BOBBATH Posted January 28, 2009 Report Share Posted January 28, 2009 Anyone remember Peter? When did he pass away?? I recall him as one of the original Newport Wasps in 1964 and one of the three heat leaders along with Alby Golden and Dick Bradley. A piece of trivia-I think Peter was the first person to defeat Charlie Monk in the 1965 World Championships. Charlie was undefeated leading up to the British Final at West Ham-amazingly Peter beat him and won the heat in which they met. Sadly, that was the only 3 pts. Pete scored all night, Charlie was also defeated by others in later rides in that meeting and never did make the World Final. Anyone attend that meeting??-it had been rained off at the first attempt a week earlier and then the riders threatened to strike before the start of the re-run.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedyguy Posted January 28, 2009 Report Share Posted January 28, 2009 (edited) I first me Peter in the late 1950s when he came in from Australia with Charlie Wallis. Then he had a two passports - a Dutch one in the name of Piet Van Den Berg and an Australian one as Peter Vandenberg. There was a bid to exclude him from British racing because of complications in those days in regard to European riders. But wiser counsels prevailed and he was accepted as being a naturalised Australian citizen by the ACU and Speedway Control Board. Peter and Charlie both became junior riders at Southampton. Edited January 29, 2009 by speedyguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFatDave Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 The Flying (Aussie) Dutchman!! Vic White would know for sure. Good Ol' photo of him here in the OZ team at Monmore, courtesy of The John Chaplin Collection Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wessex Wanderer Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 Anyone remember Peter? When did he pass away?? I recall him as one of the original Newport Wasps in 1964 and one of the three heat leaders along with Alby Golden and Dick Bradley. A piece of trivia-I think Peter was the first person to defeat Charlie Monk in the 1965 World Championships. Charlie was undefeated leading up to the British Final at West Ham-amazingly Peter beat him and won the heat in which they met. Sadly, that was the only 3 pts. Pete scored all night, Charlie was also defeated by others in later rides in that meeting and never did make the World Final. Anyone attend that meeting??-it had been rained off at the first attempt a week earlier and then the riders threatened to strike before the start of the re-run.. I went to the first one Bob. All the way up from Weymouth for a rain off! Arranged my annual leave specially around the meeting as the highlight of a "Speedway week". We only got two weeks leave then so I was well "$(^%! off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted January 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 Hi Wessex Wanderer-I was at the first one also-hitch-hiked up from Cardiff without a ticket-when it was rained off I bummed a ride on a Newport supporters coach back home -very nice of them. I planned to go back the following week and Ian Terrar(later briefly rode at Newport) who was on the coach gave me his ticket for the re-run as he couldn't get time off work.So I went up the next week to W.H. again and this time saw the meeting!!I still think Charlie Monk was robbed!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Miller Posted February 7, 2009 Report Share Posted February 7, 2009 As an old Saints fan, I remember Peter very well. He was a very good rider although he generally played 2nd (or 3rd!) fiddle to Barry Briggs and Bjorn Knutsson in the Saints team. Alby Golden and Dick Bradley were part of the same Saints team. On the subject of Charlie Monk, when I left school I worked for a time in Bert Crouchers garage (Park Motors) at Bitterne Park in Southampton. One day I walked in and found Charlie working there (must have been off season as he was riding for Long Eaton in the Provincial League at the time) and I always remember that he made a set of speedway handlebars in the workshop and he sent me down to the local Post Office with them to post them to Australia! Great Days! My other speedway "Claim to Fame" is that two of my closest friends are Charley Mays daughter Lindy and her Husband Jim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted February 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 I always recall Peter having a punch up with Bill Andrew of Poole at Somerton Park in 1965-I think Pete won on points!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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