TonyMac Posted June 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2005 Napolean - Following your comments about Mike Broadbank, you should enjoy the next issue (50) of VSM...which includes a very good exclusive interview with the 'Red Devil' himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted June 27, 2005 Report Share Posted June 27, 2005 Don't get vsm so maybe already done him,but what about Olle Nygren.Fantastic rider and there aren't many riders,even British that have done so much to help develope young talent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzybird Posted June 29, 2005 Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 is that a yes or a no as to whether you are doing a "special" to cover the Hackney Re-Union Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyMac Posted June 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2005 Shazz, We at Retro Speedway won't be producing any magazine or book 'special' for sale on the night of the reunion, as I'm told the organisers are publishing a souvenir prog/brochure themselves. I was wondering if we should offer for sale old black & white pics (action & portrait) of the ex-Hackney riders who will be there on the night (with a donation to the Vic Harding fund), but maybe there won't be much response to that? I know you'd buy 10 pics of Ted, but who else will want to know????? But we will definitely be covering the event, in words and pics, for our following issue of Backtrack, as well as pin down a few of the former Hawks present for interviews that can be held over to a later date... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whowasthatberntpersson Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Bernie Persson. When I was very young Cradley Heath were a very unfashionable club, Bernie took the weight of the team on his shoulders and was an out and out number one, he was hugely popular with me and thousands of other Black Country fans. I still watch the video of the 1972 World Final at Wembley and I've got the 1973 World Team Cup final tape also from Wembley as reminders of Bernie Persson's on track performances. Over 32 years after I first saw Bernie ride I finally met him in person at a veteran riders dinner in Sydney Australia, it was the night before the Australian Grand Prix, a very nice man who showed great interest in Peter Foster's Cradley Heath book which I had taken along for him to sign, we enjoyed a drink or two, took a few photos and then the night after the GP I stood next to Bernie during a meeting at Gosford Speedway. Got a photo of me and Bernie at the dinner if you are interested TMC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzybird Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Shazz, I know you'd buy 10 pics of Ted, but who else will want to know????? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Not me!!! (probably got all the photos of him inherited from my nan ) but......... Barry Thomas ooooooo those eyes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian L Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Shazz, I was wondering if we should offer for sale old black & white pics (action & portrait) of the ex-Hackney riders who will be there on the night (with a donation to the Vic Harding fund), but maybe there won't be much response to that? I know you'd buy 10 pics of Ted, but who else will want to know????? Tony - you know I would purchase some and would be happy to pay a little extra knowing the money was going towards a good cause such as VHF or Speedway Museum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spin king Posted June 30, 2005 Report Share Posted June 30, 2005 Bernie Persson.When I was very young Cradley Heath were a very unfashionable club, Bernie took the weight of the team on his shoulders and was an out and out number one, he was hugely popular with me and thousands of other Black Country fans. I still watch the video of the 1972 World Final at Wembley and I've got the 1973 World Team Cup final tape also from Wembley as reminders of Bernie Persson's on track performances. Over 32 years after I first saw Bernie ride I finally met him in person at a veteran riders dinner in Sydney Australia, it was the night before the Australian Grand Prix, a very nice man who showed great interest in Peter Foster's Cradley Heath book which I had taken along for him to sign, we enjoyed a drink or two, took a few photos and then the night after the GP I stood next to Bernie during a meeting at Gosford Speedway. Got a photo of me and Bernie at the dinner if you are interested TMC. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Iremeber Bernie turning out for Sheffield in his last season in Britain, he was a little past his best , but was still a class act. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Clemens Posted July 22, 2005 Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 While speaking of Bernie Persson, who I agree was always a class act to watch, I recall a somewhat amusing incident at Halifax once. (This again was in the 70's). Halifax's redoubtable reserve Mike Hiftle performed a minor miracle by getting out of the gate first in a race that Bernie Persson was also involved in. As Hiftle raced up the back straight Bernie Persson almost caught up with him ready to make an overtaking manouvre, which everyone expected would happen. Just as Persson was about to make his overtaking move, the 'excitable' Hiftle did his customary 'wobble', which he was prone to do when he found himself in any other position but fourth place. Persson immediately shut off and fell some distance behind Hiftle. You could almost hear Persson thinking 'F... that for a game of soldiers'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clunsey Posted July 25, 2005 Report Share Posted July 25, 2005 I feel a little left out Will the VSm be doing another article but pre 80s (ie 1970-1979)? More my era. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WiganWarrior Posted July 26, 2005 Report Share Posted July 26, 2005 Soren Sjosten was always a big favourite of mine. But I was spoiled as a kid watching the Belle Vue team with the likes of Ivan the great, Chris Pusey, Alan Wilkinson, Tommy Roper etc. Briggo was always great at Hyde Road (6 British League Riders Championships was an amazing feat) and I always liked the Boocock brothers and Jimmy McMillan. But there were so many great riders in those days. Heaven was Hyde Road on a Saturday night. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moxey63 Posted July 28, 2005 Report Share Posted July 28, 2005 (edited) As a pre-teen, despite watching the likes of Peter Collins, Chris Morton and Soren Sjosten in the Aces' side, it was second-string Paul Tyrer who became - and remains - my all-time favourite. He was a classy, sleek rider who tragically failed to reach his expected potential after a 1974 injury. He was a 7.50-point rider then, but really went downhill after leaving Belle Vue for King's Lynn in '77, averaging less than a point a ride at Saddlebow Road. I remember how disillusioned I was when he left Hyde Road to join the Stars, but kept a close eye on his career until his premature retirement in 1979, aged just 26. I recall him being such a stylish rider, clad in his yellow and black chequered, ATS (Associated Tyre Specialist) sponsored leathers. Supporting Tyrer was like supporting a football team - I’d be over the moon if he racked up a good score, or really depressed if he didn't. On too many occasions I ended up coming home from speedway on a right downer... despite Belle Vue roasting the opposition! Sad I know. But give us a break... I was only 12! Edited July 28, 2005 by moxey63 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyMac Posted July 29, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 29, 2005 Thanks for your contributions, all very interesting, and I don't want to sound an ungrateful so and so...but can we please return to VSM's general time-frame and the thread sub-heading of PRE-70s!!!! VSM = PRE-70s (apart from the little bits about the early 70s!) BACKTRACK = 1970-1989 inclusive! Sorry if this sounds patronising, but it's pre-70s heroes I'm really looking for here!!!! Anyone offering up post-70s name is obviously far too young to get involved! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Saint Posted July 31, 2005 Report Share Posted July 31, 2005 In my previous post I mentioned my particular hero but may I comment on speedway generally? I am getting ready soon for my first visit to Swindon since my first and only other visit. It was 44 years ago when Southampton won the Knockout Cup. The weather was so bad that we could only see half the track for much of the meeting as the fog became progressively thicker. My father had quite a time trying to see the road across Salisbury Plain on the way home, but what a wonderful feeling we all had Speedway then was so different to today. It was an occasion that all the family looked forward to every week - 7.30 pm on Tuesday evenings. The Stadium looked immaculate, unlike some of today's tracks. Excitement rose as the bikes were warmed up, the smell of Castrol R drifting across the Stadium. Then, at precisely 7.30 the music started up, the "Entry of the Gladiators" I believe it was called. The track staff marched out on to the centre green and took up their positions and racing was just a few moments away. The start of a race was heralded by all the lights in the stands going out a second or two before the tapes rose. At that point, the excitement was almst too much to contain. Everyone's attention was focussed on the four riders at the tapes. The tapes rose and four brave men tore away from the line for four laps of all out racing. The last meeting of the season was always something special. It was usually an invitational meeting but with added extras such as a donkey derby. The riders really entered into the spirit of the occasion and seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves Then the Grand Finale of a magnificent firework display. Everyone went home feeling both elated and depressed - elated because of the fun that was had and depressed because the season had ended. I remember the Qualifying rounds of the World Championship. A chance to see the best from all the riders attending, including many who rode exclusively in Europe. A trip to the World Final at Wembley was just amazing. We wore rosettes and badges of our favourite riders and my mother had an enormous wooden rattle to swing around. Even the programme notes were very different. There was that wonderful politeness of the age with Charlie Knott starting his piece with the words, "Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen". There was a charity chosen each season when the profits of one meeting would be donated to a local charity. Speedway then was local and everyone seemed part of an extended family. Of course crowds were so much greater than today. I am so grateful to my parents for getting me involved in speedway. Once the bug had bitten it stayed. Now I have been able to pass this on to my own son who, hopefully, will pass this on to his son. Speedway has lost some of its magic but is still exciting. In fact, I think that may be the difference between speedway then and now - the magic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BertHoven Posted July 31, 2005 Report Share Posted July 31, 2005 Paul Tyrer is my all-time fave. He was a classy, sleak rider who failed to reach his potential after a 1974 injury. He was a 7.50 point rider then. Really went downhill after leaving Belle Vue in '76 and had retired within three years. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I believe Paul still competes in grasstrack racing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BertHoven Posted July 31, 2005 Report Share Posted July 31, 2005 Don't get vsm so maybe already done him,but what about Olle Nygren.Fantastic rider and there aren't many riders,even British that have done so much to help develope young talent. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Iris, You don't realise what you are missing. I've been a subscriber to Vintage Speedway Magazine for quite some time, well before it became part of McDonalds empire! Seriously, it's a really good journal reflecting the time when speedway racing was simply that and not the circus it is in danger of becoming now. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone interested in the sport of speedway. Joy to you, Bert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Bee Posted July 31, 2005 Report Share Posted July 31, 2005 (edited) Nicki Pedersen Reason - rammajammy...... Surely, if it's your "all time favourite hero" then it shouldn't have to be pre 1970's. Edited July 31, 2005 by Silver Cheetah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jim Blanchard Posted August 1, 2005 Report Share Posted August 1, 2005 Peter Craven rocked my boats. To ride like he did on deep tracks with big handlebars at being five foot nothing with his foot trailing from the middle of the bends and natural balance keeping him upright was indeed an awesome sight. He won all the sport can offer and rode against some of the truly greats of the sport. Many riders can ride like that today but its all most a different sport now with easier bikes to ride on slicker tracks. He was also a very nice person and family man. To me he will always be my all time hero.. As an after thought. One of Peter’s hobbies was taking cine movies at the tracks. I wonder if Peter’s widow Brenda still has these in her possession ? Would make interesting viewing if someone like Ken Burnett was to make them available on DVD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Saint Posted August 2, 2005 Report Share Posted August 2, 2005 Jim, I agree that Peter Craven was a superb rider, arguably the best of all time. It is a shame that such a man had his life prematurely ended. Speedway is a different sport now because life today is very different to then. At this point I think I should shut up before I sound like a "Grumpy Old Man"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custom House Kid Posted August 2, 2005 Report Share Posted August 2, 2005 Jim, I agree that Peter Craven was a superb rider, arguably the best of all time. It is a shame that such a man had his life prematurely ended. Speedway is a different sport now because life today is very different to then. At this point I think I should shut up before I sound like a "Grumpy Old Man"! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> SHUT UP YOU SILLY OLD SOD! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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