Tom Farndon: The Greatest Speedway Rider of Them All by Norman Jacobs & John Chaplin |
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 When this soft-back book arrived I was fascinated as I would like to think that a few years ago at least I was clued up on the world of Speedway, but I had not heard of Tom Farndon. I used to go to Speedway every other week and was actually brought up close to one of the best teams of the time. I have attended a few world finals, as well as reading quite few books on the subject, but this was name that had escaped me until now. Written by prolific Speedway authors and historians Norman Jacobs and John Chaplin it tells the story of Tom Farndon who managed to rise from obscurity in 1929 to superstar in just five years. He was then a national celebrity, with status matched only by todays highly paid sporting idols like Beckham et al. As you read through the 130 pages you get the picture that his skill, daring and remarkable ability saw him achieve fame and fortune unsurpassed on the speedway track at the time and it could be argued since. He had good looks backed up by charisma that brought him a huge following, particularly among young women. But, more importantly, it was his incredible talent for speedway racing brought him not only the admiration of his peers, but the solid achievement of winning every dirt-track championship there was to be won. Throughout it all he remained a nice guy, both in victory and it must be said, the rare times he was defeated! In 1935, just as he had reached the height of his fame, tragedy struck; he was killed in a track accident at the age of just twenty-four bringing to an early end what could have been the greatest records in the sport. However, there will be many who will argue against such a statement, but as I read through the well illustrated pages I certainly began to think the title is very accurate. I have to say as well this was book that I originally intended to flick through and read later, but ended up reading from cover to cover, gripped by the account of the life what surely was a role model for the ‘Boys Own’ comic of that era. I can also say that this is book that is well worth a read no matter what area of motorcycling you favour. It is without doubt well worth the £14.99 cover price and should be high on this years reading list and I am pleased to say, I now know who Tom Farndon was! ISBN 978 0 7524 5140 4 Available from all good bookshops or direct from the publishers the History Press 01235 465500 who publish a whole range of excellent Speedway titles. www.thehistorypress.co.uk Review by Ian Kerr
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