stratton

No,not really everybody going back until the the late 60s nearly all entered the WC rounds the real underdog had a squeak now they don't.

Tai when he was 500/1 was VERY Lucky he WAS lucky to be in it we all know he had ability but people moaned about Harris getting chances Tai at that time got his break.When his dad died he changed,he regrouped got fit and now he has everything great rider good with young people( they identify with it ) great with the public he deserves everything he has got.

The closed shop syndrome has always been there since the 90s,Myself WK and Parsloes all have said that the GP series was unfair but the chance of the Outsider winning has gone for me.Ok Tai people will knock me for it he was a 500/1 outsider he at that time was very lucky to be given that chance no different to Harris. I admire what he has done a GREAT Champion Tai and he will win other titles but as a 500/1 shot he was lucky to get his chance.

What do you think?

Dont disagree at all Norbold, Ricko won six titles for me PERSONALLY he is not in my top five not bias but when you look at yesteryear god it was tough.Olsen Briggs were the two who should of won more titles also Mirac as well but looking back i was never a fan but he converted me Nielsen could of won eight titles certainly if it was a GP scenario what do you think "Norbold",?

I actually do feel that is one line of thought that i could actually put Barry in front of Ove there are not that many "Norbold,also was he a more entertaining rider than Ove.? You would have to say "Norbold whatever our thoughts,it would have to be pretty close between them i have never really met anyone like you that was a staunch Ove fan i admire that and your theory could well be correct.

Not at Hyde Rd though Norbold? my uncle (who was mega bias) said Ove was a real tough white liner Craven beat him there i am sure Barry could of picked him off there.?

Decent rider improved greatly at Leicester i remember Rolf beating Mauger at the Abbey when Hull visited.

Sam it is funny really because as you know i am very bias when Briggo is concerned.With speaking to people over the years i recon it was nearly split in opinion on who was the better rider Fundin i only see ride twice but he was a legend.I have a farewell meeting for Briggo signed by Ove in 76 at Hull also a picture when riding for Norwich signed a prized asset for me. Was Fundin finished by about 69 ? being generous that is why Briggo beat him for Longevity Barry SHOULD of won it in 72.?IN 68 PC would of only been aged 34/35 so who knows.

Sorry Bobbath going a bit senile in me old age, bloody hell it was 63 Peter was only 29 so do you recon he had at least five more years at the top level "Bobbath"?? i think he did another subject but his early rides at Liverpool did no suggest he would be a great.! what do you think.

I believe he was the better rider " Norbold" but that is only my opinion and my uncle who clouded my judgement!!! and your opinion well i respect that bigtime up there with the best of um no doubt about that.Craven died in 62 and i am sure if he had lived beyond his 29 years he had Ove's measure Briggo with his four titles six British Titles and six BLRC titles (on the bounce) he did ok for me anyway.

Very close Custom i recon down to your overall inner feeling, both GREAT riders that is a certainty.!!

Hand on my heart Custom i still believe Briggo was a better rider he reached more world finals than Ove.Also someone posted the other day if Bengt Jansson had of Won the better gate Ove would not of won five titles.Ove was a great rider but Craven beat him regular and you would have to say Briggo outlasted Ove for longevity.

"Macca i can always remember when Bill got on the mike and ripped into the Aussie fans i think that incident really hurt him.Remember also when Crumpy was eliminated on 12 points from the WC ( Billy and Glyn Taylor qualified ) after Bill/Phil clashed in a racing incident.I don't know if they ever patched thing's up properly but i know that they got on well most of the time.Both great riders and both very hard men and riders,it was a pleasure to see both of them ride.I can remember Bill walking out at Swindon for King's Lynn in terrible conditions,i can remember Heat 1 in that meeting Holloway gated and won it and Mike Lee got Crumpy on the last bend for second place.

A classy rider i was a massive Phil Crump fan but i admired Billy so much a fantastic rider and i still regularly watch the Pairs meeting where he was asesome for Australia at Gothenburg could he of been a WC he had every chance.

Did Ivan or Scott break Bob's record? or maybe Leigh Adams? Kilb was brilliant around Exeter for a couple of years he could beat anyone what a GATER a lovely man to.

Tell WItcher Dave, he thinks all yesteryear riders were overated stupid averages inflated averages the one thing he FORGOT teams then alot of them had three good heat leaders.Minimum most teams at home had at least three half decent heat leaders who often had a massive home advantage.

I went that day still have his autograph, i got that in a test match New Zealand v Sweden a prized possession of mine.He had everything a brilliant riding style and how history could of been so different he would only have been 27 in the year 1980 and he would of been at his peak we were all robbed.No doubt in my mind he would of been world champ,and he would of been around for along time proffessional dedicated and i can always remember his black leathers with the Gold stars down the side a real class act.

Doyle,Sedgeman,Morris,Grajczonek,Nielsen,Wright( an another?) what are people's thoughts happy.?

Batchelor on that average is a steal he has class but he had to go, some of the thing's he said at the end of the season were poor he will be ok though i have nothing against him.

Where is yours up your a..!! You mock me great English mate are just go to the last match at the Abbey!!

I always thought ER you were a Troy fan!!

Really if that is so it does not make you much of a supporter then does it what did you do watch Eastenders instead.?

I would prefer Michelsen to be honest see how we go if there needs to be a change early there would be scope to do so.Jensen has never showed real commitment to the Uk before at his best he is a talent but i can't see Swindon getting him.

Two moments that day that stick in my mind was Lee looking for Carter in there race( he did the same in the 83 BLRC as well that year) that cost him dearly certainly at Hyde Rd.And Sanders gating Muller but was not ruthless anough he could of forced him wide but was to fair.I have always believed Sanders if he had not of died could of won a title, for his last couple of years he had been superb god bless him.