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Post by memaerobilia on Nov 23, 2010 17:07:08 GMT 1
Think I'll call this my "Ghosts From the Past" series  These "ghostly" old photcopies, are around 40 years old, so, are well faded. Possibly from Les' own album? This is what we had back before the Internet scanning days. At least they do record some of the pre-war midget racing history photos, and are certainly better than no images at all. This first page Shows the wedding of Les White, to Miss Kitty Cross at Wembley. the lower caption reads: "The Inevitable "L". "Someone stuck an "L" on this speedway car as Les White and Miss Kitty Cross were given a hearty send-off after their wedding at Wembley yesterday. And Les White (In case you don't know it) is the Lea Bridge speedway star." then.. "Mr. & Mrs. Les White. We shall have the pleasure of welcoming Mr. and Mrs. Les White back here tonight. and on behalf of the Supporter's Club we are presenting them with a wedding present, together with our best wishes for success and happiness during their married life. I will try and get Les to say a few words over the microphone, but as he is so shy will not pormise anything. Whatever happens, let me hear a real hearty cheer for the bride and groom."  |
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Post by memaerobilia on Nov 23, 2010 17:16:31 GMT 1
Second page (more to follow..but if these have already been covered, let me know..) At top is a photocopy of "MOTOR CAR RACING OFFICIAL" pass for Brighton & Hove Stadium, possibly signed by Les White? The date is 1937 at Lea Bridge and the second image is faded photocopy of artwork of the day. Appears to be of nightracing. The caption reads: "DOODLE-DICING" "Our artist's impressions of a hectic moment at Lea Bridge. The sketch shows how hte midget cars broadside on the bends, sending up a shower of cinders, whilst the drivers wrestle with the wheel and, like the spectators, hold their breath!"  |
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Post by haflinger121 on Nov 23, 2010 17:41:02 GMT 1
That's nice old stuff. Here's some more on the Kit & Les get married theme. Attachments:
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Post by haflinger121 on Nov 23, 2010 17:54:46 GMT 1
Mmm, I envy you that Brighton & Hove pit pass - now that would look really good in my ticketing collection! 'Fraid we don't have anything much from that track, no, not even a programme. However, we have this, which I'm reliably informed is taken in the pits at Brighton & Hove. I think the guy nearest the camera is Walter Mackereth but I can't identify any of the others, nor do I have any idea of the date of the photo. Attachments:
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Post by kiwikid34 on Nov 23, 2010 18:55:03 GMT 1
Dave Hughes in conjunction with speedway rider-promoter Charlie Dugard staged a midget car meeting at Brighton & Hove some time in the late 1940s or early 1950s. This photo could be from that meeting - we'd only know for sure if some other member can identify the drivers who are seen. Spike Rhiando could also have been at both meetings and so could Walter Mackereth.
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Post by memaerobilia on Nov 23, 2010 21:18:45 GMT 1
Great photos! Especially compared to my old faded photocopies  I notice in haflinger121's photo that the Skirrows seem to have the same paint scheme as ours, but none seem to have that elaborate Skirrow nose badge/emblem.. My photocopies MAY have come with our Skirrow? I do not remember.. Here are a couple more. I'm hoping to draw more good photos from YOU    |
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derek
Junior Member
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Post by derek on Nov 24, 2010 10:47:31 GMT 1
The "best man" ie the guy in the crash helmet pushing the car is
Lane White Les's older brother who also raced midgets.
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Post by haflinger121 on Nov 24, 2010 11:12:34 GMT 1
Ah, thanks Derek. I had always assumed it probably was (even though he doesn't look much like Les in the photo) but nice to have it confirmed.
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Post by haflinger121 on Nov 24, 2010 11:20:47 GMT 1
With regard to pinpointing the date of that Brighton & Hove meeting (and bearing in mind there could have been more than one) I note what kiwikid has said about possible entrants other than Mackereth. It reminded me that I have a photocopy of a local newspaper article previewing "a meeting" at Brighton. Unfortunately, the press cutting isn't dated and merely refers to the meeting as taking place "next Saturday".
However, it does talk about the drivers expected to appear and yes, they do include Rhiando, as well as Arch Handscomb, Wilf Davis, Vic King, Dave Hughes, Walt Perry, Laurie Robinson, Jimmy Raynes, Jack Bottomley and Pete Freeman.
