbourne(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	Meeting postphoned. Cordy will be substituted by Cordy’s brother Jack. In a 3 heat match over 3 laps.
13	The Age Melbourne(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	Cordy to appear against Ray.
14	The Herald Melbourne(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
14	The Herald Melbourne(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Advertisement. Tomorrow night.
14	The Age Melbourne(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
17	Argus Melbourne(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Cordy Milne defeated Ray in 2 straight matches and Ray won third.
18	The Age Melbourne	Exhibition Speedway	As above.

Month: March 1936
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
4	Sporting Globe Melbourne(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement. Jack Bibby, Clem Thomas and Ray to contest in a triangular race on Saturday. 2 pages
4	The Herald Melbourne(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	As above . Race to be run over 3 laps and decided on a point basis.
6	The Herald Melbourne(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement. As above.
6	The Age Melbourne(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.

Month: March 1936
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
9	Argus Melbourne	Exhibition Speedway	False report. Jack Bibby did not win. See below
11	Sporting Globe Melbourne	Exhibition Speedway	Season at Exhibition Speedway closes. Ray won the 3 heats with record best time.
19	Advertiser Adelaide (Thurs)	Camden Motordrome	Ray to compete with Arnold Hansen in a special match race.
20	News Adelaide(Fri)	Camden Motordrome	Advertisement. As above
21	Mail Adelaide(Sat)	Camden Motordrome	Ray won the special match race over Arnold Hansen. He also won the Championship scratch race. 2 pages.
23	Advertiser Adelaide(Mon)	Camden Motordrome	More details 2^nd page. Ray also won the Motordrome Championship.
28	Mail Adelaide (Sat)	Camden Motordrome	As above. More details of team race etc. Thrilling races.
29	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Camden Motordrome	Ray mentioned as winning a trebble.

Month: April 1936
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
2	The Advertiser(Thur)	Camden Motordrome	Ray has returned to Melbourne
3	The Herald Melbourne(Fri)	Olympic Park Speedway	Ray will compete with Ray Hay the Tasmanian champion.
4	The Age Melbourne(Sat)	Olympic Park Speedway	Advertisement. As above.
4	The Argus Melbourne(Sat)	Olympic Park Speedway	Advertisement. As above.

Month: May1936
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
7	The Age Melbourne(Thur)	Advertisement	Ray‘s advertisement for bike inspection services. Phone: B9617

Month: November 1936
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
7	The Age Melbourne(Sat)	Olympic Park Speedway	American and English top riders imported to race. Ray has decided to remain in Melbourne for its season.
11	News Adelaide(Wed)	Camden Motordrome	Advertisement. Ray to have a return match with Les Fredricks and Bill Madden.
12	News Adelaide(Thur)	Camden Motordrome	Advertisement. As above.
12	The Advertiser Adelaide(Thur)	Camden Motordrome	Article. As above.
13	Sport Adelaide(Fri)	Camden Motordrome	Advertisement. As above.
19	Sporting Globe Melbourne(Sat)	Olympic Park Speedway	USA vre Australia first team competition in a series of Tests. USA Captain Jack Minle and team; Cordy Milne, Artie Fenn, Pete Coleman, Byrd McKinney, Wilbur Lamoreaux, Earl Farrand and Garland Johnson. Australia: Vic Huxley(Capt) Clem Mitchell, Artie Fenn, Jack Bibby, Ray Taylor, Bill Rogers and Bert Spencer.

Month: December 1936
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
3	The Herald MELBOURNE(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	USA Team at speedway. Ray to compete.
3	The Argus Melbourne(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
3	Referee Sydney(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.(2 copies)
4	The Argus Melbourne(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray will form part of the Victorian team against USA.
5	The Age(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement. As above tonight.
5	Unknown	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
10	The Age Melbourne(Thur)	Olympic Park	Ray to compete in International test on Saturday.

Month: December 1936
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
19	The Age Melbourne(Sat)	Olympic Park (Empire speedway)	America vrs Australia. Match over 9 heats of 3 laps . Vic Huxley Captain and USA Jack Milne Captain.
19	Sporting Globe(Sat)	Olympic Park	As above. A strong surporting program of 24 events.
19	Weekly Times Melbourne(Sat)	Olympic Park	As above.
21	The Herald Melbourne(Mon)	Item only	Ray bashed in his shop at Victoria St. Abbortsford by 3 thugs. Ray left bleeding on floor.
21	The Herald Melbourne(Mon	Item only	As above with more details.
22	Barrier Miner Broken Hill.NSW.	Item only	As above and details how Ray had defended a boy at the track the night before. They said they had” come to settle an account”.
22	The Age Melbourne(Tue)	Item only	As above.
23	Sporting Globe(Wed)	Olympic Park	Australia vrs America match was won by Australia by 8 points. Ray scored one 2^nd and two 3^rd places in his heats.(2 copies)
28	The Sydney Morning Herald(Mon)	Olympic Park	Victoria vrs England Teams match race. Ray was severely shaken in a heavy fall. His machine struck Parkinson in the last heat.

Ray Taylor : Newspaper articles. Speedway year

1937

Contents:

Month: January 1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
1	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway Melbourne	Australia vrs England 2^nd Test. Ray is one of the outstanding riders. Saturday night.
1	Herald Melbourne(Fri)	Olympic Park	Advertisement . As above
*2	The Argus Melbourne(Sat)	Empire Speedway Olympic Park	Two Reserves(Ray and Les Wotton Eng) will meet in a special international match race over 3 laps.
2	The Age Melbourne(Sat)	Olympic Park	As above
8	The Age Melbourne(Fri)	Olympic Park	Ray reserve for the Consolation race on Saturday
12	The Age Melbourne(Fri)	Olympic Park	Quadrilateral race of 3 laps. Dick Case Captain of Hackney Wick England, Ray, Karl Ferrand America, and Pete Colman America.
15	Herald Melbourne(Fri)	Olympic Park	Advertisement. Pete Coleman USA and co vrs Ray.
16	The Herald Melbourne(Sat)	Olympic Park	Ray to be reserve.

16	Sporting Globe Melbourne(Sat)	Olympic Park	As above.
18	Argus Melbourne(Mon)	Olympic Park	Ray defeated Pete Coleman UAS in 2 lap match race.

Month: January continued 1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
21	The Age Melbourne(Thur)	Olympic Park	Australia vrs America. Ray in Australian team. On Saturday.
21	Referee Sydney(Thurs)	Olympic Park	Highlights of the night was Rays defeat of Jack Milne in the 3^rd heat of the open scratch race and Pete Coleman in a special 2 lap match.
23	The Argus Melbourne(Sat)	Olympic Park	3^rd test match tonight (as above) Ray also in heat 3 of the “Flying Nine” match race.
30	The Argus Melbourne(Sat)	Olympic Park	Ray in “White” mixed team (Aust and USA) TONIGHT.

Month: February 1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Atticles
5	Hearld Melbourne(Fri)	Olympic Park	Advertisement. America vrs Victoria -Saturday.
12	Herald Melbourne (Fri)	Olympic Park	Advertisement. Quadrilateral Match. Dick Case Captain of Hackney Wick Eng, Pete Coleman USA, Earl Farrand USA, Ray Victoria. Saturday.
12	The Age Melbourne(Fri)	Olympic Park	As above
13	The Argus Melbourne(Sat)	Olympic Park	As above. Ray to compete in heat 1.

Month: September1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
2	The Advertiser Adelaide(Thur)	Item only	Ray is interested in the proposal of Port Melbourne Ground as a Speedway.
13	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Frank Arthur may appear at the opening in Brisbane on October 16. Ray has been booked to race.
14	Worker Old.(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway QLD	Ray and other riders preparing to arrive for the Brisbane season.
18	The Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray will race on October 16.
19	Truth Brisbane	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Fifty riders are willing to participate. From Australia, England and USA.
Month: September continued1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
21	Worker Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	The public will be admitted free on weekday practice nights which begins tonight. 2 copies
21	The Telegraph Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	Thirty thousand medallions to school children for admission to the speedway.
26	Truth Brisbane	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Ray to attend on October 16.
30	The Advertiser Adelaide (Thur)	Nelson Park Geelong	Speedway is being constructed. Ray to organize racing co-operation.

Month: October1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
3	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to compete in a special match with Vic Huxley on 16^th October.
4	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above including Ray’s photo.
5	Worker Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Overseas riders on their way. Practice nights have attracted crowds of over 3000.
6	The Telegraph Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Jack Bibby to compete.
7	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	Riders arriving from England and Ray at the weekend.
9	Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Details.
10	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Opening next Saturday night.
10	Sunday Mail Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
11	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Riders trials and some travelled 400 miles to attend.
12	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
12	Worker Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Vic Huxley and Ray to be in a special race.
13	Telegraph Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. 3 copies.
13	The Telegraph Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Photo of visiting Riders at the track last night. L-RT. Jim Geran, Ray Duggan,Ray Taylor, Jack Bibby, Putt Mossman,Dick Kirwan and Bob Hill.
13	The Telegraph Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	As above Advertisement. Ray vrs Vic Huxley with photo.
14	Telegraph Brisbane(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Rehearsals rides. Photos of competitors.
15	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Photos.
Month: October continued 1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
15	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Advertisment.
15	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Photos.
15	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Advertisment.

16	Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Advertisment.
16	Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Program for the night. Ray to ride in heat 1 for the Golden Helmet and Last match race against Vic Huxley.
16	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Advertisment (Page 10)
18	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Photo of Hill climb. Ray not included. Big disappointment of postphonement due to rain.
20	Telegraph Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Practice at speedway.
21	Telegraph Brisbane(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
22	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above previously for tomorrow night. Ray to ride in heat 1 for the Golden Helmet and Last match race against Vic Huxley.2 copies
22	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Program for the night as published on 16^th prior to postponement . Ray to ride in heat 1 for the Golden Helmet and Last match race against Vic Huxley. Photo of Ray.
23	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above for tonight 38 riders to compete at opening.
24	Sunday Mail Brisbane	Exhibition Speedway	Vic Huxley won Golden Helmet. Vic Huxley beat Ray in the match race by inches. Ray ahead in first 2 laps with Huxley gaining ground in the 3^rd. Neck and neck to the finish line with a tremendous ovation from the crowd.
24	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
25	Queensland times(Ipswich Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
25	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Ray won the 1^st heat for the golden Helmet but placed 2^nd in the semi final.
25	The Courier Mail(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
26	Worker Brisbane(Tues)	Exhibition Speedway	As above with details.
26	Telegraph Brisbane(Tues)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray described as being struck by the organization on Saturday night.
27	The Telegraph Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to compete on Saturday night. Handicap guidelines in place.

Month: October continued 1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
28	The Telegraph Brisbane(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	Extract “Some of the younger riders were inspired by the manner in which the crowd rose last week to the blood-stirring finish at the match race between Vic Huxley and Ray Taylor. There is nothing half as encouraging as public applause”.
28	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Thurs)	Exhibition Speedway	Riders (including Ray) will be paid 5 pounds in machine maintenance.
28	Referee Sydney	Exhibition Speedway	Ray and others pleased critics on last Saturdays performances. Crown of 23000.
29	The Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Photo of a section of the crowd last Saturday night. Machine money distributed. Silver Gauntlet race and Vic Huxley and Ray return match. 3 copies.
30	The Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Photo of Ray in action. Plus program. White sash handicap,
30	Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
30	Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Advertisement and photos.
31	Sunday Mail Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray defeated by Huxley in rematch by a length and a half.
31	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	As above in detail.

