19/11/2024
HOW IT ALL STARTED
The following newspaper reports chronicle the start of racing at the famed Claremont Speedway.
The reports - and much more - are contained in the book "CLAREMONT SPEEDWAY 1927-28 The Lights Go On".
This publication contains the virtually unknown newspaper reports from the inaugural season of solo motor cycle and sidecar racing at the Claremont Speedway in Western Australia (1927-28). Read how legendary promoter John S. Hoskins arranged with the Royal Agricultural Society to construct a cinder track at the Claremont Showgrounds and after two successful daytime meetings in May 1927 a state of the art lighting system was installed for the opening 'electric light' meeting on Saturday September 1927. The local fans flocked to the new entertainment spectacle which produced superstars Sig Schlam and Ron Johnson. There were no less than six different newspaper reports on the opening meeting at Claremont. Those long forgotten newspaper articles are reproduced exactly as they were written nearly 90 years ago. The language used by those reporters who were witnessing the exciting spectacle of speedway motor cycle racing for the first time makes for very interesting reading. For the very first time all speedway and motor sport followers can learn about the exciting action - both on and off the track - from those far off days.
The 100 page 130,000 word publication can be purchased online.
https://au.blurb.com/b/6092342-claremont-speedway-1927-28
The Sunday Times
Sunday April 3, 1927
MOTOR CYCLING
A SPEEDWAY PROPOSED FOR CLAREMONT
Negociations with the Royal Agricultural Society
It seems that W.A. is at last to be brought into line with the Eastern States in the possession of a motor speedway. Already several suggestions have been brought forward for the construction of a track here, but they have not reached fruition. Now, however, Mr. J. S. Hoskins of Sydney, is in Perth in connection with the construction of a half-mile cinder track at the Claremont Show Grounds, and as he is very well versed in the making and management of a speedway, local motor cycling circles can confidently expect something tangible from the present proposal. It might be mentioned that Mr. Hoskins started the first electrically-lighted in N.S.W., at West Maitland and was instrumental in the opening of the Speedway Royal in Sydney, where Harley riders, who made the overland tour, were so hospitably treated. Doubtless many remember meeting him there. His idea is to spend about £2,000 on a cinder track at the Claremont Show Ground, and negotiations are now going forward with the Royal Agricultural Society to that end. The track will be 30ft. wide, circling the central oval, and a safety fence will be provided for the protection of spectators. It is possible that the new speedway will be in full swing by May, though the approach of winter may delay the opening until September or October.
***
The Sunday Times
Sunday April 10, 1927
SPEEDWAYS
TRACK RACING IN AUSTRALIA
A Chat with Mr. J. S. Hoskins
“In the Eastern States, particularly in New South Wales, speedways have become a major sport, and in four years there has grown from the first speedway in West Maitland, a country town about as large as Fremantle, over a dozen tracks,” says Mr. J. S. Hoskins, of Sydney, who is at present in Perth in connection with the establishment of a speedway here.
“The best known of these is the mile concrete track at Maroubra, where speeds of over a hundred miles an hour are made. Then there is the small cinder track on the Sydney Show Grounds. This track is three laps to the mile and is very spectacular.
“At Newcastle, with its large industrial population, a half-mile cinder track was put down. This, considered the finest half-mile track in the world, is banked about six feet at the turns, and about two feet in the straights. Speeds of about 65 miles per hour are made by motor cycles.
“At the pioneer track on the Show Grounds at West Maitland, there is very little banking at all, and this is a dirt track with a hard surface, and about two and a half laps to the mile. Another track which enjoyed much popularity for a couple of seasons was at Cessnock, a big coal mining centre. This is a half mile flat track, and speeds of 60 miles per hour have been made there.
“Until night racing was introduced, the big mile dirt track at Penrith was very popular with Sydney residents, but when big prize money attracted riders and drivers to the night speedways, they were unable to compete successfully, and racing is now confined to occasional picnic meetings.
“There are fully twenty motor cycle riders who do nothing but race on the various tracks, and with three tracks running on the one night, there are about 200 competitors on mounts ranging from cheap secondhand motors to the latest racing machines costing up to £160 each. The machines are tuned to marvellous efficiency, and good tuners command good wages. All the big firms dealing in motor cycles have their trade riders, whose job it is to compete on the various tracks in city and country.
