Wolves 1963

[Chadster]

 

[norbold]

Graham Warren had the potential to be World Champion. Third in the 1950 World Championship but a bad accident in New Zealand early in 1951 left him with a fractured skull and, although he returned to the saddle and became a reasonably good rider, he never quite returned to the heights he had reached before his accident, even though he did come 5th twice in the World Championship in 1952 and 53. But he was certainly a case of what might have been. 1963 was his final season before retirement.

Edited 10 hours ago by norbold

[BL65]

8 hours ago, norbold said:

 a bad accident in New Zealand early in 1951 left him with a fractured skull ..........

An extract from a letter from an eye-witness:

I was at the track that night and Graham had won his first two starts from the gate and was riding really well, but was beaten by young Peter Pollitt in his third start. He came out to ride in the first handicap race and was on 150 yards. Boy, did he go! Probably determined to make up for his defeat in the previous race.
Well, he took off and on the pit bend was really flying, picked up 50 yards on the back straight and coming into the top bend was 20 yards behind Pinker when Pinker fell. Graham, coming round very fast either touched him with his footrest (he was coming on the inside) or else in trying to avoid Pinker, he lost control. I did not see him hit Pinker’s bike, but the next thing, Graham shot over the handlebars and went sliding along the track for 20 yards on his face and stomach, his arms trailing at his sides just like a wooden soldier, and he just stopped and never moved. I think he was actually “out” before he hit the ground. As far as I can gather, he has concussion at the base of the skull and as yet has not regained his senses.
These are the plain facts and I hope I have not upset his fiancée but that’s exactly how things are.
The crowd (10,000) had just stood for 2 minutes in memory of Ken (Le Breton) who was the idol of Palmerston North crowds and believe me that same crowd was silent for a long time after the ambulance had left with Graham. I am fully confident he will be ok. Being young and strong, I guess he can take it.