TEAM MANAGER 

Neil Joseph Street - b. 15 January 1931

Australia have more than just a Team Manager in Melbourne born Neil Street. He is 'Father Confessor' to the riders in his charge, a mechanical maestro, an excellent man on track preparation and a man with a wealth of Speedway knowledge which he is only too pleased to pass on.

Neil is, of course, a former rider who, in his long and distinguished career Captained his National Team and gave excellent service as a rider, not only to his native land, but in the U.K. as well, riding for Exeter, Swindon, Exeter again and Newport.

It was as a scrambles rider that Neil first began a career on two wheels and he came to this country in 1952 where he was signed by Exeter. There was to be no instant success for the young Neil Street, but he was a very determined young man and spent the winter practising and practising again and his hard work paid off in 1953 with a big improvement in his track performances. He continued to make this progress until the end of the 1955 season when Exeter closed down.

In 1957 the persuasive tongue of Swindon promoter Bert Hearse brought Neil back to ride again in the U.K. He was the final piece of the jigsaw which saw the Swindon team win the National League that year. He was to stay for seven seasons during which time he was one of the most consistent riders ever to don the red and white of the Robins and the colours of Australia.

Neil returned home to Australia at the end of 1963, but in 1966 he was invited back to his old stomping ground Exeter, who were now back in business. Like many of the old Provincial League sides they were now members of the new and exciting British League, formed in 1965. He stayed at Exeter until 1970, then returned in 1972 to join the Newport side.

It was during his time at Newport that Neil Street played a major part in changing the face of Speedway for ever.

It happened in 1974/5 and it was his training as a skilled engineer that was to be so important. Neil had always built his own frames and tuned his engines and it was at Brisbane that he and an engineering friend met to discuss the design and building of a four valve speedway engine. At the end of 1974 and early 1975 they worked hard and soon the engine was off the drawing board and into manufacture. Neil will say with due modesty that the engine was built in just four weeks!

Phil Crump, the son-in-law of Neil used the engine in the Australian Championships at Sydney and straight away, with the increased horsepower, took nearly 3 seconds off the track record held by Jim Airey. This was a truly remarkable feat considering that the engine was virtually straight out of the workshop and into action in a top class Speedway meeting.

In addition to Managing the Aussie Team, Neil has been busy over the years as Team Manager at Weymouth, Poole, Swindon and Newport, passing on his vast knowledge of the sport to literally dozens of riders. Phil Crump, and Jason Crump, his grandson, have both been able to supplement their natural ability with sound advice from Neil. Uniquely all three generations rode at the Swindon club one time or another.

Australia will lack nothing from the point of view of gaining sound advice during the Test Matches. Win, lose or draw, one thing is certain, namely that a fine team spirit will prevail within the camp. Neil will get on with the Team Managing job in his usual quiet manner - no dramatics, no waving of arms or jumping up and down when he's in charge. The job just gets done and points of view are made firmly when Neil is in charge.

The fortunes of the boys from 'Down Under' couldn't be in better hands.

Glynn Shailes

Created by Vic Leverton

Last Revised: June 27, 1998 08:47:12

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