chris67bug Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 Sorry for rather a morbid post. Trying to remember the name of a famous UK rider who committed suicide in the 80's. Seem to remember that he and his wife were found dead in their house. Anyone recall this- or is my memory playing tricks on me?? chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyM Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 (edited) You're referring to Kenny Carter, but Billy Sanders also took his own life. RIP Edited May 2, 2007 by AndyM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris67bug Posted May 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 Thx Andy- very sad story. chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoMinuteWarning Posted May 2, 2007 Report Share Posted May 2, 2007 chris67bug, Kenny Carter has been discussed many times on this Forum. There was a good discussion last year at http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/ind...topic=24051&hl= If you put "kenny carter" into this site's search engine, you'll find many discussions about him. There are, understandably, a lot of strong feelings about him, both pro and anti. Backtrack are publishing a new book about him soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuart road Posted May 3, 2007 Report Share Posted May 3, 2007 You're referring to Kenny Carter, but Billy Sanders also took his own life. RIP <{POST_SNAPBACK}> we are just coming up to the 21st anniversary of kenny's death. i know halifax very well and had many great times there,and was lucky enough to meet kenny on a few occasions,a tormented soul,but nevertheless the greatest british rider since peter craven. my two greatest memories of speedway will always be,terry betts (golden helmet) sportsmanship. and kenny carter with broken leg being carried to his bike and winning the british title. rest in peace kenny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted May 4, 2007 Report Share Posted May 4, 2007 (edited) kenny.... the greatest british rider since peter craven. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I don't that that many on this Forum will agree with this. Disregarding the claims of the likes of 'Tiger' Louis, Malcolm Simmons, Mike Lee, David Jessup (who all achieved more than Carter and didn't leave a legacy of shame and tragedy which I feel still hangs over the sport..)..: there surely can't be any real argument that the 'other' PC, Peter Collins was the greatest rider England has produced since the death of Peter Craven... Edited May 4, 2007 by Parsloes 1928 nearly 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WATigerman Posted May 4, 2007 Report Share Posted May 4, 2007 .........there surely can't be any real argument that the 'other' PC, Peter Collins was the greatest rider England has produced since the death of Peter Craven... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Here, here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spartan59 Posted May 4, 2007 Report Share Posted May 4, 2007 Love him or loathe him there is no doubting that, aside from what went on inside his head, he made a major impact on speedway with his riding talent and to be honest far eclipses the likes of Simmons, Jessup et al. Personally I would say that after Craven it was Lee, PC then Carter. Michael Lee was another massive talent cursed by troubles and could’ve achieved so much more. However, if we were to get into the realms of ifs and buts and after seeing him through his shortened career then I strongly feel that a trouble free Carter would’ve been the best. The talent and application to speedway was there he was just bedevilled by too many demons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted May 4, 2007 Report Share Posted May 4, 2007 Love him or loathe him there is no doubting that, aside from what went on inside his head, he made a major impact on speedway Well yes, but that "major impact" was the most damaging front-page headlines our sport ever did - and pray God, ever will - attract.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spartan59 Posted May 4, 2007 Report Share Posted May 4, 2007 Yes that is very true and I wholly heartedly agree that we never want to see such a thing connected with speedway again. Would be nice to think that anyone that troubled in this day and age would be suitably helped. Although somehow I doubt it. It's so sad to think that up until those tragic events he was the best thing to hit speedway in many a long year. It's even sadder to think that we all tend to look back, me included, at our nations best speedway riders and that in all that time since then we've struggled to find anyone to truly compete at the top level in any meaningfully consistent way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbin' Along Posted May 5, 2007 Report Share Posted May 5, 2007 Yes that is very true and I wholly heartedly agree that we never want to see such a thing connected with speedway again. Would be nice to think that anyone that troubled in this day and age would be suitably helped. Although somehow I doubt it. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Just ask Rafael Kurmanski's parents whether or not enough they feel enough help was given to him before he decided to end his life. There are still troubled young, and older, men in the speedway world who will feel that there is no other option for them - sometimes even with the help that is available. And that's not including all the troubled souls in the real world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted May 6, 2007 Report Share Posted May 6, 2007 Just ask Rafael Kurmanski's parents whether or not enough they feel enough help was given to him before he decided to end his life. There are still troubled young, and older, men in the speedway world who will feel that there is no other option for them - sometimes even with the help that is available. And that's not including all the troubled souls in the real world. