Reviresco

Typical Mr G. 2 x ducks followed by 2 x wins, including one over Emil. Is mercurial the right word - or just frustrating.....

Thanks Sidney and totally agreed. As you say, Bill was a-l-m-o-s-t top of the tree world class. Multi National Champion, 2 x League & Cup double winner with the Witches plus anothe League and Cup win, 1976 World Team Champion, 1980 3rd in the World Individual Final, 1983 2nd in the World individually and as a Pair - a meeting Australia should really have won as Carter & Collins should have been excluded in one heat. Great team rider. Looked after team mates bikes for free. Cared about and loved the sport. Pugnacious and annoying at times, but a great bloke taken from us too early. It was a real shame that Billy and Phil fell out. They could and should have won the World Pairs title between them. Guess it was down to a number of racing incidents in Australia which then got carried over to the UK. Remember once when Phil was riding at Foxhall that he beat Billy during the meeting and threw a 'V' sign at him. Those were the days of 2nd halves and they both qualified for the final. Phil decided that discretion was better than valour and trundled round at the back and then rode is bike straight into the car park, onto the Citroen Safari and head down the A12. I passed him somewhere near Chelmsford, looked over and there he was driving the car still dressed in his leathers. I gave him a wave and a smile as I drove past him. Also remember Billy going into the bar after a meeting at Blunsdon, it might well have been Bill's last ever meeting, and tried to quiten down the rowdy Robins fans by saying, hey, we all love speedway, let's forget our rivalries. Michael of course was one of the few riders to win the World speedway and long track crowns and was virtually unbeatable at times in British speedway. With Regards.

I got to know Michael quite well in 1982 when Billy Sanders rode for Kings Lynn. Mike was a lovely "boy", was he just 22 at the time? A genius on a bike and with fast bikes too. Great times in the bar, or in Michael's van after meetings at Saddlebow Row, with the two of them chatting about speedway, a sport they both cared about and loved. As with so many top class people in and out of sport, he needed a 'crutch' and unfortunately his chosen crutch was illegal drugs which, without a doubt, stopped Michael achieving all that he should have done as a speedway / long track rider. At age 18, he had the highest average in the British League. Demons in his head that cost him a career, relationships, money and his freedom. There are incidents I know of which are best kept quiet, but led to the end of his long standing relationship with Janet, who had been such a support to him. And of course in 1984 was the 5yr ban by the SCB when riding for Poole at Kings Lynn, despite the three other riders and the KL promoter, giving evidence that his actions had caused no danger. Billy and Michael were great friends, Billy was 3yrs older than Mike, and great rivals, and it was good seeing them ride together in '82. A lot of Kings Lynn fans would've thought that they were enemies, but how far from the truth was that. In the same way, Billy was great friends with Dennis Sigalos who, effectively, took Billy's place at Ipswich in 1981. Billy, waiting for Michael to pass him on turn 2 of Heat 20 in the '83 Individual World Final to enable Michael to finish on 11pts and 3rd on the rostrum, 1pt ahead of Gundersen, Carter & Olsen, showed how strong their friendship was. The same as the way Siggy was seen urging Billy on when Siggy's own chances of winning the '83 Title had gone. I just think its very sad, Michael Lee's story. Whether he'll ever be able to live without his 'crutch' and be happy, I don't know. The 'boy' has done and paid for the crime. Good Luck Michael.

Agreed Ailurus Fulgens My money, if I had any, would be on Iversen and Zagar to be in top 3 and qualify automatically too, but we'll see. Should be a fascinating meeting the Challenge. Best Regards. Edited to add: Typical Mr G in the European Championship tonight. 2 x ducks then 2 x wins including one over Emil. On the evidence of his 3rd & 4th heats, Tomasz is well worth his place in the SGP this and next season. On the evidence of his first two rides he's not. Mercurial or just frustrating? Edited to change 2 x wins to 3 x wins and on the evidence of his 3rd, 4th & 5th rides :-) Liked Mr G's kevlars tonight too.

