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Post by youtubefiend on Nov 19, 2009 10:01:09 GMT 1
Not a lot seems to have been written about Billy Murden but he was in midget car racing at the start in 1934 and still driving in the late 1950s. He was the only English driver to race in a match against an American midget driver when they were in London in 1948 and it's said he also rode on a spedway bike against and American midget driver at Walthamstow, The Yanks liked Murden's car because like theirs it was RWD rather than the 4WD midgets most other British drivers competed in. He also drove pre-war in Sweden and Holland and post-war in France. Yet this is all in small snippets not an overhaul career analysis and it would seem he may have been a novice speedway rider at Belle Vue in the early 1930s. Any chance one of the site's historians can write-up what could be a good story about Billy Murden.
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derek
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Post by derek on Nov 23, 2009 10:51:18 GMT 1
I too would like to know more about Billy Murdon; Where he came from, what he did for a living, how he got involved in Midgets etc. What little information I have shows that he began in either late 34 or early 35 and continued after the war. (I hope theres an attatchment from Paris 47) He raced at most of the well known tracks; Coventry, Belle Vue, Hackney, Lea Bridge etc. He seems to have missed the end of the 36 season; after an accident at Dagenham he spent most of 36/37 in hospital! He always built his own cars (see Pashley attatchment car no81 (thanks Rod)) The last car he constructed was front wheel drive. He didn't seem to be one of the top stars and never won any championships. Derek Bridgett Newcastle-under-Lyme Attachments:
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derek
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Post by derek on Nov 24, 2009 12:06:13 GMT 1
This time I hope Iv'e managed to attatch the Belle Vue pit scene (courtesy of Rod) Which shows Billy Murdons car. One thing I forgot to mention was that at Wembley -8/8/35- Billy drove a "New Palmer Special" Has anyone out there got any further info on Billy? Derek Bridgett Newcastle-under-Lyme Attachments:
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Post by tobyhalter on Nov 24, 2009 13:24:23 GMT 1
That's a great action shot of Billy Murden (or is it as I now see it spelt Murdon). Obviously the Buffalo Stadium in Paris. Who is the other driver. From this shot, Billy looks to be a great trier and loving every minute of his racing.
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derek
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Post by derek on Nov 25, 2009 10:56:14 GMT 1
The photo was taken at Buffalo Stadium, Paris.
The other driver in the photo is Frank Chiswell.
Frank was one of the stars of the Coventry team of 38.
I am not quite sure but I think Frank won the meeting at Paris in 47. The photo was given to me by his Franks son, Roy.
Derek Bridgett Newcastle-under-Lyme
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Post by tobyhalter on Nov 26, 2009 10:13:41 GMT 1
What team did Billy Murden race for in the 1937 and 1938 National League matches. If there's a record of his scoring we can evaluate him as a driver although it may be that he missed the 1937 season as Derek mentions he was injured previously in a meeting at Dagenham and spent a long time in hospital.
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derek
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Post by derek on Nov 27, 2009 11:05:17 GMT 1
My records show that, in 37 Billy was supposed to race for the London team. But I can't find his name in any of the results! he only seems to have appeared at Coventry's opening meeting (3/5/37)
As for 38, several programmes show that he was allocated to Belle Vue, again he never seems to have raced for them either home or away.
One fascinating advert I found in "Speedway World" (7/8/38) states that "Billy Murden with his new Midget Cars" was to appear at Dagenham.
So what was Billy up to, did he have more than one car, perhaps he prefered to give demonstrations at the lesser known Speedway tracks, of which there were many in and around London. After all he did go to Sweden in 35 to give a demo.
Derek Bridgett Newcastle-under-Lyme
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