Harry Shepherd
George "Harry" Shepherd (5 May 1903 – 17 May 1988)[1] was an international speedway rider who has been credited with the invention of the starting gate still used in speedway today.[2]
| Born | 5 May 1903 London, England |
|---|---|
| Died | 17 May 1988 (aged 85) |
| Nationality |  England |
| Current club information | |
| Career status | Retired |
| Career history | |
| 1930–1933 | Crystal Palace Glaziers |
| 1934–1936 | New Cross Lambs/Tamers |
| 1936–1939 | Bristol Bulldogs |
| 1937 | Wimbledon Dons |
| Team honours | |
| 1937 | Provincial League |
| 1931, 1934 | London Cup |
Brief career summary
Born in London, England, Shepherd appeared in the finals of the 1931 Star Riders' Championship, the forerunner to the Speedway World Championship.[3] His final season, 1939, saw Shepherd make his international debut for England.
In 1933 Shepherd, along with New Cross promoter Fred Mockford invented the starting gate which is still in use today, by stretching a set of tapes across the track which were then released by a hand-operated electric mechanism, similar to those used in horse racing. This starting procedure allowed for much fairer starts.[2]
Shepherd died in May 1988 at North Shore, Auckland, New Zealand. His final resting place is Leamington Cemetery in Cambridge, New Zealand. The ashes of Harry and his wife Anne are in the headstone of the grave of their daughter-in-law Joy Shepherd.
References
- Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2003) Bristol Bulldogs: 50 Greats, Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2865-9
- Bamford, R. & Stallworthy, D. (2003) Speedway – The Pre War Years, Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2749-0
- Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5