Agreed he has looked off the pace, lacking in confidence and disinterested in a few SGPs this season, but dumping Tomasz after 4 x low scoring SGPs is a bit rich. His fitness is under question and his choice of bikes and gate picks is frustrating, but it all adds to the enigma that is the 2010 World Champion. Out of 8 x SGPs this year, Mr G has top scored in two and been in the Final of three. Currently in 9th place in the SGP standings with 68pts, 3pts behind Greg and 14pts behind Chris Holder, with Latvia, Slovenia, Stockholm & Torun to go, there is still every chance that Tomasz will finish in the top 8 and, if he didn't, the offer of a WC for 2014 would be automatic IMHO.

Yes, I remember "Barbie" too. Thanks for reminding me James. What good times they were at Foxhall. I see that the EADT today has a mention of PJ's passing and mentions that John Berry saw him at Claremont Stadium, Perth WA and persuaded him to join the Witches management team as Marketing Manager. Guess that's where the introduction of the 16 Lapper was hatched. Lots of Love to Paul's family and friends worldwide.

Good to see the Thread back on track. Maybe we can revive the Sigalos / Sanders debate when the Plymouth thread is started. Weather forecast good for tonight, cloudy but warm, only dropping to 19c by 10pm. Hopefully a decent attendance for an off-night meeting and all the riders finish the meeting safe and well.

But he may have needed to pay to get out - even at kid's rates...... Needs to grow up.

Totally agree HE

Remember Paul well from Foxhall in the '70s and at Wembley in '81. My memory probably fails me, but did he not have something to do with the introduction of the 16 Lapper at Foxhall too? A great showman who added to the experience of a speedway meeting when it was a great show. RIP Paul.....

Ha, ha brilliant. Maybe Sam Tesar can hijack the Ipswich v Plymouth thread when it starts. Yes Siggy was No.3 in the World, behind Bruce Penhall and Les Collins in LA in 1982. Sanders was 3rd in 1980 and 2nd in 1983 and was in 3 x Witches League winning sides in 1975, 1976 & 1984 and KO Cup winner in 1976, 1978 & 1984 captaining the Witches to a league and cup double. Good times which, tragically, weren't going to last much longer.....

Can't believe that Sigalos has hijacked an Ipswich v Redcar thread.... The last time I saw him, Siggy hadn't aged that well and I hardly recognised him - yes, I know I can talk about aging well.... A super, smooth, fast and stylish rider, but Sanders was the better rider and was a far better servant to the Witches. Loved '83 when the two of them road in the team together - think Sigalos just missed out on an 11pt average that season. Just a shame some of Sigalos' 'fans' were so nasty to Billy.

i'm amazed that people are suggesting that Tomasz Gollob would not deserve a wild card if he chooses to ride in the SGP next season and needs one. The guy has been amazing entertainment value in the SGP and, before that ,since his 1st Individual World Final appearance in 1993 when he finished in 7th place on 8pts in Pocking (Greg Hancock finishing 16th on 2pts). Unlucky in Vojens the following year when he retired from the meeting after two pointless rides and then, of course, in 1995 - the first year of the SGP series, after winning the opening GP in Wroclaw, he lost in a race-off for 8th place and automatic qualifiction into the '96 SGP series after only gaining 9pts in the infamous 'London' GP at Hackney, when Hancock (20pts), Loram (17) and Gustafsson (16) had started behind him the standings. In 1996, Tomasz competed in only 3 of the 6 SGPs finishing in overall 12th place, 11pts behind an automatic qualifying position. In '97 Mr G finished 3rd in the series wearing the No. 13 race jacket, since when Tomasz has been one of the most consistent top 8 finishers. Is it 20 SGP wins? (OK a number in Poland, but a number not.) Could have been more and should have been another in New Zealand this season but for a bad gate pick in the Final. With Latvia, Slovenia, Stockholm and Torun SGPs to go, I personally wouldn't rule out another top 8 finish, especially with Chris Holder only 14pts ahead. And if NKI and Matej Zagar were to finish in the top 3 of the GP Challenge....... I, for one - and maybe the only one, feels that the SGP series will be diminshed when Mr G is no longer in it.

