The place where legends were born. The last motorcycle race at London's Crystal Palace is held.
Without mentioning the legendary riders/racers that set legendary lap/race records in legendary races at 'The Palace' here's a snapshot of how motorcycle racing began and ended.
The plan for motorcycle racing at Crystal Palace actually was put into play in 1926 when a group of bike "enthusiasts" under the guise of London Motor Sports Ltd approached the Crystal Palace trustees to see if the grounds of the Palace could provide a venue for motorcycle racing in London. Incredibly, the trustees voted in their favor and on May 21, 1927 the first races were held. A crowd of over 10,000 turned out to witness seven solo and three sidecar races on the hastily, and roughly, created one-mile track.
In May, 1972 the Greater London Council's Arts and Recreation Committee decided to close the track at the end of that season. The National Sports Centre wanted to expand, complaints of noise pollution, the cost of improving spectator facilities and bringing the track up to the then new 'international standards' were allegedly the factors which had weighed heavily in the this decision.
Racing would start again in 2010, the legends and the not-so-legendary who raced/race at Crystal Palace will grace these pages on another day.
Today in motorcycle history proudly supports the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD). www.nabd.org.uk
