Bruce Penhall

[fatface]

...and...relax..

 

If Bruce had a keen enthusiast from another country approach him to write a book about him, then like most decent people he would say yes. Let's be honest the re-emergence of the speedway book market had only just started when that book came out. It's not as if Tempus, Retro Speedway and the rest were in a bidding war. I agree, a much better job would have been done by Tony Mac now..and given the full Cardiff launch. But so be it..

 

As for other points in this thread. I don't think he would ever admit it, but surely Bruce must've had some pangs of regret over his retirement. I completely understand why a 25 year old Californian man would be easily tempted by the offer of Hollywood fame and fortune over more years of endless travelling around Europe pursuing a life-threatening job whilst based in the Black Country. But it's a rare thing to the best the in the world at something...and Bruce was the best. To believe he could jump over to a completely unrelated vocation like acting and be among the best at that...well, it showed more than a smidge of ego.

[liverpool chad]

How else would you describe someone who quits when they are world champion, for wait for IT....to become an actor. No Bruce Willis either, a C grade low budget load of crap - which he apparently played the part of a cop. After this failed attempt at a job, no he doesn't make a comeback, preferring the safe option of running the family business - 'concrete blasting'. Then confirms he is a strange breed by taking up the biggest money wasting sport ever invented power boat 'racing'.

 

The sport of speedway meanwhile suffered massively during this period. Hard to imagine Roger Federer or Nadal winning a Slam or 2 and creating some great rivalry and competition,,,,then the one on the top suddenly turns his interest to acting or kite surfing, and never plays again. Never a decent explanation.

 

Now he is bound to have some followers and others who have questions or are intrigued to find out more bout him. That is why it was never a good idea to have a biography about him written by an adoring Cradley Heathens fan, who needed rope tied to his ankles, as he was so far up Penhalls ass, he didnt evan try to give a subjective view. Just tried to big everything about him up, and not write about anything at all interesting.

 

I cant help but feel he robbed the speedway world 'of that time' of some fascinating battles throughout the eighties, and depleted what was shaping as a golden period for speedway.

 

As for him saying he could have matched Muller in 83 or whatever he said I'm sure all the big guns would have thought the same, but at least some others had the courage to have a go.

 

edit: FWIW I couldnt agree less about 83. The two crowns penhall won were on very smooth speedway tracks , whereas 83 was tailored for longtrack specialist Muller, who was unstoppable! Penhall was dreaming of being able to match him. I doubt he would have scored many at all in 83. Still the question remains unanswered: If you are that arrogant or confident in your ability - why would a competitive sportsman hang up the boots for good??? when still a baby in the sport.

Until he can answer that question properly he will remain an enigma and not deserve one bit of admiration.

 

Retiring when you are at the very top of your sport is very appealing to most sportsmen, especially if they have made lots of money or have a cushy job to go into. Well Bruce had both the money and the cushy job to go into so you can't blame him really. Bruce Penhall didn't owe speedway anything, he went out every week risking his life to give people like you and i lots of pleasure! Cradley Heath on the other hand were short changed as Bruce left part way through the season and in mid contract.

Your reply baffles me slightly as, you fail to explain why you think that someone is quote "a conman, gutless and overrated" when they do what many thousands of people do every day, and that is change their career for a better one closer to home. Admittedly he was somewhat unsuccessful in his acting career, so he then trys his hand at powerboat racing and guess what? he becomes world champion! So thats world champion at two very dangerous pastimes, so i think we can drop the word's gutless and overatted from your argument! And as for you thinking running a family business is an easy option, then think again, ive just spent 30 odd years doing just that and it's not easy!

I notice you mentioned two tennis players as an example. Well cast your mind back to 1981 and one of the sports most consistent men Bjorn Borg quites the game while ranked world number 2 having been number 1 for many years and all this in the middle of the great rivalry with John McEnroe!

[liverpool chad]

Anyway notice how the sport in the USA went to rubbish after he quit the game. No new blood for many years and actually the country has never recovered. Yeah well done Bruce your a legend!

 

 

Is that so!!! Bruce Penhall quite the sport in 1982 and since that year the USA have given this great sport two fine riders in Greg Hancock and Billy Hamill, both WORLD CHAMPIONS.

 

Its like blaming Michael Lee or Kenny Carter for the fact that England have only had two world champions since the very same date!

