shazzybird Posted May 2, 2003 Report Share Posted May 2, 2003 I think Frigbo can look after himself and if people choose to take his post the wrong way then that's their problem. Thank you ML After all this is a Speedway Discussion Forum In my defence here, this was the point I was trying to make :!: apologies for not wording it better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Sir Lunchalot Posted May 2, 2003 Report Share Posted May 2, 2003 Is it sad for the riders too when they come back and perform below their peak or just sad for the fans ? Why I say that is that some guys just have it in their blood and are happy just to be out there. So long as they are happy and there is a place for them then why not let them enjoy one last fling before they finally give it up ? The good aspect is they have the opportunity to pass some of their experience on to the younger riders. The obvious downside is that they may be keeping a promising young rider out of getting a regular ride but as long as they aren't doing that then let them go for it I say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frigbo Posted May 2, 2003 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2003 I think Frigbo can look after himself and if people choose to take his post the wrong way then that's their problem. Thank you ML After all this is a Speedway Discussion Forum In my defence here, this was the point I was trying to make :!: apologies for not wording it better No probs Shazzy, sorry if i was a bit spikey in my response! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted May 2, 2003 Report Share Posted May 2, 2003 It’s certainly sometimes hard for fans to see their old favourites struggling and sporting that shiny little leather paunch underneath the race jacket. I suppose some riders are just happy to be there whereas others are forced to face up to the sad realisation that they are no longer World beaters. Most of the riders mentioned here soon retired after realising the young ‘uns had the beating of them. Others (eg Malcolm Simmons, Les Collins come to mind) seem quite happy to keep going for as long as they possibly can and just enjoy their racing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehone Posted May 2, 2003 Report Share Posted May 2, 2003 and bloody good luck to them too!!! as a few have said, if it's in your blood and you enjoy it, who cares about age. my grandparents are 87 & 85 and my grandad wasn't very well last week. i was rather concerned as he is 87 and he just put it down to 2 bottles of red wine and too much sex!!! immediate thoughts are 'they shouldn't be doing that at their age', but why not?? they enjoy it. speedway is the same Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liontamer Posted May 2, 2003 Report Share Posted May 2, 2003 my grandparents are 87 & 85 and my grandad wasn't very well last week. i was rather concerned as he is 87 and he just put it down to 2 bottles of red wine and too much sex!!! immediate thoughts are 'they shouldn't be doing that at their age', but why not?? they enjoy it. I'm halfway there, I know where I can get the red wine from..................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty Posted May 2, 2003 Report Share Posted May 2, 2003 On this point I can remember at Cradley in 1981 when Arnie Haley was struggling badly as a reserve and the crowd were giving him stick. Just felt that a rider who had once been so good didn't need to go through that, I certainly like to remember him in his Owlerton pomp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundp Posted May 4, 2003 Report Share Posted May 4, 2003 Arnie Pander when he was scratching around in second halves at Cradley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liontamer Posted May 4, 2003 Report Share Posted May 4, 2003 I certainly like to remember him in his Owlerton pomp. The Japanese made bloody good cars in them days didn't they. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian H Posted May 4, 2003 Report Share Posted May 4, 2003 Ron Johnson at New Cross and Edinburgh 1960/61. Ron had been there done it etc since 1927. I remember Ron having a match race with Geoff Pymar which must have been a record for the oldest combined age for riders who were still riding for league teams as opposed to Golden Greats etc type meetings. You still have to admire them though - it must be in the blood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzybird Posted May 5, 2003 Report Share Posted May 5, 2003 No probs Shazzy, sorry if i was a bit spikey in my response! You'll get used to me Frigbo and my tact it does lack somewhat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano Posted May 5, 2003 Report Share Posted May 5, 2003 I remember watching Alan Grahame struggling around Cradley probably collecting three points max and getting relegated to reserve, I really felt for the guy. Such a shame for a rider that gave the sport so much. It was nice to see him rekindle some form when he moved to Hull towards the end of his speedway career. Its still good to know he is still actively involved in motocross, presumably still trying to get the racing bug out of his system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Old Swinger Posted May 8, 2003 Report Share Posted May 8, 2003 The saddest "comeback" that I remember was Lionel Levy who resumed riding at the age of 58 and was killed in an accident at the Sydney Showground in 1968. After all he had achieved in his career there was nothing left for him to prove - but as you say, it must have been in his blood. R.I.P Porky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Old Swinger Posted May 8, 2003 Report Share Posted May 8, 2003 resumed riding at the age of 58 My fingers are faster than my brain. Lionel was 52 when he died. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzybird Posted May 8, 2003 Report Share Posted May 8, 2003 how Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liontamer Posted May 8, 2003 Report Share Posted May 8, 2003 how I love it when you slip into Red Indian speak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehone Posted May 8, 2003 Report Share Posted May 8, 2003 agree with you there LT, but you'll find Shazzy is more 'squat' than 'squaw' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzybird Posted May 11, 2003 Report Share Posted May 11, 2003 oh Honey, what sort of replies are you gonna get to that I wonder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerblade Posted May 12, 2003 Report Share Posted May 12, 2003 On the Crumpie thing, I have to agree that it just didn't feel right watching Phil Crump on his come back. Sure, he may have done the job that was expected of him, but we're talking Crumpie here - the man who once had an article in Speedway Star headlined: 'The best rider in the World? I'm with you on this one Grachan, I agree they didn't expect the rider he once was, but I went to Bradford v Swindon to see him in 1990, and it was pretty painful to watch. I also really used to like Chris Morton who has been mentioned, and he did eventually get back into decent scores in the lower league when he rode for Sheffield in 1993, but it was horrendous to watch him in the first half dozen or so meetings (even allowing for the rest of the Tigers being totally rubbish at the time!). I know he had been out for two years, but he was struggling to pass riders who, with all due respect and no offence meant, wouldn't have got within a lap of him at his best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 The thread on Scottish speedway riders got me thinking on this subject-I saw Ken Mckinlay in the early 70's at Oxford-Ken went on too long perhaps(born in1928)-however I also recall Harry Edwards and Howdy Byford going on a bit too long-but all these guys graced the sport in one way or another-bless 'em all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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