“The best known of these men is probably Tommy Benstead, who holds many records on road and track. Tommy won in prizes from the Speedway Royal alone nearly £600 this season. Charlie Datsun last season won over £1000, and broke the world’s record for a half-mile dirt track. Another very successful rider is Billy Lamont, who has won numerous trophies, broken several records, and collected as much as £120 in one evening’s winnings. The really great riders can be counted on the fingers of both hands and their services are constantly in demand.
“Of visiting riders from other parts of the world, Eddie Brinck, the American, has been very successful on the large tracks, but the Australian boys have beaten him on the small track at the Sydney Royal every time he has competed there. It is generally considered that there are no motor cyclists in the world who can hold their own with the Australians on the small tracks. The Australian has developed a style of riding quite his own. Trained on small tracks with loose surfaces, he has developed a knack of taking corners which is almost uncanny. All the good riders without exception, ride with the inside foot on the ground. To protect their boots a steel plate is attached to the sole of the boot. There are, of course, many spills, but the loose nature of the tracks, and the skill of the riders in falling prevents serious accidents, except on very rare occasions.
“After all, speed and danger may at most be deemed synonymous terms, and any speedway is only as safe as a rider makes it. The wise learner is content to get all the pace he can out of a slow machine before he tries to ride a fast one, but there are some ambitious youths with more money than discretion who purchase the best racing machine before being competent to handle their old 30 miles per hour mount. The result is often a spell in hospital, where they have plenty of time to think over their folly.
“Speedway racing is, however, most exhilarating and fascinating. Once the speed ‘bug’ gets hold of a rider it never seems to leave him, and the speedways are a never ending source of adventure and fun for the Australian youth.”
Mr. Hoskins, it might be mentioned, promoted the first speedway in Australia – that at West Maitland – and has been connected with the establishment of most of the others in the Commonwealth. His knowledge of the sport here is extensive, and his views, therefore, authoritative.
***
The West Australian
Thursday April 14, 1927
NEWS AND NOTES
Speedway at Show Grounds
Negotiations for the construction of a Motor Speedway at the Royal Show Grounds, Claremont, were finalized yesterday, when a meeting of the council of the Royal Agricultural Society gave authority for the society’s seal to be attached to an agreement with Mr. J. S. Hoskins. It was stated that Mr. Hoskins, who had had experience of the management of speedways in Sydney, proposed to construct a speedway around the arena and to conduct racing at night and on some Saturday afternoons during the year. His proposals were thoroughly investigated by the grounds committee of the society and after several conferences an agreement was drawn up concerning the leasing of the ground and the laying of the track. Work will be commenced shortly and is expected that the first day meeting on the speedway will take place next month.
***
The Mirror
Saturday April 23, 1927
SPEEDWAY LEASE SIGNED BY R.A.S.
The April meeting of the council of the Royal Agricultural Society was held last week in the rooms.
As was foretold by "The Mirror" in a previous issue, Mr. J. S. Hoskins' application for a lease of the arena at Claremont to be used as a motor speedway was approved, the Council obviously recognising that such action would assist it very materially to square its ledger as well as to supply popular spectacles for the edification of that very considerable section of the public which proverbially does not interest itself in dairy cows or fat sheep.
***
The Mirror
Saturday April 23, 1927
SPEEDWAY SOON
TRACK BEING BUILT
Mr. J. S. Hoskings, who arrived from Sydney a few weeks ago to start a speedway in the West, reports that the sport will be launched next month.
The work of preparing the Royal Show Grounds at Claremont is proceeding and it is expected that definite dates will be announced within the next two weeks.
In some minds the activities intended for the speedway are confused with the motor racing stunts in the East, which have been attended with many fatalities; but it is pointed out that in Perth it is proposed to hold contests similar to those which have been running at the Royal Show Grounds, Sydney, for three years, during which period there has only been one serious accident, and that due to a mechanical fault, which could just as easily have overtaken a driver in Hay-street.
***
The Sunday Times
Sunday April 24, 1927
SPEEDWAY
By agreement with the Royal Agricultural Society, Mr. J. S. Hoskins has been given authority to construct a speedway around the arena at the Royal Show Grounds, and to conduct racing at night and on some Saturday afternoons during the year. The work of laying the track will be expedited to permit of the first day meeting being held next month.
