howling gorgon Posted September 9, 2003 Report Share Posted September 9, 2003 Don't know if I have spelt this correctly, I know thre was a Christof Sjosten, rode for poole 70's 80's I think, I believe he was sadly killed in a track crash. My Old man tells me there was Soren aswell, rode for Belle Vue? Anyone tell me anyhting about these two? I think they were Swedish, if thats any help as the spelling is probably wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WATigerman Posted September 9, 2003 Report Share Posted September 9, 2003 Soren Sjosten did use to ride for Belle Vue. His brother Christer, rode for Poole, though I thought I heard that he died from a brain haemorrhage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff. Posted September 9, 2003 Report Share Posted September 9, 2003 Christer Sjosten did indeed die as a result of a track crash in Aussie, the Christer to who I think you refer to as dying from a brain haemorrhage was Christer Lofquist. Soren most certainly did race for Belle Vue, very successfully from the early sixties to 1975 when the old rider control moved him onto Birmingham where he stayed for 1 season before his final British season at Wolves in 1977. After racing Sorens life took a turn for the worse and he eventually died in the late nineties little more than a street beggar in his native Sweden. I believe he would only have been early sixties as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted September 9, 2003 Report Share Posted September 9, 2003 I also remember Christer Sjosten died from a brain haemorrhage (not sure how to spell that so I've copied you WATigerman!!), uless that was Christer Lofqvist as I always get the two confused. The main thing I remember about Soren Sjosten was that he was incredibly small. Also, according to my old books I have lying about, he was a former wrestler. I can also tell you his full nameid Soren Willy Ernfrid Sjosten, which amuses me for some reason. Christer was the younger brother and also rode for Wembley, Exeter and Coatbridge as well as Poole. Oh, what the hell. I can give you their birthdays too! Soren - 12/12/38 and Christer - 2/9/48. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted September 9, 2003 Report Share Posted September 9, 2003 Soren Sjosten was an excellent rider. He came third in the 1974 World Championship behind Anders Michanek and Ivan Mauger. He also won the World Best Pairs in 1974 with Michanek. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff. Posted September 9, 2003 Report Share Posted September 9, 2003 He was third in another final as well Norbold, not sure of the year but I believe it was 1968 if memory serves. Both finals in Sweden. Soren even competed over here during the ban on Swedes (by virtue of having a British wife). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted September 9, 2003 Report Share Posted September 9, 2003 Thanks for reminding me Jeff. Yes, he was also third in 1969, behind Mauger and Barry Briggs. He was also a member of Sweden's World Team Cup winning teams in 1962 (with Ove Fundin, Bjorn Knutsson, Rune Sormander and Gote Nordin), 1964 (same team) and 1970 (with Michanek, Fundin and Bengt Jansson). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted September 11, 2003 Report Share Posted September 11, 2003 Soren Sjosten also rode for Bristol in 1977 or 78. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midnight_Lady Posted September 11, 2003 Report Share Posted September 11, 2003 Christer was a huge favourite of mine in his time at Coatbridge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandman Posted September 11, 2003 Report Share Posted September 11, 2003 Picture an earlier version of Kelly Moran, with a bit more weight, and you have Soren.. Really nice bloke as well.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerblade Posted September 14, 2003 Report Share Posted September 14, 2003 Picture an earlier version of Kelly Moran, with a bit more weight, and you have Soren.. Really nice bloke as well.. I would have never thought of that description, but yes, that fits him perfectly. Christer Sjosten was killed in a crash in Australia in December 1979, I only really remember him riding for Poole though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevH Posted September 14, 2003 Report Share Posted September 14, 2003 Christer was a huge favourite of mine in his time at Coatbridge I saw him ride there once and the memories of him riding up the banking on the corners and then sweeping down the inside is still with me today. An outstanding rider on his day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjw ministerofport Posted September 15, 2003 Report Share Posted September 15, 2003 Went to Hyde road to watch cradley v belle vue, i forget which year. Ivan Mauger was as usually brilliant. In the scratch final however, he finished many yards behind Soren and Bernie Persson. It was a tremendose race with the lead changing many many times. It was a Hyde road classic. I forget who won the race but neither rider would give an inch. Sorens style was special because of his height. This is how i remember it but you know how memory can be clouded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howling gorgon Posted September 15, 2003 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2003 Thanks for the replies all, Life can be very sad for some, anyone know how/why soren ended up like he did? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandman Posted September 15, 2003 Report Share Posted September 15, 2003 I think that is a very good question that begs for an answer. Soren certainly wasnt the only one to have that happen to, God bless him. My opinion is when a racers career is over, it leaves a huge void that some tend to fill with alcohol and other substances. I believe Speedway is such an intense sport, it is so hard for some to move on and lead a fulfilling life after the fat lady has sung. Quite a few dont save enough money, and their skills arent made for regular society. I do think Speedway has a higher percentage of failure to adapt to so called civilian life after the fact, than any other sport. Goes back to the intensity. If there was more money in the sport, it would be so much easier for a retired rider to adjust. It is hard to be depressed when you are ok financially. Quite a few other sports have retirement packages, and speedway sadly is not in a position to do so. I hope this made some sense, and I do stress some! :? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehone Posted September 15, 2003 Report Share Posted September 15, 2003 it's probably why so many ex-riders still stay around the sport as team manager, promoter, coach, machine examiner etc etc speedway is pure adrenalin and to try and replace that after many years of having this 'fix' is going to be extremely difficult. good post Sandman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandman Posted September 15, 2003 Report Share Posted September 15, 2003 You understand this better than most I am sure Steve. Also, could be the reason so many stay too long past their prime and also make ill advised comebacks. Could it be that nothing can possibly fill the void? :? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midnight_Lady Posted September 16, 2003 Report Share Posted September 16, 2003 I think you could be right Sandman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandman Posted September 19, 2003 Report Share Posted September 19, 2003 Really I dont want to belabour the point, but recently I came across an interesting article that was in a medical journal, that basically said anyone who has suffered concussions over time was something like three times more likely to suffer depression in later years, than people who havent, and since we all know that is part and parcel of the sport, was wondering if this could have something to do with it. Anyone know what happened to Chris Pusey? I just heard he was deceased, and was wondering if anyone knew how? Just remember his gritty performances for Belle Vue as Captain. :? Ahhh,... The Polka Dot Kid, hard as nails..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyH Posted September 21, 2003 Report Share Posted September 21, 2003 I think that is a very good question that begs for an answer. Soren certainly wasnt the only one to have that happen to, God bless him. My opinion is when a racers career is over, it leaves a huge void that some tend to fill with alcohol and other substances. I believe Speedway is such an intense sport, it is so hard for some to move on and lead a fulfilling life after the fat lady has sung. Quite a few dont save enough money, and their skills arent made for regular society. I do think Speedway has a higher percentage of failure to adapt to so called civilian life after the fact, than any other sport. Goes back to the intensity. If there was more money in the sport, it would be so much easier for a retired rider to adjust. It is hard to be depressed when you are ok financially. Quite a few other sports have retirement packages, and speedway sadly is not in a position to do so. I hope this made some sense, and I do stress some! :? Says it all Sandman unfortunately, seen two examples of guys keeping going when they should quit this weekend, Les Collins and Barry Campbell...Apologies if this seems cruel but Les was no 3 in the world once, not even no 3 at glasgow now....other extreme, Barry has never recovered from a terrible injury, I really hoped he could hack it this year, but I'm afraid his confidence has gone. I cannot begin to understand what these two are going through on the track, but I hope that soon they will say, been there, tried my best, time to get out!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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