Tigerblade Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 ......and here's a picture of Mr Moran in typical full-throttle action, 1983 style. Entertainment+ I'm sure that you and my dad must have been taking photos at the same time, we have dozens from the late 70's and early 80's - predominantly of away riders as they had to walk up from where the away dressing room used to be. (Which is now the disabled lift entrance to the Panorama Room for those that know Owlerton) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandman Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 (edited) Shawn & Kelly. Really nice people. Probably among the most naturally gifted the sport has ever seen. I read where after Shawn (only american ever to do so) won the World Longtrack Final, was given a beautiful crystal vase for his tremendous accomplishment and he put it in a bag to take home and it was shattered during baggage handling. Enough to make anyone drop to their knees in tears and Shawn just brushed it off. Two of the greatest entertainers in the sport, and never having big heads. I havent heard anything on their situation currently, but whatever or wherever they are, they packed 100 years of living into about 10-15 years, they brought a lot to the sport. They got a lot from the sport. They made some great memories for many of us. I dont know if it is still up on youtube but that (run-off for the win) race with Kelly & PC at Kings Lynn in the WTC round in 1982. Just look at Kellys bike control. Just beautiful. And Shawn, was actually a bit better than Kelly. Hope those fellas are OK. Good people. Edited November 16, 2008 by sandman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spin king Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 ......and here's a picture of Mr Moran in typical full-throttle action, 1983 style. Entertainment+ Once again Tigerman thanks for the memories, I think I will get the Hovis out and the best butter. :approve: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spin king Posted November 16, 2008 Report Share Posted November 16, 2008 Shawn & Kelly. Really nice people. Probably among the most naturally gifted the sport has ever seen. I read where after Shawn (only american ever to do so) won the World Longtrack Final, was given a beautiful crystal vase for his tremendous accomplishment and he put it in a bag to take home and it was shattered during baggage handling. Enough to make anyone drop to their knees in tears and Shawn just brushed it off. Two of the greatest entertainers in the sport, and never having big heads. I havent heard anything on their situation currently, but whatever or wherever they are, they packed 100 years of living into about 10-15 years, they brought a lot to the sport. They got a lot from the sport. They made some great memories for many of us. I dont know if it is still up on youtube but that (run-off for the win) race with Kelly & PC at Kings Lynn in the WTC round in 1982. Just look at Kellys bike control. Just beautiful. And Shawn, was actually a bit better than Kelly. Hope those fellas are OK. Good people. Cannot disagree with you there Sandman, I just wish that Spin KIng Junior could have seen them, I did try to bid for a video on Shawn a few years back on Ebay, so I could show him, but I was outbidded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatface Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 This is sad news. Shawn was always one of my favourite riders as a kid. Spectacular on track and always ready with a smile, a chat and an autograph for this star-struck young fan. He was also one of the most sporting riders you could ever come across..he was always gracious be it in defeat or victory. I sincerely hope he manages to get himself together...he gave British supporters years of pleasure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WATigerman Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 Once again Tigerman thanks for the memories, I think I will get the Hovis out and the best butter. :approve: My pleasure; I just can't help myself............ Don't put the Hovis away just yet. This is sad news. Shawn was always one of my favourite riders as a kid. Spectacular on track and always ready with a smile, a chat and an autograph for this star-struck young fan. He was also one of the most sporting riders you could ever come across..he was always gracious be it in defeat or victory. I sincerely hope he manages to get himself together...he gave British supporters years of pleasure. An excellent summary, for those who didn't have the pleasure of seeing him ride I'm sure that you and my dad must have been taking photos at the same time, we have dozens from the late 70's and early 80's - predominantly of away riders as they had to walk up from where the away dressing room used to be. (Which is now the disabled lift entrance to the Panorama Room for those that know Owlerton) Making me feel old now, but I guess there's no escaping reality. I took many photographs in the early-mid 80's and had the privilege of getting a bird's eye view from the centre green. Those were the days........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WATigerman Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 The consummate entertainer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spin king Posted November 17, 2008 Report Share Posted November 17, 2008 The consummate entertainer. Aww thanks for that mate, I have just been sat here looking at the photo's. The Shay, now that was a racetrack, long straights with those heavily banked bends, and the crowd so close to the track, when the riders went down the back straight you felt that you could reach out and touch them, they just don't make tracks like that anymore. Sat here trying to think of a modern day rider who reminds me of Shawn, I just cannot think of one at all, no fits the bill. Okay Kelly was probably more exciting hanging off the bike, but Shawn had this wicked style that was ultra smooth, and totally a joy to watch whether he gated or not the way he passed riders sometimes he made it look so easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WATigerman Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Moran/Moran - Eastbourne 1982 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WATigerman Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 (edited) Aww thanks for that mate, I have just been sat here looking at the photo's. The Shay, now that was a racetrack, long straights with those heavily banked bends, and the crowd so close to the track, when the riders went down the back straight you felt that you could reach out and touch them, they just don't make tracks like that anymore. Sat here trying to think of a modern day rider who reminds me of Shawn, I just cannot think of one at all, no fits the bill. Okay Kelly was probably more exciting hanging off the bike, but Shawn had this wicked style that was ultra smooth, and totally a joy to watch whether he gated or not the way he passed riders sometimes he made it look so easy. Shawn really was a superb rider and one who should have achieved more. Gating was never his strong point but that made him spectacular to watch as he picked his way through the field. As Falcace has said he was also surprisingly humble and genuinely one of the nicest riders you could wish to meet, always having time for the fans. A true legend in the eyes of Sheffield fans who were