Harold Hastings (speedway rider)

Hastings, born in Ipswich, Queensland, was one of the many Australians that travelled over to the United Kingdom in the early 1930, as pioneers of speedway. He was recruited by Lea Bridge^[2] and his first season was racing in the 1930 Speedway Southern League.^[3] In April 1930, he represented Australia against England.^[4]

He returned for the Australian season and enhanced his reputation by winning the 1931, 2 lap Australian Solo Championship, at the Melbourne Motordrome^[5] before signing for a second season with Lea Bridge.^[6]

During the 1931 season he improved his official average by recording a 6.80, although his league average was slightly down to 6.20^[7] but continued to represent Australia in test matches and rode in the 1931 Star Riders' Championship.

The following season in 1932, he moved north to ride for the Belle Vue Aces,^[8] which happened to be his last season in Britain before returning to Australia. His season with the Manchester club had been affected by a broken ankle that he raced with, protecting it in a custom made steel shoe.^[9]