The Motor Sporting Club and the Motor Cycle Club of South Australia worked together to present some outstanding speedway racing at the Wayville Showground (The Speedway Royal) during the 1927/28 season. Many of Australia's top riders were attracted to the venue where they thrilled the huge crowds. Some memorable performances were turned in by riders of the calibre of Paddy Dean, Sig Schlam, Vic Huxley, Dick Smythe, Alby Taylor and the U.S.A.'s Sprouts Elder - all of whom raced in Britain during speedway's early years.

 

     The Alby Taylor story is a fascinating one - he was a local Adelaide truck driver who rose from virtual obscurity to become a crowd favourite within months. He had the advantage of racing a bike supplied and maintained by an Adelaide motorcycle agency.

 

     The eight meetings staged at the venue between 21/1/28 and 17/3/28 provided both outstanding racing and fine individual performances. Prior to the staging of the January 21 meeting, Alby Taylor held the one-mile track record at 1 min. 9 1/5 sec.and was also the holder of the prestigious Silver Gauntlet. 

21/1/1928 :-     Sprouts Elder was expected to lower Taylor's one-mile record at this meeting. However, while making the record attempt, he crashed in spectacular fashion and was extremely fortunate to escape serious injury. Here is how the Adelaide Advertiser reported the incident:-

   

"Coming round the northern bank in the second lap, the spectators were startled to see the front wheel of his Indian swing broadside on to the track. Elder flew into the air like a shot from a catapult, somersaulting four times before reaching the ground. Drawing his head and legs together while in flight, Elder saved himself cleverly, escaping with a shaking and a cut lip. ...........Although Elder was prepared to start again, the doctor in attendance forbade him to race until next week."

 

West Australian Len Stewart defeated Harry Mangham (originally from New Zealand) in the qualification final which determined who would challenge Taylor for the Silver Gauntlet. Taylor, riding a 2 3/4 hp Indian, defeated Stewart to retain the gauntlet. He won in a time which reduced his own one-mile track record by three-fifths of a second.  

 

  Sig Schlam, Frank Duckett, Charlie Datson, Norm and Clem Mitchell, Arnold Hansen, Jack Hanson and Jack Chapman also appeared on the programme.

 

28/1/1928 :-     A record crowd estimated at 25,000 was present to witness the qualifying heats for two Australian Championships. The semi-finals and finals of both events were programmed for the following week. Those reaching the semi-finals of the One Mile Australian Championship for machines up to 2 3/4 hp were Frank Duckett, Sig Schlam, Alby Taylor and Harry Mangham. All rode 2 3/4 hp Harley Davidsons except for Taylor who was aboard a 2 3/4 hp Indian. 

Duckett's defeat of Sprouts Elder in the first heat featured a masterly display of riding. Schlam's victory was over Vic Huxley who fell while leading. This was Huxley's first appearance at the venue. Mangham eliminated Paddy Dean whose bike shed a chain.

 

     Those to qualify for the semi-finals of the Two Mile Australian Championship for machines up to 3 1/2 hp were Paddy Dean, Sprouts Elder, Vic Huxley and Alby Taylor. Both Dean and Huxley rode 3 1/2 hp Douglas machines and Elder a 3 1/2 hp Indian. It is interesting to note that Taylor rode a 2 3/4 hp machine (an Indian) in his qualifying heat of this championship. He was the only rider to qualify for the semi-finals of both titles.

 

     Visiting New South Welshman Paddy Dean caused a sensation in winning his semi-final of the Silver Sash defeating Huxley. Dean had arrived in Adelaide as the holder of the one mile Australian record for tracks up to one-third of a mile. His winning time for the Silver Sash semi-final (over one mile) was 1 min. 5 3/5 seconds - a new world record for tracks up to one-third of a mile in length.

Dean defeated Taylor to win the Silver Sash.

     4/2/1928:-     "Even standing room was at a premium at the Speedway Royal on Saturday night ...".

That is a comment from the Adelaide Advertiser about the massive crowd of around 28,000 which packed the Wayville Showground to see the staging of the finals of the two Australian Championships.

The semi-finals of the One Mile Championship for machines up to 2 3/4 hp resulted in Alby Taylor defeating Frank Duckett, while Sig Schlam accounted for Harry Mangham.

Schlam won the start of the Championship-decider, but Taylor mounted a challenge with about 200 yards remaining in the race to draw level with the West Australian. Schlam out-sprinted Taylor to the finish line to win the title and collect the 200 pounds first prizemoney. Taylor received 50 pounds. Both rode the same machines they used when qualifying the previous week.

 

     The starters for the first semi-final of the Two Mile Championship for machines up to 3 1/2 hp were Paddy Dean and Vic Huxley. Having recorded a new world-record time the previous week, Dean was expected to easily account for the Queenslander. This race became one of the most talked-about ever staged on the Wayville track.

Dean drew the inside and led Huxley for the first three laps of what should have been a six lap race. On the fourth lap, Huxley made his move. Dean had drifted up-track which provided Huxley with the opportunity of an inside pass. Dean appeared to lose control of his machine and veered into Huxley's path - the Queenslander's front wheel contacted Dean's rear wheel. The pair were estimated to have been travelling at around 55 mph at the time of contact - riders and machines crashed to the track. The crowd, which moments before had been cheering wildly, grew silent in an instant - the front wheels of both machines had been torn off. Dean, who had landed on his head, lay motionless on the track. He was carried to the casualty room and then transported to the Adelaide Hospital suffering from a broken right arm just above the wrist, severe concussion and a cut to his lip. Huxley, who was awarded the race win, escaped with a severe shaking.

