Ross Gilbertson
{{Short description|British speedway rider}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox Speedway rider
| name = Ross Gilbertson
| image =
| nationality = British (Scottish)
| birth_date = {{birth-date|2 February 1931}}
| birth_place = Ayton, Scottish Borders, Scotland
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2009|2|8|1931|2|2|df=y}}
| death_place = Wareham, Dorset, England
| years1 = 1954–1956
| career1 = California Poppies
| years2 = 1957
| career2 = Aldershot Shots
| years3 = 1958, 1960–1961
| career3 = Southampton Saints
| years4 = 1959–1961, 1973
| career4 = Eastbourne Eagles
| years5 = 1960–1965, 1969
| career5 = Poole Pirates
| years6 = 1969, 1970
| career6 = Rochester/Romford Bombers
| years7 = 1969, 1971
| career7 = Exeter Falcons
| years8 = 1970
| career8 = Newport Wasps
| years9 = 1971–1972
| career9 = Canterbury Crusaders
| indivyear1 = 1960
| indivhonour1 = Southern Area League Riders' Champion
| teamyear1 = 1954, 1959
| teamhonour1 = Southern Area League
| teamhonour2 = Provincial League
| teamyear2 = 1961, 1962
| teamhonour3 = Provincial Southern League
| teamyear3 = 1962, 1963, 1964
}}
Vernon Walter Ross Gilbertson (2 February 1931 – 8 February 2009) was a motorcycle speedway rider from Scotland.{{cite web |url=https://britishspeedway.co.uk/docs/Ultimate_Index_1929-2022.pdf |title=ULTIMATE RIDER INDEX, 1929-2022, Ross Gilbertson |website=British Speedway |access-date=13 June 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/4113279.one-of-pooles-greatest/ |title='One of Poole's greatest' |website=Dorset Echo |date=10 February 2009 |access-date=13 June 2023}}
Career
Gilbertson started racing in the British leagues during the 1954 Southern Area League, when riding for the California Poppies and helped them win the league title.{{cite web |url=https://wwosbackup.proboards.com/thread/1112/ross-gilbertson |title=Ross Gilbertson |website=WWOS Backup |access-date=13 June 2023}} He rode for California during both the 1955 and 1956 seasons, improving his average significantly to 9.00 in 1956.{{cite web |url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/1954slaverages.pdf |title=1954 averages |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=13 June 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.speedwayresearcher.org.uk/1954slaverages.pdf |title=1956 averages |website=Speedway Researcher |access-date=13 June 2023}}
In 1957, California switched its promotion to Aldershot Shots and Gilbertson recorded an even better average of 9.30. This led to him being signed by Southampton Saints in the top league for the 1958 Speedway National League. He also doubled up for Eastbourne Eagles in the Southern Area League, where he helped the south coast club win the league title in 1959. In 1960, he rode for Southampton in the National League, Poole Pirates in the Provincial League and won the Southern Area League Riders' Championship representing Eastbourne.{{cite news |title=Gilbertson wins Southern Area speedway crown |work=Sussex Agricultural Express |date=30 September 1960 |access-date=13 June 2023 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000656/19600930/388/0014 | via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}
Gilbertson proved to be a leading rider, particularly in the Provincial League and added two more league titles in 1961 and 1962, helping Poole to succeed and gain the nickname 'The Flying Scotsman'. He recorded 1,707 points in 196 matches for Poole and also won the Championship of Sussex in 1961.{{cite news |title=Gilbertson adds another trophy to his collection |work=Sussex Agricultural Express |date=19 May 1961 |access-date=13 June 2023 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000656/19610519/381/0013 | via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }}
Gilbertson continued to ride for Poole until the end of the 1965 British League season but then retired.{{cite news |title=Boocock doubt against Poole |work=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=11 May 1966 |access-date=13 June 2023 |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000769/19660511/159/0018 | via = British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription }} However, he then returned four years in 1969, riding for Rochester/Romford Bombers in division 2 and produced a remarkable 10.10 average during his return season, while also doubling up with Exeter Falcons in division 1. He also set a track record at the Seedhill Stadium.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001805/19690801/410/0025 |title=Local lads in top form |website=Nelson Leader |date=1 August 1969 |via=British Newspaper Archive|url-access=subscription |access-date=27 August 2024}}
After the 1970 season with Romford he joined Canterbury Crusaders and topped the team averages during both the 1971 and 1972 seasons.
References
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Category:British speedway riders
Category:Scottish speedway riders
Category:Aldershot Shots riders
Category:California Poppies riders
Category:Canterbury Crusaders riders
Category:Eastbourne Eagles riders
Category:Exeter Falcons riders