speedyguy 20 Posted April 2, 2006 Tiger Hart: I have also been told that Steve Langton and Tiger Hart arrived in UK in 1930? Is that correct? Thanks for the info Ross. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ross Garrigan 2 Posted April 2, 2006 Tiger Hart: I have also been told that Steve Langton and Tiger Hart arrived in UK in 1930? Is that correct? Thanks for the info Ross. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I have every reason to believe Steve Langton (his first name was Joseph by the way, but he preferred to be known by the shortened version of his middle name) first went to England in 1930. I do know for certain he was there in 1931. Re Bat Byrnes: I have the very lengthy tribute printed in his honour which appeared in the Bathurst programme the year following his death. That is how I know where the "Bat" came from. It was more of a life story than a tribute. He was extremely highly thought of in Australian motorcycling circles. His first love was road racing and he was often late arriving in the UK for the new speedway season as he fitted in his speedway around his road racing in Australia. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,184 Posted April 2, 2006 Steve Langton and Tiger Hart both rode at Eastbourne in 1930. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 21,135 Posted April 2, 2006 Also on the subject of different names was H.R.Lees and "Ginger" Lees used at the same time?I only have him down as H.R.Lees in programmes i have,just wondered if other tracks listed him as Ginger.Norbold? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,184 Posted April 2, 2006 I don't know about other tracks. Sir Arthur Elvin refused to use the name "Ginger" in Wembley's programmes as it was a bit "downmarket"! He insisted on Lees having his initials, H.R., printed in the programme. I don't remember seeing any away programmes of the period featuring Lees. Interesting point! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 21,135 Posted April 2, 2006 Looed through my collection a little.In the Wimbledon programme for the 1934 England v Australia test he is listed as H.R.Lees,but in a "gossip" part of the programme as Ginger,and whoever filled his name in as a reserve replacement put G.Lees in.Also a New Cross v Wembley programme from same year has him in as "Ginger" Lees along with "Nobby" Key for the home side.So it looks very much like he was simultaneously known as H.R.Lees and Ginger Lees.The same would go for other riders down the years i guess. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,154 Posted April 2, 2006 Two more for you: Jack Gates (St. Austell) Gordon Leigh (Swindon) who was sadly killed at Warragula in December 1959. Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ross Garrigan 2 Posted April 2, 2006 (edited) Steve Langton and Tiger Hart both rode at Eastbourne in 1930. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks for that Norbold. I can now cross that off my list of problems to be solved. Australian Speedway History http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/ashist_header.htm Edited April 2, 2006 by Ross Garrigan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ross Garrigan 2 Posted April 2, 2006 (edited) Two more for you: Jack Gates (St. Austell) Gordon Leigh (Swindon) who was sadly killed at Warragula in December 1959. Steve <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Jack Gates had a fascinating nick name - he was known as "Rusty" Gates. Australian Speedway History http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/ashist_header.htm Edited April 2, 2006 by Ross Garrigan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,154 Posted April 2, 2006 Jack Gates had a fascinating nick name - he was known as "Rusty" Gates. Australian Speedway History http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/ashist_header.htm <{POST_SNAPBACK}> OK Ross, there's another Aussie we've forgotten - Ipswich's Shorty Schirmer. Any ideas about his nickname? His height, perhaps? Steve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ross Garrigan 2 Posted April 3, 2006 OK Ross, there's another Aussie we've forgotten - Ipswich's Shorty Schirmer. Any ideas about his nickname? His height, perhaps? Steve <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Sorry Steve. Can't help you with that one. Ross. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ross Garrigan 2 Posted April 3, 2006 I notice on the list of New Zealand riders one "Ronnie Moore". I think his name should be on the Australian list as well. He rode in England as an Australian before he rode there as a New Zealander. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,154 Posted April 3, 2006 (edited) I notice on the list of New Zealand riders one "Ronnie Moore". I think his name should be on the Australian list as well. He rode in England as an Australian before he rode there as a New Zealander. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I know what you're saying, Ross, but you have to admit that he was actually known as a Kiwi. Obviously, there have been a few others who have changed nationality, such as Bob Andrews, Mitch Shirra, or Tadeusz Teodorowicz (I don't count Rune Holta among them!), and that might actually make an interesting list. To include riders on multiple lists here would not only be confusing, but could spark a few arguments! Incidentally, here's another forgotten Aussie: Jack Hyland, who rode for Middlesbrough in 1939. Steve Edited April 3, 2006 by chunky Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ross Garrigan 2 Posted April 3, 2006 I know what you're saying, Ross, but you have to admit that he was actually known as a Kiwi. Obviously, there have been a few others who have changed nationality, such as Bob Andrews, Mitch Shirra, or Tadeusz Teodorowicz (I don't count Rune Holta among them!), and that might actually make an interesting list. To include riders on multiple lists here would not only be confusing, but could spark a few arguments! Incidentally, here's another forgotten Aussie: Jack Hyland, who rode for Middlesbrough in 1939. Steve <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I've just written a story on Ronnie Moore which includes section of a letter written by his mother in 1951 addressing the matter of his nationality. There were some who were questioning his eligibility at the time to ride for Australia in Test Matches. If one looks at his early appearances in World Finals, he represented Australia. Australian Speedway History http://www.ausm.info/aus_history/ashist_header.htm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,184 Posted April 3, 2006 Looed through my collection a little.In the Wimbledon programme for the 1934England v Australia test he is listed as H.R.Lees,but in a "gossip" part of the programme as Ginger,and whoever filled his name in as a reserve replacement put G.Lees in.Also a New Cross v Wembley programme from same year has him in as "Ginger" Lees along with "Nobby" Key for the home side.So it looks very much like he was simultaneously known as H.R.Lees and Ginger Lees.The same would go for other riders down the years i guess. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Allen Trump told me that he has some pre-War correspondence between Sir Arthur Elvin and H.R. "Ginger" Lees, in which he wrote to Lees as "Dear Ginger", so his ban on the name in Wembley programmes didn't extend to his personal correspondence. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites