BOBBATH Posted November 24, 2009 Report Share Posted November 24, 2009 Now we know the 16 oldest surviving World Finalists I wondered what would happen if they had all met on a neutral track at the peak of their careers in the old one-off format.So I decided to give it a shot-I have the oldest riding in the #1 racejacket(Cyril Roger) then all the others in their age order down to the youngest as #16(Rune Sormander) Here's what I came up with. Ht#1 Waterman, Roger,Clark,Dunton #2 Williams,Bradley,Payne,Brand #3 Mardon,Boothroyd,Taylor,Close #4 Nygren,Sormander,Bales,Gooch #5 Roger,Payne,Taylor,Gooch #6 Bales,Bradley,Boothroyd,Clark #7 Nygren,Waterman,Close,Brand #8 Williams,Sormander,Mardon,Dunton #9 Sormander,Bradley,Close,Roger #10 Nygren,Mardon,Payne,Clark #11 Waterman,Williams,Bales,Taylor #12 Boothroyd,Gooch,Brand,Dunton #13 Bales,Mardon,Roger,Brand #14 Williams,Clark,Close,Gooch #15 Sormander,Waterman,Payne,Boothroyd #16 Nygren,Bradley,Taylor,Dunton #17 Nygren,Williams,Roger,Boothroyd #18 Sormander,Clark,Taylor,Brand #19 Waterman,Bradley,Mardon,Gooch #20 Bales,Close,Payne,Dunton Run-off for 2nd and 3rd: Waterman,Williams, Sormander Overall. Nygren 15,Waterman 13,Williams 13,Sormander 13,Bales 11,Bradley 10,Mardon 9,Roger 7,Boothroyd 6,Payne 6,Clark 5, Close 5,Taylor 4, Gooch 2,Brand 1,Dunton 0. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted November 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2009 Anybody have any comments on the above -other than those of the nature of "you gotta get a life".In retrospect I may have been too generous to Billy Bales -but remember they are all riding at their peak-don't tell Danny Dunton I gave him zero points.How would some other forumlanders feel they would have finished up!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted November 25, 2009 Report Share Posted November 25, 2009 Gosh! It's a hugely impressive endeavour you've launched into here, BOBBATH! I am impressed! I have to profess having once met him and spent a whole meeting with him (at Wimbledon in 2004..), the legend that is Split has become my favourite rider, I was far too young ever to have seen ride(!), so for me I'd have Mr. Waterman as number one. He is one of only two riders to have finished second in a WF twice without ever being champ, so to place him second again in a third is a bit cruel..! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted November 25, 2009 Report Share Posted November 25, 2009 I'm with you there, Derek. Split for me too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted November 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2009 Yeah it could have gone either way-how would you guys compare Fred Williams to Split-any disagreement with the top three being the top three!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano Posted November 25, 2009 Report Share Posted November 25, 2009 Sorry it's off topic, but, is Nygren the only one that still does four laps on a bike? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted November 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2009 What's off topic about that??Olle is one tough Swede!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted November 26, 2009 Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 What's off topic about that??Olle is one tough Swede!!!!!!!!!!!!! i wonder if he has still got his white boots!. i can remember him wearing them riding for wimbledon and west ham. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucifer sam Posted November 26, 2009 Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 I assume this meeting would be held at the old Wembley. In which case, Freddie Williams is the likely winner, as he won two World Championships against tougher line-ups than the one listed. All the best Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted November 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 No way lucifer sam-I put in my post that it had to be a neutral track for the very reason you outline-no question that Wembley favoured home riders and to me Tommy Price's and Fred's wins are questionable-perhaps like Egon Muller's win at Norden. Pick any neutral track you like e.g. Cardiff, Costa Mesa or my own personal favourite-Paris, Ontario. The latter is a Canadian version of the frying pan at New X. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucifer sam Posted November 26, 2009 Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 No way lucifer sam-I put in my post that it had to be a neutral track for the very reason you outline-no question that Wembley favoured home riders and to me Tommy Price's and Fred's wins are questionable-perhaps like Egon Muller's win at Norden. Pick any neutral track you like e.g. Cardiff, Costa Mesa or my own personal favourite-Paris, Ontario. The latter is a Canadian version of the frying pan at New X. On a neutral track, it would be Waterman, with Nygren second. All the best Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deano Posted November 26, 2009 Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 Olle is one tough Swede!!!!!!!!!!!!! Too true... after going on his training school a few years ago, spending the whole day getting sore.... then sit down and watch him do his demonstration. You wonder if the guy is invincible at his age. Such a nice guy to talk to as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted November 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 The consensus so far seems to be Split-anyone else besides me vote for Olle -or any of the other riders.???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted November 27, 2009 Report Share Posted November 27, 2009 In retrospect I may have been too generous to Billy Bales I think it would depend on what size the neutral track is. A large track and Billy's your man; a small track (like New Cross) and yes, I think you've been too generous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted November 27, 2009 Report Share Posted November 27, 2009 The consensus so far seems to be Split-anyone else besides me vote for Olle -or any of the other riders.???? Put me down for Olle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted October 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2010 With the sad passing of Phil Clarke noted by Norbold-can anybody remind me the oldest to youngest 16(plus two reserves) from the list we agreed I have forgotten the order and misplaced my oldest to youngest list!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerowl Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 I think the list would now read: 1. Cyril Roger - born 27.12.21 2. Split Waterman - 27.7.23 3. Danny Dunton - 13.5.24 4. Athur Payne - 30.8.24 5. Dick Bradley - 28.11.24 6. Fred Brand - 3.2.25 7. Freddie Williams - 3.2.26 8. Chum Taylor - 4.4.27 9. Eric Boothroyd - 26.4.27 10. Derick Close - 13.5.27 11. Geoff Mardon - 24.11.27 12. Jimmy Gooch - 16.11.28 13. Billy Bales - 6.6.29 14. Olle Nygren - 11.11.29 15. Rune Sormander - 29.11.29 16. Jack Geran - 10.12.29 17. Ron How - 23.12.29 18. Ron Johnston - 31.12.30 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted October 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 Thanx Tigerowl-one question -is Arthur Payne still with us?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerowl Posted October 10, 2010 Report Share Posted October 10, 2010 I think so. On the other thread that was running earlier this year, Reg Fearman had confirmed Arthur was still alive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprog1 Posted October 14, 2010 Report Share Posted October 14, 2010 I think the list would now read: 1. Cyril Roger - born 27.12.21 2. Split Waterman - 27.7.23 3. Danny Dunton - 13.5.24 4. Athur Payne - 30.8.24 5. Dick Bradley - 28.11.24 6. Fred Brand - 3.2.25 7. Freddie Williams - 3.2.26 8. Chum Taylor - 4.4.27 9. Eric Boothroyd - 26.4.27 10. Derick Close - 13.5.27 11. Geoff Mardon - 24.11.27 12. Jimmy Gooch - 16.11.28 13. Billy Bales - 6.6.29 14. Olle Nygren - 11.11.29 15. Rune Sormander - 29.11.29 16. Jack Geran - 10.12.29 17. Ron How - 23.12.29 18. Ron Johnston - 31.12.30 Well done for putting that together Tigerowl. As I cut my Speedway teeth at West Ham I have to go with Olle-by-Golly, but if someone was injued and Ron How came in at reserve I might have to think twice about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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