Main Photo: Lee Foster, Kramer Williams & ?
PERTH
CLAREMONT SPEEDWAY
Claremont Showgrounds was the home of Claremont Speedway from May 1927 to March 2000. At this time Claremont Speedway was on of the world's oldest and longest running speedways.
John S Hoskins was the first promoter followed by Solo Champion Aub Lawson, then Sidecar great Jim Davies, with Con Migro promoting Claremont up until Claremont closed in 2000.
The increasing popularity of speedway generated the need for track lighting, and in September 1927 lights were erected around the track. This increased crowd attendance up to 15,000 fans on a regular basis.
JOHN S HOSKINS
John Hoskins
Legend has it that in 1923 John S Hoskins the secretary to the Maitland Show Society NSW noticed young locals racing and sliding motorcycles around in farm paddocks.
John organised some of these riders to put on a show around the trotting track at the Maitland Show. In 1923 The Maitland Showground held their first motorcycle racing event.
This became the birth of motorcycle racing in Australia, from there John took the concept to Newcastle, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane.
The first Perth event was on the 14th May 1927, Claremont's opening night.
Such was the interest generated from this idea of Hoskins' that on the 10th April 1928 the ship Oronsay steamed out of Fremantle with 13 Australian riders on board with their bikes to introduce Solo Riding to England.
Later the sport spread to Europe and then to America. Hoskins was awarded the MBE in 1979 New Years Honours List for his services to Speedway.
While in England Hoskins either promoted or co promoted many clubs including:
Ashfield Giants, Canterbury Crusaders, Bellvue Aces, Odsal Boomerangs, Edinburgh Monarchs, Fife Lions, Newcross Rangers, Newcastle Diamonds, Glasgow Tigers and West Ham Hammers.
John organised some of these riders to put on a show around the trotting track at the Maitland Show. In 1923 The Maitland Showground held their first motorcycle racing event.
This became the birth of motorcycle racing in Australia, from there John took the concept to Newcastle, Sydney, Perth and Brisbane.
The first Perth event was on the 14th May 1927, Claremont's opening night.
Such was the interest generated from this idea of Hoskins' that on the 10th April 1928 the ship Oronsay steamed out of Fremantle with 13 Australian riders on board with their bikes to introduce Solo Riding to England.
Later the sport spread to Europe and then to America. Hoskins was awarded the MBE in 1979 New Years Honours List for his services to Speedway.
While in England Hoskins either promoted or co promoted many clubs including:
Ashfield Giants, Canterbury Crusaders, Bellvue Aces, Odsal Boomerangs, Edinburgh Monarchs, Fife Lions, Newcross Rangers, Newcastle Diamonds, Glasgow Tigers and West Ham Hammers.
AUB LAWSON
Aub Lawson
Aub Lawson was the Managing Director of Claremont Speedway for many years, he took over Claremont after a recession period and returned it to its former glory.
Aub's riding career began around 1936 on a bike borrowed from Vic Hibbard at Shepherds Bush NSW.
He then bought a Rudge and showed enoough promise to be signed up to ride at the Sydney Royal Showgrounds.
Later he sold the Rudge and bought a JAP machine that gave him the ability to become one of Australia's top riders.
Aub left for England in 1939 to ride for Middlesborough and later Wembley where he teamed with Lionel Van Praag. They went on to win the World Pairs Title.
At that point war broke out and Aub put his speedway on hold and joined the war effort serving in Borneo and Singapore.
After returning from the war, Aub started racing again and in 1947 he became Captain of West Ham and won the British Match Race Championship two years running.
He retired briefly in 1951 but returned 2 years on to Captain Norwich.
In the 1959 World Final he finished third.
By 1960 aub at the age of 45 returned to West Australia to manage Claremont Speedway, also becoming a partner in the running of Sydney's Westmead Speedway during the winter months.
Aub went on to win the 1963 NSW Solo Title at Kembla Grange over Jim Airey and Gordon Guasco.
Westmead closed in 1968 and Aub retuned full time to Claremont.
As time passed under Aub's leadership a vey capable young apprentice in Con Migro began to emerge to later take control of Claremont and then Kwinana Speedways.
Aub Lawson passed away in 1977 at the age of 63.
Aub's riding career began around 1936 on a bike borrowed from Vic Hibbard at Shepherds Bush NSW.
He then bought a Rudge and showed enoough promise to be signed up to ride at the Sydney Royal Showgrounds.
Later he sold the Rudge and bought a JAP machine that gave him the ability to become one of Australia's top riders.
Aub left for England in 1939 to ride for Middlesborough and later Wembley where he teamed with Lionel Van Praag. They went on to win the World Pairs Title.
At that point war broke out and Aub put his speedway on hold and joined the war effort serving in Borneo and Singapore.
After returning from the war, Aub started racing again and in 1947 he became Captain of West Ham and won the British Match Race Championship two years running.
He retired briefly in 1951 but returned 2 years on to Captain Norwich.
In the 1959 World Final he finished third.
By 1960 aub at the age of 45 returned to West Australia to manage Claremont Speedway, also becoming a partner in the running of Sydney's Westmead Speedway during the winter months.
Aub went on to win the 1963 NSW Solo Title at Kembla Grange over Jim Airey and Gordon Guasco.
Westmead closed in 1968 and Aub retuned full time to Claremont.
As time passed under Aub's leadership a vey capable young apprentice in Con Migro began to emerge to later take control of Claremont and then Kwinana Speedways.
Aub Lawson passed away in 1977 at the age of 63.
RON JOHNSON
Ron Johnson
Ron's family migrated to Western Australia when Ron was a young child and lived on a farm in Dwellingup.
When Claremont Speedway opened in 1927 Ron began racing his Harley Davidson Peashooter and won all 3 races at his first meeting, which was the start of a successful career.
In 1928 Ron was part of the 13 rider team that travelled to England on the steamer Oronsay to introduce Solo Racing to that country. (see John Hoskins story).
Upon reaching England Ron went on to win and place in many Championships including 2nd in the 1933 World Championship.
As captain of Newcross he qualified for many more World Titles, topped the National League points in 1948 and led Newcross to a team victory in the National League.
Although based in England, Ron rode for Australia in many Test Matches, with 20 years of success making Ron a wealthy man with an appetite for the finer things in life.
In 1949 at Wimbledon he fractured his skull in a heavy fall. After a recovery period Ron never returned to his prior greatness, with disappointing race results and a prison sentence for motoring offences in 1951 bringing him down.
In 1952 he resigned as captain of Newcross and returned to Western Australia to recover fully.
Broke and back at Claremont Speedway Ron won the 1955 WA Solo Championship. This was enough for Ron to want to return to England where he rode for West Ham but without success.
Once again broke, his friends rallied around to send him home to Perth.
Later Ron joined Edinburgh as a coach but the team failed to produce so he again returned to Perth and retired aged 52.
In 1983 Ron Johnson died in his Thornlie home lonely and broke. It is believed that his Solo bike and trophies went missing sometime in the several days he laid undiscovered in the house.
Ron was cremated at Karrakatta Cemetery. Many WA Speedway leaders raised the funds to provide a headstone worthy of Ron Johnson World Champion.
When Claremont Speedway opened in 1927 Ron began racing his Harley Davidson Peashooter and won all 3 races at his first meeting, which was the start of a successful career.
In 1928 Ron was part of the 13 rider team that travelled to England on the steamer Oronsay to introduce Solo Racing to that country. (see John Hoskins story).
Upon reaching England Ron went on to win and place in many Championships including 2nd in the 1933 World Championship.
As captain of Newcross he qualified for many more World Titles, topped the National League points in 1948 and led Newcross to a team victory in the National League.
Although based in England, Ron rode for Australia in many Test Matches, with 20 years of success making Ron a wealthy man with an appetite for the finer things in life.
In 1949 at Wimbledon he fractured his skull in a heavy fall. After a recovery period Ron never returned to his prior greatness, with disappointing race results and a prison sentence for motoring offences in 1951 bringing him down.
In 1952 he resigned as captain of Newcross and returned to Western Australia to recover fully.
Broke and back at Claremont Speedway Ron won the 1955 WA Solo Championship. This was enough for Ron to want to return to England where he rode for West Ham but without success.
Once again broke, his friends rallied around to send him home to Perth.
Later Ron joined Edinburgh as a coach but the team failed to produce so he again returned to Perth and retired aged 52.
In 1983 Ron Johnson died in his Thornlie home lonely and broke. It is believed that his Solo bike and trophies went missing sometime in the several days he laid undiscovered in the house.
Ron was cremated at Karrakatta Cemetery. Many WA Speedway leaders raised the funds to provide a headstone worthy of Ron Johnson World Champion.
DUD McKEAN
Dud started riding in 1960 and rode through to 1972. He mainly competed at Claremont Speedway and also spent time in England where he represented Austalasia in a Test Match in 1964.
CHUM TAYLOR
Edward Vernon Taylor (Chum)
Chum Taylor as he was known has the family name, Edwin Vernon Taylor.
Chum was one of Australia's greatest Speedway riders at Claremont Speedway during the 1948 - 1949 season riding a Rudge machine.
In 1960 Chum travelled to England's Wembly Stadium to represent Australia in the World Finals.
Chum went on to win the Australian Solo Championship at Rowley Park SA in the 1965 - 1966 season.
Chum retired at the age of 46 in 1973.
Chum was one of Australia's greatest Speedway riders at Claremont Speedway during the 1948 - 1949 season riding a Rudge machine.
In 1960 Chum travelled to England's Wembly Stadium to represent Australia in the World Finals.
Chum went on to win the Australian Solo Championship at Rowley Park SA in the 1965 - 1966 season.
Chum retired at the age of 46 in 1973.
