Lamont collection
Gets a good home
Last October, an extensive collection of trophies and memorabilia from the late pioneer speedway star Wilfred “Billy” Lamont, was auctioned by Mossgreen in Armadale, Victoria. One of the enthusiastic bidders attending that auction was passionate speedway memorabilia collector, historian and museum advocate Ash Suttor. Ash and his wife Margaret operate the popular Ash’s Speedway Museum in Bathurst, NSW, and were successful in securing several of the main items at the Lamont auction. These include a silver trophy from Davies Park Speedway (Brisbane), a Brass winged red helmet trophy awarded in 1931, a magnificent Silver helmet trophy from the same year, a Sterling silver ashtray from the final test match England versus Australia, Wembley, 1930, a plaque to commemorate England versus Australia test matches 1932, a decorative winged sculpture which he won in Buenos Aires in 1930, a medallion awarded by the Hunter Region Sporting Hall of Fame, and seven photo albums. Lamont began racing at West Maitland in his native Newcastle in 1924 at just 16 years of age was one of the original troupe of riders to go to England where he went on to captain the Australian side in Test matches. He also won the unofficial World Title in Paris in 1931 and raced extensively in South America. Ash’s Speedway Museum houses the largest collection of speedway memorabilia in the southern hemisphere and is open on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm.