As an old C.P."Dirt track" supporter!, I was present at the very first
meeting following it's introduction from Australia which, incidentally
was held in the afternoon, preceding the claim from Bell Vue, in
Manchester, that they held the first!. I was just a kid then and if I
and my pals couldn't raise the entrance fee, we would climb trees
around the track to watch.
The team, led by Ron Johnston and Joe Francis, supported by Tom
Farndon later moved to a new stadium at New Cross, when the track
changed from cinders to shale.There was another in the team named
Triss Sharp who left the team to join the RAF, long before the war.
I am attaching a copy taken from an old 1950's pocket diary showing
the shortened track of the motor circuit on which several G.P.races
were held post war in the late 40's /50's. Most of the G.P. stars
raced there including Mike Hawthorn and Stirling Moss., until racing
moved to Brands Hatch..
Like some of your contributors have expressed, the noise from the
Palace could be heard far and wide and, as my late mother would say,
it likened to a herd of cows mooing!
Believe me, the old Crystal Palace gave so much pleasure to so many
thousands of people before AND after it burned down. Happy memories.
Reg O'Neil.
--------
Posted on Reg's behalf by admin