| 11 May 1929 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marine Gardens | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Edinburgh Handicap (4 Laps Standing Start) Heat 1 Charles Armstrong George McKenzie Bob Harrison Archie Chisholm John Jackson 1min 36.2 Heat 2 Drew McQueen Oliver Goodfellow Jim Douglas Donald McDonald George Methven 1min 36.2 Heat 3 James Logie James Edward Charles Sanderson Harry Duncan Eric Burnet (F) 1 min 37.2 Heat 4 Sprouts Elder Sam Reid Andy Milne Bob McGregor Bill Barclay 1min 35.4 Semi Final Charles Armstrong George McKenzie Bob Harrison Drew McQueen Oliver Goodfellow 1min 47.8 Semi Final James Edward Andy Milne Sprouts Elder James Logie Sam Reid 1min 41.2 Final George McKenzie Andy Milne Sprouts Elder James Edward Charles Armstrong (F) 1min 36.4 Scottish Gold Helmet ( 4 Laps Flying Start ) Heat 1 Eric Burnet Andy Milne Charles Sanderson Bob Harrison 1min 35.4 Heat 2 Sprouts Elder Oliver Goodfellow Archie Chisholm James Edward 1min 33. Heat 3 Bob McGregor Harry Duncan Drew McQueen Jim Douglas 1min 37.2 Heat 4 George McKenzie James Logie Sam Reid John Jackson 1min 33.5 Semi Final Sprouts Elder Eric Burnet Andy Milne Oliver Goodfellow 1min 31.4 Semi Final George McKenzie Bob McGregor Harry Duncan James Logie 1min 33.2 Final: Sprouts Elder Eric Burnet Bob McGregor George McKenzie (F) 1min 28.8 Match Race ( 4 Laps Flying Start ) Sprouts Elder Bt George McKenzie 1min 28.4 |
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| On 11 May 1929 tragedy struck. For the first time since dirt track racing began in Scotland a rider was killed at the Marine Gardens Speedway. The tragedy occurred in the presence of a crowd given as 26,000, who were not, however, aware of the extreme gravity of the accident which took place in the second last race. The event was a four lap consolation handicap race for less speedy riders who had not taken part in other events. While rounding the bend towards the completion of the third lap Walter Brown, a Musselburgh rider, who was making his third appearance on the track, fell from his machine from which he was thrown clear on to the track. A following rider close behind had no time to avoid Brown and the front wheel of his machine struck him in the back as he lay on the ground, the whole motor cycle then falling heavily upon the fallen man. Brown was immediately extricated and carried off the track, his death occurring with a few minutes. He was removed from the field on a stretcher and take to the Royal Infirmary where death was certified. Examination showed that Brown’s neck had been dislocated. A particularly tragic feature of the accident was that two brothers of Brown were among the spectators. The special precautions which were taken to ensure safety on the track included the sounding of hooters and the showing of a red flag as a signal that there was danger and that the race must stop. In this case the accident happened so swiftly and so unexpectedly there being no apparent danger at the moment, that prevention was impossible. Despite the fact that the sport at the Marine Gardens Speedway was overshadowed at the end by the death of Walter Brown, there was, however, some great racing. The dominating figure of the meeting was the American Sprouts Elder who made his first appearance of the season in Edinburgh. He showed himself to be in redoubtable form in winning both his match race against George McKenzie and gaining the Gold Helmet. His race against McKenzie was very thrilling indeed and victory was only achieved on the top bend in the last lap. After the race had been started unsuccessfully twice, first Elder and then McKenzie coming down before the end of the first lap, the third beginning produced a great battle. McKenzie after the first lap was about 15 yards ahead and this lead he maintained until the last bend waas reached in the final circuit. With some 100 yards to go McKenzie went wide on the bend and Elder practically hurled himself to the inside berth to beat his man in a great final dash by about a length. He was in an easier position in the final of the Helmet as he led on the first bend with McKenzie following hard. The Edinburgh rider came down about the half distance and Elder won without further challenge. The presentation of the Helmet was made to him by his wife. George McKenzie obtained compensation by winning the handicap. He made a fine race in the final, though it was only in the last lap that he got up to head the field and win. The crowd was given as 26,000 |
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Marine Gardens 11/05/1929
