| Speedway was first raced in Edinburgh in 1928 at Portobello's Marine Gardens complexon 2nd May 1928. A demonstaration event was held and the star turn was American Sprouts Elder. A week later on the 9th May Ivor Creek and Stewie St. George were the attractions at a second demonstration event. Marine Gardens must have been pushing hard for bussiness because local football club Leith Athletic moved into the ground on 15th May . On the 18th of May newspapers reported that Messrs Smith Fletcher & Co. Ltd., of High Street Edinburgh had started work to errect chain link fencing and the construction of a motorcycle dirt track. On 19th May the first meeting was held the first race heat 1 of the Scottish One Mile Invitation featured Sam Reid, Robert Landale George McKenzie and .L Morton Sam Reid has the distiction of being the first rider to win a race at Edinburgh speedway and also the first tournament because he went onto win the event and the prize money of £10 . The main event was an International contest The Golden Helmet. In the first race Sprouts Elder faced Paddy Dean at a second attempt in the first race both had suffered engine faliers. The American was the victor and qualified for the semi finals. In the other heats Stewie St George Drew McQueen and George Meredith all qualified. The semi finals were won easerly by St George and McQueen both of their opponents fell. In the final St George was the victor of the 6 lap final and picked up £25 in winnings and would recieve £5 a week for every week he managed to hold onto the helmet. The final event for the evening was an Open Invitation with £15 to the winner. 4 heats the winner going into the semi final and then a final. Eric Burnet was the winner defeating Andy Marr in the final. In all 20 meetings that year were held at the Marine Gardens at attendanceso0f 19,000 were not uncommon this was more than Scottish League side Leth Athletic were able to attract. Only two meetings were cancelled during the year and both of these were to allow for track improvments. |
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