Wilbur Lamoreaux[1] (born 26 February 1907 in Roseville, Illinois, USA - died 11 May 1963) was a former interntional motorcycle speedway rider who qualified for three Speedway World Championship finals and never finished lower than fifth place.[2]
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Early life
At an early age his family moved to Pasadena, California. Lamoreaux became a motorcycle enthusiast and he finally convinced his mother to allow him to buy an Indian Scout in 1923, when he was only 16 years old. He became a motorcycle messenger for Western Union. Whilst working at Western Union that he met fellow Pasadenans, brothers Jack and Cordy Milne.[1]
Career
Nicknamed 'Lammy', he rode for the Wimbledon Dons from the early thirties until the outbreak of World War II. After the war, he was persuaded by Sir Arthur Elvin not to retire and rode for them Wembley Lions in 1948. In 1949 he spent a season with the Birmingham Brummies[2], and also qualified for the Speedway World Championship, ten years after his last appearance and forty two years of age, was the oldest competitor. He finished in fifth place, although an engine failure cost his his third rostrum finish in three finals.
World Final appearances
- 1937 -
GBR Wembley - 2nd - 25pts - 1938 - GBR Wembley - 3rd - 20pts
- 1949 - GBR Wembley - 5th - 10pts[3]
References
- ^ a b "Wilbur Lamoreaux". The AMA's Hall of Fame Museum. http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/hofbiopage.asp?id=210. Retrieved on 2008-09-30.
- ^ a b Buck, B (2007) Brummies Legends, Pendragon Books. ISBN 0-9541671-2-0
- ^ Bamford, R. & Shailes, G. (2002). A History of the World Speedway Championship. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-2402-5
External links
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