Month: November 1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
1	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Silver Gauntlet race. Ray 1^st place in heat4. But failed to place in the semi final.
1	Queensland Times Ipswich Qld.(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Ray 2^nd place in Match Race.
1	Courier Mail Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
2	Worker Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Further detail -Ray broked his bike forkes in the Silver Gauntlet race although repaired in time for the match race with Vic Huxley in which Huxley won.
2	Telegraph Brisbane(Tues)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Detail hard to read.
Month: November continued 1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
4	Tee Advertiser Adelaide(Thurs)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray has accepted a contract to ride for Exhibition Speedway Brisbane.
5	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	26 event programme. Ray to ride on Saturday night.
5	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
6	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above tonight.
7	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Event postponed due to heavy rain.
11	Telegraph Brisbane(Thurs)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to race next Saturday.
12	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
13	The Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Part programme.
14	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray possibly broke the record over 3 laps.
15	Queensland Times(Mon0	Exhibition Speedway	Ray did not break record as he was 1.8 seconds below/
15	Courier Mail Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
16	The Telegraph Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to compete in a match race of 3 and Challenge final.
18	Telegraph Brisbane	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement. Next Saturday.Ray in International Match Race.
18	The Courier Mail(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Ray will also compete for the Silver Sash race.
18	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.Also official Programme.
22	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Official Programme tonight. Ray to compete for the Silver Sash.
23	Telegraph Brisbane	Exhibition Speedway	Ray did not place.
23	Labor Daily Sydney	Royale Speedway	Ray to represent Queensland againt NSW Colts.
23	Worker Brisbane(Tues)	Exhibition Speedway	As previously.Silver Sash. Ray 2^nd in 1^stheat.Ray in 3^rd place in the final.
23	Courier Mail Brisbane(Tues)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
23	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Tues)	Royale Speedway	As previously Ray to team with Queensland against NSW Colts.
25	Catholic Freeman’s Journal Sydney(Thurs)	Royale Speedway	As above for Saturday night.
25	Referee Sydney(Thurs)	Royale Speedway	As above.
25	Telegraph Brisbane(Thurs)	Royale Speedway	As above.
27	Labor Daily(Sat)	Royale Speedway	As above. Note no results known)
30	Telegraph Brisbane(Tues)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to compete Saturday night.

Month: December 1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
1	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Senior Match Race next Saturday. Ray to compete.
3	The Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement. Ray to compete in Silver Gauntlet race.
3	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
4	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above tonight.
4	The Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
4	Courier Mail Brisbane (Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Page advertisement for above and other entertainment.
4	Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Official Speedway programme. Shows Ray to compete in Heat 1 of the Senior match race and heat 2 of the Silver Gauntlet race.
5	Sunday Mail Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	4 Riders were involved in a crash during the Senior teams match. Ray placed 2^nd. He was 3^rd place in the Silver Gauntlet final.
6	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
6	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Details as above.
6	Daily Mercury Mackay Qld.(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
6	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
7	Worker Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
8	Telegraph Brisbane(Thur)	Exhibition speedway	Ray cited as one of the “permanent” Brisbane riders.
9	Courier Mail Brisbane(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	Queensland vrs NSW teams race. Ray will represent Queensland on Saturday.
10	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement. As above-3 copies.
11	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above tonight. 2 copies.

Month: December continued 1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
11	The Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Official speedway programme for tonight. Teams race Ray-1^st and 4^th heats. Silver wings 3^rd heat.
12	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Races postponed due to rain. To be held Monday night.
13	The Courier Mail(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As previously mentioned on 11^th. December.
13	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Official speedway programme for tonight. Teams race Ray-1^st and 4^th heats. Silver wings 3^rd heat.
14	Telegraph Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray forced to retire while leading in the final lap of the teams race.
15	Telegraph Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray among other riders were fined for “false starts”.
16	Telegraph Brisbane(Thurs)	Exhibition Speedway	Vic Huxley’s wins against Ray were mentioned in article.
17	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Tomorrow night’s pre Christmas meeting. Ray to join Vic Huxley’s team against Bill Lamont’s Team.
18	Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Official speedway programme. Ray to race in 3^rd, 5^th and 7^th heats.
27	Courier Mail Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to compete in Golden Helmet race next Friday night.
28	Telegraph Brisbane(Tues)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
30	Referee Sydney(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray will ride a racing 0.K. Supreme or Cotton J.A.P.
31	Courier Mail Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Program will continue until after mid night New Years Eve. Ray to compete in Golden Helmet.

Comments.

2^nd January Ray was Reserve for the 2^nd Test between Australia and England. Australia won 33-21. Ray did not ride Note: The results of some races are unknown as information is, as yet unavailable.

Ray Taylor: Newspaper articles. Speedway year

1937

Contents:

Month: January 1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
1	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway Melbourne	Australia vrs England 2^nd Test. Ray is one of the outstanding riders. Saturday night.
1	Herald Melbourne(Fri)	Olympic Park	Advertisement . As above
*2	The Argus Melbourne(Sat)	Empire Speedway Olympic Park	Two Reserves(Ray and Les Wotton Eng) will meet in a special international match race over 3 laps.
2	The Age Melbourne(Sat)	Olympic Park	As above
8	The Age Melbourne(Fri)	Olympic Park	Ray reserve for the Consolation race on Saturday
12	The Age Melbourne(Fri)	Olympic Park	Quadrilateral race of 3 laps. Dick Case Captain of Hackney Wick England, Ray, Karl Ferrand America, and Pete Colman America.
15	Herald Melbourne(Fri)	Olympic Park	Advertisement. Pete Coleman USA and co vrs Ray.
16	The Herald Melbourne(Sat)	Olympic Park	Ray to be reserve.

16	Sporting Globe Melbourne(Sat)	Olympic Park	As above.
18	Argus Melbourne(Mon)	Olympic Park	Ray defeated Pete Coleman UAS in 2 lap match race.

Month: January continued 1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
21	The Age Melbourne(Thur)	Olympic Park	Australia vrs America. Ray in Australian team. On Saturday.
21	Referee Sydney(Thurs)	Olympic Park	Highlights of the night was Rays defeat of Jack Milne in the 3^rd heat of the open scratch race and Pete Coleman in a special 2 lap match.
23	The Argus Melbourne(Sat)	Olympic Park	3^rd test match tonight (as above) Ray also in heat 3 of the “Flying Nine” match race.
30	The Argus Melbourne(Sat)	Olympic Park	Ray in “White” mixed team (Aust and USA) TONIGHT.

Month: February 1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Atticles
5	Hearld Melbourne(Fri)	Olympic Park	Advertisement. America vrs Victoria -Saturday.
12	Herald Melbourne (Fri)	Olympic Park	Advertisement. Quadrilateral Match. Dick Case Captain of Hackney Wick Eng, Pete Coleman USA, Earl Farrand USA, Ray Victoria. Saturday.
12	The Age Melbourne(Fri)	Olympic Park	As above
13	The Argus Melbourne(Sat)	Olympic Park	As above. Ray to compete in heat 1.

Month: September1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
2	The Advertiser Adelaide(Thur)	Item only	Ray is interested in the proposal of Port Melbourne Ground as a Speedway.
13	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Frank Arthur may appear at the opening in Brisbane on October 16. Ray has been booked to race.
14	Worker Old.(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway QLD	Ray and other riders preparing to arrive for the Brisbane season.
18	The Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray will race on October 16.
19	Truth Brisbane	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Fifty riders are willing to participate. From Australia, England and USA.
Month: September continued 1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
21	Worker Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	The public will be admitted free on weekday practice nights which begins tonight. 2 copies
21	The Telegraph Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	Thirty thousand medallions to school children for admission to the speedway.
26	Truth Brisbane	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Ray to attend on October 16.
30	The Advertiser Adelaide (Thur)	Nelson Park Geelong	Speedway is being constructed. Ray to organize racing co-operation.

Month: October1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
3	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to compete in a special match with Vic Huxley on 16^th October.
4	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above including Ray’s photo.
5	Worker Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Overseas riders on their way. Practice nights have attracted crowds of over 3000.
6	The Telegraph Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Jack Bibby to compete.
7	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	Riders arriving from England and Ray at the weekend.
9	Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Details.
10	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Opening next Saturday night.
10	Sunday Mail Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
11	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Riders trials and some travelled 400 miles to attend.
12	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
12	Worker Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Vic Huxley and Ray to be in a special race.
13	Telegraph Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. 3 copies.
13	The Telegraph Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Photo of visiting Riders at the track last night. L-RT. Jim Geran, Ray Duggan,Ray Taylor, Jack Bibby, Putt Mossman,Dick Kirwan and Bob Hill.
13	The Telegraph Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	As above Advertisement. Ray vrs Vic Huxley with photo.
14	Telegraph Brisbane(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Rehearsals rides. Photos of competitors.
15	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Photos.
Month: October continued 1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
15	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Advertisment.
15	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Photos.
15	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Advertisment.

16	Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Advertisment.
16	Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Program for the night. Ray to ride in heat 1 for the Golden Helmet and Last match race against Vic Huxley.
16	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Advertisment (Page 10)Article P12 Vic Huxley vrs Ray -Special match
18	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Photo of Hill climb. Ray not included. Big disappointment of postphonement due to rain.
20	Telegraph Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Practice at speedway.
21	Telegraph Brisbane(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
22	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above previously for tomorrow night. Ray to ride in heat 1 for the Golden Helmet and Last match race against Vic Huxley.2 copies
22	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Program for the night as published on 16^th prior to postponement . Ray to ride in heat 1 for the Golden Helmet and Last match race against Vic Huxley. Photo of Ray.
23	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above for tonight 38 riders to compete at opening.
24	Sunday Mail Brisbane	Exhibition Speedway	Vic Huxley won Golden Helmet. Vic Huxley beat Ray in the match race by inches. Ray ahead in first 2 laps with Huxley gaining ground in the 3^rd. Neck and neck to the finish line with a tremendous ovation from the crowd.
24	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
25	Queensland times(Ipswich Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
25	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Ray won the 1^st heat for the golden Helmet but placed 2^nd in the semi final.
25	The Courier Mail(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
26	Worker Brisbane(Tues)	Exhibition Speedway	As above with details.
26	Telegraph Brisbane(Tues)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray described as being struck by the organization on Saturday night.
27	The Telegraph Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to compete on Saturday night. Handicap guidelines in place.

Month: October continued 1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
28	The Telegraph Brisbane(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	Extract “Some of the younger riders were inspired by the manner in which the crowd rose last week to the blood-stirring finish at the match race between Vic Huxley and Ray Taylor. There is nothing half as encouraging as public applause”.
28	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Thurs)	Exhibition Speedway	Riders (including Ray) will be paid 5 pounds in machine maintenance.
28	Referee Sydney	Exhibition Speedway	Ray and others pleased critics on last Saturdays performances. Crown of 23000.
29	The Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Photo of a section of the crowd last Saturday night. Machine money distributed. Silver Gauntlet race and Vic Huxley and Ray return match. 3 copies.
30	The Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Photo of Ray in action. Plus program. White sash handicap,
30	Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
30	Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Advertisement and photos.
31	Sunday Mail Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray defeated by Huxley in rematch by a length and a half.
31	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	As above in detail.

Month: November 1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
1	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Silver Gauntlet race. Ray 1^st place in heat4. But failed to place in the semi final.
1	Queensland Times Ipswich Qld.(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Ray 2^nd place in Match Race.
1	Courier Mail Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
2	Worker Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Further detail -Ray broked his bike forkes in the Silver Gauntlet race although repaired in time for the match race with Vic Huxley in which Huxley won.
2	Telegraph Brisbane(Tues)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Detail hard to read.
Month: November continued 1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
4	Tee Advertiser Adelaide(Thurs)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray has accepted a contract to ride for Exhibition Speedway Brisbane.
5	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	26 event programme. Ray to ride on Saturday night.
5	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
6	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above tonight.
7	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Event postponed due to heavy rain.
11	Telegraph Brisbane(Thurs)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to race next Saturday.
12	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
13	The Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Part programme.
14	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray possibly broke the record over 3 laps.
15	Queensland Times(Mon0	Exhibition Speedway	Ray did not break record as he was 1.8 seconds below/
15	Courier Mail Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
16	The Telegraph Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to compete in a match race of 3 and Challenge final.
18	Telegraph Brisbane	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement. Next Saturday.Ray in International Match Race.
18	The Courier Mail(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Ray will also compete for the Silver Sash race.
18	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.Also official Programme.
22	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Official Programme tonight. Ray to compete for the Silver Sash.
23	Telegraph Brisbane	Exhibition Speedway	Ray did not place.
23	Labor Daily Sydney	Royale Speedway	Ray to represent Queensland againt NSW Colts.
23	Worker Brisbane(Tues)	Exhibition Speedway	As previously.Silver Sash. Ray 2^nd in 1^stheat.Ray in 3^rd place in the final.
23	Courier Mail Brisbane(Tues)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
23	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Tues)	Royale Speedway	As previously Ray to team with Queensland against NSW Colts.
25	Catholic Freeman’s Journal Sydney(Thurs)	Royale Speedway	As above for Saturday night.
25	Referee Sydney(Thurs)	Royale Speedway	As above.
25	Telegraph Brisbane(Thurs)	Royale Speedway	As above.
27	Labor Daily(Sat)	Royale Speedway	As above. Note no results known)
30	Telegraph Brisbane(Tues)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to compete Saturday night.

