Norman Clay Explained

Norman Clay
Nationality:Australian
Birth Date:27 May 1922
Birth Place:Sydney, Australia
Death Place:Sydney, Australia
Career1:Exeter Falcons
Years1:1948–1949
Teamyear1:1948
Teamhonour1:League champion (tier 3)

Norman Bernard Clay (27 May 1922 – 21 January 1950) was an Australian motorcycle speedway rider. He earned two international caps for the Australia national speedway team.[1] Clay was killed in arguably speedway's worst crash on 20 January 1950, which also saw fellow Australian Ray Duggan lose his life.[2]

Biography

Clay, born in Sydney, Australia, raced in Australia during World War II in the Inter-District League Premiership, riding for Eastern Suburbs[3] and after the war signed to ride for influential promoter Johnnie Hoskins.[4] However, it was not until 1948 that he was one of three Australian riders brought over to race in British speedway by the Exeter Falcons manager Frank Buckland for the 1948 season, the others being Hugh Geddes and Keith Gurtner.[5]

Clay had gained a significant reputation in Australia and he began his British leagues career riding for Exeter during the 1948 Speedway National League Division Three season.[6] He was an instant hit, recording a 8.73 average from 51 matches[7] and this helped Exeter win the 1948 Speedway National League Division Three.[8]

The following season he remained with Exeter for the 1949 Speedway National League Division Three campaign[9] and set an impressive 9.77 average from 42 matches,[7] the fourth highest in the entire division. He also became the club captain and equalled the track record of 76 seconds at the County Ground Stadium.[10]

Family and death

On 20 January 1950, Clay and fellow Australian Ray Duggan were both killed at the Sydney Sports Ground after a crash in heat 8.[2] Clay was leading the race but caught a deep grove throwing him off the bike, which started a chain reaction. Duggan ran into him and fell on his head before a third rider Donald Lawson hit Duggan's bike. All three were take to St. Vincent Hospital in Sydney but Duggan was pronounced dead on arrival and Clay died the following morning. Lawson suffered serious facial injuries.[11] [12]

His older brother Sidney Clay was a speedway rider and mechanic and drowned in 1939 after being swept out to sea while fishing.[13]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ultimate Rider Index, 1929-2022 . British Speedway . 30 October 2024 .
  2. Web site: Famed Speedway Rider Killed in Crash . Trove . 31 October 2024 .
  3. Web site: Brothers on back mark . Trove . 31 October 2024 .
  4. Web site: Van Praag signed for West Ham . Trove . 31 October 2024 .
  5. News: Exeter Signings . Western Morning News . 26 January 1948 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription . 31 October 2024 .
  6. Web site: 1948 season . Speedway Researcher . 30 October 2024 .
  7. Web site: Rider averages 1929 to 2009 . Speedway Researcher . 31 October 2024 .
  8. Web site: Speedway Teams UK 1946-1951 . Cyber Motorcycle . 31 October 2024 .
  9. News: Exeter Falcons . Western Times . 28 January 1949 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription . 31 October 2024 .
  10. News: Exeter lacked teamwork . Western Morning News . 11 October 1949 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription . 31 October 2024 .
  11. Norm Clay . Motorsport Memorial . 31 October 2024 .
  12. News: Second victim of Speedway Crash . Peterborough Evening Telegraph . 21 January 1950 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription . 31 October 2024 .
  13. Web site: Swept out to sea . Trove . 31 October 2024 .

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