Top 20 Brits Of The 80s

[TonyMac]

Following on from our Top 20 Brits of the 70s in issue 39, we'll be doing the same exercise and compiling a Top 20 Brits of the 80s in our next issue (No.41).

 

I'd be interested to know how others see it. Who would be you top 3, or maybe you fancy having a stab at the full 20?

 

It's a tricky one because some of the leading contenders, notably Kenny Carter and Mike Lee, only did the business for part of the decade, but their achievements at top level in that period (in World Championship events and for England) would, in the eyes of many, merit a higher overall ranking than others (the Grahame bros, for instance) who were very consistent THROUGHOUT the 10-season period, 1980-89.

 

Let the debate begin...

Edited October 15, 2010 by tmc

[george.m]

Steve Lawson should be in there - Consistently near to the top of the averages for many years and did so at an unfashionable club and poor team.

[TonyMac]

Consistently near to the top of the averages for many years and did so at an unfashionable club and poor team.

 

Aye, but it were National League!

 

With all due respect to Stevie and his supreme efforts for the Tigers over yonks, can't see any NL stars sneaking in to this list.

[Sir Jasper]

Tatum and Wigg have got be near the top.

[frenchy]

How about for the number 1 Brit to be Chris Morton followed by Wigg & John Davis. After that in no order I suggest - the Grahame brothers, Tatum, Marvyn Cox, Peter Collins & from the second division Steve Lawson, Barry Thomas, Steve Wilcock & especially Joe Owen. With the exception of Owen I've suggested riders who were around for all, or most, of the decade and at a high level (well maybe one bad year each).

[TonyMac]

& from the second division Steve Lawson, Barry Thomas, Steve Wilcock & especially Joe Owen.

 

You can rule out any second division riders. How can any competing in the second tier, racing against second tier opposition, possibly be considered for a place in the Top 20 Brits of the 80s?

[kaiser]

Ok here goes, my top 20 brits of the 80s.

 

1. Kenny Carter (and i used to boo him!!!). But man he was fast.

2. Chris Morton (great rider, not sure about manager!!!).

3. Mike Lee (never saw him at his peak as i started going end of 82, but having since watched the 80 final, he was awesome.

4. Simon Wigg (the most complete motorcyclist of all time, be it on shale or grass).

5. Peter Collins (not as dominant as in the previous decade, but a world team cup win and three pairs titles puts him up there.

6. Kelvin Tatum (ok he was a start tart!!but for a large part of the decade he was one of the few brits that could mix it with those pesky Danes!!). Also our last world team cup championship winning skipper!!!

7. Jem Doncaster (world number three and world team cup winner, great team man at Ippo and Reading).

8. Marvyn Cox (always thought Marv would have gone further on the world stage, but boy could he go at the old hyde road, plus as a world under 21 champ, he gets my vote).

9. Andy FOXY Smith (ok im a bit biased as he was one of my favs as a kid, remember thinking he was certain to be a multi world champion, still great to watch, very much in the Collins Mort mould.

10. Alan Grahme (sure he was never a superstar, but as team man he was second to non, a Cradley legend, god knows how many 5-1s he got the Heathens with Phil Collins.

11. Les Collins (strange that Les was only a the very top for a few years, otherwise he would be much higher on my list, close to ultimate glory in 82, im also sure he won a BLRC??).

12. Phil Collins (remember him winning an overseas final at hyde road, the track was like a sodding bog!!). Very similar in style and action to his older more illustrious brother PC. Another Cradley stalwart.

13. Simon Cross (very unlucky with injuries as i feel he could have gone even further, great to watch).

14. Andy Grahame (more of a gater than his brother Al, but 82 british champion and close again in 83 gets him on the list).

15. Martin Duggard (not everyones cup of tea, but he really impressed me when he moved to Oxford, and did the business, pretty hard rider as well!!!).

16. Peter B52 Carr (the bomber, he actually improved when he left BV for Sheffield!!man he could fly at Owleton).

17. Dave Jessup (probably should be higher, but by the time i started going DJ was on the wane, his best years were in the 70s, although a world team cup win and no2 to Lee in 80, probably proves im doing him an injustice!!At number 17!!!).

18. Andy Silver (NL Legend, never made the mark at world level, but man he could hang off a bike!!Rubbish at gating but would find lines, other riders couldnt!!).

19. John Davis (never a huge fan, but he was always consistant, made the most of his talent, as i dont think he could be classed as a natural.)

