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]

Harry Shepherd
Born(1903-05-05)5 May 1903
London, England
Died17 May 1988(1988-05-17) (aged 85)
Nationality England
Current club information
Career statusRetired
Career history
1930–1933Crystal Palace Glaziers
1934–1936New Cross Lambs/Tamers
1936–1939Bristol Bulldogs
1937Wimbledon Dons
Team honours
1937Provincial League
1931, 1934London 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.

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References
  1. Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2003) Bristol Bulldogs: 50 Greats, Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2865-9
  2. Bamford, R. & Stallworthy, D. (2003) Speedway – The Pre War Years, Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2749-0
  3. Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5


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