***
The Daily News
Monday April 25, 1927
CLAREMONT SPEEDWAY
PRIZE MONEY AND TROPHIES
At the opening meeting of the Claremont Speedway, which takes place on Saturday afternoon May 14, provision has been made for the following prizemoney:
Open Handicap, of £50. Silver Gauntlet Scratch Race, of £30, including £2 10s per week for a month.
There are also special prizes for records, and a point score competition commences with the first meeting, for which the following points are being allotted:- One point for each start in the Open Handicap; one point for winning a heat; one for winning a semi-final; six points for first prize, four for second and two for third. Match races and scratch races are not considered in this competition.
Silver Gauntlet
A Silver Gauntlet, to be competed for monthly, is being presented for competition at the opening meeting.
The Gauntlet becomes the outright property of the rider who wins it the greatest number of times during the season. After each meeting a miniature replica of the gauntlet will be presented to the winner, who also gets £2 10s per week for four weeks.
Track Record Trophy
A trophy and cash prize is also offered for the rider who puts up the fastest time of the meeting, and the rider who establishes most records will win this trophy outright at the end of the season.
Golden Gauntlet
As soon as the lighting scheme is in readiness, either in August or early in September, a golden gauntlet, to be competed for on lines similar to the silver gauntlet, will also be presented, and will carry £5 a week, so that if a rider should be successful in winning both trophies, he will have a nice addition to his weekly salary.
***
The West Australian,
Thursday April 28, 1927
CLAREMONT SPEEDWAY
Lease Granted
At the last meeting of the council of the Royal Agricultural Society the president and secretary were empowered to affix the society seal to a contract with Mr. J. S. Hoskins, of Sydney, for the construction of a motor cycle speedway on the showgrounds, Claremont. It is expected that the racing will commence on May 14.
Mr. Hoskins has had experience in controlling a similar speedway on the grounds of the Sydney Royal Agricultural Society, which granted him favourable testimonials at the expiry of his lease holding, a tenure of some 18 months.
By agreement with the local society Mr. Hoskins proposes to lay down a racing track, with little banking, this being a feasible proposition, it is stated, because of the construction of the track with "clinkers" and the special method of applying them. The clinker track will eliminate sideslip and ensure safety to the riders. The leaseholder will put up lamps completely around the course so that events may be conducted in the evenings, it being proposed to conduct Saturday afternoon and night racing meetings. Also it is thought events may be held during the currency of the Royal Show in October.
A commencement is being made this week with the preparation of the trotting track for the new speedway. A 'safety' fence is the first consideration, and will be made of inch boards nailed securely to the present picket fence. Above this a strong 3ft high fence of chain wire will be erected as a added protection. This, Mr Hoskins state, will make it impossible for any machine to go through into the crowd. It will also prevent a rider from hitting posts, or any such obstructions, making the track as safe as any similar speedway in Australia.
The track, being 45ft wide and banked 2ft. gives it a very great advantage over similar tracks in other states, which are not more than 30ft. wide, and some are not banked at all.
The distance around will be two and a half laps to the mile, measured from 3ft. from the inside of the track. This is larger than the Speedway Royal in Sydney, and Brisbane, almost as large as Newcastle, and the same size as the track in West Maitland, N.S.W. The track will be coated with loose cinders, thoroughly watered and rolled, and with proper care it should be possible to reach a speed of 60 miles per hour.
A feature which should tend to make the track safer than other well-known speedways is the fact that the Claremont track is almost circular. Most accidents are caused by riders developing great speed down the straights and miscalculating the turns. The ideal track is stated to be one where the same even pace can be maintained over the whole distance. By making the track 30ft. wide to coincide with speedways elsewhere, it would be possible to get a half-mile circuit, but the promoter has decided on the wider and safer track.
For the present there will be no limitation to the horse-power of motor cycles, as the majority of the machines are stock or touring models, but if racing machines are introduced a limitation to probably 600 cubic capacity will have to be made.
At the opening meeting of the speedway a Silver Gauntlet is being offered for competition. At the end of the season the rider who has won this trophy the greatest number of times retains it as outright winner. The gauntlet will be competed for once a month, and besides the prizemoney the winner will be given £2 10s. per week for four weeks. As a souvenir of the winning of this coveted trophy a miniature silver gauntlet in the form of a tiepin is presented to the holder.
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