Ivanhoe Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 I'd say he did, along with the influx of Americans in the late 70s and early 80s. They brought a whole different image to the sport that wasn't there before that. The moment Bruce turned up at White City in 1977 and was outclassed, the rest of the speedway World was in trouble. He decided it was time to get serious, and it was the start of the greatest era of USA riders in Speedway history. Don't underestimate the impact Bruce Penhall had on Speedway, even if you do support Wolves! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Penhall wasn't the American pioneer you know ! The likes of Scott Autrey and Steve Gresham were already here, and I think Larry Kosta and Kelly Moran had just arrived. Yes he improved to win the World Final in 81 and 82 but it was hardly life changing for the speedway world. Mauger and Olsen immediately before had put far more into the sport as regards professionalism and I would say were far more influential. Crediting Penhall with the influx of Americans is a bit over the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Penhall wasn't the American pioneer you know ! The likes of Scott Autrey and Steve Gresham were already here, and I think Larry Kosta and Kelly Moran had just arrived. Yes he improved to win the World Final in 81 and 82 but it was hardly life changing for the speedway world. Mauger and Olsen immediately before had put far more into the sport as regards professionalism and I would say were far more influential. Crediting Penhall with the influx of Americans is a bit over the top. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Really. Scott Autrey was already here? I never knew that (he said sarcastically). Scott Autrey was always a bit of an outsider when it came to American speedway. In my eyes it was Penhall/Bast in 1977 that kicked off the big USA era over here. I agree that Mauger lifted the sport to a new level of professionalism, but that he won his first title back in 1968. Hardly 'immediately before' Penhall won his first title. I never said the influx of Americans started with Penhall, I said he helped change the face of speedway. He was a part of a major wave of Yanks coming over here, and he was the best rider of that wave. Sorry, Wolves fan, but he was. And, yes, his looks plus the engaging personalities of him and so many of his compatriots, were a part of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrum Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Also, got to meet SteveBrum, only breifly but he's not a that bad really <{POST_SNAPBACK}> well thank you SCB - nor are you! It was brief i agree, i think the cold had siezed my brain to talk to much! be good to catch up again when the bees are in town next Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivanhoe Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Really. Scott Autrey was already here? I never knew that (he said sarcastically). Scott Autrey was always a bit of an outsider when it came to American speedway. In my eyes it was Penhall/Bast in 1977 that kicked off the big USA era over here. I agree that Mauger lifted the sport to a new level of professionalism, but that he won his first title back in 1968. Hardly 'immediately before' Penhall won his first title. I never said the influx of Americans started with Penhall, I said he helped change the face of speedway. He was a part of a major wave of Yanks coming over here, and he was the best rider of that wave. Sorry, Wolves fan, but he was. And, yes, his looks plus the engaging personalities of him and so many of his compatriots, were a part of that. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Best rider, really ? Most professional maybe. I'd put the Morans and Sigalos as more naturally gifted speedway riders of that era. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Rocket Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Best rider, really ? Most professional maybe. I'd put the Morans and Sigalos as more naturally gifted speedway riders of that era. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi, I think what Penhall had was the complete package, which is: Professionalism Ability Charisma Looks What other riders can you name that had all of the above. Probably Sigalos is the nearest, but he too is American. Most of the Americans have all of the above in fact, but Penhall just had that little bit extra, probably in the 'looks' and 'charisma' department. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Best rider, really ? Most professional maybe. I'd put the Morans and Sigalos as more naturally gifted speedway riders of that era. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> He did win two World titles you know. So, yes. Best rider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivanhoe Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Hi, I think what Penhall had was the complete package, which is: Professionalism Ability Charisma Looks What other riders can you name that had all of the above. Probably Sigalos is the nearest, but he too is American. Most of the Americans have all of the above in fact, but Penhall just had that little bit extra, probably in the 'looks' and 'charisma' department. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm not disputing the impact of the Americans at all. What I'm disputing is that Penhall instigated it all. He didn't, he was a part of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivanhoe Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 He did win two World titles you know. So, yes. Best rider. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> On that basis Egon Muller was the best speedway rider in the world in 83. Are you sure ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 On that basis Egon Muller was the best speedway rider in the world in 83. Are you sure ? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Funny you should mention that. It's a pet subject of mine. Egon Muller was fantastic! Anyway. Yes. I'm sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivanhoe Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Funny you should mention that. It's a pet subject of mine. Egon Muller was fantastic! Anyway. Yes. I'm sure. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I give up. I think you have a blonde fetish ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Rocket Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 I give up. I think you have a blonde fetish ! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You might have something there Ivanhoe, perhaps we are displaying our 'homosexual side!'. Joking aside, it is true that the 'pretty boys' of the sport are/were the blonde riders. But they weren't all American. John Davis, Tommy Janson, Andrew Silver, Tommy Knudsen, Bruce Penhall, Bobby Schwartz, Shaun Moran, Egon Muller. (run out of names). Regards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Tommy Jansson Tommy had dark curly hair! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21st century heathen Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 And you call Shawn Moran a pretty boy?!! Does anyone else sense a thread that's drifting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Rocket Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 And you call Shawn Moran a pretty boy?!! Does anyone else sense a thread that's drifting? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I have to say, I was struggling with names for 'pretty boys'. Sorry about the Tommy Jansson slip-up. Perhaps I was assuming he was blonde as he was Swedish. Also forgot to give him double 's' in his name. Regards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Rocket Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 And you call Shawn Moran a pretty boy?!! Does anyone else sense a thread that's drifting? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I have to say, I was struggling with names for 'pretty boys'. Sorry about the Tommy Jansson slip-up. Perhaps I was assuming he was blonde as he was Swedish. Also forgot to give him double 's' in his name. Regards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Rocket Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 I have to say, I was struggling with names for 'pretty boys'. Sorry about the Tommy Jansson slip-up. Perhaps I was assuming he was blonde as he was Swedish. Also forgot to give him double 's' in his name. Regards. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Another sorry, I managed to post this twice!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Tommy Jansson's brother Bo was blonde. Wasn't as pretty though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireP Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Photos now available at: www.claireperkins.co.uk/OtherEventsSamsFarewell.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob B Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Noticed on the bit shown on SKY last night Sam appeared to be wearing a Nicholls cap. Is he helping out Nicholls this year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 It was good to see the little bit of coverage from Sam's meeting on SKY last night, did they film it all does anyone know?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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