Month: December 1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
1	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Senior Match Race next Saturday. Ray to compete.
3	The Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement. Ray to compete in Silver Gauntlet race.
3	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
4	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above tonight.
4	The Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
4	Courier Mail Brisbane (Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Page advertisement for above and other entertainment.
4	Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Official Speedway programme. Shows Ray to compete in Heat 1 of the Senior match race and heat 2 of the Silver Gauntlet race.
5	Sunday Mail Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	4 Riders were involved in a crash during the Senior teams match. Ray placed 2^nd. He was 3^rd place in the Silver Gauntlet final.
6	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
6	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Details as above.
6	Daily Mercury Mackay Qld.(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
6	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
7	Worker Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
8	Telegraph Brisbane(Thur)	Exhibition speedway	Ray cited as one of the “permanent” Brisbane riders.
9	Courier Mail Brisbane(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	Queensland vrs NSW teams race. Ray will represent Queensland on Saturday.
10	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement. As above-3 copies.
11	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above tonight. 2 copies.

Month: December continued 1937
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
11	The Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Official speedway programme for tonight. Teams race Ray-1^st and 4^th heats. Silver wings 3^rd heat.
12	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Races postponed due to rain. To be held Monday night.
13	The Courier Mail(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As previously mentioned on 11^th. December.
13	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Official speedway programme for tonight. Teams race Ray-1^st and 4^th heats. Silver wings 3^rd heat.
14	Telegraph Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray forced to retire while leading in the final lap of the teams race.
15	Telegraph Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray among other riders were fined for “false starts”.
16	Telegraph Brisbane(Thurs)	Exhibition Speedway	Vic Huxley’s wins against Ray were mentioned in article.
17	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Tomorrow night’s pre Christmas meeting. Ray to join Vic Huxley’s team against Bill Lamont’s Team.
18	Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Official speedway programme. Ray to race in 3^rd, 5^th and 7^th heats.
27	Courier Mail Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to compete in Golden Helmet race next Friday night.
28	Telegraph Brisbane(Tues)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
30	Referee Sydney(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray will ride a racing 0.K. Supreme or Cotton J.A.P.
31	Courier Mail Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Program will continue until after mid night New Years Eve. Ray to compete in Golden Helmet.

Comments.

2^nd January Ray was Reserve for the 2^nd Test between Australia and England. Australia won 33-21. Ray did not ride.

Note: The results of some races are unknown as information is, as yet unavailable.

Ray Taylor : Newspaper articles. Speedway year

1938

Contents:

Month: January 1938
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
1	Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray won 1^st heat for the Golden Helmet but placed 2^nd to Vic Huxley in the final.
1	Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
4	Worker Brisbane(Tues)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
5	Telegraph Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to compete for the Silver Sash race on Saturday night.
6	The Courier Mail(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to compete in Silver Sash and Senior Handicap races on Saturday.
6	Referee Sydney(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray mentioned in Golden Helmet race last Saturday.
7	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Silver Sash next Saturday.
8	Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Official programme for Saturday night. Ray to compete in Silver Sash race heat 1.
9	Sunday Mail(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray won 1^st heat and 1^stplave in the final for the Silver Sash.
9	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Ray was using Vick Huxley’s bike to win.
10	Courier Mail Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
10	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Ray described as being in dashing form.
11	Worker Brisbane(Tues)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
11	The Telegraph Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisment. Teams match race on Saturday.
11	Worker Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	Silver Sash mentioned.
12	Telegraph Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray performed well on Vic Huxley’s machine and is back in form. Big 8 match coming up soon.
13	Courier Mail Brisbane(Thurs)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to ride in big 8 scratch race on Saturday.
14	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Photo of Ray on bike.
Month: January continued 1938
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
15	Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Official Programme. Ray to compete in 4 heats over 3 laps for the Big Eight Scratch Race,
15	Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
16	The Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray lost Senior handicap and then washout due to heavy rain.
16	Sunday Mail(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
16	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
17	Courier Mail Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
18	Telegraph Brisbane(Tues)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
18	Worker Brisbane(Tues)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
19	Telegraph Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Promotor to Back Collins against Ray. Electronic starting gate installed.
21	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Big Eight Race rescheduled for Saturday night.
21	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
22	Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Official Speedway Programme. Ray scheduled to race as previously mentioned for last Saturday. Ray will ride Vic Huxley’s new bike again.
23	Sunday Mail Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Eric Collins defeated Ray.
24	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Ray was 2^nd place.
24	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray had purchased Vic Huxley’s bike and in this instant did not seen to have the “Horses” needed. He also boke a chain.
24	Worker Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Ray came 2^nd place in the Big Eight race.
25	Telegraph Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to meet Eric Collins again as a return match has been arranged.
27	Telegraph Brisbane(Thurs)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Details of mechanical problems with newly acquired bike from Huxley. Ray and old friend Cecil……have arranged to have a cycle and dirt tract race . One lap bicycle and the second lap motor bike.
28	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to compete for the Sash

Month: January continued 1938
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
29	Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Official Speedway Programme. Ray to compete in the Big Match Scratch Race in heats 4 and 6.
29	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)		As above.
29	Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
30	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray did not appear as he did not agree with the conditions under which the management requested.
30	Sunday Mail Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray did not appear on the night as he was unable to come to terms with the management.
31	Courier Mail Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
31	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Section of the crowd voiced disappointment that Ray did not appear.

Month: February 1938
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Atticles
1	Worker Brisbane(Tue0	Exhibition Speedway	The crowd were disappointed that Ray was not in attendance on Saturday. Ray provided details to the press regarding the problem. His position on the disagreement with management and his proposal seems fair but as yet not accepted. Read attachment.
2	Telegraph Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
11	The Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Cecil Cleg donated a trophy for riders who break his record of 33 seconds for a flying start lap which he made in his match against Ray.
18	Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Saturday night will feature a Sash race last held by Ray.
27	Truth Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray is still discussing his appearance fee etc. He appeared on 5 February and has not been paid under the conditions of his contract which he states is still current.

Month: May1938
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
21	England Record		Saturday. Bellivue was defeated by Wimbledon 12-34. National League Div 1. Ray 4^th in heat 8 and 3^rd in heat 13.

Month: August1938
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
5	The Telegraph	Advertisement believed to be Rays	“Sale.Two and one quarter horsepower B.S.A. Motor Cycle reconditioned. 12 pounds. R Taylor. Vardon Street. Wilston”.

Month: September continued1938
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
x	Website	To be determined	Ray was part of the Wimbledon team defeating Wembley for the Nation Trophy in 1938. Pictured. On going.

	Ray With His 1938 Wimbledon Teamates



	Ray is 4th from the left

21	Daily Telegraph Sydney	Sydney Showground	Ray has returned from the UK and has competed in France and Italy and being on the Wimbledon team in England. He has been involved in trials this week at the Showground.
21	The Sun Sydney (Wed)	Sydney Showground	North, south, east and west teams are to compete. The first match being East vrs South on Saturday. Ray has offered his services to all teams but this will not be decided until after the race this Saturday.
21	The Daily Telegraph(Wed)	Sydney Showground	The season starts this Saturday with Ray riding for the League team Norths,
21	Labor Daily(Wed)	Sydney Showground	As previously mentioned Ray is anxiously sort by the League teams.
24	The Labor Daily(Sat)	Sydney Showground	Ray to appear on opening tonight. He will compete in handicap and scratch races.He will ride in heat 1 with a 30 yard handicap.
25	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Showground	Ray placed first in heat 1 and 2^nd place in the semi final. Winning the final.
26	The Labor Daily Sydney(Mon)	Sydney Showground	As above.
27	The Labor Daily Sydney (Tue)	Sydney Showground	Ray considered an outstanding rider and hiss nominated team will be announced shortly.
28	The Labor DailySydney (Wed)	Sydney Showground	Ray nominated as Captain of the North Team of the speedway league and will race on Saturday.
29	The Labor Daily Sydney (Thurs)	Sydney Showground	Ray will have a 35 yard handicap on Saturday

Month: September continued1938
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
29	Referee Sydney	Sydney Showground	Ray won his 1^st heat and was 2^nd place in the final. He showed fine style and demonstrated the finer points of cutting in and broardsiding.
30	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Showground	Ray will race next Saturday for Norths against Western Districts.
30	The Sun Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Showground	Ray to pair with E Phelps for Norths in the Speedway League on Saturday night.

Month: October1938
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
8	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Sat)	Sydney Showground	Ray’s team Norths will compete against South Sydney and he will also race in the handicap and scratch race which is over 30 laps.
11	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Showground	Advertisement. As above
12	The Labor Daily Sydney(Sat)	Sydney Showground	As above. 2 attached advertisements.
12	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Sat)	Sydney Showground	As above.
23	The Sun Sydney(Wed)	Sydney Showground	Ray to compete in the Flying Nine race next Saturday.

Month: November 1938
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
11	Sun Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Showground	Advertisement. Norths vrs East. Ray representing Norths.Also a special event Ray vrs Frank Dolan.
12	Sun Sydney (Fri)	Sydney Showground	As above.
13	Sunday Mail Brisbane (Sun)	Sydney Showground	Ray/Norths beat Easts 33-35. Ray 1^st place in the 1^st heat of the Big Scratch race. 3^rd in the Final.
13	Sun Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Showground	As above. Ray and C Garland bumped together and Garland fell although not seriously hurt.
13	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Showground	As above.
15	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Tues)	Sydney Showground	Next Saturday Ray will compete for Norths against Easts. Also in a Special Match race.
16	Labor Daily Sydney(Wed)	Sydney Showground	As above.
17	Referee Sydney(Thurs)	Sydney Showground	As above.
18	Sun Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Showground	Advertisement for Saturday night. As above.
19	Labor Daily Sydney(Sat)	Sydney Showground	As above.
20	Sun Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Showground	Ray and Aub Lawson crashed and a decision was made to disqualify Ray.
23	The Sun Sydney(Wed)	Sydney Showground	Ray to compete in the flying nine scratch race on Saturday night.
23	Labor Daily Sydney(Wed0	Sydney Showground	As above. Also Match race between Doug Mac Lachlan and Ray.
25	Labor Daily Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Showground	As above.
26	Sun Sydney(Sat)	Sydney Showground	As above.
27	Sun Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Showground	Andy Menzies beat Ray in the Challenge Race.
27	Truth Sydney (Sun)	Sydney Showground	Ray scored 2^ndplave in the Flying Nine Scratch race on Saturday night

Month: December 1938
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
1	The Labor Daily(Thur)	Sydney Showground	Ray offered”Big chance” (not sure of meaning)
9	The Sun(Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Showground	Ray will pair with Bluey Wilkinson in the local team vrs International team Jack and Cordy Milne.
10	Daily News Sydney(Sat)	Sydney Showground	Sydneys strongest pair will be Bluey Wilkinson and Ray.

Comments. Note: The results of some races are unknown as information is, as yet unavailable.

Ray Taylor : Newspaper articles. Speedway year

1939

Month: January 1939
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
12	The Telegraph Brisbane(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway Brisbane	Speedway practice in preparation for next Saturday. Ray who arrived in Brisbane is expected tonight.
12	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	As above for Saturday night.
12	The Telegraph Brisbane(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway Brisbane	Big Program arranged for Saturday of 25 races.Ray has returned from a successful season in England.He will compete against Steve Langdon in a special race and will Captain the Tigers team against Langdon Caption of the Lions Team.They will also compete in the Dr Grey First Class Handicap. (2 copies)
13	The Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Ray to appear after season abroad.(2 copies) Advertisement also. Photo.
14	Courier Mail Brisbane(Saturday)	Exhibition Speedway	As avove. Detail-Ray arrived in Brisbane after tour in England, Italy, France and America. Will ride new J.A.P. motor.
15	Sunday Mail(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray beat Langdon in the special race although his team (the Lions) were defeated by Langdons team(the Tigers) by one point. Ray failed to place in the handicap race.
15	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Ray met with mixed luck.
16	The Daily Mercury(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
16	Maryborough Chronical. Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser. Qld. (Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
16	Cains Post. Qld(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.

