Friday, December 12, 2014

Today in motorcycle history, December 12, 1908

  


  






  Harold 'Frank' Milton Arthur, international Speedway racer and promoter is born in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia.







  When the Australian entrepreneur A. J. Hunting opened 'the world's first' quarter-mile Speedway in the arena of the Brisbane Exhibition Ground in 1926, eighteen year-old Frank Arthur jumped at the chance to race there.  A natural talent, Frank, along with Vic Huxley and Billy Lamont, soon became the three top riders in Australia.  Arthur would win the coveted Golden Helmet in 1927.


  One of the pioneers of Speedway racing in England moving there in 1928 and winning the first Overseas Star Riders' Championship, the forerunner of the Speedway World Championship, in 1929.


  Frank rode for the Harringay Canaries in 1929 and then the Stamford Bridge Pensioners from 1930 until their demise in 1932.  He would then go back to his homeland to ride in, and promote, the sport he loved.  Returning to the UK in 1934, he would once again ride for Harringay.


  He also represented Australia in test matches against England from 1930 to 1934.  Frank promoted Speedway at Sydney Royale before losing the lease in 1938.  Not to be deterred he solved the problem by building the Speedway track at the Sydney Sports Ground next door!




  Harold Frank Milton Arthur was one of the inaugural 10 inductees into Australian Speedway Hall of Fame in 2007.











  Today in motorcycle history proudly supports the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD). www.nabd.org.uk