Thomas Stanley Dell (31 October 1912 – 24 November 1950)Buck, B (2007) ''Brummies Legends'', Pendragon Books. was a

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 ...

rider.

Career

Dell started his career at his local track at Coventry in 1932. When the track closed, he moved to the

West Ham Hammers The West Ham Hammers were a speedway team that raced at West Ham Stadium in London, England, from 1929 to 1971. The team were twice champions of the United Kingdom. History Origins and 1920s Speedway arrived at West Ham in 1928, the ina ...

and spent three seasons at the Custom House track. During 1936, he rode for

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in the

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and then moved on to the Hackney Wick Wolves. In 1937, he broke his leg mid-way through the season but recovered to continue riding for Hackney, where he stayed until the outbreak of

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. Dell won the National League Division II Championship with Hackney in 1938.Addison J. (1948). ''The People Speedway Guide''. Odhams Press Limited Whilst riding for a Hackney at West Ham, he was involved in a crash that left him with a badly broken leg.Fenn, C.(2003). ''Hackney Speedway, Friday at Eight''. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. Doctors thought an

amputation Amputation is the removal of a Limb (anatomy), limb or other body part by Physical trauma, trauma, medical illness, or surgery. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as cancer, malign ...

would be needed, but Dell refused and his leg was saved. After the war, he joined the Birmingham Brummies where he was awarded the captaincy. However, on 7 May 1949, Dell was involved in a big crash with Vic Duggan and Arthur Payne. Dell was left with terrible injuries. Despite attempting a comeback in July 1949, he was suffering from the effects of the crash. He retired from racing at the end of that season and started a training school. The effects of the crash were still causing him health problems, and further surgery was required. He did not regain his health and died on 24 November 1950 aged just thirty-eight.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dell, Stan 1912 births 1950 deaths British speedway riders English motorcycle racers Hackney Wick Wolves riders Coventry Bees riders West Ham Hammers riders Birmingham Brummies riders 20th-century English sportsmen