Bruce Penhall

[TonyMac]

We're phoning Bruce Penhall tomorrow for his next Backtrack column.

 

So what would you like us to ask him?

 

Any specific questions you would like him to answer? Maybe something you've always wondered about but have never been able to ask?

 

Come on, this is YOUR chance to put 'Juicy Brucie' on the spot....

 

Oh, and please keep it clean and legal!

 

Cheers,

Tony Mac

[lucifer sam]

Tony, could you ask Bruce how Heat 19 of the 1982 Overseas Final was supposed to finish? In the Penhall book by Steve Johnson, it is revealed that the other three riders were supposed to finish in a different order. But in which order? Because I can't see an order which would have allowed all 4 Americans to qualify without the need of a run-off (which Shawn Moran lost).

 

All the best

Rob

[REBELS77]

Hi Tony

 

Could you please ask Bruce why in that Ht 19 at the 82 Overseas Final why didnt he just stall on the Start line or slide off on the first bend

did he honestly think that pulling wheeles at the back of the field would go down well with the british fans knowing that what he done cost british riders they place in the next round, Thanks

[DSC67]

Ask Bruce what he would do to improve the standard of young American riders and encourage more of them to come and race in the UK and Europe

[lucifer sam]

Hi Tony

 

Could you please ask Bruce why in that Ht 19 at the 82 Overseas Final why didnt he just stall on the Start line or slide off on the first bend

did he honestly think that pulling wheeles at the back of the field would go down well with the british fans knowing that what he done cost british riders they place in the next round, Thanks

 

Rebels77, as a young Bruce Penhall fan, I found the attitude of the British crowd at that meeting somewhat hypocritical, to say the least. I can't remember anyone kicking up a fuss when Dave Jessup and Larry Ross allowed Michael Lee & Ivan Mauger to beat them in their final heat in the 1981 Overseas Final, but Penhall does it a year later and suddenly there's a huge uproar. True, he shouldn't have done the wheelies, but otherwise Jessup & Ross did exactly the same.

 

All the best

Rob

Edited September 13, 2010 by lucifer sam

[fatface]

Which clubs tried to entice him into a comeback? When?

[martinmauger]

Bruce has aleready said that he reckons he could have given Egon Muller a hard time at Norden in 1983, but could have broken the 'Decade Of Danish Deadlock' that followed and taken on Erik Gundersen and Hans Nielsen? And could he have done it 'alone' as the Danish Duo had Ole Olsen & Ivan Mauger in their respective corners?...

[The White Knight]

You could ask BP whether he regrets his decision to walk away the way he did - and - due to his singular lack of success as an Actor why he did not return to Speedway.

 

Just asking the question - not to be contraversial but I really would like to know the answer.

[mervjankefanclub]

Does he think he would have been so driven and so successful in reaching his goals, if it hadnt have been for his tragic family circumstances.

 

......and can he recall his 1980 ILKOC visit to the less than sulubrious surroundings of the Blantyre Greyhound Stadium home of the Glasgow Tigers and super Steve Lawson showing him a clean pair of heels in the first heat

Edited September 15, 2010 by mervjankefanclub

[lucifer sam]

Which clubs tried to entice him into a comeback? When?

 

I'd be interested in the answer to that one. I assume Cradley spoke to Bruce a couple of times - although probably not around 1984, as Oxford were given the choice of any Cradley rider prior to the 1984 season, because Cradley had lost a lot of money the previous year due to having to pay out bumper points the previous season for the all-conquering 1983 team (Oxford plumped for Simon Wigg, after giving serious consideration to signing Gundersen, meaning that Nielsen & Gundersen were very nearly 1984 British League team-mates, which would have been interesting!!). But which other teams other than Cradley spoke to Bruce after his retirement? Can't recall seeing Bruce Penhall answer that question before.

 

All the best

Rob

[dirt]

I'd like to know how he thought his Book Penhall speedway world champion ended up?? I would really question him as to whether he thinks that book is worthy of evan hitting the printers let alone charging fans of the sport to read that garbage, and is he willing to accept it back if I post it back. I have a few more questions but knowing the type of character he is, He would just hang up the phone, rather than have the decency to answer some home truths!

[salty]

I'd like to know how he thought his Book Penhall speedway world champion ended up?? I would really question him as to whether he thinks that book is worthy of evan hitting the printers let alone charging fans of the sport to read that garbage, and is he willing to accept it back if I post it back. I have a few more questions but knowing the type of character he is, He would just hang up the phone, rather than have the decency to answer some home truths!

Think you'll find that Penhall didn't write that book. The clue is in the fact that it has the author's name (Steve Johnson) on the cover. You can ask Steve about the book yourself he posts on here quite regularly I think.