20. Paul Thorp (if Hyde road would have remained Thorpy would have become an aces legend, he was awesome around there in 87, pitty he was so bad at Kirky lane, did a sterling job at Odsal with Bradford).

 

Ok thats it, boy my fingers are hurting, pretty sure ive missed out someone but hey thats life!!!

[lucifer sam]

This one is tricky. For starters, who should be the No.1? Unlike the 1970s (where everyone plumped for Peter Collins), there isn't an obvious candidate.

 

Michael Lee was our only individual World Speedway Champion of the decade and could mix it and beat the best, but as an effective force, he was snubbed out with his ban in early 1984.

 

Kenny Carter didn't fulfil his potential (his list of honours is quite short, especially on the international stage) and again he rode for little than over half the decade.

 

Chris Morton did last the decade, and he won a few things, but never finished above eighth in a World Final - so he never shone at the biggest stage of all.

 

Simon Wigg won four British League titles (with Cradleay Heath and Oxford) and also won two Longtrack titles during the decade, but should someone whose main focus was away from speedway be the best Brit of the 1980s?

 

Peter Collins won more World titles (three Pairs and one WTC) than any other Brit in the 1980s, but while still a great rider, he was past his best in the 1980s (largely due to a painful injury sustained at the conclusion of 1980).

 

Kelvin Tatum is another under consideration, but I don't feel he's quite the Best Brit of the entire decade.

 

Hmmmmm, this one needs a little more thought than the 1970s.

 

All the best

Rob

[lucifer sam]

1. Kenny Carter (and i used to boo him!!!). But man he was fast.

 

I can't agree with Carter as No. 1. Away from domestic British Speedway (couple of British Finals and couple of BLRCs), he won the 1983 World Pairs with Peter Collins. And that's it. Never finished on a single World Individual Final rostrum either. Carter flattered to decieve at the highest levels of the sport.

 

He never inspired Halifax to win anything either.

 

Carter's talent alone places him in the top 5 British riders of the 1980s. But he lacks the roll of honour to push himself into the top couple of positions, which should be reserved for winners.

 

All the best

Rob

[kaiser]

 

 

He never inspired Halifax to win anything either.

 

 

 

All the best

Rob

 

Come on thats hardly Carters fault, Halifax were a one man team, he had virtually no backup!!!Only reason to watch Halifax was to watch KC!!Well that and the shay was a top racing track. Two BLRCs (when it was a meeting worth winning!!!). Two British finals in the decade (did anyone win any more than 2 over the 80s??). That said im still shocked that someone things J Davis should be ranked third!!! I must have spent the decade in some sort of parrell universe, biggest think JD did in the 80s was wear PINK leathers!!!!!

[kaiser]

For things see think and vice versa!!!!

[lucifer sam]

Come on thats hardly Carters fault, Halifax were a one man team, he had virtually no backup!!!Only reason to watch Halifax was to watch KC!!Well that and the shay was a top racing track. Two BLRCs (when it was a meeting worth winning!!!). Two British finals in the decade (did anyone win any more than 2 over the 80s??). That said im still shocked that someone things J Davis should be ranked third!!! I must have spent the decade in some sort of parrell universe, biggest think JD did in the 80s was wear PINK leathers!!!!!

 

I was surprised at JD in someone's top three!! I'm working on my own top 20 (got a list of sorts, but want to check it with the lists of BL averages first, because at the moment, my list is decided largely on honours). JD is likely to feature, but at the bottom of the list rather than the top!

 

As for Carter's honours, OK maybe Halifax can't be pinned on his door (although sometimes an inspirational No. 1 can propel a team to success), but how about the fact he never won a single international round of the World Championship?

 

All the best

Rob

[kaiser]

Guess its all down to opinions, you do make a valid point ref Carters qualifying rounds, although he was usually partly injured/knackered!!!Broken leg in 84 overseas and 85 intercontinental. Came close in 85 overseas, but for a great cut back from the mighty Shooey!!! One rider i didnt submit (well forgot!!) is Richard Knight, probably worthy of making the top 20 really. Just shows how many genuine class riders we had in the decade, sadly something thats lacking at the moment!!

[george.m]

You can rule out any second division riders. How can any competing in the second tier, racing against second tier opposition, possibly be considered for a place in the Top 20 Brits of the 80s?

 

I know where you're coming from tmc!

