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Post by mrsgustix on Feb 19, 2009 16:06:50 GMT
FROM ‘VINTAGE SPEEDWAY MAGAZINE’ DECEMBER 2006::: SILVER TROPHY
A rare item landed in George Barclay’s lap recently when a lovely looking silver trophy won by Wally Harris in 1929 was kindly donated to the Speedway Museum by his niece, who lives in south London. The magnificent piece of silverware stands 12 inches high. The inscription on it reads: “Wembley Speedway. Presented by the Directors Of The Wembley Stadium Greyhound Racecourse Ltd To The Rider Scoring The Greatest number Of points At The Meeting Held On Thursday, June 20, 1929. Won By Walter Harris Who Scored 17 Points.” Walter Jonathan Harris was born in Croydon on March 5, 1905, he rode for Crystal Palace in the Southern League and died on July 12, 1990. A cutting from the ‘Daily Chronicle’, which accompanied the trophy, reports that Harris had recently beaten Billy Lamont’s track record at West Ham with a speed of 38.96mph from a standing start. Another report records the England international beating American Ray Tauser in a match race at Stamford Bridge. “Prolific author and historian Norman Jacobs tells us that Harris rode for Crystal Palace in the 1929 season, in which he won 17 of his 51 races. Any further information on Wally’s racing career would be much appreciated.” ENDS HERE THE VSM 2006 ARTICLE.
According to Lionel Crossley’s book about Crystal Palace speedway (published early 1980s), Wally Harris dropped out of the sport because he had a business in nearby South Norwood and could not find the time to travel to mid-week meetings.
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