Mike Erskine

Erskine, born in Westbury, Wiltshire, first rode for the Coventry junior team in 1933 and was involved in a crash that saw him hit the safety fence so hard that it pulled a supporting post out of the ground. It was reported that he was leading the race by a distance, indicating that his riding style was one of full commitment.^[2] The following season in 1934, he signed for New Cross Rangers but continued to ride for Coventry on loan.^[3]

He made British leagues debut riding for New Cross during the 1935 Speedway National League season^[4] and was loaned out to Bristol Bulldogs in the Provincial League for the 1936 season.

In 1937, he concentrated on grasstrack racing and even designed a course at Farleigh Hungerford,^[5] before returning to conventional speedway in 1938 after signing for Southampton Saints.^[6]

After World War II, Erskine blossomed as a rider and spent six years with Wimbledon Dons in the top division from 1946 to 1951,^[7] winning the 1950 and 1951 National Trophy.^[8] However, the highlight of his career was reaching the Championship round of the 1950 Individual Speedway World Championship and standing as a reserve for the World final at Wembley Stadium, where he participated in a heat.^[9]