Preston were a British
speedway
Speedway may refer to:
Racing Race tracks
*Edmonton International Speedway, also known as Speedway Park, a former motor raceway in Edmonton, Alberta
*Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a motor raceway in Speedway, Indiana
Types of races and race cours ...
team that existed from 1929 to 1932.
History
They first competed in the
English Dirt Track League
The Northern League was founded in 1929 when it was known as the English Dirt Track League, the earliest league (along with the Southern League) in speedway racing in the United Kingdom, comprising teams from Northern Britain. The addition of two ...
(effectively the Northern League) in 1929 when they were runners-up to
Leeds Lions
Leeds Lions are a defunct British motorcycle speedway team who were based at Fullerton Park Sports Stadium, adjacent to the Elland Road football ground in Leeds, England.
History
Leeds Lions operated between 1928 and 1938. League racing firs ...
. In the same season they won the English Dirt Track Knockout Cup beating
Halifax in the final.
The team raced for two more seasons in the
1930 Speedway Northern League and
1931 Speedway Northern League but closed before the 1932 season.
They were based at Farringdon Park, New Hall Lane,
Preston,
Lancashire
Lancashire ( , ; abbreviated Lancs) is the name of a historic county, ceremonial county, and non-metropolitan county in North West England. The boundaries of these three areas differ significantly.
The non-metropolitan county of Lancashi ...
, the track was situated around the perimeter of the
Preston Grasshoppers R.F.C.
Preston Grasshoppers Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union team from Preston, Lancashire. The men's senior team play in the RFU National League 2 North, a level 4 league in the RFU league pyramid.
History
The club was founded on 28 Se ...
rugby ground. The speedway syndicate agreed a six year sub-tenancy with the rugby club in 1929 but folded in 1932. The location today is Farringdon Crescent.
Notable riders
*
Joe Abbott
*
Ham Burrill
Hamlet Burrill known as Ham Burrill (1903–1978) was an international speedway rider from England.
Speedway career
Burrill came to prominence in 1929 when he became the Preston (speedway) captain for the inaugural season of the 1929 Speedway ...
*
Claude Rye
Arthur Claude Rye known as Claude Rye (1908–1988) was an international speedway rider from England.
Speedway career
Rye came to prominence in 1929 after gaining a two year contract with Preston (speedway) and then joined Wimbledon Dons in 1 ...
Season summary
References
{{City of Preston culture
Defunct British speedway teams
Sport in Preston