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> But of course Speedway riders do live in the "real world" too; and it's true to say that a number of riders (and ex-riders) over the years have taken their own lives: including a great hero of mine, Billy Sanders; and two very young and very talented young Polish riders, as you say, in recent years. But I feel it should be said here that the case of Kenny Carter is fundamentally different. I'm sure no-one wants us to dwell on the circumstances of Kenny's death, but in all honesty, it jars badly with me that a number of postings and articles written in recent times about this rider seem to be airbrushing out history... We all know the details of what happened over 20 years ago now and they're deeply distressing so am not going to repeat them here; but, of course, he didn't simply commit suicide did he. And I'm afraid the circumstances of what actually happened always make me recoil when people seem to want to talk of Kenny as a former great rider as if the incident we never talk about didn't happen.. A number of famous people have ended up committing awful acts which have led to the adulation they'd earned by right being removed from their memory; and I'm sorry to say that I believe this applies to Kenny Carter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyM Posted May 6, 2007 Report Share Posted May 6, 2007 The cases of Kenny Carter and Billy Sanders were both over a woman, though, P28N. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted May 6, 2007 Report Share Posted May 6, 2007 I've often wondered whether speedway riders are more volatile than the general population- in addition to the names mentioned off the top of my head I can think of Bob Paulson(I think Bob may have been gay when this was less accepted than today) and of course Alan Cowland after he retired. I'm wondering whether since speedway tends to be a macho environment-whether issues with women/relationships tend to hit home harder if they go wrong than with the pop at large-any thoughts on this. While its still a relatively small number, the numbers of the speedway riding profession are not that huge either. Any thoughts on this?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuart road Posted May 6, 2007 Report Share Posted May 6, 2007 I've often wondered whether speedway riders are more volatile than the general population- in addition to the names mentioned off the top of my head I can think of Bob Paulson(I think Bob may have been gay when this was less accepted than today) and of course Alan Cowland after he retired. I'm wondering whether since speedway tends to be a macho environment-whether issues with women/relationships tend to hit home harder if they go wrong than with the pop at large-any thoughts on this. While its still a relatively small number, the numbers of the speedway riding profession are not that huge either. Any thoughts on this?? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> maybe you have a point but in the words of atticus finch, we shouldn't judge someone until we have walked around in their shoes. i am well aware of what happened 21 years ago,and there was certainly a lot more to it than many people know, however its not my place to judge him as a man one way or the other. as a speedway rider,he was first class Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Turner Posted May 6, 2007 Report Share Posted May 6, 2007 A number of famous people have ended up committing awful acts which have led to the adulation they'd earned by right being removed from their memory; and I'm sorry to say that I believe this applies to Kenny Carter. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> My sentiments exactly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzybird Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 Yes what KC did was wrong but............. a speedway rider does believe it or not have a personal life which REALLY is none of anyones business, what he did off track has nothing to do with what he achieved on track and that goes for all the others riders that you feel have wronged "Our" sport for having personal lives!!!!! There but for the grace of god go I .......... mind your halos don't slip you could end up strangling yourselves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Third Man Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 Yes what KC did was wrong but............. a speedway rider does believe it or not have a personal life which REALLY is none of anyones business, what he did off track has nothing to do with what he achieved on track and that goes for all the others riders that you feel have wronged "Our" sport for having personal lives!!!!! There but for the grace of god go I .......... mind your halos don't slip you could end up strangling yourselves <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Agree, we cant airbrush him from history because that would be devalueing history, what he did on and off track need to remembered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 Yes what KC did was wrong but............. a speedway rider does believe it or not have a personal life which REALLY is none of anyones business, what he did off track has nothing to do with what he achieved on track and that goes for all the others riders that you feel have wronged "Our" sport for having personal lives!!!!! There but for the grace of god go I .......... mind your halos don't slip you could end up strangling yourselves <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I can't believe these comments shazzy..!! He murdered his wife..!! That's not a minor indiscretion in his "personal life"..!! I suggest you reread your posting again and strongly consider whether what you wrote can ever be appropriate as a description of the "wrong" thing that Kenny Carter did..??!!! Are you suggesting that if someone murders their spouse this is "none of anyones business"..??!! Or that somehow we might all do this in certain circumstances as your "but for the grace of god go I" comment implies.. Oh, and I don't know where you get the idea that anyone has mentioned all these "other riders who've wronged the sport"..: I've made it 100% clear that we're only talking about the appalling case of Kenny Carter and nothing or nobody else.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyM Posted May 8, 2007 Report Share Posted May 8, 2007 So he did - it was a crime passionel. He wasn't the first and he won't be the last to kill his partner and himself in the name of love - people do, from many walks of life. But we shouldn't judge KC for that act, nor even speculate about the mental state you need to be in to carry out such a tragic and desperate act - it was nothing to do with speedway; our job is to remember him on the track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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