However, no criteria was mentioned for qualifying as a Top 20 rider .. so I chanced my arm with someone who I feel should get more credit for what he achieved!

[lucifer sam]

I know where you're coming from tmc!

However, no criteria was mentioned for qualifying as a Top 20 rider .. so I chanced my arm with someone who I feel should get more credit for what he achieved!

 

Steve Lawson would definitely feature in the Top 20 National League riders of the 1970s and 1980s. In fact, I would place him third behind Joe & Tom Owen.

 

All the best

Rob

[waiheke]

My list, I've tried to be objective though the list is no doubt skewed by the fact that I watched most of my Speedway at Hyde Rd 81-87, with regular visits to halifax/Bradford and also Coventry (for Aces meetings and world final qualifiers - though never went to a British Final fomr somme reason).

 

 

1. Michael Lee (the most talented English speedway rider of the generation. If you doubt that watch the 80 World Final in particular the way he storms past Penhall in his second ride. I never particularly rated him around Hyde Rd where I watched most of my Speedway, certainly not as highly as say Morton or Carter, though a couple of performances stand out in 81 against USA, and the 83 BLRC where he finished on the rostrum. And I was there in Norden in 83 when he finished on the podium. A real shame that he didnt live up to his potential, as Id rate him at least as talented as Gundersen and Nielsen).

2. Kenny Carter (Along with Morton the best Englishman around Hyde Rd, and certainly the best around the Shay and Odsal. For those who doubt his achievements: 2 x British Champion. Back to back winner of the BLRC (the only other riders to have ever achieved this feat are Briggs, Olsen, Peter Collins and Nielsen). One first and two seconds from 3 World Pairs finals (stand out performance being 85 where he was beaten only by Gundersen). Finished on the podium in 3 Overseas finals, and one inter-continental final. And in World finals: 81 denied a probable place on the rostrum by an engine failure. 82 denied a place on the rostrum (and possibly the title ) by THAT incident (for what its worth, I think the ref called it correctly). 83- Mullers final, 10 points disappointing but far from disgraceful. 84 brave effort to qualify though injured. 85- had he made the final he would have had a great chance at winning. I think he would have done, though it would have required some luck with what gates he was drawn on (as the inside gates were a HUGE advantage in the first half of the meeting). Looking at other top riders of the era, Its worth remembering that Carter was younger than the likes of Nielsen, Gundersen and Sigalos, and that it took Nielsen 7 attempts to win a World Final - and even then he required some luck with the refs decision going his way. Carter was also (along with Morton) the best rider in England colours in the first half of the decade.

3. Chris Morton ok Im biased, as he was my favourite English rider. He was generally rubbish on World Final night, but he won everything else. British Final, Inter-Continental Final, BLRC Final (those two events arguably the strongest line ups of any meeting at that time), World Pairs Final and World team Cup Final. An absolutely amazing rider to watch, and in terms of consistent performance over the whole decade hed be the top English rider.

4. Dave Jessup never particularly rated him as with the exception of one performance against USA- I always remember him as being rubbish around Hyde Rd. But… he was the best rider in the World in 1980 (arguably would have been the only Englishman to win a world title in the decade under a GP format) and would have finished on the rostrum in 81 but for engine troubles.

5. Simon Wigg the best English rider over the second half of the decade, but not quite good enough to seriously challenge the dominance of Hans and Erik. Averaged over 11 in the BL 86, I believe the last Englishman to do so. Double British Champion, and 2nd in the World in 89.

6. Peter Collins past his best, but still won more World titles in the 80s than any other Englishman, including Pairs titles with three different partners. Watching him and Chris ride in heat 13 was one of the finest sights in Speedway.

7. Kelvin Tatum probably just behind Wiggy as the best Englishman in the latter 1980s. On the rostrum 4 times (with 4 different partners) in the World Pairs, member of the 89 WTC winning team, and won all the major qualifying rounds of the World individual, as well as finishing 3rd in the 86 Final.

8. Les Collins the biggest loser out of the controversial Carter/|Penhall clash, as this denied him a run-off for the title. That said, if he hadnt dropped points in his easiest ride the title would have been his. Also won the 80 BLRC and 82 inter-Continental final, so that performance cant be viewed as a fluke. But surprisingly faded and never made another final.

9. Jeremy Doncaster consistently in the top 10 riders in the world in the second half of the 80s, and finished 3rd in the 89 final (though only due to a Gundersen ef).

