Bikers' Bookshelf

Britain went crazy for speed in the first half of the twentieth century. On land, at sea and in the air, the exploits of the daring gripped the nation.

Speedway arrived from Australia in 1928, at just the right moment to exploit an insatiable demand for motorsport thrills. Early amateur events soon gave way to a fully-professional sport, with a strong emphasis on entertainment.

Crowds flocked to major stadia, including the Crystal Palace, Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge, Manchester’s BelleVue and Wembley’s Empire Stadium.Written off by sceptics on many occasions, speedway has
weathered many ups and downs during its eighty-plus years.