Post by speedyguy on Jan 26, 2016 16:21:00 GMT
THE record books show that in pre-war seasons the West Ham riders Eric Chitty and Jimmy Gibb were the pick of the Canadian riders competing in Britain. Both were among the Top Twenty riders of the 1938 and 1939 seasons.
There were other Canadian riders who came to Britain in the immediate pre-World War Two seasons. They were Charlie Appleby, Eddie Barker, Bruce Venier, Bob Sparks, Elwood Stillwell and George Pepper.
Undoubtedly the best of the lesser order riders George Pepper, who first turned up at West Ham in 1938, but was posted by the First Division club's promoter Johnnie Hoskins to his newly formed Second Division track at Newcastle.
In 1937, Pepper was on the verge of dropping out of cross-Atlantic speedway to follow a career in road racing, but was persuaded by Chitty and Gibb to try British speedway racing. He actually arrived in Britain in 1938 with the purpose of riding in the Isle of Man TT.
Pepper was an immediate star at Newcastle and became the track record holder, which stood well into the post-war seasons. He developed into one of the Second Division's top riders and many experts predicted that he was destined for the sport's highest honours. Had war not started in 1939, it is certain he would have joined Chitty and Gibb at West Ham for the never held 1940 season.
Jeff Lloyd, who was a post-war star at Newcastle, New Cross and Harringay, had some vivid memories about the hard racing style of Pepper. When racing for Middlesbrough in 1939, Lloyd was going for a maximum against Newcastle when he met Pepper who went on to beat him. Lloyd said of Pepper's tactics: "Considering my inexperience, Pepper was far more aggressive than he need have been in beating me." But that was probably typical of Pepper - as it was of Lloyd. Both wanted to be the best and rode to achieve that.
Pepper volunteered for war service in September 1939 and after initial pilot training served with the RAF's 29 Squadron, firstly flying Blenheims, then the Bristol Beaufighter. He distinguished himself by shooting down six German aircraft and was awarded the DFC and Bar.
Pepper was 26 years old when he died in a flying accident on November 17, 1942, and is buried in his home town Belleville, Ontario, Canada.
There were other Canadian riders who came to Britain in the immediate pre-World War Two seasons. They were Charlie Appleby, Eddie Barker, Bruce Venier, Bob Sparks, Elwood Stillwell and George Pepper.
Undoubtedly the best of the lesser order riders George Pepper, who first turned up at West Ham in 1938, but was posted by the First Division club's promoter Johnnie Hoskins to his newly formed Second Division track at Newcastle.
In 1937, Pepper was on the verge of dropping out of cross-Atlantic speedway to follow a career in road racing, but was persuaded by Chitty and Gibb to try British speedway racing. He actually arrived in Britain in 1938 with the purpose of riding in the Isle of Man TT.
Pepper was an immediate star at Newcastle and became the track record holder, which stood well into the post-war seasons. He developed into one of the Second Division's top riders and many experts predicted that he was destined for the sport's highest honours. Had war not started in 1939, it is certain he would have joined Chitty and Gibb at West Ham for the never held 1940 season.
Jeff Lloyd, who was a post-war star at Newcastle, New Cross and Harringay, had some vivid memories about the hard racing style of Pepper. When racing for Middlesbrough in 1939, Lloyd was going for a maximum against Newcastle when he met Pepper who went on to beat him. Lloyd said of Pepper's tactics: "Considering my inexperience, Pepper was far more aggressive than he need have been in beating me." But that was probably typical of Pepper - as it was of Lloyd. Both wanted to be the best and rode to achieve that.
Pepper volunteered for war service in September 1939 and after initial pilot training served with the RAF's 29 Squadron, firstly flying Blenheims, then the Bristol Beaufighter. He distinguished himself by shooting down six German aircraft and was awarded the DFC and Bar.
Pepper was 26 years old when he died in a flying accident on November 17, 1942, and is buried in his home town Belleville, Ontario, Canada.