Harold John Hastings (13 July 1906 – 5 November 1965) was a

motorcycle speedway Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to simply as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. The motorcycles are specialist machines that use only ...

rider from Australia. He was champion of Australia (2 lap) in 1931 and earned several international caps for the Australia national speedway team.

Biography

Hastings, born in

Ipswich, Queensland Ipswich () is a city in South East Queensland, Australia. Situated on the Bremer River, it is approximately west of the Brisbane central business district. The city is renowned for its architectural, natural and cultural heritage. Ipswich pre ...

, was one of the many Australians that travelled over to the United Kingdom in the early 1930, as pioneers of speedway. He was recruited by

Lea Bridge Lea Bridge is a district in the London Borough of Hackney and the London Borough of Waltham Forest in London, England. It lies 7 miles (11.3 km) northeast of Charing Cross. The area it takes its name from a bridge built over the River ...

and his first season was racing in the 1930 Speedway Southern League. In April 1930, he represented Australia against England. He returned for the Australian season and enhanced his reputation by winning the 1931, 2 lap Australian Solo Championship, at the Melbourne Motordrome before signing for a second season with Lea Bridge. During the 1931 season he improved his official average by recording a 6.80, although his league average was slightly down to 6.20 but continued to represent Australia in test matches and rode in the

1931 Star Riders' Championship The 1931 Star Riders' Championship was the third edition of the speedway Star Riders' Championship. The competition was decided on a knockout basis over nine heats.Bamford, R. & Stallworthy, D. (2003) ''Speedway – The Pre War Years'', S ...

. The following season in 1932, he moved north to ride for the Belle Vue Aces, which happened to be his last season in Britain before returning to Australia. His season with the Manchester club had been affected by a broken ankle that he raced with, protecting it in a custom made steel shoe.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hastings, Harold 1906 births 1965 deaths Australian speedway riders Belle Vue Aces riders Lea Bridge speedway riders Australian expatriate sportspeople in England