WALLSEND (NSW)
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1920's - WALLSEND PARK SPEEDWAYMotorcycle speedway racing events were held at Wallsend Park in the 1920's and the 1930's
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Editorial and re-search John Campbell
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NEWCASTLE MORNING HERALD AND MINERS ADVOCATE REPORTED 6th March 1926 |
13th February 1926 |
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1935 - WALLSEND THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN CROSS COUNTRY SCRAMBLE 2nd June 1935
On the 2nd of June 1935 the Wallsend Motorcycle Club conducted the "Great Australian Cross Country Scramble". They based it on the competitions being held in England and Scotland at the time. It was to be 80 miles long, two forty mile laps with only 10 miles on the main roads, the remainder on bush tracks.
The start and finish would be at Wallsend. The route went through or near New Lambton, Kotara, Charlestown, Warners Bay, Boolaroo, Barnsley, Wakefield, Killingsworth, Fairley Town, West Wallsend and Minmi.
The terrain was described as stony pathes, rocky declivities, abrupt slopes and water splashes. 40 riders competed in the event.
The event was won by Jack Towner riding a 2 1/2 hp HP Stephens without losing a single point. The teams prize was awarded to the AJS Club, the only complete team to finish the event.
(Editorial & research John Campbell)
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1935 - BACK TO WALLSEND SPEEDWAY MEETING October 1935 |
28th October 1935 |
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1936 - WALLSEND PARK SPEEDWAY 3rd May 1936 |
Meeting Planned but no further imformation. |
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1937 - WALLSEND PARK SPEEDWAY |
No recorded events |
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1938 - WALLSEND SNAKE TRAIL SCRAMBLE 7th August 1938
On the 7th of August 1938 the Royal Enfield Club held a cross country Scramble. Now called the Snake Trail Scramble. 42 starters, Six eight mile laps on bush tracks for a total of 48 miles. The course started from Wallsend to Slaughter Gully, Goat Hill, Hell Hole, Hell's Gate, and Summer Hill then back to Wallsend. Only nine riders finished the grueling event. Fox Cinesound motion pictures recorded the event.
The winner of the event was Lance Wilson on an Ariel in 2 hours and 20 miniutes, Second was Len Halliday on a Rudge, with "Wicky" Coxon third on an Ariel, The teams prize went to the Ariel Club.
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1939 - WALLSEND GREAT AUSTRALIAN SCRAMBLE 6th August 1939On the 6th of August 1939 a similar to the 1938 all off road circuit greeted the riders, but this time over 56 miles that was made up of seven laps. It has been reported that around 3,000 spectators turned out for the event.
The 1939 event carried the earlier name of the Wallsend Great Australian Scramble.
The event was planned and supervised by Mr R.L Kynaston who had previously organized one of Australia's first big scrambles in Victoria in 1927.
Lance Wilson on his Ariel backed up his last years win in one hour and 54 minutes, Len Halliday would also equal his last year 2nd place, this year riding a Royal Enfield, Third went to H Hopkinson on a Velocette. The Teams prize went to the Royal Enfield Club with the Military Militia team second.
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State Library of New South Wales Pictorial feature
