Preston were a British

speedway Speedway may refer to: Racing Race tracks *Daytona International Speedway, a race track in Daytona Beach, Florida. *Edmonton International Speedway, also known as Speedway Park, a former motor raceway in Edmonton, Alberta. *Indianapolis Motor Spe ...

team that existed from 1929 to 1932 and raced at Farringdon Park.

History

From 18 September 1924, Farringdon Park was leased by Preston Grasshoppers R.F.C. and in 1929 the club agreed a six-year sub-tenancy with Preston Speedways Ltd, and a dirt track was constructed around the perimeter of the rugby pitch. The speedway, run by Preston Speedways Ltd, was very popular with regular crowds of 14,000 fans.

George Formby George Formby, (born George Hoy Booth; 26 May 1904 – 6 March 1961), was an English actor, singer-songwriter and comedian who became known to a worldwide audience through his films of the 1930s and 1940s. On stage, screen and record he ...

won a race at the stadium on a two stroke machine. The track marshall was Norman Jackson and the team raced for three years. The track was one of the most dangerous circuits in the country with three fatalities within 14 months. John Proctor Stockdale died on 18 May 1929, John Seith was killed on 18 August 1929 and on 24 July 1930, James Carnie became the third racing death. They team first competed in the English Dirt Track League (effectively the Northern League) in 1929 when they were runners-up to

Leeds Lions Leeds Lions are a defunct British motorcycle speedway team who were based at Fullerton Park Sports Stadium, adjacent to the Elland Road football ground in Leeds, England. History Origins The city of Leeds first experienced the sport of spe ...

. In the same season they won the English Dirt Track Knockout Cup beating Halifax in the final. The team raced for the

1930 Speedway Northern League The 1930 Northern League was the second season of speedway in the United Kingdom for Northern British teams. The league was previously known as the English Dirt Track League but the addition of two Scottish teams prompted a name change and 193 ...

but Preston Speedways Ltd was wound up in December 1930. However, Oswald 'Ossie' Wade took over a three year sub-lease and installed Norman Jackman as manager for the 1931 season. The speedway ended for good at the end of the 1931 season. The location today is Farringdon Crescent.

Notable riders

* Joe Abbott * Ham Burrill *

Tommy Price Thomas Price (2 December 1911 – 26 December 1997) was a motorcycle speedway rider from England. In 1949 he won the first Speedway World Championship to be held after the Second World War.Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). ''A History of the W ...

* Claude Rye

Season summary

References

{{City of Preston culture Defunct speedway teams in the United Kingdom Sport in Preston