Fay Taylor – Queen of Speedway
Motorcycling has always attracted its share of individuals, people with strong personalities that thrive in an environment that allows such temperaments to do well. To a certain extent it is such people who then inspire others and attract them into the magical world of motorcycling where you can really shine on your own, or be part of a team if you so wish.
As the title suggests, Fay Taylour was the Queen of Speedway, both here and in Australia and New Zealand, at least until they banned women from the sport in 1930. But, before Speedway she was a highly proficient motorcyclist in several other disciplines, such as scrambles and grass track, not mention trials.
She was a Gold Medal winner in the ACU Six Days Trial as well as being a medal winner in events of note like the Colmore and Bemrose Trials. In short she was a highly competent all-round motorcyclist and was in fact a member of the official Rudge Trials team when she worked for the British manufacturer in the twenties.
But, it is her achievements in the sport of Speedway for which she is best known; although she later went onto compete as a midget car racer, endurance car racer and she also showed some form at legendary banked circuit at Brooklands on four wheels.
Well known Speedway historian and writer Brian Belton has, with the aid of her own collection of press cuttings and writing, along with general research come up with an excellent work about this pioneering female rider who was capable of beating men at their own game.
It is a fascinating read, with direct quotes from the press at the time backing up the general text. In some ways it is shame that it concentrates on the speedway years because you end up wanting to know everything about this enigmatic woman, but her life after Speedway is only just briefly mentioned.
She spent time in America and tried to get a film made about her life for instance, and there is a lot more. However, she died in England in 1983 at the age of 75 without anybody ever taking her up on her ideas. You can’t help thinking that somebody missed the chance of an Oscar given the contents of this book alone!
However, like all such books you learn about the whole sport and motorcycling in general, which increases your knowledge and helps you to understand all aspects of motorcycle history. A far better read than any current biography about a footballer with little to say about a mediocre life, or ability to inspire!
Another book from Panther Publishing (www.panthr-publishing.com) that is well worth adding to the library and well worth the £16.99 cover price. ISBN 09547912 4
Review by Ian Kerr