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Scottie Michie - Man Of Mystery 1930s

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This article appeared on the excellent 'SpeedwayPlus' some years ago. It concerns one of the sport's "mystery men" Scottie Michie. It would be interesting if any BSF members can provide more details about him.

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ScottScottie Michie by Maciej Wegrzyn

Maciej got in touch after seeing Diane Michie's request on our Can You Help?page.

Poland1931.jpg

The picture shown (above) is taken in Myslowice (Silesia) in 1931. This was the first speedway track built on Poland.

Michie rode there on the 4th of October 1931. He was the biggest star and the first British rider to compete in Poland. He won one of the main scratch races.

The others riders in the picture are probably Leopold Killmeyer; Boehme from Austria; Sedan Graf; Schweinitz; Golishwing; Hentze from Germany and Raab from Czech - all these riders were international guests at the meeting in Myslowice.

michie.jpg

I know also that Michie raced in the Czech Republic as he was a factory rider for Jawa. He was also one of men who worked as a constructor for the Czech firm. In 1930 he won the Individual Czech Championship.

He also raced from time to time in Germany - I know that in 1930 or 1931 he won a meeting in Breslau (today called Wroclaw).

Scottie rode at Zlata Prilba in 1931 in Pardubice. He went there with his own Rudge but the motor broke down. The other rider - George Patchett, who rode for the Jawa factory, suggested that Scottie should switch to the Czech motor. Scottie agreed and rode very well but during training he forgot one thing - The Jawa motor had a hanger at the left hand side, which British speedway motors no longer had. At one bend he fell and ploughed the track with the hanger!

In 1932, after winning the Czech Championship, Scottie was nominated to represent the Czechs in the Dirt-Track Championships at Buffalo Stadium in Paris. Jack Parker was also riding in the meeting. He was introduced to all his rivals and Scottie was presented to him as an exotic rider from Central Europe called "Skotaniki". Jack smiled and said that he knew this 'Czech' rider very well and started to talk him in English! Turns out that Jack had ridden against him the previous week in Glasgow!

Edited by Guest

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I did a sort of yearbook for 1930 and Michie appears in several British meetings. Appeared twice for Rochdale in the Northern League and was active mainly on Northern circuits.

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I did a sort of yearbook for 1930 and Michie appears in several British meetings. Appeared twice for Rochdale in the Northern League and was active mainly on Northern circuits.

 

Excellent. Thank you moxey63. The name Michie appears on the Rochdale programme page reproduced on the Link. You will need to enlarge to see it - Michie was a reserve for the home team.

http://www.defunctspeedway.co.uk/Rochdale.htm

Edited by Guest

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(Lawrence) “Scott” Michie – 1930 BRITISH RECORD

June 18, 1930 - Appeared for Rochdale (away at Newcastle (Gosforth)), scored 2 points (2 races)

 

June 27th (Glasgow, White City) WHITE CITY OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

First Round Race Winners: Tom Farndon, Colin Watson, Syd Parsons, Col Stewart, Arthur Mann, Austin Humphries, Jack White, Len Stewart & Harry Whitfield.

Non Qualifiers: Norrie Isbister, Drew McQueen, Bert Spencer, Arthur Moser, Arnie Cattell, Scot Michie, Arthur Moore, Alby Taylor, Stan Catlett, Tommy Hatch, Buzz Hibberd, Jimmie Pinkerton, Arthur Atkinson, Sprouts Elder, Tony Golding, Billy Llewellyn, George McKenzie & Cliff Watson.

Semi-Final 1: Colin Watson, Tom Farndon, Syd Parsons (f).

Semi-Final 2: Col Stewart, Arthur Mann, Austin Humphries (f).

Semi-Final 3: Harry Whitfield, Jack White, Len Stewart (f).

FINAL: Harry Whitfield, Colin Watson, Col Stewart (f). – Whitfield won a £100 cheque.

Consolation Race 1: Sprouts Elder, Arthur Atkinson, Stan Catlett, Austin Humphries.

Consolation Race 2: Sprouts Elder, Arthur Atkinson, Col Stewart.

 

June 28th (Edinburgh) 500cc SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP

First Round Race Winners: Col Stewart, Tommy Hatch, Stan Catlett, Harry Whitfield, Colin Watson, Arnie Cattell, Arthur Atkinson, Syd Parsons, Len Stewart.

Non Qualifiers: George Cumming, Norrie Isbister, Arthur Mann, Sprouts Elder, Cliff Watson, Bill Barclay, Buzz Hibberd, Bill Llewellyn, Austin Humphries, Tony Golding, Arthur Moore, George McKenzie, Alby Taylor, Scott Michie, Harry Butler, Bert Spencer, Tom Farndon, Jimmie Pinkerton.

Semi-Final 1: Stan Catlett, Tommy Hatch, Col Stewart (ef).

Semi-Final 2: Harry Whitfield, Arnie Cattell, Colin Watson (ef).

Semi-Final 3: Syd Parsons, Arthur Atkinson, Len Stewart (f).