 

See how stupid that statement sounds

[liverpool chad]

Sorry i forgot about Sam

The point i was trying to make was. That it is not Bruce Penhalls job to ensure good riders keep coming through from America, nor is it his fault they now don't! And anyone who thinks that Americas lack of speedway stars is down to the fact that BP quit in 1982 must be barking mad!

[Racing Jase]

Rebels77, as a young Bruce Penhall fan, I found the attitude of the British crowd at that meeting somewhat hypocritical, to say the least. I can't remember anyone kicking up a fuss when Dave Jessup and Larry Ross allowed Michael Lee & Ivan Mauger to beat them in their final heat in the 1981 Overseas Final, but Penhall does it a year later and suddenly there's a huge uproar. True, he shouldn't have done the wheelies, but otherwise Jessup & Ross did exactly the same.

 

All the best

Rob

 

I have no problem with what Bruce did that day, it happens, it was not his fault he was drawn against his fellow countrymen in that heat.

I find it strange how people slag him off for it yet the run off with the team riding Collins brothers(no problem with that either) goes unmentioned!!

[The White Knight]

I have no problem with what Bruce did that day, it happens, it was not his fault he was drawn against his fellow countrymen in that heat.

I find it strange how people slag him off for it yet the run off with the team riding Collins brothers(no problem with that either) goes unmentioned!!

 

 

Were they fooling about doing 'Wheelies' making it blatently obvious they were not trying - I don't think so.

[Racing Jase]

Were they fooling about doing 'Wheelies' making it blatently obvious they were not trying - I don't think so.

 

Nope, they were making it blatantly obvious who wasnt going through!

 

Like I said, I couldnt care less either way, all I am saying is if it had been Brits helping Brits, they would have been applauded for it, you know it, I know it and all that slag off Penhall know it.

[Humphrey Appleby]

"I challenge anyone to find a worse book than Penhalls offering!

 

I haven't read it, but I can take or leave his column and I find Malcolm Simmons to give a much more interesting rider's perspective.

 

Even so, I don't quite understand the diatribe by some against the bloke for wanting to do something other than ride speedway, nor blaming him for the decline of American speedway. It might well be the case that American speedway was never quite the same again, but that's hardly the fault of one rider...

[liverpool chad]

I haven't read it, but I can take or leave his column and I find Malcolm Simmons to give a much more interesting rider's perspective.

 

Even so, I don't quite understand the diatribe by some against the bloke for wanting to do something other than ride speedway, nor blaming him for the decline of American speedway. It might well be the case that American speedway was never quite the same again, but that's hardly the fault of one rider...

 

Agreed.

 

Which is what i have posted earlier.

[salty]

Just to point out that the quote which looks like it was attributed to me in Humph's post above is actually me quoting Dirt. Wonder if anyone has taken him up on his challenge to find a worse book than the Penhall tome.

[The White Knight]

I haven't read it, but I can take or leave his column and I find Malcolm Simmons to give a much more interesting rider's perspective.

 

Even so, I don't quite understand the diatribe by some against the bloke for wanting to do something other than ride speedway, nor blaming him for the decline of American speedway. It might well be the case that American speedway was never quite the same again, but that's hardly the fault of one rider...

 

At last - someone who agrees with me on this.

 

Bring back Rod Haynes to BackTrack.

[stavvy1974]

I'd like to know how he thought his Book Penhall speedway world champion ended up?? I would really question him as to whether he thinks that book is worthy of evan hitting the printers let alone charging fans of the sport to read that garbage, and is he willing to accept it back if I post it back. I have a few more questions but knowing the type of character he is, He would just hang up the phone, rather than have the decency to answer some home truths!

Type of character? no doubt this comment is born out of the fact your a former Halifax/Carter fan? and just because you didnt like his comments about Kenny? I met Kenny when he was at Newcastle and i jokingly asked him who he was and he didnt respond like a gentleman nor did he years later at the Golden hammer when again I jokingly said(as a Middlesbrough fan)that Martin Dixon was far more entertaining to watch whenDicko was doubling up again he was not exactly a responsive gentleman. Yes Kenny was a great rider and yes he had a difficult life with his family problems ie his mothers illness but Penhall is entitled to believe what Kenny did was out of order in ending his life etc so sorry not sure where you get this character thing especially as Bruce was orphaned himself but behaved impeccably with the public.

[stavvy1974]

At last - someone who agrees with me on this.

 

Bring back Rod Haynes to BackTrack.

