THE HISTORY of the
MIDDLESBROUGH & DISTRICT MOTOR CLUB
PART 2
41 of 97
1928
1928 was a vintage year. The Club hit the headlines with;-
The Hospital Insurance Scheme.
The sensational speeds attained at the Saltburn meeting.
The tragic fatal accident to Albert Smith on Redcar Sands.
Redcar Sand Races.
The introduction of Dirt-Track Racing at Cleveland Park Stadium.
The Opening of the Clubhouse in Clarendon Road.
HOSPITAL INSURANCE SCHEME. Details of which appeared in most of the
National and all the local papers, the Scheme was the outcome of W.Ryan's stay in
hospital after the accident which befell him and George H.Blackburn (fatal) near
Bawtry on the way home from Camberley.
On his release from hospital Bill offered to make a payment for his treatment, which
was politely refused, it being pointed out that all hospitals were supported by
voluntary contributions. After some negotiation arrangements were made with a
Midland Insurance Broker to pay a premium of 2/6d per head on the membership
and the following fees were to be paid to any hospital treating a member following an
accident on the road, as follows:-
Single dressing - 10/6d. Detention one day - 1 guinea, one week - £,5.
Up to 5/6 weeks - approx.£15.
Mr Ryan said we are doing this because we feel strongly the slur cast on motorists
and the complaints of voluntary hospitals that 75% of their accident cases are
motorists. For the honour of our Club we have decided to insure hospitals so that
they will be reimbursed for treating our members. A letter from the British Medical
Association pointed out that this did not cover payment of doctors who gave their
services to hospitals free. The Club replied that this was a matter for adjustment
between hospitals and themselves.
This was the forerunner of the compulsory 3rd party insurance for all motorists which
includes payment of doctors' and hospitals' fees.
SALTBURN SPEED TRIALS - FANTASTIC SPEEDS, This event was held on
Saturday, 22nd July. The "MOTORCYCLE" reported:- "No finer sand-racing event
has ever been staged at Saltburn by the Middlesbrough & D.M.C. or for that matter
by any other Club on any other beach than the Open Event last Saturday.
Organisation has become almost automatic and although a late start was
necessitated by the tide the event was ahead of its schedule by lunchtime and
finished only some l0 mins. later than the programme indicated. The sands were
table-like so much so that George Brough announced his intention of applying to the