Month: January continued 1939
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
16	Courier Mail Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway Brisbane	Ray beat Steve Langdon in exciting race deemed to be the best of the season. Ray finishing 5 yards ahead. Photo.
16	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Photo of Ray.
17	The Sun Sydney	Sydney Showground	Ray selected as Reserve for the 2^nd Test team against England.
17	Worker Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	As previously mentioned.
18	The Sun Sydney (Wed)	Sydney Showground	Changes to the Test team and Ray now emergency Reserve. Ray in junior team competion which ended in a tie.

Month: February 1939
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Atticles
8	Daily News Sydney(Wed)	Sydney Showground	Ray to trial for the 4^th test match against England.
9	The Sun Sydney	Sydney Showground	Charlie Spinks has poisoned arm. Reshuffle of test team. Ray paired with Andy Menzies.
10	The Sun Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Showground	Ray to race in match race and will be test team reserve.
10	The Sydney Morning Herald(Fri)	Sydney Showground	Police Carnival will be held Saturday Ray to ride in Police Derby.
11	Record. Brian Darby	Sydney Sportsground	Australia vrs England. 4^th Test. Australia defeated England 28-24. Ray 2^nd in heat 8. Ray replaced Dolan.
13	Daily News Sydney(Mon)	Sydney Showground	Ray paired with Bluey Wilkinson and scored well. England suffered a fall which prevented them from a victory.
15	Daily News Sydney(Wed)	Sydney Showground	Team pair changes are certain for the 5^th Test and Ray has earned the right to be paired with Bluey Wilkinson.
16	Referee Sydney(Thurs)	Sydney Showground	Comments on 4^th test victory. Ray and Aub Lawson did what was required of them.
17	Sun Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Showground	Ray was reserve in 4^th Test will be partner to Kangaroo Captain Bluey Wilkinson in the 5^th Test.

Month: February continued1939
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Atticles
18	Record from Brian Darby	Sydney Showground	Australia vrs England. 5^th Test. Australia defeated England 35-18. Ray 3^rd in heat 1. 2^nd in heat 5.Fell in heat 8.
21	Sun Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Showground	Ray to provide good opposition (rest unreadable) As above.
25	Daily News Sydney(Sat)	Sydney Showground	Australia won Ashes. Ray to pair again with Bluey Wilkinson against the rest of the world.
25	Program front cover	Sydney Showground	Race. Australia vrs The Rest of the World.

Month: April 1939
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Articles
18	The Sun Sydney(Tue)	Penrith Raceway	Ray has entered for the 500cc motor cycle championship.
21	The Sun Sydney(Fri)	Penrith Raceway	Unreadable. Ray to race.
21	Daily News Sydney(Fr)	Penrith Raceway	As above.
23	The Sun Sydney(Sun)	Penrith Raceway	As above.
28	South Coast Times(Fri)	Wollongong	Members of the Wollongong Motor cycle club have been given permission to run speedway meetings on Wollongong speedway. Ray amongst others are interested and signified their intention of competing,

Month: May1939
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
25	Referee Sydney(Thur)	Wollongong Speedway	Wollongong speedway opens Sunday week. It is 320 yards in circumference with short sharp bends. Its is nearly 40 feet in width and will enable 6 to 8 riders to compete in each event from scratch. Meetings to be held on Sunday afternoons. Ray and other riders to appear.
Month: May1939
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
26	Illawwarra Mercury Wollongong(Fri)	Wollongong Speedway	Ray to compete.
Month: May continued 1939
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
26	South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus(Fri)	Wollongong Speedway	As above.

Month: November 1939
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
26	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Sun)	? Speedway	Advertisement. Ray to ride on 2^nd December.
29	Daily News Sydney(Wed)	Sydney Showground	Ray to ride in Flying nine handicap.

Month: December 1939
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
1	Daily News Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Showground	Ray and Wally Little annoyed that they have not been alotted the match against Englishman Cliff Parkinson. Ray is anxious to meet tomorrow nights winner.
2	Daily News Sydney (Sat)	Sydney Showground	Ray be in more than one final tonight.
2	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Sat)	Sydney Showground	Ray to ride in the Big Nine.
3	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Showground	Ray 1^st in Eastern Suburbs Handicap.Ray 1^st in Heat 1 of Big nine and 3^rd in the final.
4	Daily News Sydney	Sydney Showground	As above.
8	Sun Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Showground	Ray to compete in Big nine scratch race on Saturday night. Also advertisement.
9	The Sun Sydney(Sat)	Sydney Showground	Ray will be part of the Australian tean to contest the American team.

14	The Sun Sydney(Thurs)	Sydney Showground	Ray will pair up with Linoel Van Praag as pert of the Wembley Lions against the Rest. It was noted that riders are becoming light weight types.
Month: December continued 1939
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
15	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Showground	Advertisement. Saturday night.
22	The Sun Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Showground	Advertisement for this Saturday Night.
24	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Sat)	Sydney Showground	Ray will pair again with Linoel Van Praag for the Police motor cycle derby.
29	The Sun Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Showground	Senior team vrs Junior Team. Juniors have a 50 yard handicap. Saturday night.
31	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Showground	Overseas speedway team won by 43 points to 29. Ray put up a spectacular ride in no 2 scratch race heat 3 but fell in the final.

Comments. Note: The results of some races are unknown as information is, as yet unavailable.

Ray Taylor : Newspaper articles. Speedway year

(WW2 YEARS)

1940

Month: January 1940
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
5	The Sun Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Showground	Ray to join the league for team wests.
6	Daily News Sydney(Sat)	Sydney Showground	As above. Ray scored as 4^th best.
13	The Daily Telegraph(Sat)	Sydney Showground	Inter district league football is established and the same format is taking plave in dirt track racing. Ray is part of the West team.

Month: February1940
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
1	The Sun Sydney(Thur)	Sydney Showground	Ray will ride for league wests team and has a new machine, his third this year.
2	The Sun Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Showground	Ray will pair with Bob Hill as favorites on Saturday,
24	The Daily Telegraph(Sat)	Sydney Showground	Ray to face Van Praag in the Police motor cycle Derby.

Month: April 1940
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Articles
25	The Sun Sydney(Thur)	Penrith Raceway	In the final of the Open handicap race;injuries to 4 riders. Ray had abrasions to his leg and right thigh . He was hurled 15 feet in the air and flung across the track.
Date	Source News Article	track		Comments/Articles
26	Daily News Sydney(Fri)	Penrith Raceway		As above. A member of the crowd also died while watching the event.

29	The Sun Sydney(Mon)	Sydney Showground	The Anzac events were washed out on Saturday night.
30	The Daily Telegraph Sydney	Sydney Showground	The Anzac events were washed out again on Saturday night.

Month: May1940
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
3	Daily News Sydney(Fri)	Penrith Raceway	Eddie Wannick who crashed on 26^th will be in hospital for 3 months. When ray fell in the race Eddie struck his machine.

Month: October 1940
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
16	The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate Parramatta(Wed)	Parramatta Speedway	Advertisement.
18	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Fri)	Parramatta Speedway	Speedway has had a 15,000 pound renovation. Ray attends opening races.
19	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Sat)	Sydney Showgrownd	Opening season and Ray to vrs Max Neale.
20	Sun Sydney(Sun)	Parramatta Speedway	Ray won the 1^st heat against Max but his chain broke in the next 2 heats of the Paramatta Match race. Ray gashed twice but remounted each time.

Month: October continued 1940
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
23	The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate Parramatta(Wed)	Parramatta Speedway	As above.
24	Truth Sydney(Sun	Paramatta Speedway	As above

The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate Parramatta(Wed)

Sydney Showground

On Saturday night Ray could not

race as his entry had been received

too late and the crowd chanted

“We want Ray Taylor”when they discovered he was not racing.

Month: November1940
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
3	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Sun)	Parramatta Speedway	Ray in teams race. Ray fell in the 3^rd heat and his fellow competitors, Max Neale and Frank Dolan, put their machines down to avoid hitting him.Dolan in doing so skidded as he crashed into Rays machine and somersaulted just escaping serious injury. Ray fell again in the 5^th heat.
3	Sun Sydney(Sun)	Paramatta Speedway.	As above.Ray had his 4^th fall in the big scratch race.
6	The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate Parramatta(Wed)	Paramatta Speedway.	As above.
12	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Tue)	Paramatta Speedway	Ray will compete with Wally Little the Paramatta Champion on Saturday night.
12	The Sun Sydney(Tue)	Paramatta Speedway	As above.
13	The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate Parramatta(Wed)	Paramatta Speedway	As above they will meet in a special match race of the night.
13	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Wed)	Paramatta Speedway	As above.
16	The Newcastle Sun(Thur)	Parramatta Speedway	As above.
16	The Sun Sydney(Sat)	Parramatta Speedway	Ray to race Little as above in a 3 heat match race..
Month: November1940
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
20	The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate Parramatta(Wed)	Parramatta Speedway	Above Postponement due to rain.
21	The Advertiser Adelaide	Parramatta Speedway	Wally Little and Ray to race.
24	Sun Sydney(Sun)	Parramatta Speedway	Ray won the Richmond Match Race in 3 straight Heats.

27	The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate Parramatta(Wed)	Parramatta Speedway	As above.

Month: December1940
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
4	The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate Parramatta(Wed)	Paramatta Speedway	Ray in a novelty event with Brian Howard 2KY Announcer. Ray will give Brian 1 lap handicap as Brian on a bicycle will compete on a his JAP motor cycle.
5	The Sun Sydney(Thur)	Paramatta Speedway	Ray and Jack Rydstrom of the Parramatta team will compete against Wally Little’s Sydney Team on Saturday night.
7	The Sun Sydney(Sat)	Paramatta Speedway	Teams of Paramatta and Sydney will compete
			In a 9 heat race on Saturday. Ray is Captain of the Paramatta team.
8	The Sun Sydney(Sun)	Paramatta Speedway	Paramatta team defeated Sudney . Ray broke the one lap clutch start record and later crashed into a fence but not seriously hurt. Ray won heats 1 and 4 of the teams race.
11	The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate Parramatta(Wed)	Parramatta Speedway	The competion previously arranged on 4^th December had an earth shattering finish between Ray on his motor bike and 2KYs Announcer on bicycle as Brian crossed the finish line a few yards in front of Ray to the roar of the crowd.
14	The Sun Sydney(Sat)	Sydney Showground	Rays district team Wests will meet Souths on Saturday night.
19	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Thurs)	Sydney Showground	Ray, Ken Blair,Noel Thompson and and Max Neal will meet for a challenge race on Saturday night.
Month: December continued 1940
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
20	The Sydney Morning Herald	Sydney Showground	Ray to compete in Western District against undefeated Eastern Suburbs and he will partner R Hill(USA)
22	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Showground	In the percentage scratch race on Saturday night Ray fell and Max Neal rode over him. Both were not seriously injured but their bikes were twisted wreckage.

Ray Taylor : Newspaper articles. Speedway year

(WW2 YEARS)

1941

Month: January 1941
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
4	The Daily Telegraph Dydney (Sat)	Sydney Showground	Ray to compete in scratch race
6	The Sydney Morning Herald Sydney(Mon)	Sydney Showground	Rays team, Western Sydney beat Souths team 1-10 in the District competition.
16	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Showground	Ray had 2^nd place in heat 1 of the Police speedway derby.
19	Sun Sydney (Sun)	Sydney Showground	Hard to read
23	The Sun Sydney(Thur)	Sydney Showground	Bob Hill to partner Ray in the District teams competition for Wests on Saturday night.

Month: February1941
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
2	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Showground	Norths beat Wests 1-10. Ray 2^nd place in heat 2.
8	Sydney Sports Ground Speedway Program	Sydney Showground	Ray listed among top solos.
9	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Showground	Arta Scratch Race Ray 3^rd place in heat 2. District team race uncertain.
16	Sun Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Showground	Ray 2^nd place in heat 2. Police Derby.

