Michael Gratney Erskine (22 August 1914 – 19 November 1985) was a motorcycle speedway rider from England.[1]
| Born | 22 August 1914 Westbury, Wiltshire, England |
|---|---|
| Died | 19 November 1985 (aged 71) East Tytherley, Hampshire, England |
| Nationality | British (English) |
| Career history | |
| 1935–1936 | New Cross Lambs/Tamers |
| 1936 | Bristol Bulldogs |
| 1938–1939 | Southampton Saints |
| 1946–1951 | Wimbledon Dons |
| Team honours | |
| 1950, 1951 | National Trophy |
Biography edit
Erskine, born in Westbury, Wiltshire, first rode for the Coventry junior team in 1933 and was involved in a crash that saw him hit the safety fence so hard that it pulled a supporting post out of the ground. It was reported that he was leading the race by a distance, indicating that his riding style was one of full commitment.[2] The following season in 1934, he signed for New Cross Rangers but continued to ride for Coventry on loan.[3]
He made British leagues debut riding for New Cross during the 1935 Speedway National League season[4] and was loaned out to Bristol Bulldogs in the Provincial League for the 1936 season.
In 1937, he concentrated on grasstrack racing and even designed a course at Farleigh Hungerford,[5] before returning to conventional speedway in 1938 after signing for Southampton Saints.[6]
After World War II, Erskine blossomed as a rider and spent six years with Wimbledon Dons in the top division from 1946 to 1951,[7] winning the 1950 and 1951 National Trophy.[8] However, the highlight of his career was reaching the Championship round of the 1950 Individual Speedway World Championship and standing as a reserve for the World final at Wembley Stadium, where he participated in a heat.[9]
References edit
- ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Erskine's remarkable crash". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 4 August 1933. Retrieved 4 January 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Nurseries of the Speedways". Daily Mirror. 24 May 1934. Retrieved 4 January 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "1935 season" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Motoring News". Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Saturday. 30 April 1938. Retrieved 4 January 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Year by Year". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ Oakes, Peter (1978). 1978 Speedway Yearbook. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. ISBN 978-0904584509.
- ^ "HISTORY SPEEDWAY and LONGTRACK". Speedway.org. Retrieved 4 January 2024.