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Australian Speedway Pre-War History 1920's -
1930's |
| MAXIE
COMES HOME |
Young Max Grosskreutz |
| There wouldn’t have been many residents of
Townsville in the middle of January 1929 who hadn’t heard, or read, that Max
Grosskreutz was coming home. His imminent return to the city, which he still
referred to as “home”, was big news at that time. |
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Newspaper
Announcement |
During early August of the previous year,
Grosskreutz had left North Queensland headed for Brisbane. There he hoped to
make a name for himself competing against the stars who were performing weekly
on the Davies Park Speedway. Just what the “Northern Flyer” accomplished in
Brisbane in the period from August 1928 to January 1929 is one of the most
amazing Australian speedway success stories. He arrived an unknown “Northerner”
who, in a short period of time, captured the imagination and won the hearts of
the Brisbane speedway public. He was being referred to as “the most popular
rider ever to appear at the Davies Park track”. That, indeed, was high praise,
especially when it is remembered that the likes of Frank Arthur, Billy Lamont
and Vic Huxley were immensely popular when they appeared at the venue.
Grosskreutz may have arrived in Brisbane an “unknown”, but he returned to
Townsville just over four months later as an Australian Champion.
The main reason for Grosskreutz’s return to Townsville was to say goodbye to his
family and friends, as he’d signed what he described as “a lucrative contract”
to ride in England during 1929. It just so happened that his northern visit
coincided with the staging at the Townsville Show Ground of both the Australia
Day Carnival and the North Queensland Championship.
It had been widely publicised in Townsville that Grosskreutz was arriving by
train from Brisbane on Wednesday morning January 23rd. However, he decided to
change his travel arrangements, as he was concerned the rail service may be
disrupted by the wet weather, thus causing him to miss his weekend bookings. He
arrived in Townsville on Friday January 25th, having sailed from Brisbane on the
Ormiston.
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Newspaper
Advertisement |
Grosskreutz was straight into action on
the track, as the Australia Day Carnival was staged on Friday January 25th (the
day he arrived) and Saturday January 26th. The feature event on the first
evening’s programme was the contest for the Silver Armlet. A large crowd was on
hand at the Townsville circuit to witness Grosskreutz’s return.
One of the reports I have of the first night of the Carnival contains the
following: -
“He (Grosskreutz) made his first appearance in the second heat of the Armlet,
and was cheered for his fine riding, and lowered the existing record ….”
Grosskreutz won the heat by 50 yards. Don Macpherson was the previous record
holder.
Those who had followed the racing at the Townsville Show Ground since December
1927 had seen Grosskreutz improve from a struggling C Grader to become an
accomplished performer prior to his departure for Brisbane. One thing hadn’t
changed though since his time in Townsville; he still seemed to attract more
than his share of bad luck. In the final of the Armlet, the crowd witnessed an
absorbing contest between Grosskreutz and local star Macpherson. Grosskreutz was
leading by a length and a half on the final lap when his chain snapped.
Don Macpherson was to lose yet another Townsville track record – the following
evening Grosskreutz lowered his one-lap time.
Those present at this second night’s racing of the Australia Day Carnival
eagerly awaited the match race clash between the two old foes, Macpherson and
Grosskreutz. Grosskreutz had a winning lead mid-race when misfortune dealt him
yet another cruel blow – he lost his sprocket wheel and chain.
The 100 pounds North Queensland Championship was staged at the Townsville Show
Ground the following Friday and Saturday evenings. Macpherson, Alex Williams and
Grosskreutz won the Championship heats which were staged on the Friday. The
following evening, these three lined up to contest the race to decide the
Championship – and what a spectacle it turned out to be.
Another big crowd witnessed the second night of the Championship Carnival. The
first of the finalists presented to the crowd was the very popular Macpherson.
He received a rousing ovation as he rode onto the track. Some of his past
clashes at Townsville with Grosskreutz, Frank Randall and Clem Roderkirchen had
been breathtaking.
Second to appear was Williams who had shown a marked improvement during the
weeks leading up to this Carnival. He also received a great welcome. Some two
minutes later, Grosskreutz appeared to the cheers of those present. As he rode
to the starting area, he became aware of a problem with his machine. After a
short delay, he was ready, and the three were ordered by the starter to form up
for the flying start. Following is a report I have of the spectacle which
unfolded:-
“With flaming exhausts and sparks flying from the contact of steel toe plates
with the track, they came around the top at a tremendous bat. They passed the
starter practically in line and were signalled that the race was on. The crowd
was quickly on its feet. The pace was a cracker, and it was quickly recognised
that this speed had never before been seen on the track…..”
Macpherson led narrowly from Williams, with Grosskreutz on the outside about
half a length behind them. Unfortunately for Williams, he lost control of his
machine and fell. Grosskreutz skilfully rode around the fallen rider, but lost
ground in doing so. At the time of Williams’ fall, Macpherson led him by four
lengths. What then happened caused the crowd to instantly become silent and
stand breathless. Macpherson’s machine suffered a blowout, which caused him to
lose control, and he crashed heavily to the track. This time Grosskreutz
couldn’t avoid the carnage which confronted him. He managed to miss Macpherson,
but crashed at high speed into the machine lying on the track. Grosskreutz was
extremely fortunate to avoid serious injury in this accident. A knock to his
face resulted in the loss of a couple of teeth. Macpherson’s bike was badly
damaged.
Eager to obtain a result in the championship race, the officials gave
Macpherson’s crew the opportunity of trying to make his machine race-worthy.
This interval also provided the shaken riders with the chance to recover from
their spectacular spills.
Some 50 minutes later, the three finalists once again formed up for the flying
start. On this occasion it was Grosskreutz who was first away. At the end of the
first lap, he led Macpherson by a length and a half. Williams, further back in
third place, was having trouble with his engine. With one lap remaining,
Grosskreutz had opened up a lead of five lengths – the crowd was already hailing
their hero. The unthinkable then occurred – just a third of a lap from the
finish line, Grosskreutz crashed to the track when his chain broke. Williams’
engine was now behaving as it should and he was closing fast on Macpherson.
Macpherson beat Williams across the line by just three lengths. Those present
had witnessed one of the finest events ever staged at the track. My report of
the re-run of the final includes the following:-
“It was a rare race, possessing all the elements that go to make the sport so
gripping, and the crowd enjoyed it to the full.”
Grosskreutz philosophically commented on his misfortune:- “That might happen to
anybody.”
Macpherson collected 60 pounds, and Williams 30. Grosskreutz received 10 pounds.
There was another event still to be decided, a match race between Macpherson and
Grosskreutz. In what was somewhat of an anti-climax to the evening, Grosskreutz
won by 50 yards.
A sizeable crowd gathered at the Townsville Railway Station on the Monday
evening to farewell Grosskreutz. He was returning to Brisbane to participate in
his farewell meeting at Davies Park the following Saturday. He left Townsville
minus his racing machine – another local favourite, Tommy Tompkins, had
purchased it.
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Thanks to Ross Garrigan for this report. |
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