Because unfortunatly some people are just childish and bear grudges and some comment out of childish track/team/rider rivallry. As a Middlesbrough/Teesside fan I hated Joe Owen when he wore the diamonds race jacket but that didnt change the shock of what happened to him and team apart I have never felt the need to doubt his character or dislike him as a person then or now because he was a great rider and good for the league etc.

To my knowledge Bruce was always good with the fans etc and great for British speedway thats all that counts and I do understand why people blame him for everything because he tells it the way he sees it as does Simmo but nobody criticises him. This is NOT directed at you obviously.

Edited September 29, 2010 by stavvy1974

[dirt]

Type of character? no doubt this comment is born out of the fact your a former Halifax/Carter fan? and just because you didnt like his comments about Kenny? I met Kenny when he was at Newcastle and i jokingly asked him who he was and he didnt respond like a gentleman nor did he years later at the Golden hammer when again I jokingly said(as a Middlesbrough fan)that Martin Dixon was far more entertaining to watch whenDicko was doubling up again he was not exactly a responsive gentleman. Yes Kenny was a great rider and yes he had a difficult life with his family problems ie his mothers illness but Penhall is entitled to believe what Kenny did was out of order in ending his life etc so sorry not sure where you get this character thing especially as Bruce was orphaned himself but behaved impeccably with the public.

maybe your sense of humour wasnt particularly funny to Kenny? It seems you have a problem with him if anything. My hate of Penhall was manufactured from reading his 'book', and being none the wiser about why he did what he did. I have come to the conclusion that Penhall was scared of something happening to him on the track and thats why he suddenly retired. He managed his ambitions and wanted to get out before he got hurt. That is my opinion and Bruce you brought it on yourself. If you are going to sell a book, at least make it good to read, and not painful to read as this crud was. For him to approve or not evan read it before being published is hideous. The worship and praise that the author heaps on Penhall is beyond a joke, it made me physically sick, and that's the only reason I have questions regarding his character.

[The White Knight]

Because unfortunatly some people are just childish and bear grudges and some comment out of childish track/team/rider rivallry. As a Middlesbrough/Teesside fan I hated Joe Owen when he wore the diamonds race jacket but that didnt change the shock of what happened to him and team apart I have never felt the need to doubt his character or dislike him as a person then or now because he was a great rider and good for the league etc.

To my knowledge Bruce was always good with the fans etc and great for British speedway thats all that counts and I do understand why people blame him for everything because he tells it the way he sees it as does Simmo but nobody criticises him. This is NOT directed at you obviously.

 

Hello Stavvy - we meet again.

 

My comments regarding Penhall were just my opinion of his awful Column in BackTrack. His Articles are not very good as far as I am concerned. I don't like to see a Rider like Penhall being lionised on here, because, Bruce Penhall was very much a flawed diamond. There were rumours of drugs, fixed Races, the way he left the Sport in such disgraceful circumstances all of which is unacceptable to me. Now he is back writing Articles about the Sport he treated so shamefully.

Rod Haynes however did not have this sort of reputation. He wrote of the 'good old days' and HIS pieces were incisive and interesting. He is sadly missed - by me anyway. As a scribe he was a far better read than Mr. Penhall will ever be.

[Tsunami]

Hello Stavvy - we meet again.

 

My comments regarding Penhall were just my opinion of his awful Column in BackTrack. His Articles are not very good as far as I am concerned. I don't like to see a Rider like Penhall being lionised on here, because, Bruce Penhall was very much a flawed diamond. There were rumours of drugs, fixed Races, the way he left the Sport in such disgraceful circumstances all of which is unacceptable to me. Now he is back writing Articles about the Sport he treated so shamefully.

Rod Haynes however did not have this sort of reputation. He wrote of the 'good old days' and HIS pieces were incisive and interesting. He is sadly missed - by me anyway. As a scribe he was a far better read than Mr. Penhall will ever be.

 

Tch, Typical Redcar fan.

[The White Knight]

Tch, Typical Redcar fan.

 

 

Oooops!!! Sorry Tsunami.

 

Still meant every word of my Post though.

[heathen79]

Just wanted to respond to a couple of points on here as the author of the Penhall book.

 

When putting anything in print such as the publication of a book which is read by thousands of people, I knew I had to accept that there would be people that liked it and people that didnt, so I'll take the criticism along with the praise.