Think I alluded to that in my comment earlier on this thread

Despite it being a long drawn out meeting with little overtaking, I enjoyed the show and thought NP & KT and Nicholls & Day did well to fill in as much as they had to. Just really pleased Eurosport have picked up the GPs and I can still see them on TV. Tai has turned into a really professional sportsman and is reaping the rewards this season. I'm not a fan of tattoos or holes in ears, but its his style and good luck to him and if it does help to attract a younger audience, all the better. From making silly gestures on the British Final rostrum last season to the way he interviews this, has been a giant leap forward. And his effort to learn and speak Polish when in that country is admirable. It was strange how the higher scoring riders seemed to become befuddled by the limited success of Gate 2 later in the meeting. Yes, Jarek gated from 2 but it probably also put him in the position he found himself in when losing 2nd place to Emil. NKI looked delighted with the more successful outside gate and took advantage. Whilst it would have been good IMO if Tai had won the Final and eroded Emil's lead further, I was pleased for NKI who also appears as a very professional sportsman. The way he went past NP deserved its reward later in the meeting - and to think he was excluded for knocking off Emil and then beat him in the Final. An impressive come back. Good to see Emil take the knock so well, realising that NKI hadn't done it deliberately. Seeing so many smiles on the rostrum was brilliant. And as regards Mr G, yes it does look as if he is holding back a lot this season. Tomasz has always been a confidence rider and it all appears to have evaporated since SGP2 this season. I hope he does get his mojo back as he is a delight to watch in full flight and it has been a pleasure to have seen him entertain us over so many seasons. It does look as if the two senior members of the SGP are finding it tough this season with Greg only 3pts in front of Tomasz in 8th & 9th places repspectively and both possibly having to look for nominations for next season if they want to stay in the series. Edited to add: well done to Leon Madsen on his performance last night too, particularly after a difficult season with illness and injuries (3 concussions in a month). The track may well have suited but even so a semi-final from 2nd Reserve is good.

The record books may show it, but my memories say possibly not as the British Finals of the 60's, 70's and early 80's were stacked with world class riders and, as much as I admire Scotty and I agree that he can only beat what is put in front of him, he may have struggled to win as many titles during that era.

I guess it's down to breeding, i.e. the winner of the Greyhound Derby (Blonde Snapper?!) will earn a fortune at stud, whereas 'Fast' Freddie - although he may beg to differ, wouldn't be worth so much for his breeding exploits.

Horrible news. I remember Lee as a little lad at Kings Lynn in 1982. God Bless and Rest In Peace Lee

Can I guess, although I know its not me? Thanks Impartial One, some people you just can't debate with.

Really had to check that this thread wasn't started on April 1st.

OMG. Surely this will never happen. Talk about 30yrs too late. Apologies for my ignorance, but since I last went to Western Springs (1989) and since Dave Bargh & Mark Thorpe stopped riding in the UK, is there actually a NZ solo speedway scene anymore.

I guess none of you guys went as an away supporter to Cradley or Kings Lynn in the late 70's and early 80's. Now, that was unpleasant. Also been threatened with violence at Coventry, Wolverhampton, Eastbourne, Wimbledon & Halifax. The good old days....

I don't think I said that Niamh, no sorry I did not say that effectively or otherwise. One podium does not make a SGP rider worthy of an invite into next year's series. IMO Cardiff would attract a crowd of 30,000 whether there is a permannent British rider in the series or not. My neighbours go and support any rider of whatever nationality that has ever riden for Ipswich. That is the joy of being a speedway supporter. Sky may continue to cover the British SGP, but would they cover the whole series - I don't know.

I'll take that as a No then ;-) Personally, I'd ask N Pedersen, Lindgren & Harris to spend 2013 in the qualifiers and bring in some new blood - Ward. Laguta & THJ probably. As regards a 'necessary' British permanent member of the circus, would the attendance at Cardiff drop - maybe, but there would still be a home wild card, would Sky continue covering the series - doubtful, I think the relegation to the red button recently shows Sky's view on the SGP at the moment. Should Britain have a right to have an entrant - No. Comparisons have been made to other sports and F1. Canada, China, Abu Dhabi, Turkey, Korea, Singapore, Hungary all have 2011 F1 GPs but, as far as I know, do not have drivers or teams competing in the series.

The opposition may have been poor, the tracks may have been favourable but heck what an achievement by a guy who I had put down as 'past it' last season. An incredible success so many years after his last, an example of consistency, professionalism and class - well done Mr Hancock. Never my favourite rider but always there and always near if not far from the top.