10. Simon Cross 87 was really his breakthrough year, making the World Final and being one of Englands strongest performers in Tests. Runner up in the 88 World Pairs.

11. Phil Collins the 83 Overseas final was probably the biggest win of his career. A solid perfomer for England and Cradley in the early-mid 80s.

12. Paul Thorp almost made the World Final form while riding in the NL in 86, and looked awesome when he joined Belle Vue in 87. A member of the 89 WTC winning team, and runner up in the Pairs in the same year.

13. John Davis consistent across the whole decade.

14. Neil Evitts I always rated him, from his time as a young reserve for Birmingham. He started 86 on fire, winning the British Final, and was superb for Bradford early in that season as well, but, partly due to injuries I suspect, never consistently produced that form again.

15. Marvyn Cox World junior champ and key member of Oxfords 85/86 championship winning teams.

16. Andy Grahame had a great record in the British final, including winning in 82, and a solid performer over the whole decade.

17. Alan Grahame like his brother had a good record in the British final. He was a key member of the great Heathens sides of the 80s (what a team they had with Gundersen and Penhall/King/Pedersen as spearheads, and then Phil Collins and Grahame at 4 and 5.) 5 points from 2 World final rides must give him one of the best points/per World Final rides records of all time!

18. John Louis although past his best, made the rostrum of the Commonwealth final in 80 and british final in 81).

19. Andy Smith the most spectacular English rider of the 80s, even more so than Mort and PC in my mind. Watching him develop and starting beating the top riders around Hyde Rd was just brilliant! Never really lived up to his potential, I guess because his gating was so rubbish. Scored 10 points on debut in the 89 World Final.

20. Joe Owen arguably the best second tier rider of all time. And his performances for Hull in 81 and Newcastle in 84 showed that he could certainly have competed at British League level in my view he would have been a genuine top flight heat leader had he not rraced pre-dominantly in the NL.

 

Other riders that would come close are Gordon Kennett, Malcolm Simmons, Neil Collins, Richard Knight, Gary Havelock.

Edited October 19, 2010 by waihekeaces

[fatface]

1 Chris Morton

2 Kenny Carter

3 Mike Lee

4 Simon Wigg

5 Kelvin Tatum

6 Peter Collins

7 Jem Doncaster

8 Les Collins

9 Phil Collins

10 Alan Grahame

11 Andy Grahame

12 Dave Jessup

13 Neil Evitts

14 John Davis

15 Andy Smith

16 Simon Cross

17 Marvyn Cox

18 Neil Collins

19 John Louis

20 Paul Thorp

Others..Richard Knight, Steve Schofield

 

To declare my interests, Chris Morton is my all-time favourite, but I still reckon I can back it up. He was capable of beating the very best in the world from 1980 right through to 1988. At their very best, Carter and Lee were probably better riders. But for an overall contribution over the decade, Mort has to come out top. He led Belle Vue throughout the decade, averaging above 9pts for nine seasons (above 10 for four of those). For England, he got the vast bulk of his 100 caps, twice top scored in WTC finals and actually scored his first England maximum (vs USA) as late as 1988. Also top-scored when he and PC won the World Pairs. Individually, he won British Final, BLRC (when it really meant something), Inter-Continental and was third in the World Long-Track. His World Final record makes painful reading and doesn't fairly reflect his talent at all. But as a club rider, you'd be hard pressed to find a more reliable and entertaining no1 throughout the 80s.

 

As for others, I haven't rated Jessup too highly because after 1980, he was on the slide, by 1984 he was second-string level. John Louis sneaks in because although past his best, he was still a capable of giving most no1s a decent race right through to 1985. Also liked that he didn't take the easy pickings at NL level, when he could've had some easy pickings there for a few years. Tatum gets a hard ride from some and like many, he wasn't my cup of tea (more gater than racer). But he was still a top line rider for the latter half of the 80s.

[waiheke]

anyone other than Aces fans going to submit their lists? otherwise, i reckon we'll just agree that Chris Morton is number one.

slightly off topic, but does anyone know of a site which lists British League averages for the 80s (or other years as well)?

[Barcroftlad]

anyone other than Aces fans going to submit their lists? otherwise, i reckon we'll just agree that Chris Morton is number one.

slightly off topic, but does anyone know of a site which lists British League averages for the 80s (or other years as well)?

I must look out for the Aces next time I pop over to the Island! Cheers.

[ImpartialOne]

I'm not an aces fan!