 

The other semi-final was a tame affair in which Taylor accounted for Elder. The American, who struggled during the race, was still shaken having witnessed his friend Dean's crash.

 

     The Final had the crowd cheering again. Taylor led to the first corner where he was passed by Huxley who seemed to have recovered from his accident. Much to the crowd's delight, Taylor started to make ground on Huxley during the fourth lap. On the fifth lap, with an amazing burst of speed, the South Australian shot past Huxley to hit the front. He drew away to win the Championship in a time of 2 min. 19 3/5 sec - a new two-mile track record. The popular Taylor received a rousing ovation. He collected the first prize of 200 pounds. Taylor had ridden a 3 1/2 hp Indian and Huxley a 3 1/2 hp Douglas.

 

     Taylor also added a victory in the Gold Sash final to his achievements that night when he defeated Harry Mangham to collect a further 20 pounds. Second placing in the One Mile Championship, winner of the Two Mile Championship, a new two-mile track record, and a victory in the Gold Sash - what a night for Alby Taylor.

 

     That evening, the Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Mr. Lavington Bonython, presented the Championship winners with their cups. In later years, the name Bonython would become synonymous with South Australia's famous Rowley Park track.

 

 

     11/2/1928:-    The reason for the slightly disappointing performances from Sprouts Elder at the two previous meetings became apparent when an announcement was made that the doctor officiating at the track had advised Elder not to ride at this meeting. He was still inconvenienced by the wrist injury he sustained in his crash three weeks previously while attempting to lower Alby Taylor's one mile track record. Elder defied the medical advice and took his place on the programme. It was also announced at this meeting that both Elder and the injured Paddy Dean would shortly be travelling to England to race. 

 

In what was an enthralling encounter, and considered the highlight of the evening's racing, Elder defeated Huxley in a one mile match race.

 

Frank Duckett, Vic Huxley, Sprouts Elder and Harry Mangham won the Silver Gauntlet qualifying heats. Huxley and Elder won the semi-finals and would race-off to determine which would challenge the holder of the Gauntlet - Alby Taylor. Drawing the inside starting position at the Wayville venue was a distinct advantage. Fortunately for Huxley, he drew that marble and registered a 10 yard victory over Elder.

In the draw for starting positions in the race for the Gauntlet, Huxley again drew the inside and led Taylor throughout to register the fastest one mile time for the evening. The Queenslander received a rousing ovation from the crowd as he rode around the track waving the gauntlet in the air

 18/2/1928:-    The match race between Elder and Huxley the previous week had provided such a spectacle that a rematch was staged. Once again Elder won.The Silver Gauntlet qualifying heat winners were Harry Butler, Taylor, Elder and Mangham. Elder defeated Taylor in the final for the right to challenge Huxley for the Gauntlet. When Huxley started his machine to come out for the race, it was obvious there was a problem. It was found that a sprocket had broken and, unfortunately, repairs couldn't be carried out in the time allocated - Elder was awarded the Gauntlet.

 

25/2/1928:-     There was no racing at Wayville on the 25th of February as a meeting was staged at the Smithfield venue.

  3/3/1928:-      A crowd in the vicinity of 15,000 was present to witness the running of the Hinkler Derby over one mile. Queensland star Dick Smythe was making his first appearance at the venue and rode a 2 3/4 hp A.J.S. The four heat winners were Huxley, Elder, Smythe and Taylor. The semi finals resulted in Huxley defeating Elder while Taylor accounted for Smythe. Huxley had little trouble defeating Taylor in the final. Huxley's six rides on the night resulted in five victories.

 

 10/3/1928:-    Dick Smythe (now mounted on a 3 1/2 hp Douglas) was the star of the night. In only his second appearance at the track, he won five of his six races. He won his handicap heat and also his heat, semi-final and then the final of the qualifying rounds (defeating Alby Taylor) to determine who would challenge Sprouts Elder for the Silver Gauntlet. One of the Silver Gauntlet heat-winners on the night was Fred Hore who had also travelled down from Queensland. Born in England, Hore was the cousin of Stanley Glanfield, the English Rudge distributor.

The race for the Silver Gauntlet resulted in a victory for Smythe over Elder. There was some consolation on the night for the American when he defeated Alby Taylor in a match race.

The Handicap Final winner that night was Reg West who just over two years later would win an Australian Championship at the Melbourne Exhibition track. 

 17/3/1928:-     The feature attraction was the running of the Speedway Derby over one mile.The winners of the qualifying heats were Taylor, Huxley, Smythe and Harry Butler. Most of the 15,000 spectators present expected Sprouts Elder to beat Dick Smythe in the third of the heats. The Queenslander had other ideas - he led for the entire race, winning in a time which equalled the one-mile world record which had been set at the Wayville venue by Paddy Dean seven weeks earlier. "A deafening cheer greeted the effort" was how the Adelaide Advertiser reported the response from the spectators. 

Both Huxley and Smythe had bike problems during the semi-finals which left Alby Taylor and Harry Butler to contest the final. Taylor, who had ridden superbly all season, recorded a 30 yard win over his opponent.

Sprouts Elder had become a crowd favourite during his stay in South Australia. As this was his final appearance of the season at the track, he publicly farewelled the supporters and told them he was leaving for England. He expressed a desire to return and settle in Australia.

 

  Future International Dick Wise appeared in the B Grade handicap event on the programme. His brother Jack, a noted big track competitor, made his Wayville debut at the February 11 meeting.

 

At the March 24 meeting, those present at Wayville witnessed an extraordinary performance from Vic Huxley - more on that in Part Two. I'll also mention a further six meetings of note which were staged in Australia during early 1928 featuring riders who sailed to England to race during the historic 1928 season. Wayville, Davies Park and Claremont are the venues mentioned.