TALES FROM THE LATE 1920's.
Featuring Frank Arthur, Bert Spencer and Fay Taylor. |
| Fay Taylour - The
"First Lady" of Speedway |
The promoters of the early speedway meetings
staged in Australia knew the value of having a drawcard on the programme. The
appearances of such as the Datson brothers, Paddy Dean, Tommy Benstead, Billy
Lamont, Sprouts Elder, Sig Schlam, Frank Arthur or Vic Huxley meant increased
patronage. In New Zealand, Queensland’s Frank Pearce was so popular during his
appearances there during the 1929/30 season that 5,000 people had to be turned
away from one track when he appeared.
When the name “Fay Taylour” was on the programme in Australia and New Zealand,
the interest aroused was incredible. The appearance of a female on the track was
somewhat of a novelty. During one of her visits to the Western Springs track in
Auckland during the 1929/30 season, Fay walked round the terraces chatting with
the spectators. The welcome she received was extraordinary.
It is my assertion that Fay Taylour was the first British speedway rider to
travel to Australia to race on our tracks following the introduction of speedway
to the United Kingdom in 1928. Born in Southern Ireland in 1908, Fay first
appeared on Australian and New Zealand tracks during the earlier months of 1929.
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| Fay Taylour |
I found the following comments from Fay in a
1930 Australian newspaper. Made on her return to England following her 1929
racing spell in Australia and New Zealand, Fay’s comments provide an insight
into both her entry into motorcycle racing competition and also her desire to
try the new sport of dirt track racing.
“All my life I have enjoyed sports of all kinds, and when I chanced to come upon
motor cycling I took to it at once, and loved going at speed. And I’ve always
loved mechanical things – anything with wheels. When I was quite a tiny tot I
would prefer playing with toy engines rather than dolls.
“Whilst I think that dirt-track racing is essentially for men, because they are
stronger and better fitted to meet the strain, I do not think it should be taboo
for women who can prove themselves capable.
“If a woman is strong enough and enjoys the thrills, if she can take the sport
as the men do, she is in for a good time. But she has to exercise greater care,
for it is easier for her to overdo things. Nevertheless, she need not lose her
femininity over the job. I know there are people who think that there is
something abominable about a woman on the dirt-track. But it merely shows her
adaptability. She can be just as normal in the leather gear of a speed merchant
as she is in a billowy evening frock.
“When, three years ago, I got my first motorbike, I was told I should break my
neck. But I didn’t! In fact, I entered for the Southern Scots Scramble at
Camberley in that same year. It was a gruelling test for both machine and rider,
but more especially for the rider.
“Think of it! Forty-eight miles of rough going over hills, up and down. Much
against his will, and after a great deal of persuasion, an uncle had financed me
for this event. I had sworn to win it! He didn’t believe it possible. But, I
felt it was, because I wanted it to be the means of making a new career. So I
kept on saying to myself: ‘Girl, you must win!’ And win I did! From that date my
career as a racing motorcyclist began.
But it costs money to become a recognised racing motorcyclist, and, what is
more, a woman has to face a great deal of opposition before anyone will take her
seriously. I approached the manufacturers. But at that time they felt that my
riding was too wild. Apparently they could get no advertisement out of my
exhibitions because my stuff would not appeal to women riders.
“And then I had a road accident, injuring my knee. A specialist advised an
operation, which was successful. I then got work with a firm of motorcycle
manufacturers in their showrooms at Birmingham.
“But I wanted speed. I had won a score or so of cups, but you can’t live on
cups! When, in the early part of last year, I saw the dirt track speeding, I
made up my mind to go in for these new thrills. I was refused admission to three
speedway tracks, one after the other.
“Then, whilst the officials were in the Isle of Man last year for the T.T.
races, I took advantage of their absence to test myself on the dirt track at
Crystal Palace. The result was that, by the time they returned, I was able to
show them efficiency in the new sport.
“I was established, and, as is generally known, I made the most of my
opportunities there during the summer of last year. Even a woman can get what
she wants, when her want is strong enough.
“Then came my Australian tour. I was repeatedly told that the Australians would
not allow a woman to ride on their tracks. But I was given my chance, and put up
the fastest time of the meetings at several States when I defeated well-known
champions.
Our tracks are much smaller than the Australian dirt tracks, which, I think,
makes racing here more of a nerve test. The smaller the track, the more bends in
a given distance, and the more thrills.”
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| Thanks to Ross Garrigan for the
above story |
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