Life on the Edge - Split Waterman
Split Waterman was one of the stars of Speedway’s boom period of the 1940s and early 1950s. His success on the track, film star good looks and charismatic personality made him a household name in the national press. Having watched Speedway before...
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Split Waterman was one of the stars of Speedway’s boom period of the 1940s and early 1950s. His success on the track, film star good looks and charismatic personality made him a household name in the national press.
Having watched Speedway before the Second World War, Squire Francis Waterman – soon to become known as ‘Split’ – was injured in action and posted to the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineering (REME) base at Pozzuoli near Naples. It was here that he began to develop his speedway talent.
After the War, many Armed Forces motorcyclists sought fame and fortune in Speedway. Split was one of the most successful. His 15 year racing career began with the famous Wembley Lions. After developing his skills in 1947, he was selected for England, beat many of the top stars including Vic Duggan and reached the British Riders Championship Final in 1948.
In 1950 he joined the Harringay Racers for a then record transfer fee. In the early 1950s he was twice runner-up in the World Championship, and ended Jack Parker’s domination of the Golden Helmet match race series. He also regularly represented England.
After Harringay closed in 1954, he rode for West Ham, then returned to Wembley. In 1957, he joined Wimbledon, then rode for Southampton, New Cross, Ipswich and Belle Vue before retiring in 1962.
This authorised biography offers an insight into the real Split Waterman, on-and-off the track. It includes contributions from other riders, speedway officials and supporters. It outlines the facts on his brushes with the law. When he died in October 2019, his passing was recognised with full page obituaries in The Times and the Daily Telegraph, newspapers which usually barely mention Speedway.
This well-illustrated book will be of interest to all speedway fans. The author, Trevor Davies, wrote a ground-breaking history of speedway in the Armed Forces during and after the Second World War and worked as a journalist for the Speedway Star.
Book is post free in the UK. Published in April 2021.
Having watched Speedway before the Second World War, Squire Francis Waterman – soon to become known as ‘Split’ – was injured in action and posted to the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineering (REME) base at Pozzuoli near Naples. It was here that he began to develop his speedway talent.
After the War, many Armed Forces motorcyclists sought fame and fortune in Speedway. Split was one of the most successful. His 15 year racing career began with the famous Wembley Lions. After developing his skills in 1947, he was selected for England, beat many of the top stars including Vic Duggan and reached the British Riders Championship Final in 1948.
In 1950 he joined the Harringay Racers for a then record transfer fee. In the early 1950s he was twice runner-up in the World Championship, and ended Jack Parker’s domination of the Golden Helmet match race series. He also regularly represented England.
After Harringay closed in 1954, he rode for West Ham, then returned to Wembley. In 1957, he joined Wimbledon, then rode for Southampton, New Cross, Ipswich and Belle Vue before retiring in 1962.
This authorised biography offers an insight into the real Split Waterman, on-and-off the track. It includes contributions from other riders, speedway officials and supporters. It outlines the facts on his brushes with the law. When he died in October 2019, his passing was recognised with full page obituaries in The Times and the Daily Telegraph, newspapers which usually barely mention Speedway.
This well-illustrated book will be of interest to all speedway fans. The author, Trevor Davies, wrote a ground-breaking history of speedway in the Armed Forces during and after the Second World War and worked as a journalist for the Speedway Star.
Book is post free in the UK. Published in April 2021.