 

Would be interested to know what was so wrong with the book? Not enough mentions about Darcy Ward???????

[salty]

Tony, could you ask Bruce how Heat 19 of the 1982 Overseas Final was supposed to finish? In the Penhall book by Steve Johnson, it is revealed that the other three riders were supposed to finish in a different order. But in which order? Because I can't see an order which would have allowed all 4 Americans to qualify without the need of a run-off (which Shawn Moran lost).

 

All the best

Rob

Interesting point Rob. Going into their last races the Moran brothers were on 6 and Siggy was on 5, so there was always going to be one rider left vulnerable on 7 points.

[dirt]

Think you'll find that Penhall didn't write that book. The clue is in the fact that it has the author's name (Steve Johnson) on the cover. You can ask Steve about the book yourself he posts on here quite regularly I think.

 

Would be interested to know what was so wrong with the book? Not enough mentions about Darcy Ward???????

OHHHH REALLY!!!!! where did I state he wrote the thing? His book meaning it is about him. He must have endorsed it, or have an opinion on it. If I thought he wrote it, then I wouldnt need to know his thoughts as its his work and he must take respoinsibility.

 

Ive already given my review of the book in another thread and my comments were appreciated by the author - Steve. Although Its little consulation. You can buy it if you wish there are 2nde hand copies everywhere 4 sale, as no one wants to keep it. Painful to read TBH! It is like glorifying a conman.

Edited September 15, 2010 by dirt

[salty]

"I challenge anyone to find a worse book than Penhalls offering! What a pathetic disgraceful attempt at producing a readable book. I now have mixed feelings but certainly a lot of hate for the man who by writing a book should have been gaining admirers, not creating enemies. you have to laugh at how anyone could publish this thing. Anyone off the street could have written a better book on any subject. I dont know how he managed to do so poorly, on a subject that I love. This book should be called Mission Impossible. 0/10, the few pictures are even poor. and who the hell would want to read about his power boat racing and how he won a world championship at that. I couldnt care any less.

Thank god ive got some better offerings arriving soon to get this over rated gutless yank out of my system.

cheers."

 

A quick search finds this diatribe, which I would hesitate to call a review, that you posted last December. I'm sure the author was delighted to read such well written constructive criticism. You still didn't actually explain what you didn't enjoy about the book.

 

I've got the book by the way, no classic granted, but tells the Penhall story well enough. Also as a Biography I reckon it's important to talk about Penhall the person, not just what he achieved on the track.

[liverpool chad]

Tony, Having read Alan Wilkinsons book in which he states that he and Chris Pusey tried to get Jack Fernley to sign Bruce for Belle Vue. Could you ask him how he would of liked to ride in the same team has his friend Peter Collins.

 

PS A message for "dirt" overrated, gutless and conman, are not words that you would associate with Bruce Penhall! Hang your head in shame

[dirt]

Tony, Having read Alan Wilkinsons book in which he states that he and Chris Pusey tried to get Jack Fernley to sign Bruce for Belle Vue. Could you ask him how he would of liked to ride in the same team has his friend Peter Collins.

 

PS A message for "dirt" overrated, gutless and conman, are not words that you would associate with Bruce Penhall! Hang your head in shame

How else would you describe someone who quits when they are world champion, for wait for IT....to become an actor. No Bruce Willis either, a C grade low budget load of crap - which he apparently played the part of a cop. After this failed attempt at a job, no he doesn't make a comeback, preferring the safe option of running the family business - 'concrete blasting'. Then confirms he is a strange breed by taking up the biggest money wasting sport ever invented power boat 'racing'.

 

The sport of speedway meanwhile suffered massively during this period. Hard to imagine Roger Federer or Nadal winning a Slam or 2 and creating some great rivalry and competition,,,,then the one on the top suddenly turns his interest to acting or kite surfing, and never plays again. Never a decent explanation.

 

Now he is bound to have some followers and others who have questions or are intrigued to find out more bout him. That is why it was never a good idea to have a biography about him written by an adoring Cradley Heathens fan, who needed rope tied to his ankles, as he was so far up Penhalls ass, he didnt evan try to give a subjective view. Just tried to big everything about him up, and not write about anything at all interesting.

 

I cant help but feel he robbed the speedway world 'of that time' of some fascinating battles throughout the eighties, and depleted what was shaping as a golden period for speedway.

 

As for him saying he could have matched Muller in 83 or whatever he said I'm sure all the big guns would have thought the same, but at least some others had the courage to have a go.

