BOBBATH 467 Posted May 22, 2008 George Wilks was a mainstay of Wembley in the glory years-tended to think of him and Bill Gilbert in the same context(altho I think Bill got to the World Final once)-a thread on another site about Bill got me thinking about George-anyone remember him, have details on his career and is he still alive(I presume no).Over to you Norbold and other members of forumland. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,116 Posted May 23, 2008 (edited) George Wilks started on the grass tracks and graduated to speedway at Barnet. In 1934, the famous Australian pioneer, Frank Arthur, now Harringay captain, visited Barnet and was so impressed by Wilks and two of his team mates, Tommy Price and Charlie Traynor, that he recommended them to Haringay promoter, Tom Bradbury-Pratt. Bradbury-Pratt put them in to a second half junior race at Harringay and Price shot away and led easily for three laps, but on the last lap he overslid and fell and Wilks came past to win. On the strength of this victory, Wilks was signed up for Harringay. In 1935 he moved to Hackney and in 1938 was transferred to Wembley for £350. In his first season with Wembley he averaged 6.91 points, just a fraction behind third heat leader, another youngster, Malcolm Craven. After the War he returned to Wembley to become one of a trio of strong heat leaders in the first post-war season, 1946, along with his old friend Tommy Price and Bill Kitchen. He continued as a heat leader with the unbeatable Lions, becoming top scorer in 1948 in a team that included Price, Split Waterman, Bill Gilbert and Freddie Williams. He spent part of the 1949 season on loan to West Ham in place of the injured Eric Chitty but could not recapture his Wembley form, although to be fair, he was returning himself after a serious leg injury sustained in 1948. He returned to the Lions in 1950 to once again become a heat leader with an average of 8.44. He started the 1950 season well, but his form dropped during the season and was overtaken by a new breed of Wembley youngsters, including Bob Oakley and Bruce Abernethy. He continued to ride for Wembley until 1952 as a good second string when he retired. Oh yes, and he rode in the Isle of Man TT in 1929. He is no longer with us. Edited May 23, 2008 by norbold Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
star ghost 7 Posted May 23, 2008 There is a photo of George chasing Tom Farndon on the Johns Defunct track site Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arnieg 3,644 Posted May 24, 2008 George Wilks started on the grass tracks ... But Norbs, he rode for the Tories!! !! A rare opportunity for Reading citizens to see a top speedway star came at the Reading Conservative Fete at Denton's Field, Bath Road in 1949. As well as a demonstration of skills by Bill Kitchen (winner of 11 National League championships with Belle Vue and Wembley) and George Wilks, a grasstrack event entertained the crowds. Participants included California regulars Bill Newell and Maurice Leonard. Tears and Glory - The Winged Wheel Story, page 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,116 Posted May 25, 2008 That's ok...as long as he charged double his normal fee for his appearance money. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