Month: March 1941
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Atticles
20	Nepean Times Penrith	Penrith Speedway	5 mile solo championship planned and Ray expressed interest.
16	Truth Sydney (Sun)	Sydney Showground	Wests beat Easts. Ray 2^nd place in heat 2.
21	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Showground	East Wests to meet south norths in District on Saturday.
23	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Showground	As above -dead heat 27 points each. Ray 2^nd place in heat.
23	Sun Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Showground	As above
30	Sun Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Showground	East wasts beat souths north. Ray 2^nd place in heat 2.

Month: April 1941
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Atticles
3	The Sun Sydney(Thur)	Sydney Showground	Ray in Flying nine race.
12	Sydney Morning Herald(Sat)	Sydney Showground	Ray 3^rd place in World Derby.

Month: May1941
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
7	The Sun Sydney(Wed)	Sydney Showground	Vic Duggan to oppose Ray on Saturday night
8	The Daily Telegraph(Thur)	Sydney Showground	Speedway night will close on Saturday. Ray to meet Vic Duggan.

Month: November1941
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
12	The Sun Sydney	Sydney Showground	Several changes to the inter district competition. Western Suburbs team members Cecil Garland and Noel Thompson will replace Bob Hill(USA) who is unavailable and Ray who is now a member of the RAAF.

Note: The results of some races are unknown as information is, as yet unavailable. This is the last season until after hostilities in World War Two.

Ray Taylor : Newspaper articles. Speedway year

(WW2 YEARS)

1944

Month: August 1944
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
30	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Wed)	Article	Ray is to compete in the Goulburn to Sydney cycle race. He is a member of the RAAF. He contested it in 1928.

Note: The results of some races are unknown as information is, as yet unavailable. This is the only information found for the war years from 1942 to 1945.

Ray Taylor : Newspaper articles. Speedway year

(WW2 YEARS)

1945

Month: September 1944
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
30	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Showground	The Best Pairs Championship. Aub Menzies paired with Ray. Score 6 points.

Note: The results of some races are unknown as information is, as yet unavailable. This is the only information found for the war years from 1942 to 1945.

Ray Taylor : Newspaper articles. Speedway year

(Post WW2 YEARS)

1946

Month: February 1946
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
6	The Sun Sydney(Wed)	Sydney Showground	Advertisement.
6	The Daily TelegraphSydney(Wed)	Sydney Showground	Advertisement. Fred Tracey vrs Ray in solo match race.Team series led by Fred and Ray.
12	The Daily Telegraph(Tue)	Sydney Showground	As above 2 copies.
13	The Daily Telegraph(Wed)	Sydney Showground	Advertisement . As above.
14	The Daily Telegraph(Thurs)	Sydney Showground	Advertisement . As above tonight.
17	The Sun Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Showground	Sydneys team could be Ray, Harry Green, K Gurtner and one other.
19	The Sun Sydney(Tue)	Sydney Showground	Ray to match winner of the Main Match Race.
20	The Sun Sydney(Wed)	Sydney Showground	Ray will give a handicap to opponent of up to 190 yards.
26	The Sun Sydney(Tue)	Sydney Showground	Advertisement. Challenge solo match. Ray vrs Keith Gurtner.
26	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Tue)	Sydney Showground	Advertisement. As above.
27	The Newcastle Sun(Wed)	Broardmeadow Speedway	Ray will appear in special match vrs Bill Rogers.
27	The Sun Sydney	Sydney Showground	As previously mentioned. A Challenge match. Ray has one of the lightest machines here. Tonight.
27	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Wed)	Sydney Showground	As above. Advertisement.

Month: March1946
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Atticles
2	The Newcastle Sun	Newcastle Speedway	Photo of Ray practicing at Newcastle speedway for his match race with Bill Rogers.

Month: April1946
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
8	Unknown	Sydney Showground	Ray lost race to Keith Guertner.

Month: September1946
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
9	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Mon)	Windsor Circuit	Ray appointed Manager of Windsor Circuit. Granite track and designed by Ray.

Month: November1946
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
10	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Showground	Golden Helmet scratch race. Ray 1^st place. Last night.
13	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Royale(Showground)	Archie Neal to race Ray.
14	The Sun Sydney(Thur)	Sydney Royale	Ray won the Golden Helmet on Saturday 9 Nov.
15	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Showground(Royale)	Advertisement. Ray to race next Saturday.
17	The Sun Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	Ray outstanding in the Solo match race.Final 1^st place.
17	The Sydney Morning Herald	Sydney Royale	As above.
Month: November continued1946
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
21	The Sun Sydney(Thur)	Sydney Royale	As above. Ray will again star next Saturday and retain his unbeaten record.
22	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Royale	Advertisement. Ray a record Golden Helmet winner. 2 copies.
28	The Sun Sydney(Thurs)	Sydney Royale	Advertisement.
29	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Royale	Advertisement. 2 copies.

Month: December 1946
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
1	Unknown(possibly Sun Sydney)	Sydney Royale	Ray wins Speed solo handicap.
5	Sun Sydney(Thurs)	Sydney Royale	Advertisement. Ray to race again for Golden Helmet on Saturday night.
5	Unknown(Thurs)	Sydney Royale	As above.
5	The Sun Sydney(Thurs)	Sydney Royale	As above.
5	Sydney Morning Herald (Thur)	Sydney Royale	As above.
6	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Royale	As above. 2 copies with photo of Ray on bike.
7	The Sun Sydney(Sat)	Sydney Royale	As above. Tonight.
17	Sydney Morning Herald (Tues)	Sydney Royale	Ray won 2^nd heat and Final of the open solo handicap on Saturday night.
22	Unknown (Sun)	Sydney Royale	Sole scratch race was rerun because Ray had his head caught in the starting tapes suffering burns on the throat. He won and was treated afterwards for his injuries.
29	The Sun Sudney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	Ray won the Solo scratch race again last night and registered his 8^th consecutive victory. Headline”Taylor shines at Speedway”.

Comments.Note: The results of some races are unknown as information is, as yet unavailable.

Ray Taylor : Newspaper articles. Speedway year

(Post WW2 YEARS)

1947

Contents:

Month: January 1947
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article

9	Unknown(Thurs)	Sydney Royale	Ray won Golden Helmet last Saturday will have handicaps of up to 140 yards.
9	Unknown(Thurs)	Sydney Royale	Advertisement.
10	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Royale	Advertisement. Saturday. Can Ray maintain his unbroken record?
12	The Sun Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	Crowd of 20,000. Ray placed 3^rd in the Final solo race
16	The Sun Sydney (Thurs)	Sydney Royale	Advertisement. Next Saturday.
17	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Royale	As above.
17	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Fri)	Sydney Royale	Ray has been unbeaten in 10 starts and he will challenge the winner of the Charlie Spinks and Andy Menzies race next Saturday,
18	The Sydney Morning Herald(Sat)	Item only	Photo of Ray. Ray has been offered 500 pounds to ride in England.
18	The Telegraph Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray raced at this track in the 1930s.
18	The Sun Sydney(Sat)	Sydney Royale	Ray will attack some existing records tonight.
18	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Sydney Royale	Winner of tonights match race will meet Ray on 26^th.
18	Unknown	Sydney Royale	Ray will compete with Bill Reynolds in a car and Ray on a bike.

Month: January continued 1947
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
20	Truth Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway Brisbane	Ray will make first appearance since 1939. To compete with Andy Menzies, Archie Neal, Charlie Spinks and co.
21	The Telegraph Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	As above

22	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray has claimed a record for his last 19 rides.
23	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	Ray took a second the 3 laps clutch start record when he covered the distance in 1.3 3-5. Last night.
22	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray refused an offer to go to England for 500 pounds when he could stay in Australia and have a signing on offer for at least 650 pounds with return fares to England with one mechanic.Ray scored his nineteenth successive win. He failed in his attempt for the worlds third of a mile record by 1-5 second,
22	The Telegraph Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement. Ray will ride a match race with Andy Menzies.
23	The Telegraph Brisbane(Thurs)	Exhibition Speedway	As above. Test riders will compete in events on Saturday. Ray to meet strong competition from locals.
23	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	As previously. Ray took one second off the 3 lap clutch start record last night.
24	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
25	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement. Ray to meet Andy Menzies. Photo.
25	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Despite heavy rain the track will be in good order for Saturday night. Ray confident that he will match Andy Menzies. Rays JAP motor has special alloy which has enabled him a top performance.
26	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Race postponed until tomorrow night.

Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
29	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray rode a bicycle to get in shape after coming out of the services. Firm believer in physical fittnes and non drinker and smoker and often goes to the gym. Ray will compete in the Qld mile motor cycle championship on Saturday he will compete with winners of two events.
30	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	England after young Aussie Riders. This comes after their offer to Ray which he refused. Tommy Trinder will present the Trophy for the 4 lap Queensland Championship.
30	The Telegraph Brisbane(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	Advertisement.
31	The Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	The special fuel used in motor cycles cost more than 10 shillings a gallon. British comedian Tommy Trinder will appeal at the speedway for the British food appeal.
31	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray will ride to break the worlds record for a mile on a quarter mile track. Current record is held by Andy Menzies at 72 secs. Will race in a triangular match race and the mile solo handicap.

Month: February continued1947
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article
1	The Northern Star Lismore NSW(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray will attack the worlds record for a mile on the quarter mile track tonight. Ray will not risk his motor in the record attempt and would have to wait a year for another attempt. The record is currently held by Andy Menzes at 73 secs.
1	Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above
2	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Archie Neal won the solo championship over Ray in the final.
2	The Sunday Mail Brisbane (Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	As above
6	Sun Sydney (Thurs)	Sydney Royale	Advertisement. Ray to appear.
7	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Royale	As above
7	The Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray was first to come to the ground and is now followed by other international and interstate riders.
14	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Royale	Advertisement. Ray to ride in solo handicap on Saturday.
23	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	Ray won scratch race over 3 laps.
23	Sun Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	As above. Ray lowered the previous record by one second.
25	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	As above. Ray covered the distance in 1.3 3-5.(3 laps)

Month: March1947
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Atticles
11	The Telegraph Brisbane(Tue)	Exhibition Speedway	Queensland vrs The Rest places will be filled to include Ray.
12	The Telegraph Brisbane(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray will be in the Rest team and will come by plane on Friday.
14	The Telegraph Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray arrives today.
14	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	The above event will be nine heats over a 3 quarter mile (3 laps)
15	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
16	Sunday Mail Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Rest defeated Queensland 2-1 Rays motor was low performance.

Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Atticles
22	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Competitors are keeping an eye on their bikes as Rays was tampered with.
23	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	It is suspected that Rays bike was sabotaged on its way from Sydney. The bike has been examined under police supervision in Sydney and found to be damaged by “foreign matter” It appears the machine was tampered with on its way to Brisbane.
23	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	Ray 2^nd place in Solo Handicap.
23	The Sun Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	As above. Ray also won a heat in the solo cucle scratch race. He was placed 3^rd in the open solo handicap final.
24	Telegraph Brisbane(Mon)	Sydney Royale	Bill Rogers is keeping an eye on his bike after Rays experience.

Month: April1947
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Atticles
1	National Advocate Bathurst(Tue)	Bathurst Speedway	Ray has expressed his interest in attending next Mondays Event.
12	Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Item mentions Rays defeat of Ray in scratch race in Sydney by Jack Chignell who is riding at the speedway on Saturday night.
18	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Royale	Advertisement. Ray is competing on Saturday night
7	Program Easter Monday	Bathurst Speedway	Ray included in Program.

Month: May1947
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
1	The Sun Sydney(Thur)	Sydney Royale	Advertisement. Ray vrs Andy Menzies in interstate solo. Saturday
2	The Sydney Morning Herald(Fri)	Sydney Royale	As above.
3	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Sat)	Sydney Royale	As above. Tonight.
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
4	The Sun Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	Interstate match race. Andy Menzies beat Ray 2 heats to one.
4	Truth Brisbane(Sun)	Sydney Royale	As above.
7	Unknown(Tue)	Sydney Royale	As above.
7	Unknown(Tue)	Sydney Royale	As above.
18	The Sun Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	Photo of Ray receiving his Thophy from Miss Australia at the Showground last night. Betty Orme.
18	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	Rays 3 lap record was broken by Ken Blair.

Month: September1947
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
10	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Wed)	Sydney Royale	Doug McLachlan will oppose Ray on Saturday night.
14	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	Ray 2^nd place in the Solo scratch race.
18	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Thurs)	Sydney Royale	Advertisement. Ray in Solo Handicap on Saturday,
21	The Sun Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	Ray had 2 wins and a 2^nd place. Fian scratch race.
26	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Royale	Advertisement.
26	The Sun Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Royale	As above.
26	The Sydney Morning Herald(Fri)	Sydney Royale	Ray mentioned.

Month: October 1947
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
3	Sun Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Royale	Advertisement.
3	Daily Telegraph (Fri)	Sydney Royale	Advertisement.
4	The Sun Sydney(Sat)	Sydney Royale	Advertisement. Match between Ray and Ken Blair.
5	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	Solo Challenge Match Ray 1^stplave.Senior solo scratch race Ray 2^nd place.
10	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Royale	Advertisement. Saturday night. Match races.
10	The Sun Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Royale	Advertisement and detail.
Month: October continued1947
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
11	The Sydney Morning Herald(Sat)	Sydney Royale	Jack Chignell to meet Ray on Saturday night.

Month: November1947
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
5	The Sun Sydney(Wed)	Sydney Royale	Riders will compete for the test teams. Ray will captain one. Team mates being Dave Hynes, Art Davies, Eddie Phelps, Jack Chignell.
6	Sydney Morning Herald(Thurs)	Sydney Royale	Advertisement. Teams competition Saturday night.
7	Sun Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Royale	As above.
8	The Sun Sydney(Sat)	Sydney Royale	As above.
9	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	Three crashes in the teams race last night. Ray 1^st place in Solo race.
10	Sydney Morning Herald(Mon)	Sydney Royale	English test team will ride against American and Australians. Ray included.
12	Daily Telegraph Sydney(Wed)	Sydney Royale	As above details.
14	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Royale	English and American teams will compete against Speedway Royale team of Ray, Jack Chignell, Ken Blair and Dave Hynes.
14	The Sun Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Royale	Demonstration of an Autogyro. First triangular teams race since 1938. Ray to compete on Saturday night.
16	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	American team won.
17	The Newcastle Sun NSW(Mon)	Maitland Speedway	Ray to race on Wednesday night. 19^th Nov.
18	The Cessnock Eagle and South Maitland Recorder NSW(Tue)	Maitland Speedway	Overseas riders and Australia will meet in special match races on Wednesday.
20	Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners Advocate NSW(Thur)	Maitland Speedway	Ray 2^nd place in International match race.
20	Sun Sydney(Thurs)	Sydney Royale	Advertisement. Alex Stratham English Team to meet Ray on Saturday Night.
21	Sun Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Royale	Advertisement. As above.

Month: November continued1947
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
22	Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners Advocate NSW(Sat)	Maitland Speedway	Advertisement. Ray to race with internationals etc on Wednesday next.
28	Sun Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Royale	S advertised on 20^th. Saturday night.
30	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	Ray 2^nd place in the Challenge match race.

Month: December1947
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
3	Unknown(Wed)	Sydney Royale	4 countries will be represented in the best pairs race at the Sydney Showground on Saturday night. Ray included.
3	The Sydney Morning Herald(Wed)	Sydney Royale	Ray will race in a pairs match next Saturday with Jack Milne.
3	Sun Sydney(Wed)	Sydney Royale	As above.
5	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Fri)	Sydney Royale	As above.

6	The Daily Telegraph Sydney(Sat)	Sydney Royale	As above. Jack Milne is now 40 will be making his first appearance this season.
14	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Sydney Royale	Pair team Bill Lamareaux and Ken Ryan beat Ray and Jack Milne by 1 point.

Note: The results of some races are unknown as information is, as yet unavailable.

Ray Taylor : Newspaper articles. Speedway year

(Post WW2 YEARS)

1948

Month: January 1948
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article

13	The Sydney Morning Herald(Tue)	Sydney Royale	Ray is included in 16 riders who will compete in the Australian Solo Championship over 18 heats.
14	Brisbane Telegraph (Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray racing next Saturday. Photo.
17	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to compete in the Golden Helmet event
18	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray was a reserve and did not win Australian Solo Championship . Winner Vic Duggan.
19	Program	Sydney Royale	Program

Month: February1948
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/ Article


Note:	Information to be sighted.	On going

Month: March1948
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments/Atticles
7	Truth Sydney(Sun)	Exhibition Speedway	Feature Solo Scratch Race. Ray 2^nd place.

Month: August1948
Date	Source News Article	track		Comments
22	Brisbane Telegraph(Fri)		Exhibition Speedway	Seasons opens Saturday night. Ray to appear.
27	Brisbane telegraph(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway		Ray to appear at the Exhibition ground in Brisbane for the “Food for Britain program”
28	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Sat)		Exhibition Speedway	Ray to be here to practice for the opening night on September 11.

Month: September1948
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
1	Brisbane Telegraph(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to appear at the opening.
4	Brisbane Telegraph(Sat)	Exhibition Speedway	Rays photo.
6	Brisbane Telegraph(Mon)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray at practice and trials on Wednesday night.
8	Brisbane Telegraph(Wed)	Exhibition Speedway	As above.
10	Brisbane Telegraph(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	Match race winner to meet Ray Saturday night.
16	Brisbane Telegraph(Thur)	Exhibition Speedway	Ray to be Back marker Saturday night.
17	The Courier Mail Brisbane(Fri)	Exhibition Speedway	As previously mentioned.
21	The Sydney Morning Herald(Tue)	Sydney Royale	Riders have been selected for solo races on Saturday night which includes Ray. More than 100 applications have been received.

25	Program(Sat)	Sydney Royale	Ray in Solo Scratch race. Handicap of 110 yards behind.

Month: September continued1948
Date	Source News Article	track	Comments
9	Official programme for Sydney Royale (Sat)	Sydney Royale

Note: The results of some races are unknown as a considerable amount of information is, as yet unavailable. Below Newspaper clippings from 1949 and 1950

Robert Crich has sent me this lengthy document mapping the career of Australian Ray Taylor although I did chip in with some photos

says:y

Hello John

Stumbled over your website. Just a small file indexing newpaper items regarding Ray Taylor’s speedway career 1930-1948 which are available on Trove newspaper archive on the web. Most items (Clippings) are outlined in the attached index file. This is only what I have and is in no way definitive or complete. Hope this might help.

Rob

Lee Richardson

This picture and report are courtesy of the Reading Chronicle: READING speedway fans have been stunned by the death of former rider Lee Richardson. The 33-year-old crashed while riding for PGE Marma Rzeszow against Betard Sparta Wroclaw in Poland on Sunday 13th May 2012.The father-of-three was rushed to hospital but died of his injuries.

His death has sent shockwaves throughout the sport and a minute's silence was held before last night's televised Elite League meeting between Belle Vue Aces and Birmingham Brummies. Hastings-born Richardson was fondly remembered by supports of the Reading Racers, having started his career at Smallmead as a 15-year-old.

Former Chronicle speedway correspondent Nick Dyer said: "I felt really close to Lee having been with him in his earliest rookie season with Tim Sugar (ex-Racers manager) at Reading. I remember travelling to his debut meeting in Tim's van."I also worked with Lee's mum on the TV commentaries that used to run on local cable and I can't even think what his wife is going through."

Richardson made his debut for the Racers in 1995 and was part of the team that won league and cup honours the following year. He was crowned World Under 21 Champion in 1999 and rode for a variety of clubs after Reading including Peterborough, Swindon, Eastbourne and Poole. He was the current captain of Lakeside Hammers when he died.

Hammers owner Stuart Douglas said: "Lee's death is a truly shocking piece of news. Sometimes the dangers the riders face in this sport are sidelined in the competitive spirit, but this proves just how brave speedway riders are."Lee is a magnificent rider, and our club, and the speedway family around the world, are left totally bereft by this tragedy."The news is a second blow for Racers fans following the death of ex-rider and co-promoter Malcolm Holloway from a heart attack last week.

The following pictures and sentiments were sent to me by Reg Fearman

Robert Rogers says: A strange place was Arena Essex tonight, it was nearly 19.45 pm and the normally noisy mad house that is the pits was strangely quite, the bikes stood in rows in silent homage. Riders, Staff and Officials stood in little groups quietly chatting, whilst some found a quite corner for their thoughts.

On the terraces, some fans could not believe it, some would not believe it. They threw their couple of bob and £10 notes in to the collecting bins ably organised by Linda and George, although there was some happiness, the latest Member of the Barclays clan could not believe, so made the most of, all the fuss they were receiving. Some fans laid flowers at the corner of the Tavern, some gave in sympathy cards, all seemed to want to sign the remembrance book, many bought a Rico Tee-shirt, all the more money for the collection.

Most stood in groups, still shocked, but remembering the good times, one fan said `He stood with my boy last week to have his photo taken, he was a good guy like that, must get it framed now`. The normal start time of the match saw, insisted of 14 noisy bikes, a silent procession coming out of the pits, and along the concrete road that is the Banger track, headed by Lakeside Manager pushing a Speedway bike, followed by Riders, Family, Friends and Officials, and marching in a group the St Johns Ambulance Brigade in their brightly coloured jackets, they walk around to the starting tapes, where a wreath in Lakeside colours was placed on the bike.

Oh no! It was true, Lee had ridden his last race. Brave words from the manager trying to hold back the tears, also the fans, although for some it was too much. But by fare the bravest of all Emma, and her boys. A minutes silence, ended by the warning Klaxon, then a minutes applauds, Speedway had paid its respect to a Racing Legend, Lee Richardson, Lakeside Captain, killed while racing in Poland last Sunday . RIP Lee the Hammers will NEVER forget you, the show must go on, and Lakeside beat Swindon 50-40, but a little bit of our hearts will never be the same again.

Norrie Isbister

Claire Nielson (Nee Isbister) says: My uncle, Norrie Isbister, was one of Scotland's greats from the early years of the sport in the UK

John Says: The above photo is one of my favourites out of the many thousands of images on my websites

Norrie Isbister and Drew McQueen. The crazy cornering angles were due to the Douglas Dirt Track bikes they are racing. The bikes had a long wheel base to accommodate the longitudal flat twin engine and a very low centre of gravity because of the engines weight slung along the bottom of the bikes frame, this resulted in spectacular "leg trailing"

Above left is a painting by Sir Somerville Shanks, of my uncle Norrie, (says Claire) at the height of his popularity and above right is him in 1917 at an army training camp

Claire continues: The man in the homburg hat 2nd from right is my father, Jack Isbister who was the doctor at the Speedway then

Claire says: A line-up of riders with my uncle Norrie at extreme left.

Norrie With Other Veterans

Norrie Isbister, Fred Rogers, Merv Hannam, Ove Fundin, Willie Templeton and Bert Harkins.

Alan Charles says: Hello John,

Sorry long time no hear! I am always having a sniff around your wonderful website, and the other night noticed a photo of Norrie Isbister laying a Douglas almost flat. Terrific photo, but what caught my eye was the fact that a comment had been made by a Claire Nielson. Now, my wife is a nurse and over 20 years ago cared for a Doctor Jack Isbister at a home in Stratford upon Avon. I commented on the name being that of a rider turned promoter but obviously never mentioned it to him which is a huge shame as I see Claire Nielson herself identifies her father in one of the photos as the track doctor. I would have loved to have met with the fellow but sadly never did.

There was another reason Claire Nielson is firmly and fondly stuck in my mind. That is because the place my wife worked at, did an Easter bonnet parade one year for the amusement of the residents and Miss Nielson came along to add a touch of glamour and judge the entries. The lady excelled herself as she awarded first prize in both age groups to my two daughters!!!

You may wonder why I say glamour, well as well as being extremely attractive. Claire Nielson is a hugely accomplished actress. If you ever saw Fawlty Towers I need only mention Waldorf Salad. The striking blonde lady who accompanied the American gent who was rightly outraged at Basil’s standards? She has also appeared in numerous dramas such as Taggart where she turned Jim down on the offer of a date preferring as she said “the company of her own sex”!!! I think she did a Rab C Nesbitt too. My wife met her many times as she was a very regular visitor along with her husband fellow actor Paul Greenwood, and she always said she was a lovely woman. How much more the lovely for her to share her knowledge of such an illustrious figure from Scottish speedway with you. I wonder how she found your site?