 

edit: FWIW I couldnt agree less about 83. The two crowns penhall won were on very smooth speedway tracks , whereas 83 was tailored for longtrack specialist Muller, who was unstoppable! Penhall was dreaming of being able to match him. I doubt he would have scored many at all in 83. Still the question remains unanswered: If you are that arrogant or confident in your ability - why would a competitive sportsman hang up the boots for good??? when still a baby in the sport.

Until he can answer that question properly he will remain an enigma and not deserve one bit of admiration.

Edited September 16, 2010 by dirt

[dirt]

"I challenge anyone to find a worse book than Penhalls offering! What a pathetic disgraceful attempt at producing a readable book. I now have mixed feelings but certainly a lot of hate for the man who by writing a book should have been gaining admirers, not creating enemies. you have to laugh at how anyone could publish this thing. Anyone off the street could have written a better book on any subject. I dont know how he managed to do so poorly, on a subject that I love. This book should be called Mission Impossible. 0/10, the few pictures are even poor. and who the hell would want to read about his power boat racing and how he won a world championship at that. I couldnt care any less.

Thank god ive got some better offerings arriving soon to get this over rated gutless yank out of my system.

cheers."

 

A quick search finds this diatribe, which I would hesitate to call a review, that you posted last December. I'm sure the author was delighted to read such well written constructive criticism. You still didn't actually explain what you didn't enjoy about the book.

 

I've got the book by the way, no classic granted, but tells the Penhall story well enough. Also as a Biography I reckon it's important to talk about Penhall the person, not just what he achieved on the track.

The book was written by a smitten C.H. fan who just rambled about how great penhall was and said he was the best theres ever been and best there ever will be etc. Utter garbage. Many better since which has made the book seem like a glorified fairy tale. IMHO Penhall did more damage to the sport than good, and the only people who would disagree are Heathens fans who are so overwhelem that he turned around the fortunes of the club from crap to champs so they see him as a God figure.

 

Also it doesnt talk about penhall the person either. Just describes things hes done etc, theres no insight, no quotes from others to back up his 'story' just one fans inane ramblings about how great penhall is and lists everything hes accomplished and done.

 

The author of the book sent me a PM directly after my review and thanked me for an honest appraisal, which was invaluable feedback etc etc. When I seen it was written by a C.H. fan, It made some sort of sense. But surely Bruce Penhall should have ensured a decent sports writer did his biography not a smitten fan. Maybe he wanted it written like that, or maybe he didnt care as long as he got a cut of the proceeds.

 

Anyway notice how the sport in the USA went to rubbish after he quit the game. No new blood for many years and actually the country has never recovered. Yeah well done Bruce your a legend!

[The White Knight]

I have to say that Penhall was never the same to me after that 'Fixed Race' with the Americans.

 

Can't understand why BackTrack dropped Rod Haynes who's Articles were always a good read, for an American who deserted the Sport at the moment of triumph AND was known to have FIXED Races. That raises a bit of a morality problem for me.

 

Sorry Tony - but - that's how I feel.

 

I still love the Magazine though - apart from the ramblings of the infamous Penhall.

[lucifer sam]

The book was written by a smitten C.H. fan who just rambled about how great penhall was and said he was the best theres ever been and best there ever will be etc. Utter garbage. Many better since which has made the book seem like a glorified fairy tale. IMHO Penhall did more damage to the sport than good, and the only people who would disagree are Heathens fans who are so overwhelem that he turned around the fortunes of the club from crap to champs so they see him as a God figure.

 

Also it doesnt talk about penhall the person either. Just describes things hes done etc, theres no insight, no quotes from others to back up his 'story' just one fans inane ramblings about how great penhall is and lists everything hes accomplished and done.

 

The author of the book sent me a PM directly after my review and thanked me for an honest appraisal, which was invaluable feedback etc etc. When I seen it was written by a C.H. fan, It made some sort of sense. But surely Bruce Penhall should have ensured a decent sports writer did his biography not a smitten fan. Maybe he wanted it written like that, or maybe he didnt care as long as he got a cut of the proceeds.

 

Dirt, you can't stop someone writing a biography about you. And there's no reason why there has to be just one biography either.

 

Maybe one day Bruce Penhall will write his own autobiography, as Briggo and Ivan Mauger amongst others have done recently.

 

In the meantime, you are entitled to your opinion on Penhall, although I think some of your views on Penhall place you very much in the minority. As for the 1983 World Final, I think Bruce would have won it. A big fast track such as Norden would have suited him well.

 

And I enjoyed the Steve Johnson book - I read it when in Italy for the GP around five years ago. No, it doesn't provide any hard-hitting revelations (in fact, Bruce is much more hard-hitting in the Kenny Carter book "Tragedy"), but it was a pleasant-enough read.

 

All the best

Rob