 

I am fortunate enough to have been able to write the book and that such an overwhelming majority of feedback has been positive. I will always be proud of the achievement of everything to do with the book and what was involved.

 

I also concede that I feel I could improve and do a better job now than when I first started writing it seven years ago. True, I am a Bruce Penhall fan and that comes across, perhaps too strongly, in the book. I never set out or wanted it to be controversial and perhaps for that reason it lacked an edge that some people would have liked.

 

I know I am probably never going to change the opinion of people who disliked Bruce already or disapproved of the things that he did. Harsh to criticise though in my opinion, that he chose to follow other careers, pursuits and potential achievements. Not really his fault what happened to speedway afterwards either! He had the opportunities to experience life in Hollywood, in powerboat racing (world champion again), in other glamorous businesses and was able to do things that most of us will never have the chance to do. I'd have less respect if he turned those opportunities down.

 

I doubt however that there will be many who agree with 'dirt' that he did 'more to damage the sport than good'! In researching, I spoke to many other people who knew or worked with Bruce including managers, team-mates and rivals. I can honestly say - regardless of my own opinion - that during that process there was hardly a bad word to say about him.

 

Some misconceptions to correct though: I started researching and writing the book first of all, and as it progressed I contacted Bruce and asked for his blessing and his help. He was exceptionally accommodating and we had many transatlantic phone calls (at 6am Californian time) where he shared his memories of the events I was researching and writing about. He was not looking for someone to write a book about him, it was something that I had endeavoured to do and there is nothing stopping someone else doing the same in the future, with or without Bruce's help or endorsement. He read the book before it was printed, but accepted it was a biography and not an autobiography. He never asked for, or received 'a cut of the proceeds'. It was one of the earlier efforts of the Speedway Books revolution under Tempus, and maybe I was naive in wanting to see the book through to print so accepted whatever was offered. The publishers made far more money than anyone out of the book.

 

It remains a record of Bruce's achievements, albeit from the point of view of a Cradley fan and a Penhall fan. For those that didn't know him or see him ride, and for those that remember his era, there are lots of stories and details about what he did on and off track.

 

Thanks,

Steve.

[dirt]

Steve you dont have to make a book into a controversial story by asking certain questions.

 

Did it cross your mind to ask him why he gave it away at such a young age?????????????????????

 

Probably that query along with similar mysteries regarding why on earth he would give up the best, most exciting sport in the world when he was approaching his peak and had at least 10 years ahead of him.

 

If im not mistaken you didnt answer any of these or anything at all of any interest.

 

What changed in Bruces mind? because as you wrote his dream was always to be a speedway rider and become world champion, which he did with great skill, but his dream as a youngster or ambitions were NEVER anything about powert ski/power boat cruising. Compared to speedway bike riding that is something to be ashamed about, like a gardening contest or flower bouquet competition.

 

With respect all you gave was a list of his achievments and summary of his career, when the important questions got ignored.

 

Im not saying I could do better, but dont try and disguise his wimping out by glorifying powerboat racing as it isnt even a sport and more like a waste of petrol and thrashing boats for fun.

 

The more you glorified his good looks and great relationship with the fans, the more it seems he let the sport down by giving it up for no good or any reason.

 

Hollywood aspirations and power ski racing are nothing to be proud of. Far from it they are a decent reflection however of his attitude and selfish self orientated personality, and how he would do anything to get ahead perhaps even get his ambitions mixed up with his capabilities in the pursuit of greatness, when he was never even that good. If he had won 4 or 5 Crowns and been at the top for a while not just a flash in the pan, then he would have been ready to move on to other pursuits. with some respect still intact.

 

I spose you think his hollywood career was actaully successful?

[heathen79]

Did it cross your mind to ask him why he gave it away at such a young age?????????????????????

 

Probably that query along with similar mysteries regarding why on earth he would give up the best, most exciting sport in the world when he was approaching his peak and had at least 10 years ahead of him.

 

I think this is well covered. Bruce felt that he had already reached the very top of the sport. His dream was to become World Champion and he did it, twice. He had an offer to appear in what was a hugely successful TV series at the time and it was an offer which had enormous appeal to him.

 

Im not saying I could do better, but dont try and disguise his wimping out by glorifying powerboat racing as it isnt even a sport and more like a waste of petrol and thrashing boats for fun... Hollywood aspirations and power ski racing are nothing to be proud of.

 

You are clearly entitled to your opinion, but I'm sure many powerboat fanatics would say similar things about speedway.