privileged enough to see him ride in the 80's. An inspired signing by Ray Glover. Shooey - thanks for the memories........... Edited November 18, 2008 by WATigerman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spin king Posted November 18, 2008 Report Share Posted November 18, 2008 Shawn really was a superb rider and one who should have achieved more. Gating was never his strong point but that made him spectacular to watch as he picked his way through the field. As Falcace has said he was also surprisingly humble and genuinely one of the nicest riders you could wish to meet, always having time for the fans. A true legend in the eyes of Sheffield fans who were privileged enough to see him ride in the 80's. An inspired signing by Ray Glover. Shooey - thanks for the memories........... Too right, the man had time for everybody young and old, and deserves to be classed as a true legend not only by the Sheffield supporters but other supporters too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matousek Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 Hope shawn recovers from his problems, dont remember too much of the old shawn moran, my memories are only of the 1994 season at owlerton when he did an handfull of matches and quit sadly. Mind he still had a better average than most of the current sheffield team and wasnt as good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff. Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 Hope shawn recovers from his problems, dont remember too much of the old shawn moran, my memories are only of the 1994 season at owlerton when he did an handfull of matches and quit sadly. Mind he still had a better average than most of the current sheffield team and wasnt as good! Well you really missed out not seeing Shawn in his prime. For Shawn, and to an even greter degree Kelly, there was always a lot more to life than speedway and so his application wasn't all it could be. Kelly in particular was the greatest natural talent, Craven apart, who ever sat on a speedway bike but his lifestyle prevented him from properly using that talent to its full potential Personnally I feel they both wasted their opportunity in Speedway, I am sure they feel they got what they wanted out of their careers, the truth is probably somewhere in between Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oddfossengen Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 didn,t he appear at the brighton indoor event a couple of years ago and fell off in every race before the 1st turn i seem to remember Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Blanchard Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 I have been watching this thread for a few days now. Is it actually been confirmed that Shawn Moran is in such a predicament as been stated? If so (just thinking out loud now) is there not something we can do collectively to help the guy. If a fund was raised or something - I would willingly contribute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff. Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 I have been watching this thread for a few days now. Is it actually been confirmed that Shawn Moran is in such a predicament as been stated? If so (just thinking out loud now) is there not something we can do collectively to help the guy. If a fund was raised or something - I would willingly contribute. Well as much as I liked Shawn Moran I certainly wouldn't contribute to any fund. Lets face it Shawn was the architect of his own demise and I can think of thousands of causes much much more worthy of fundraising than Shawn Moran. Alan Wilkinson, Joe Owen etc etc. guys in a terrible way through no fault of their own, are the type of people worthy of collections. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Blanchard Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 (edited) Well as much as I liked Shawn Moran I certainly wouldn't contribute to any fund. Lets face it Shawn was the architect of his own demise and I can think of thousands of causes much much more worthy of fundraising than Shawn Moran. Alan Wilkinson, Joe Owen etc etc. guys in a terrible way through no fault of their own, are the type of people worthy of collections. Worthy? You have a simplistic outlook on life Jeff, and not a little aggressive at times, at least in your posts. Very black and white too, if you do not mind me saying so. Maybe, the doctors and nurses that treated these unfortunate injured riders felt the same as you at the time. Sure, I see where you coming from, but that does not alter my stance one bit. No one is beyond helping. Edited November 19, 2008 by Jim Blanchard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff. Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 Worthy? You have a simplistic outlook on life Jeff, and not a little aggressive at times, at least in your posts. Very black and white too, if you do not mind me saying so. Maybe, the doctors and nurses that treated these unfortunate injured riders felt the same as you at the time. Sure, I see where you coming from, but that does not alter my stance one bit. No one is beyond helping. If you think Shawn worthy of a collection that is fine, no doubt countless others will too. I don't mind you saying so Jim, it wouldn't be much of a forum if everyone agreed on everything would it. For the record I would number both the Moran's in my top 10 of all time favourites, they were riders you hoped would miss the gate and fight their way from the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spin king Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 Perhaps a collection for Shawn might not be such a good idea, I asked about Shawn after I heard that had an accident last year, this was a letter that someone had sent someone on this forum who knew both Shawn and Kelly in the States. Shooey did fall off a motorcycle, but it was nowhere near as bad as losing an arm. Indeed, he had a bottle of whiskey tucked under it when he crashed and both arm and bottle came out unscathed. It really is sad to see Kelly and Shooey living with their mother in what amounts to the projects. I'm from a council estate in Gorton and that person will always be a part of me Andy, but I've never been third in the world, won World Team Cups, been a speedway superstar, or in Shawn's case, won the 1990 World Final in all but name. The pair of them have absolutely nothing left from their respective careers. Back in the day they would ride in Poland before it became as popular as today, and would get "paid" in priceless cut glass crystal, which they would both flog for twenty quid as soon as they landed at Manchester Airport and would basically go "up the wall" as it were. They are both broke and whatever cash they come across, usually from well meaning speedway fans, goes straight in the cash register of the nearest liquor store. I don't know if you ever read VIZ Andy, but the character, 8 ACE could be either of them. It just isn't funny anymore because everyone but Kelly and Shawn can see what it is doing to them. Still saddens me to read the letter, what a terrible waste of a life, lets hope that both have straightened themselves out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted November 19, 2008 Report Share Posted November 19, 2008 How old would Kelly and Shawn be now?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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