About Harry Shepherd
Lived 1903 – 1988 (aged 85). Harry Shepherd was a motorcycle racer.
George Harold Shepherd (5 May 1903 – 17 May 1988) was an international speedway rider who has been credited with the invention of the starting gate still used in speedway today.
Career Born in London, England, Shepherd appeared in the finals of the 1931 Star Riders' Championship, the forerunner to the Speedway World Championship.
Shepherd started his British league career with Crystal Palace Glaziers, where he spent four seasons from 1930 to 1933.
In 1933 Shepherd, along with New Cross promoter Fred Mockford invented the starting gate which is still in use today, by stretching a set of tapes across the track which were then released by a hand-operated electric mechanism, similar to those used in horse racing. This starting procedure allowed for much fairer starts.
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Important facts
People in Harry Shepherd's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Harry Shepherd?
British speedway rider (1903–1988)
When was Harry Shepherd born?
Harry Shepherd was born on 5 May 1903 in London.
When did Harry Shepherd die?
Harry Shepherd died on 17 May 1988.
What was Harry Shepherd's occupation?
Harry Shepherd was a motorcycle racer.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Harry Shepherd. https://biography.guide/harry-shepherd-motorcycle-racer/
MLA: "Harry Shepherd." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/harry-shepherd-motorcycle-racer/.
Chicago: "Harry Shepherd." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/harry-shepherd-motorcycle-racer/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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