Kindest regards, Alan

Digging At The
Starting Gate

Many riders go through what looks like little more than ritual digging and stamping with their boots before coming under starters orders. I presume they are looking to create extra grip!, but does it work? There is also the kick aimed with the heel of the right foot towards the engine, what does that achieve? If you are/were a rider could you please throw some light on these matters. John

My mate giffy says: Things are ok here, well sort of Ok, I had a bloody heart attack a couple of months ago and the place I worked for closed down, so now I am full time old person.

I only rode at one track that had a concrete starting pad and that was Middlesbrough and I think that was 1965 in a non league side.

Regarding the digging at the gate. I always looked for a bit of the gate that had not been used before and had no ruts in it but if that was not possible I looked for a straight rut to use. The idea of using a rut that is already there is that the sides of the tyre will pick up a bit of grip on the sides of the rut too. I have no idea why riders mess about as much as they do. I think if they were honest they wouldn't know either, they just do it because they have seen someone else do it!!!

I always thought the best way was to drop the clutch before the other blokes!!!!.

My best wishes to you, mate, giffy

John says: Take it easy giffy mate. I dunno why your heart decided to "attack you" :-( I am a full time old and infirm person too. Great isn't it? Any more riders eye views of starting techniques? John

Col Greenwell says: Hi John, I was looking through Miscellaneous 1 and you have an item from Dave Gifford...Digging At The Gate. He says the only track he rode at with a concrete start was at Middlesbrough in 1965..!!!...Maybe Dave means 1966 when we had open meetings.....There were only 3 meetings at Middlesbrough in 1965. I just cannot remember what the start was like....

John says: Ah well giffy may have got it wrong but it was 47 yrs ago. Bloody hell! I cannot remember what I had for tea yesterday!

Danny Dunton

Danny Dunton (right), Chairman of SRA presents a greeting to Igor Plechanov 1964

Danny Is A Dutchman

Dutch Programme from 1963 Danny was Captain of Holland, he won the Golden Hemet which he still has at home.

Ok I will ask Lee "How come your dad, Danny was riding for Holland"

John says: Ah well Lee may not have seen the above request from me

Speedway In Brazil

Rafael Bem from Brazil says: Yeah, I did a little research and found this picture from the first speedway race on Brazil happen in 1940 on Pacaembu Stadium at São Paulo

John Says: 4 bikes going around an oval track. Yes I would call that Speedway. The bikes are heavy looking road machines but that was common in 1928 in Australia and Europe. Pity speedway is not a popular form of motor sport in Brazil, well let's face it speedway isn't that popular anywhere!

1929 Motor Cycling Magazine Speedway Advert

Courtesy of Jim Henry

England Team

Courtesy of the Eric Williams Collection

John says: The eight smiling Englishmen are (standing from left to right) Derrick Tailby, My Mate Reg Fearman, Eddie Rigg, Bob Fletcher, Fred Yates. Kneeling (from left to right) are Eric Williams, Jack Parker and Tommy Miller.

Motorcycle Football
& Sidecar Polo

From Crystal Palace. Motorcycle Football (Top) and Sidecar Polo below. looks like a lot of fun

Two Early USA Riders

Lloyd "Sprouts" Elder

1929 Sprouts Elder, at 6ft 3ins the American's left leg had to trail when he rode on the low slung Douglas machine. He wasn't hampered at all by his height. I have read that he could earn an appearance fee of £500.00. I have my doubts as that seems a colossal sum for the first era 1929 to 1930!

Sprouts Elder on a Douglas

Sprouts Elder, late 1920's mister speedway. He was speedways greatest showman and had there been a world championship he would likely have won it.

Early USA Riders

Byrd McKinney

John says: One of the best photographs on my website and there are many great pictures. Here is Byrd McKinney in 1933. A USA rider mounted on a Twin Port Harley Davidson. Byrd was obviously a leg trailer as his left leg shows padding to help him ride the bends. He was a Los Angeles rider. The photographer must have been lying down to capture this shot.

1937 American Team

Harley Davidson

Purpose Made & Rare

A potent looking Harley Davidson. The picture shows the exposed Primary and rear chains, no front mudguard and a small rear mudguard. The bike looks as lightened as possible with even the clutch and rear sprocket drilled out to lighten the load. In 1934 this bike was state of the art but it wasn't capable of competing with the British JAP machine. Perhaps American speedway needed Harley Davidson to seriously compete with the JAPS and at that stage they could have easily done so, but decided to pull out of being a speedway bike manufacturer. The British Bike maker JAP continued most successfully, from that point alone until the mid 1960's.

Sig Schlam

Jack Sharp

Courtesy of Colin Greenwell

New Zealander
Spencer "Smokey" Stratton

Courtesy of Susan Webb, a relative of Spencer

My mate, Dave Gifford has been in touch and has supplied the following text about Smokey:

New Zealander Smokey Stratton was a pioneer in the truest sense of the word, a free spirit forever looking for new challenges and new horizons. He left his homeland to race on the grass, dirt and concrete tracks in Australia at the age of nineteen in 1923, the following year he travelled to the USA to try his luck on the American tracks and returned to Australia later the same year.

At this stage of his career Smokey had a pair of Indians, one a 350cc and the other a 990cc. He survived an horrific crash at the Hamilton Speedway in Newcastle NSW, promoted incidentally by our old friend Johnny Hoskins. Spencer recovered and resumed his riding career setting track records at a number of venues in Australia with the odd visit home to race in NZ. In 1926 it was back to the United States to ride as a member of the official Indian Works team, with several meetings on the incredible board tracks at Altoona, Rockingham and Fresno.

After that he returned to Australia but when Johnny Hoskins travelled to the UK in 1928 Smokey was a fellow passenger as the flood of Aussie riders began to make their way to Britain. He switched to Dirt Track Douglas bikes when he rode in the UK and in 1931 was a partner in the company that built the Sheffield Speedway at Owlerton.

During his time in Britain he continued to look for new challenges and made several trips to the Continent to race. He made a brief visit to New Zealand in 1933 but it appears he never actually rode on a New Zealand speedway at any time in his career.

1938 Tragedy

In 1938 Smokey was appointed Manager at Newcastle Brough Park Speedway. He was tragically killed in a car crash at Cockermouth when returning from a Newcastle league match at Workington.
Susan Webb

Dave Gifford says: This is only a very condensed summary of a fascinating character and a great Kiwi. If anyone can help with information on the life and career of Spencer Stratton I would love to hear from them, particularly regarding his trips to Germany, Austria etc.
Giffy.
giffords@xtra.co.nz

The following info about Smokey comes via my Newcastle History Website

An Indian With A BSA
In The Background

Dave Gifford has been in touch about the Indian shown above he says: Now on page 4 of your Bikes site is a picture of a 20's Indian and is it the bike once used by Kiwi Spencer "Smokey" Stratton? I understand that Stratton became Promoter or team manager at Newcastle after he quit riding and was killed in a road crash coming back from a meeting at Workington? Can you verify or give me any additional info? So! can anyone shed any light email me John

Smokey, along with Stewie St George were probably our very first riders, they rode for Johnnie Hoskins at West Maitland where it all started and I have an idea they came to England with Johnnie but we know very little about them. Cheers The Noo Giffy
I will ask around Giffy and let you know if we come up with anything John

An Unamed Writer says: There was an obituary in The Speedway News of 11th June 1938. Basically confirms what you have written but doesn't specify the town where he crashed. He was team manager of Johnnie Hoskins Newcastle Diamonds Div 2 track. Before coming to England in 1928 he had crashed at Newcastle NSW and been unconscious for 23 days. The article mentions his love of "Indian" Bikes. Unknown writer says: I have a newspaper report from Monday 6th June 1938 which says that Spencer Charles Stratton, aged 33, was killed in a head-on collision between two cars at Brigham, near Cockermouth (Cumberland) on Saturday night (4th June 1938). Unknown writer says: Three companions, Canadian riders were travelling with Stratton, were seriously injured, as were the occupants of the other car (John Roan, of Cockermouth, and G.O Smith, of Whitehaven), Stratton's injured companions were Ellwood Stillwell (28) Bruce Venier (21) and Robert Sparks (23), The five injured men were taken to Cockermouth hospital with severe head and face wounds.

John says: Yes Canadians Ellwood Stilwell, Bruce Venier and Bob Sparks all rode for Spencer "Smokey" Stratton at Newcastle in 1938.

Speedway Models

These 3 pictures are from Bill. He bought these for around 20p each in Ireland during the 1960's. Bill says the engines on the models are all JAP and the detail is quite good. Thought!! have you any model speedway rider that is worthy of showing on the website. John

Cary Cotteman's "Toys"

Pics of "Toy" bikes. From Cary Cotteman (USA)

As I was looking at your 'Miscellaneous' page I saw some photos of toy speedway riders that were sent to you by 'Bill'. I happen to have had that same set, which I bought in 1970. There were originally four bikes and four riders with different helmet colours. The set came with a sheet of tiny stickers that could be peeled off and stuck on the riders' race jackets. You could choose from all of the British League Division One teams, or a national body colour of England, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, etc. I have attached two photos of the one remaining bike I still have (I don't know what ever happened to the little riders--retired, I suppose). It has an amazing amount of accuracy for something that is only 2.5 inches (6 cm) long. You can make out the pushrod and valve covers, oil pump, girder forks, the shallow horizontal fins on the JAP crank case, and many other details. The tyres are rubber, and the rear one has 'BRITAINS LTD." and 'ENGLAND" written on the sides. The bikes came plain silver metal, but at some point in my youth I painted this one.

Cheers, Cary

John says: Great stuff Cary, the JAP bikes are really excellent reproductions of the real thing. Keep them safe and some antique dealer may one day, pay you big dollars for them, or maybe they will gather dust in your house until your grandchildren chuck them out. Who knows? Wish I had them though.

And just when I thought it safe to get back to the full size stuff, along came Bob Andrews with "his" toy bikes:-

Courtesy of Bob Andrews

Detail is pretty good, the oil tank and air intake look right but the race track looks very slick!! So it cannot be Brough Park!!

Courtesy of Bob Andrews

Courtesy of Bob Andrews

This rider looks like Berwick's Rob Grant! Was Granty a body double for the little chap!

Courtesy of Bob Andrews

This one is obviously of Bob Andrews leading by a mile. Bob knows how to burn the mahogany, although his right wrist looks a little limp on the throttle!

Bob Andrews &
Ole Olsen

Courtesy of Bob Andrews

Toy riders aside, these two did it for real, Bob couldn't match Ole for world championship success but he was a gritty racer who was hard to predict. Ole was my hero at Newcastle after Ivan Mauger left. Ivan? What a hard act to follow eh Mr Olsen?

The Star Championship 1933

1933 Star Championship riders lining up for a heat. L-R Norman Parker, Tom Farndon, Al Wilkinson and Stan Greatorex. This is considered by speedway historians as the unofficial start of speedways world championship.

Frank Arthur

Frank Arthur 1929: Before the world championships proper started in 1936, we had the Star Championships and Australian Frank Arthur was up there at the top of the Overseas Riders. Frank was the Star 1929 overseas champion. Do you know what track he belonged to in 1929 John This picture shows the bigger wheels in use at the time. I don't know why the wheel diameters were reduced in the 1950s do you? John

Roger Frogley

Frank Arthur was the Star 1929 overseas champion and the rider shown above Roger Frogley, won the British rider of the Star Championship. Roger is shown aboard a Harley Peashooter. Do you know what track he was attached to in 1929. John

Jerry Willmott says: I believe Roger Frogley was attached to High Beech in 1929. He moved to Crystal Palace in 1930.

John "Slider" Shuttleworth

John "Slider" Shuttleworth mounted on a Rudge

Text scan is from a John Chaplin book......from 1990....John Chaplin's Speedway Special. Is the story true? I hope so!

Mike Willig says: John Starkey Shuttleworth was my Grandad, so it's good to see that there's stuff on the web about him he'd be chuffed, always loved being the centre of attention. He used to stand in Stockport's Merseyway precinct and play his accordion, happily collecting any contributions in his cowboy hat (which he often wore) As far as I'm aware, the story about him and the red ink is true.