FINAL: Harry Whitfield, Stan Catlett, Syd Parsons. – Whitfield won £100, Catlett £50 & Parsons £25.

Match Race: Sprouts Elder beat George McKenzie.

 

July (Halifax, Thrum Hall) OPEN MEETING

Match Race: Frank Varey beat Sprouts Elder 2-0.

Halifax Twelve Scratch Final: Jack Atkinson, Scott Michie.

Golden Sash Race: Jack Atkinson, others were – Frank Varey (leading, but slow engine finishing third), Walter Hull (ef).

Handicap Final: Scott Michie, Jack Atkinson.

July 1, 1930 - Appeared for Rochdale v Barnsley, scored 1 point

 

August 2nd (Leeds) OPEN MEETING

Star Match Race 1: Ivor Creek beat Max Grosskreutz.

Star Match Race 2: Harry Whitfield beat a. n. other (Wembley rider).

Star Match Race 3: Scott Michie beat Morian Hansen.

Star Match Race 4: Roy Barrowclough & Cliff Watson (dead heat).

Star Match Race Final: Ivor Creek, Harry Whitfield, others were – Scott Michie, Roy Barrowclough and/or Cliff Watson.

Silver Cuirass Final: Harry Whitfield, Ivor Creek, Max Grosskreutz.

Handicap Final: Alec Tidswell, Austin Humphries, Jack Scratcherd.

 

August 6th (Leeds) UNOFFICIAL TEST MATCH CHALLENGE

ENGLAND 33: George Greenwood (2 race wins), Ivor Creek (1 race win), Eric Langton (1 race win), Jack Ormston (1 race win).

SCOTLAND 20: Drew McQueen 9(3), Len Stewart (1 race win), George McKenzie, Lawrence ‘Scot’ Michie.

Match Race: Frank Charles beat George Greenwood.

Handicap Final: Albert Brown, Geoff Wilson, Eric Langton.

Golden Helmet Final: Eric Langton, George Greenwood, Scot Michie, Jack Ormston.

 

August 9th (Leeds) OPEN MEETING

Star Match Race 1: Frank Charles beat Drew McQueen (ef).

Star Match Race 2: Buzz Hibberd beat Harry Taft.

Star Match Race 3: Les Wotton beat Chun Moore.

Star Match Race Final: Les Wotton, Frank Charles, Buzz Hibberd.

Handicap Final: Scot Michie, Gus Platts.

Golden Gauntlet Final: Frank Charles, Tommy Gambles, Buzz Hibberd.

Leeds Twelve Fullerton Cup Final: Harry Watson, Buster Breaks, Billy Dalby.

 

August 23rd (Leeds) CHALLENGE MATCH

LEEDS 34: George Greenwood (guest), Harry Watson, Scot Michie & Buster Breaks.

WEMBLEY ‘B’ 19: Arthur Atkinson 6(3), Norman Evans (1 race win), Art Warren, Wally Kilmister, Charlie Shelton, Carl Balliol & Albert Brown.

Match Race: Arthur Atkinson beat Scot Michie.

Golden Helmet Scratch Final: Arthur Atkinson, Scot Michie, Norman Evans.

Leeds Twelve Scratch Final: Austin Humphries, Buster Breaks, Jack Atkinson.

 

September 4th (Halifax, Thrum Hall) UNOFFICIAL TEST MATCH CHALLENGE

ENGLAND 31: Eric Langton 7+1(3), Gordon Byers 6+1(3), Dusty Haigh 6(?), Clem Cort 5+1(3), Scott Michie 4+1(?), Harry Watson 3(?).

AUSTRALIA 23: Billy Lamont 8(3), Dick Wise 6(3), Jack Chapman 3(?), Buzz Hibberd 3(?), Ernie Evans 2+1(?), Bruce McCallum 1(?).

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(Lawrence) “Scott” Michie – 1930 BRITISH RECORD

June 18, 1930 - Appeared for Rochdale (away at Newcastle (Gosforth)), scored 2 points (2 races)

 

June 27th (Glasgow, White City) WHITE CITY OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

First Round Race Winners: Tom Farndon, Colin Watson, Syd Parsons, Col Stewart, Arthur Mann, Austin Humphries, Jack White, Len Stewart & Harry Whitfield.

Non Qualifiers: Norrie Isbister, Drew McQueen, Bert Spencer, Arthur Moser, Arnie Cattell, Scot Michie, Arthur Moore, Alby Taylor, Stan Catlett, Tommy Hatch, Buzz Hibberd, Jimmie Pinkerton, Arthur Atkinson, Sprouts Elder, Tony Golding, Billy Llewellyn, George McKenzie & Cliff Watson.

Semi-Final 1: Colin Watson, Tom Farndon, Syd Parsons (f).

Semi-Final 2: Col Stewart, Arthur Mann, Austin Humphries (f).

Semi-Final 3: Harry Whitfield, Jack White, Len Stewart (f).

FINAL: Harry Whitfield, Colin Watson, Col Stewart (f). – Whitfield won a £100 cheque.