 

Personally, I don't feel that riders should be penalised in this list for only being around for some of the decade. Yes, Chris Morton was around for most of it which gives the impression that he is more worthy of being at the top, but in my view, guys like Wigg, Tatum, etc. did a lot for British Speedway in the late 80s and it isn't their fault they weren't around for the whole 10 years.

In the case of Michael Lee and Kenny Carter for example, it could be argued that it was their own actions that prevented them from continuing longer, but again i think we have to look at it more broadly than just "he won 12 titles, he only won 1", etc., although achievements do have to be taken into consideration.

 

So here is my top 20:

 

1. Simon Wigg

A great ambassador for the sport, World No.2 in 89, twice British Champion, sole World Finalist in 84, a solid England performer throughout.

 

2. Kelvin Tatum

Probably the most dependable rider England had in the second half of the decade, World No.3 in 86, twice British Champion, sole World Finalist in 85 and a respectable first final under a lot of hype.

 

3. Kenny Carter

I have no doubt in my mind that, although his World Final record reads as modest, he would have gone on to be World Champion. Had terrible luck with injuries in 84 and 85. A perfect example of my philosophy above, he was only around for the first half of the 80s and his results at the very top don't do his talent, courage and passion justice.

His performance on a slimy night at Coventry in the British Final alone, with a broken leg in 1984 emphasise just what he was prepared to do to reach his ultimate goal, when the majority of the perfectly fit field wanted to pack up and go home.

For England he was a class act, and again, another two times British Champion.

 

4. Chris Morton

British Champion in 83, solid England performer and World Pairs Champion in 84 with PC. Never knew when he was beaten.

 

5. Michael Lee

World Champion of course at the start of the decade, World No.3 in 83. From 84 it all went wrong for him but he is still there in the Elite list of riders to have ever been the World No.1 and always will be.

 

6. Peter Collins

As previously posted, was not the force he was in the 70s but still a World Champion in 84 with Mort in the World Pairs and a quality England rider.

 

7. Jeremy Doncaster

World No.3 in 89, Mr. Dependable at international level, Donkey was never spectacular but another quality rider that England/GB would kill for these days.

 

8. Neil Evitts

British Champion and World Finalist in 86, easily his best year but an almost automatic choice for England in the late 80s. Pretty sure injuries hampered him a little at times which may have prevented him from adding to his achievements.

 

9. Alan Grahame

As someone mentioned, came in as reserve in the 84 World Final, his only appearance and dropped just the one point in his 2 rides. Was a solid team man at Cradley and a reliable England International.

 

10. Phil Collins

I was surprised when he quit Britain after the 1986 season and felt he had lots more to offer. An exciting rider to watch and another rider who regularly "picked himself" when it came to test matches.

 

11. Marvyn Cox

World Finalist in 86, and was both British U-21 Champion and European Under-21 Champion (pre-World U-21 Championship) in 1984. Again a rider of quality but never quite made the headlines after that.

 

12. Dave Jessup

DJ was, like PC, in the latter stages of his career but was in the early 80s a regular World Finalist and World No.2 in 1980. Suffered more than most when it came to luck, but it has to be said that carbs should not fall off in a World Final!

 

13. John Davis

Never World Champion material but a seasoned International right up to the mid 80s and was still in the pink by the turn of the 90s!

 

14. Les Collins

1982 was easily his best, winning the Intercontinental Final on his way to becoming World No.2 in LA. That apart though, from memory he was never in the same vein as the riders above.

 

15. Paul Thorp

Burst onto the scene in 86 with a terrific run in the World Championship whilst still in the lower division, almost making the World Final. A regular England man in the late 80s and played a big part in England's victory in the WTC Final at Bradford.

 

16. Andy Grahame.

British Champion 1982 and an altogether reliable points scorer.

 

17. Simon Cross

Regular International in the mid to late 80s, Overseas Champion in 1988 and World Finalist in 87.

 

18. Gary Havelock

British Under-21 Champion in 1986, European Under-21 Champion (pre-World Under-21) 1987. A 1 year ban in 1989 prevented him from possibly adding to his honours during the 80s.

 

19. Richard Knight

Made steady progress, making his England debut in 1984 and becoming a key part of the England team in the late 80s.

 

20. Andy Smith

Although he probably had his best years during the 90s, Smudger began his career in 1982 and by 1985 was mixing it with the best at International level at the age of 19. Made his World Final debut in 1989.

Edited October 28, 2010 by ImpartialOne