Alan Hodkinson's Collection

Courtesy of Alan Hodkinson

Courtesy of Alan Hodkinson

Alan Hodkinson says: Ex Army Dispatch Riders boots, Just after the war Riders could pick these up in Army Surplus stores for about 7 Shillings and 6 pence (35p), And the Gas Goggles were popular too, these would be about 9d for a pack of 10 (about 4p) these items were top quality, good value, those are my boots and are still going strong

The 2 Stroke Scott
500cc Watercooled

Tommy Hatch

Not much of the bike is visible but Tommy is mounted on a 2 stroke 500cc Scott

Scott Rider
Frank Varey

The technologically advanced Scott had it's champion of it's cause in Frank Varey, the Red Devil. Sadly the Scott, made in Britain, was not to become a speedway success along with all of the other British bikes but British Engine makers JAP took up the baton in the early 1930s Such a pity that Scott, Norton, Triumph, Velocette, Royal Enfield and BSA etc., didn't follow JAP, as speedway would have been so much better with a variety of manufacturers involved.

Frank Varey was the most well known Scott rider and the red parts of the bike gained Frank the name The Red Devil. His showmanship came out and he started wearing red too! Frank moved on to other bikes to be competitive

The Red Devil
Frank Varey

Frank rode in South America where he gained the nickname El Diablo Rojo (The Red Devil) in Argentina

Courtesy of John Whitaker

Here is the Red Devil, (Frank Varey El Diablo Rojo.) on board a Rudge, Frank was no longer a Scott rider as he strove to be competitive. The Rudge was a potent machine and compared to the Scott and Douglas it was a leap forward until JAP's speedway engine was developed around 1931

Cyclone Billy Lamont On A Harley

Early American Speedway Bike makers Harley Davidson and Indian were recognisable by their dropped handlebars, modelled here by Billy Lamont. You will notice that Billy is racing his Harley Peashooter without gloves or a proper crash hat. he appears to be wearing a leather head cover not much good if he comes to grief! But that is the way it was around the beginning in 1929.

"Cyclone"
Billy Lamont
On An AJS

The "Cyclone" aboard the British made AJS big port

Colin Watson 1932 (I Think?)

This is Colin Watson in, I think, 1932. The photo is great by anyone's standards. I assume the photographer wasn't about to be run down by Colin! I can picture the camera man squatted down on the track, clicked his camera and then dived off to his right onto the centre green!

Charlie Pashley On A Sunbeam At Southport Sands

Not sure what is going on here! Charlie Pashley on a Sunbeam, apparently going the wrong way!. He won the first ever UK dirtrack meeting at Droylesden in 1927. His Sunbeam was a stripped down roadster and as can be seen here it had a front brake. Charlie would have disabled the brakes for the racing as that was a golden rule in the early days.

David Spencer says: One thing I did notice was the photo of Charlie Pashley apparently broad sliding the “wrong way”. I asked his son about that and it turns out he raced on the sand at Ainsdale and they competed clockwise and that is where the photo is from.

Rod Pashley says: Hi, I am delighted to see you have a photo of my Dad (Charlie Pashley), and thought you might like the attached scan to go with it. He also rode at Belle Vue (Hyde Rd) first meeting, it seems that literally hundreds of riders turned up, to have a go, but none seem to have been recorded You may also like to know that the photo you have was taken on Southport sands

Courtesy of Rod Pashley

This racecard shows C Pashley 600cc So we can assume that the Sunbeam he is pictured riding above is a 600cc bike.
Rod Pashley says: Charlie went on to captain Belle Vue's Midget car team in the thirties

Harley Davidson

The Harley Peashooter in action in 1926 at Claremont Australia, ridden by Charlie Datsun. Australia had been staging dirt track racing for approximately 3 years and the sport would not be arriving in the UK until 1928

The Harley Peashooter had distinctive drop handlebars. The machine was the most successful of the 1920's bikes until the Douglas Dirt Track machine came along in approx. 1928

Harley Davidson and most British Bike makers had a brief interest in speedway in the early days, and soon turned their back on the sport. The bike companies could have developed machines that could have appeared on world wide speedway tracks but they didn't. So well done JAP of Tottenham England for building speedway engines/bikes and for producing the engines for the Rotrax JAP. The best ever speedway bike in my opinion.

Paddy Dean

Paddy Dean 1929 Claremont Speedway Australia

The Hoskins Family

The Hoskins, probably the most influential speedway family of all time Ian, Audrey and Johnnie

USA Board Racing

We are used to seeing cyclists racing around Velodromes. A Velodrome is usually a wooden, banked oval race track, for cycles, but not suitable for high powered motorcycles. In years gone by USA's motorcycle fans could watch stripped down motorcycles racing around Board Tracks which were similar to the Velodrome but larger and outdoors.

Board Racing started in the USA in the early1900's. The bikes were mainly Indian and Harley Davidson. Like speedway they had no brakes and a fixed gear so it is a close cousin to speedway. The bikes have been stripped down in much the same manner that Dirt Track bikes were a few years later.

Outdoor board tracks needed the wooden boards replacing after only 4 or 5 years and the high costs involved signaled the end. This form of motorcycle racing only lasted from the 1910s until the 1920s and was an American only spectacular.

Kansas USA 1920
At Dodge City

USA 1920. at Dodge City
Maldwyn Jones, Fred Ludlow, Ralph Hepburn, Jim Davis, Ray Weishaar, OttoWalker, Walter Higley
Maldwyn Jones is said by some to have been the first rider to master the art of broadsiding, if so then he must have had a massive advantage over his rivals

Harold
"Tiger" Stevenson

1981 Ventura Programme
(California USA)

Two Of England's All Time Best

Dave Jessup leads Michael Lee at the Coventry British Final. I have included this photo as I think it is a great action picture

Barnet Bypass 1930s

This photo is from my Barnet Bypass webpage. An early 1930s photo from Ann Bellingham (nee Scott).. her dad Roland Scott is no 69, far left. The track appears to be on a slope or was the photographer drunk! Does anyone recognise the other riders John Ann says her dad won many trophies 1930-1932 at this Barnet Bypass circut.

Australia 1950

1950 Australian team at Kilburn Speedway in Adelaide- (track long since gone.)
The line up from L to R is Bob Leverenz, Bill Bryden, Jack Young, Aub Lawson, Merv Harding, Lindsay Mitchell & Frank Young

Anglian Angels

I am reminded by Mike Moseley that the Angels staged their home matches at Kings Lynn and Ipswich

Northside Arena Workington

Mike Moseley says there has only been one meeting under the Northside banner at Workington. So what's gone wrong there, anyone know? This programme has to be quite rare then?

Boris Samorodov's ESO

Top 1960's Russian Boris Samorodov, ESO mounted, leaving England's best in his wake

Mike Broadbanks

This is Mike Broadbanks, the Red Devil! An Englishman who could match the mighty Russians in the 1960's Mike's unusual riding style came about by him sitting well forward and gripping the handlebars well away from the ends. He was great to watch.

Who Are the Oldest
Surviving Riders

Presently the oldest living rider is Newcastle's Gordon Byers he is 96 years young at the time of writing (April 2008). Gordon still lives in the city, he won the first ever race at Newcastle's Brough Park, way back on 17th May 1929. He started his Career at Middlesbrough in 1928 and Newcastle 1929 then he moved south, Leeds first then Wembley.

After Gordon there appears to be quite an age gap which it appears can be measured in terms of was a rider riding Pre war because the only other pre war rider alive today is Riskit Riley shown below

Update: Sadly, Gordon died just before Christmas 2008

Is Riskit Still With Us?

Douglas mounted Riskit Riley. I don't know how old Riskit is now. If you can help please email me John

Jack Tidbury

Norman Jacobs has been in touch he says: There is another pre war rider who is still alive. He is Jack Tidbury who rode for Hackney in 1938

John says: Many thanks Norman, Jack was also a Middlesbrough Bear in 1939. here's a picture of Jack (see above).

Lady Riders

Well before the days of women's lib, 1929, here we have 2 ladies mounted on Douglas DT's and below not only a lady rider but a lady wielding a spanner too.

From Ernie Crusts book "At The Drop Of The Flag." The spanner wielding Anne Whitfield is the sister of Harry Whitfield

This is Eva Askquith who came from Bedale in north Yorkshire

Col Greenwell says: I have a book that says Eva rode against Gordon Byers in match races at Brough Park, Newcastle. Eva won the first, Gordon the second but before the decider Eva was involved in a triple crash and had to withdraw from the meeting. She did ride at Gosforth the next night against the likes of Charlie Barrett and Smiling Jim Kempster. At West Ham she beat Tiger Stevenson 2-1 in match races. She rode as a reserve for Leeds at Sheffield and got a second place.

They should write a book about her. She rode point to point, played cricket for the local cricket team, not sure if that was a ladies team, she was a dispatch rider for the national fire service during the war and was also a fire engine driver
Col

Fay Taylour
At The
Douglas Factory

Fay v Eva

Other Ladies Of The Early Dirt Tracks

Babs Neild & Dot Cowley

1929 Ron Johnson
& Jack Parker

1929 Ron Johnson & Jack Parker mounted on Douglas machines. Can anyone say what track?

1929 Squib Burton
On His Douglas

Ice Speedway

Ice Racer

Gerrit Schukken

Gerrit's crazy angle is commonplace, no! he is not falling off!

Gerrit Schukken

John says: Ice Speedway racing takes place in Russia, Scandinavia and Holland (Not sure why Holland?). If you can add to this shortlist and/or say why Holland has the weather conditions suitable for ice speedway please let me know. John

Gerrit Schukken (pictured above) says: Hi John, I'm from Holland. in the north. Comparing the speedway bike with an ice bike: I think only the wheel hubs and transmission are the same ( maybe accept the ratio ). the frame is special, wheels are front 23" rear 21"

My ice bike has no rear suspension. engine is 500cc 4stroke 2 valve Jawa, 2 valve is max in ice race methanol powered about 55 ps, no titanium allowed on bike. and the minimum weight is 115 kg ( changes sometimes a bit ) interesting to know in about 1990 my friend Tjitte Bootsma, Dutch GP rider than started to improve the java frames. he than came with a own frame with rear suspension, every one laugh at him. but soon they learn that it was the new evolution of ice racing.

Java also came with a rear suspension but it was not perfect. A few years later they copied his frame ( almost exact ) but still it wasn't super. This "tibo" frame also was copied by Russian mechanic due to lower quality steel and poor welding also this frames aren't very good. I think 90% of the drivers now in GP drive on this frames, and if there would be ( like F1 GP) a constructors title he would have it for many years now. This is a bit advertising :) the most used engine is still the Jawa 4 stroke 2 valve methanol powered engine.

But still, I just started ( I hope to improve ) ice racing last year. Set to learn it on an "oldtimer" Jawa. it is a money issue. I think its a super interesting sport and hope to continue it. Don't know if your interest goes to the sport or only to the bikes but anyway mine is both!

Well if you want to learn more about it I can help you I think, maybe ask some specific questions, if I don't forget I will send you some pictures of my bike, the pics i sent is me on Tjittes old competition bike on which he started.
Greetings Gerrit Schukken Holland

John says: Hi Gerrit, I am fascinated by Ice Racing and would love to see your pictures. The sport looks much faster than dirt track speedway despite the older engines John. If I was wealthier I would make frequent winter trips to watch the sport.

Gerrit says: Maybe this will attract some sponsors for me! You want to know why Holland has ice racing. Well in early days there was bit more strong winters and we have a lot of lakes, you do the math! and of course we have a lot of crazy ( read fanatic ) speedway riders. there not a lot of riders left, now about 3 of 4 active riders, if we get more winters it will be more. Assen, ( place from TT) has a organisation who organizes a world championship every year still, and the riders who are active are very driven to ride it.

Also check www.renestellingwerf.nl site of friend of me who, has a good chance qualifying for GP this year
greets Gerrit

John says: Ok Gerrit, I would be pleased to hear you have a sponsor after putting this on the website. Best wishes to your friend on reaching the GP...John

1960's
Ice Racing

Courtesy of John Spoor

Assen
Ice Speedway
World Championship

Possibly The Last Ever Race Meeting at Assen!

Miscellaneous Page 2

The contents of the site are © and should not be reproduced elsewhere for financial gain. The contributors to this site gave the pictures and information on that understanding. If anyone has any issue or objections to any items on the site please e-mail and I will amend or remove the item. Where possible credit has been given to the owner of each item.

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