1928 continued
THE HISTORY of the
MIDDLESBROUGH & DISTRICT MOTOR CLUB
PART 2
43 of 97
finally decided to do this in one run (He had previously in the morning made a trial
effort without the hoop when he leaped a distance of 51ft. and the shock of landing
buckled the back wheel of his powerful Harley-Davison which he rebuilt during the
day). The record was understood to be 45ft In the attempt it was estimated that he
must have been doing 50 m.p.h. tearing up the inclined ramp. bursting through the
paper-covered hoop.. His machine attained a height of 20ft. and to the horror of a
large crowd suddenly nose-dived to the ground. He was picked up unconscious and
taken to the N.O.Hospital, Middlesbrough In a grave condition where he died.
He was a prominent and enthusiastic member of the Committee. It is recorded in the
Minutes of the Committee meeting following this tragic accident that tributes were
made by the Chairman, W.Ryan, and A.V.Buttress who said that Mr Smith was one
of the finest and most enthusiastic workers in the Club. Nothing was too much
trouble for him. In one way Mr Smith had died for the Club and surely no man had
greater love than that. He felt that the name of so great a worker should not be lost
sight of and some outstanding memorial should be found for him. His photograph
still hangs in the Committee Room.
This fatality was tragically repeated when his eldest son was killed in a road crash in
Borough Road, Middlesbrough in November and sincere expressions of heartfelt
sympathy and regret were conveyed to Mrs Smith, not only by Club members but by
motoring fraternity throughout the district generally in respect of her sad and tragic
bereavements.
DIRT TRACK RACING. (Now known as Speedway Racing,) was promoted at
Cleveland Park Stadium by Albion Auto Racers Ltd. Some of our members and other
local boys seized the opportunity with both hands and feet and this new sport
virtually saw the end of motorcycle football.
Initially the machines owned by the Club were hired out to dirt-track riders and were
eventually sold to them so that all the subscribers to the motorcycle football section
received their money back. The following are a few well-known names who took part
in the first meeting which was held on Thursday, August 23rd 1928:- H.Whitfield,
F.Creasor, W.Creasor, A.Smith, F.Thompson, Alec Peel,, J.W.Collinson and Phil
Blake.
Under an agreement made with the promoters it was necessary for any rider resident
within 20 miles of, Middlesbrough was bound to join either the Middlesbrough or
Darlington Clubs.
A Dirt-Track Meeting was run by the Club and showed a profit of £26.14.6d, following
which it was decided to open negotiations with a view to the Club acquiring an
interest in dirt-track racing. Subsequently it was found that the position was so
involved that it was impossible to recommend an interest with the present company
being acquired.
THE OPENING OF THE CLUBHOUSE IN CLARENDON ROAD. The premises,
formerly the Gjers Mills Workmens Club had, due to the depression in the Iron Trade
been closed for several years, were offered to the Club by the President, John Gjers
for a year's trial on a rental of £100 plus rates. At an extraordinary General Meeting
after a lively discussion it was decided unanimously to go forward with the scheme.
After hurried re-decoration the Club was opened on Saturday, Dec.15th 1928. The