Consolation Race 1: Sprouts Elder, Arthur Atkinson, Stan Catlett, Austin Humphries.

Consolation Race 2: Sprouts Elder, Arthur Atkinson, Col Stewart.

 

June 28th (Edinburgh) 500cc SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP

First Round Race Winners: Col Stewart, Tommy Hatch, Stan Catlett, Harry Whitfield, Colin Watson, Arnie Cattell, Arthur Atkinson, Syd Parsons, Len Stewart.

Non Qualifiers: George Cumming, Norrie Isbister, Arthur Mann, Sprouts Elder, Cliff Watson, Bill Barclay, Buzz Hibberd, Bill Llewellyn, Austin Humphries, Tony Golding, Arthur Moore, George McKenzie, Alby Taylor, Scott Michie, Harry Butler, Bert Spencer, Tom Farndon, Jimmie Pinkerton.

Semi-Final 1: Stan Catlett, Tommy Hatch, Col Stewart (ef).

Semi-Final 2: Harry Whitfield, Arnie Cattell, Colin Watson (ef).

Semi-Final 3: Syd Parsons, Arthur Atkinson, Len Stewart (f).

FINAL: Harry Whitfield, Stan Catlett, Syd Parsons. – Whitfield won £100, Catlett £50 & Parsons £25.

Match Race: Sprouts Elder beat George McKenzie.

 

July (Halifax, Thrum Hall) OPEN MEETING

Match Race: Frank Varey beat Sprouts Elder 2-0.

Halifax Twelve Scratch Final: Jack Atkinson, Scott Michie.

Golden Sash Race: Jack Atkinson, others were – Frank Varey (leading, but slow engine finishing third), Walter Hull (ef).

Handicap Final: Scott Michie, Jack Atkinson.

July 1, 1930 - Appeared for Rochdale v Barnsley, scored 1 point

 

August 2nd (Leeds) OPEN MEETING

Star Match Race 1: Ivor Creek beat Max Grosskreutz.

Star Match Race 2: Harry Whitfield beat a. n. other (Wembley rider).

Star Match Race 3: Scott Michie beat Morian Hansen.

Star Match Race 4: Roy Barrowclough & Cliff Watson (dead heat).

Star Match Race Final: Ivor Creek, Harry Whitfield, others were – Scott Michie, Roy Barrowclough and/or Cliff Watson.

Silver Cuirass Final: Harry Whitfield, Ivor Creek, Max Grosskreutz.

Handicap Final: Alec Tidswell, Austin Humphries, Jack Scratcherd.

 

August 6th (Leeds) UNOFFICIAL TEST MATCH CHALLENGE

ENGLAND 33: George Greenwood (2 race wins), Ivor Creek (1 race win), Eric Langton (1 race win), Jack Ormston (1 race win).

SCOTLAND 20: Drew McQueen 9(3), Len Stewart (1 race win), George McKenzie, Lawrence ‘Scot’ Michie.

Match Race: Frank Charles beat George Greenwood.

Handicap Final: Albert Brown, Geoff Wilson, Eric Langton.

Golden Helmet Final: Eric Langton, George Greenwood, Scot Michie, Jack Ormston.

 

August 9th (Leeds) OPEN MEETING

Star Match Race 1: Frank Charles beat Drew McQueen (ef).

Star Match Race 2: Buzz Hibberd beat Harry Taft.

Star Match Race 3: Les Wotton beat Chun Moore.

Star Match Race Final: Les Wotton, Frank Charles, Buzz Hibberd.

Handicap Final: Scot Michie, Gus Platts.

Golden Gauntlet Final: Frank Charles, Tommy Gambles, Buzz Hibberd.

Leeds Twelve Fullerton Cup Final: Harry Watson, Buster Breaks, Billy Dalby.

 

August 23rd (Leeds) CHALLENGE MATCH

LEEDS 34: George Greenwood (guest), Harry Watson, Scot Michie & Buster Breaks.

WEMBLEY ‘B’ 19: Arthur Atkinson 6(3), Norman Evans (1 race win), Art Warren, Wally Kilmister, Charlie Shelton, Carl Balliol & Albert Brown.

Match Race: Arthur Atkinson beat Scot Michie.

Golden Helmet Scratch Final: Arthur Atkinson, Scot Michie, Norman Evans.

Leeds Twelve Scratch Final: Austin Humphries, Buster Breaks, Jack Atkinson.

 

September 4th (Halifax, Thrum Hall) UNOFFICIAL TEST MATCH CHALLENGE

ENGLAND 31: Eric Langton 7+1(3), Gordon Byers 6+1(3), Dusty Haigh 6(?), Clem Cort 5+1(3), Scott Michie 4+1(?), Harry Watson 3(?).

AUSTRALIA 23: Billy Lamont 8(3), Dick Wise 6(3), Jack Chapman 3(?), Buzz Hibberd 3(?), Ernie Evans 2+1(?), Bruce McCallum 1(?).

 

One or two of the names here are great.

 

Buster Breaks for example.

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