Pete Lansdale
| Born | 26 December 1912 Marylebone, London, England |
|---|---|
| Died | 13 September 1989 (aged 76) |
| Nationality | British (English) |
| Career history | |
| 1947 | Southampton Saints |
| 1948–1950, 1952–1954 | Plymouth Devils |
| 1951 | Walthamstow Wolves |
| 1954–1957, 1960 | Rayleigh Rockets |
| 1958–1959 | Poole Pirates |
| 1961–1963 | Exeter Falcons |
| Team honours | |
| 1952 | National Trophy (tier 3) |
| 1960 | Provincial League Champion |
| 1962 | National Trophy (Provincial Level) |
Harry Douglas Lansdale (26 December 1912 – 24 June 1993) was a motorcycle speedway rider and promoter from England.[1][2]
Biography[edit]
Lansdale, born in Marylebone, London on 26 December 1912, was riding speedway bikes during the 1930s[3] but began his British leagues career riding for Southampton Saints, during the 1947 Speedway National League Division Three season.[4] The following season he was signed by Plymouth Devils[5] and topped the team's averages after recording 9.06 for the season.[6]
Following on from his successful 1948 season, Lansdale recorded the third best average in the entire division, posting an impressive 10.29.[7] Despite the team moving up to division two, he remained the team's best rider averaging 9.48.[7] Plymouth returned to division 3 in 1951 but Lansdale spent the season with Walthamstow Wolves and once again was the leading rider for his team.[8]
Lansdale finally won silverware to reflect his performances, after returning to Plymouth and helping them win the National Trophy (tier 3).[9] He built up a reputation at Plymouth and became a solid fan's favourite, riding for them until the team pulled out of the league in 1954. He consequently joined Rayleigh Rockets and for the next four years rode for the club despite his advancing years.
He rode a few times for Poole Pirates during 1958 and 1959 before returning to Rayleigh in 1960.[6] He finished his career with Exeter Falcons from 1961 to 1963 and at the age of 49 topped the Exeter averages.[7]
Just before retiring, he also went into management and promoting, where he was especially connected to Wally Mawdsley and as a pair promoted at various clubs. His first major venture was with the team he was still riding for (Exeter) at the County Ground Stadium in 1960.[10] Lansdale and Mawdsley took over at Newport Wasps in 1969, following Mike Parker relinquishing his interest at the Welsh club.[11]
The pair introduced the Romford Bombers to British speedway in 1969.
References[edit]
- ^ "ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022" (PDF). British Speedway. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "History of Exeter Speedway Postwar Years". Exeter Speedway. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Potters speedway riders will have hard task". Staffordshire Sentinel. 14 July 1960. Retrieved 15 January 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "1947 season" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Plymouth Speed Star's request". Western Morning News. 31 January 1948. Retrieved 15 January 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ a b "Year by Year". Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ a b c "Rider averages 1929 to 2009" (PDF). Speedway Researcher. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Pete Lansdale has flying start". Daily Herald. 27 March 1951. Retrieved 15 January 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Oakes, Peter (1978). 1978 Speedway Yearbook. Studio Publications (Ipswich) Ltd. ISBN 978-0904584509.
- ^ "League Again at Exeter". Express and Echo. 10 August 1960. Retrieved 15 January 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Speedway Change". Western Daily Press. 31 December 1969. Retrieved 12 January 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.