...anyone know where I/we can get a photo of that bike?? Steve
The following was in the Nottingham Evening Past one month ago. A good read..
Louis Lawson cheated death when he fractured his skull in a crash in 1953 and
survived a brain haemorrhage six years ago. At 87, he is not in the best of
health, but he can still tell a tale or two about life on the cinder track. A
genuinely funny man, Lawson combined speedway – often riding six times a week –
with his winter job. (He delivered coal to local power stations for a firm in
Burton for over 15 years, while riding for Belle Vue).
"I got paid £2 a start and £2 a point," recalled Lawson, who was recruited by
Belle Vue after impressing in grass-track racing. When I rode for England I got
£15 for three points and £10 a start. It wasn't a fortune, but it was enough to
make a living and helped buy my house in Gunthorpe.
"Speedway riders were stars in those days and the crowds were massive."
Lawson, with his flowing locks and unusual aggressive style was popular with the
crowds. "I used to blast out of the gate and fly into the first corner, keeping
the bike as low as I could. It's a wonder I never killed myself."
"But they were amazing days. It was such a big thrill riding in front of those
massive crowds and there was a fantastic spirit at Belle Vue. It is a shame that
so many tracks have closed now."
Although he scored only 12 points in his first 12 league meetings for Belle Vue,
the managing director, Miss Doris Hart, felt he showed a lot of promise. Lawson
made his Aces' debut in 1946 at home to New Cross. He only managed one point in
a poor team display.
But Miss Hart kept faith with the youngster and he helped the team to a 63-45
win over Wimbledon in the National Trophy Final. Lawson, who had now developed
his trademark crouched style, really broke through in the 1947 season, along
with Dent Oliver.
The main ambition for the club – which boasted experienced riders like Jack
Parker, Eric Langton, Wally Lloyd, Bill Pitcher and Wally Hull – had been to
challenge for the league championship again.Wembley thwarted that dream.
However, the National Trophy was retained, with Lawson scoring heavily in both
legs against Wembley.
At club level, only the old master, skipper Jack Parker, could better Lawson's
scoring power. The 300 league points gathered capped a fine season. Despite
another outstanding year in 1950, he surprisingly failed to make the big night
at Wembley due to a faulty magneto.
In 1951, Lawson's form dipped by almost two points per meeting. He did, however,
have another World Final and scored a creditable ten points, to finish sixth.
Lawson's last league match for Belle Vue was at Wimbledon on October 5. He
scored three points before a heavy fall ended his season prematurely. Lawson
almost lost his life in a bad crash in 1953, riding for the Aces against a Top
Stars team.
The accident happened going into the first bend when the inexperienced Gerald
Hussey hurtled into him. Lawson smashed into the fence and broke his skull. The
helmet split and the peak is thought to have inflicted most of the damage. I
can't remember much about it," admitted Lawson.
"The doctor at Manchester hospital said I wouldn't make it to the next day. But
I woke up four days later and asked for some breakfast."(Hussey died while
racing midget cars in Australia).
Lawson made a full recovery from his injuries and was back on the track in April
1954 for a challenge match with Bradford. But his confidence was shot.
"I thought I was all right," he said. "The tapes went up and I headed for the
first bend, but it didn't feel right. Basically, I was scared I suppose. My
nerve had gone." Lawson shut off, pulled onto the centre green and never rode
again.
"I did miss the crowds and the excitement at first but, with a wife and two
girls to look after, it was the right thing to do," he added. Lawson contented
himself with trips to the now derelict Long Eaton stadium – where he rode in
match races – and was shocked to see it fall into decay.
Lawson is also the proud owner of a piece of speedway history – a magnificent
black and chromium plated frame used by the legendary Arthur 'Bluey' Wilkinson,
who won the 1938 World Final at Wembley. Wilkinson left it in Sheffield when he
returned to Australia.
Lawson bought it for 30 shillings (£1.50) – although some reports of the day say
it was £30 – from Frank Varey in Sheffield.
"I was supposed to ride in Sheffield but my bike never arrived," said Lawson.
"So Frank Varey took me to see the track spare, which was left at the back of a
workshop. It had flat tyres and was in a right state. But the mechanics dusted
the cobwebs off, blew up the tyres and I went out and won my first race.
"I liked it so much – it was like sitting in an armchair – that I asked if I
could buy it. But when I went to collect it there was no engine in it. So I had
basically bought a frame, two wheels and a chain. I put a new engine in but set
it back as far as it would go to get more traction and it went like a bomb. It
was a real beauty." Lawson rode the bike until 1948 when shale tracks were
introduced and he switched to an Erskine frame.
"I sold my other bike to Belle Vue when I retired, but I would never sell this
one," said Lawson.