I've had one other thought on the subject. The article also refers to Rhiando as the builder of the Rhiando-Timax. This means that the Formula 500 car must have existed at the time, and the Trimax made it's debut at Goodwood in 1950. So presumably, 1950 or a bit later will be when the Brighton meeting was. It's just a guess, but my programme collection alone tells me there was a huge burst of activity by 'The Hughes Group' in 1952, when they raced all over the place; did that include Brighton & Hove perhaps?
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Post by administrator on Nov 24, 2010 18:20:36 GMT 1
With regard to pinpointing the date of that Brighton & Hove meeting (and bearing in mind there could have been more than one) I note what kiwikid has said about possible entrants other than Mackereth. It reminded me that I have a photocopy of a local newspaper article previewing "a meeting" at Brighton. Unfortunately, the press cutting isn't dated and merely refers to the meeting as taking place "next Saturday". However, it does talk about the drivers expected to appear and yes, they do include Rhiando, as well as Arch Handscomb, Wilf Davis, Vic King, Dave Hughes, Walt Perry, Laurie Robinson, Jimmy Raynes, Jack Bottomley and Pete Freeman. I've had one other thought on the subject. The article also refers to Rhiando as the builder of the Rhiando-Timax. This means that the Formula 500 car must have existed at the time, and the Trimax made it's debut at Goodwood in 1950. So presumably, 1950 or a bit later will be when the Brighton meeting was. It's just a guess, but my programme collection alone tells me there was a huge burst of activity by 'The Hughes Group' in 1952, when they raced all over the place; did that include Brighton & Hove perhaps? All the drivers you name were active mainly post-war and I think your guess for 1952 could be accurate. Charlie Dugard probably also involved on the promotional side - he had no speedway team operating at this time - is a strong possibility. And he lived in Denmark Villas, Hove, so wouldn't have missed a chance like this I'm sure. |
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Post by tsrwright on Dec 2, 2010 7:01:11 GMT 1
I love these paddocks shots. I note three of the four visible cars have removeable steering wheels as does my car. Wonder if this was Skirrow manufacture or a modification as it appears to be on my car - the detail of the locking screw is a bit primitive?
Also curious is the lever on the right scuttle. On my car this is on the left scuttle and operates the sliding lock to hold the clutch disengaged. With the steering wheel and filler pointing left (nearside in UK) would not the left side be the logical place for this lever? So why do these cars have it on the right?
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Post by tsrwright on Dec 2, 2010 7:12:34 GMT 1
Just as an experiment I have digitally enhanced the newspaper cutting of the Les White wedding pic to see how it looks. Attachments:
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Post by tsrwright on Dec 2, 2010 7:28:27 GMT 1
I think that helps so here is the Brightom paddock pic enhanced and touched-up a little; it is pretty good to start with. I got the file down to the maximum by cropping a little then saving-as so it is now about half the size. Not sure if this matters for most purposes. Attachments:
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Post by jaykay on Oct 1, 2013 11:19:20 GMT 1
Second page (more to follow..but if these have already been covered, let me know..) At top is a photocopy of "MOTOR CAR RACING OFFICIAL" pass for Brighton & Hove Stadium, possibly signed by Les White? The date is 1937 at Lea Bridge and the second image is faded photocopy of artwork of the day. Appears to be of nightracing. The caption reads: "DOODLE-DICING" "Our artist's impressions of a hectic moment at Lea Bridge. The sketch shows how hte midget cars broadside on the bends, sending up a shower of cinders, whilst the drivers wrestle with the wheel and, like the spectators, hold their breath!"
There are records of Dave Hughes' Skirrow troupe there in the 1950s - possibly at meeting/meetings promoted by Charlie Dugard?
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Post by ayoutubefiend on Oct 1, 2013 22:45:13 GMT 1
The image with the Brighton & Hove pass along with the Lea Bridge drawing is not related so far as I can see.
I do not think the implication is that Ells White used the pass at Lea Bridge in 1937 as might be thought at first.
Rather is it that the two items shown have been mounted on the same piece of paper.
My view is that the Brighton pass relates to the meeting/s at Brighton in the 1950s. While there is no evidence that Ells White raced in it or them, it may well have been issued to him for use as a guest at the racing.
On the other hand, if White did compete at Brighton then he would again have been given such a pass.
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