This story begins in 1926 when a group of enthusiasts led by F. E. Mockford and L. C. Smith approached the Crystal Palace trustees in the name of the London Motor Sports Ltd. to see if the grounds of the Palace could provide a venue for motor cycle racing in London. Their dream was realised and the first meeting was held on this day in 1927. A crowd of over 10,000 turned out in glorious weather to watch seven solo and three sidecar events over a one mile circuit.
The two main races were the Crystal Palace solo Grand Prix, won by L. Bellamy (344 Coventry Eagle) in 22 min. 8.0 secs., and the Crystal Palace sidecar Grand Prix, won by G. A. Norchi (344 Coventry Eagle) in 22 min. 12.4 secs., each over 10 laps. At the end of the day it turned out that the sidecar race record was 6.6 secs. faster than the solo record. F. E. Parnacott (348 AJS) put up the fastest lap of the day in 2 min. 7.4 secs. At a blistering speed of 28.2 mph.
Motor cycle sport in those days was obviously less hectic than today. The report of the meeting in ‘Motor Cycle’ relates '… P. R. Bradbrook (490 Coventry Eagle sidecar) realising that there was nobody to dispute second place with him and that he had no chance of winning unless Norchi blew up, lit a cigarette and took matters easy. Norchi did not blow up. Another report notes that Gus Kuhn’s cigarette blew out and that he did not bother to relight it until the end of the race.