teesider Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 Just watched a youtube clip of Kenny Carter with a broken leg being intervieved on breakfast television by Mike Morris ( Good Morning Britain ? ) and there was mention of Michael Lee not turning up for a meeting ..... anyone know more about this and what happened re England Meeting he was suppossed to to be at next ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukesGreg Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 Just watched a youtube clip of Kenny Carter with a broken leg being intervieved on breakfast television by Mike Morris ( Good Morning Britain ? ) and there was mention of Michael Lee not turning up for a meeting ..... anyone know more about this and what happened re England Meeting he was suppossed to to be at next ??? Not so sure as Lee was always MIA throughout his turbulent career. I remember Kenny Carter on Mike Morris.. was his leg up in plaster?? I know that he was injured and not riding at the time when Mike Lee got penalised for making a flying start at an international.. was it at Ipswich.. when Carter was absent.. and then his head went?? Do these dates coincide???? With Lee's dismay with the game? And this was in the era of tape touching / do what you like at the start line. And he did get a flyer too. But was pulled up. Greg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImpartialOne Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 (edited) Not so sure as Lee was always MIA throughout his turbulent career. I remember Kenny Carter on Mike Morris.. was his leg up in plaster?? I know that he was injured and not riding at the time when Mike Lee got penalised for making a flying start at an international.. was it at Ipswich.. when Carter was absent.. and then his head went?? Do these dates coincide???? With Lee's dismay with the game? And this was in the era of tape touching / do what you like at the start line. And he did get a flyer too. But was pulled up. Greg. From memory, this is my recollection of events. (feel free to correct me): Lee was absent from the first test v USA at Swindon in 1984, being replaced by Wigg (or Davis?). Not sure why he was missing from that match but he returned for the test at Cradley and rode very well. Then at Ipswich, notorious referee Frank Ebdon warned all riders before the meeting that anyone touching the tapes would be excluded. This was unprecedented at the time but I think paved the way for the rule as it is today. Lee couldn't keep still and was excluded in his first 2 rides and declared he was going home because "referees are ruining the sport." He then received a 5 year ban for an earlier incident at Kings Lynn (?) for 2 wheeling the wrong way round the track whilst racing was in progress. In an interview he said he felt he had been victimised and looked a shaken and troubled man. I think he returned to racing around 1989 once his ban was up but 5 years out was always going to be tough to come back from. I believe he injured his back shortly after and retired. A massive shame that his career went the way it did, he looked world class in 83 and could have continued in that vein for a few years but his head was down in 84 and in his own words, he was "disillusioned". Incidentally, Carter rode in that first test at Swindon, as usual getting hot under the collar after he himself touched the tapes and Dennis Sigalos signalled to the referee whilst under starting orders, pointing to Carter to be excluded, which he was. Carter then blamed Sigalos for "messing the race up!" Shortly after, Carter crashed at Cradley racing for Halifax and was run over by his team mate, shattering his right leg. He was indeed in plaster during the interview on TVAM. There is some excellent footage on you tube of Carter qualifying for the British Final in the semi at Oxford, just days after his leg was broken. Just type in speedwayondisc and search their channel. Edited March 30, 2011 by ImpartialOne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnieg Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 He then received a 5 year ban for an earlier incident at Kings Lynn (?) for 2 wheeling the wrong way round the track whilst racing was in progress. In an interview he said he felt he had been victimised and looked a shaken and troubled man. I think he returned to racing around 1989 once his ban was up but 5 years out was always going to be tough to come back from. I believe he injured his back shortly after and retired. He appealed against his 5 year ban. The appeal tribunal concluded he was innocent of the original offence, and cut his ban to one year :shock: No wonder Lee felt the authorities were out to get him. The reason he was out for so long is that he didn't pay the associated fine, and the ban only started running once the fine was paid (I think the ban was commuted after the fine was paid in order to expedite his return) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stansolo Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 Lee was a great rider - for the record?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P T Preece Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 Lee was a great rider - for the record?? Recently saw his DVD, a good Doco to watch, well worth the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukesGreg Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 (edited) Lee was a great rider - for the record?? Oh God, flipping hell yes!!!!! Just before the Muller Norden World Final in 83, Halifax had a spare date in the calendar and put on an impromptu pairs meeting.. all the Dukes were paired up, and a few riders were appearing from other clubs. Lee was there.. I think he fancied it as a practise run for Norden.. and even then, had his detractors and haters. The track record at the time was 62.5 or so.. which for fast anyway for the day. Remember, Carter (who held that record) rode there week in, week out, and the place had seen some good riders. Lee knocked 0.9 of a second (EEEEK!) of that time in his first ride.. taking it to 61.6. Because it was the fastest track (officially at the time.. record over distance), you only ever saw it get shaved. To knock a second off.. which is good yardage.. was unheard of. Lee then went on to be untouched.. and I mean untouched.. all meeting. He won every single ride by 50 or 60 yards. He got a standing ovation for his efforts that night by an appreciative Halifax crowd.. they knew greatness when they saw it.. and Lee waved all the way round the ground on his march to the changing rooms at the end. He duly stopped at the tunnel, which entered the showers, and signed every single autograph he was asked to sign. If I ever got to meet him, I'd like to ask him about that night.. the way he rode.. and the fans reaction. As he seemed at one with the world and happy. Much lambasted, the crowd just warmed to him that night.. and he reacted well. After seeing that.. and probably.. that is the most complete performance I've seen by ANY rider... EVER... I was convinced he'd be unstoppable in Germany. He wasn't. But I'll tell you what.. a second off the track record, a full maximum, and dominance of the night like he did.. distance wise.. it will stay with me forever. Michael Lee. Flawed.. yes. But a truly superb speedway rider. Greg. Edited March 30, 2011 by DukesGreg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Blanchard Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Oh God, flipping hell yes!!!!! Just before the Muller Norden World Final in 83, Halifax had a spare date in the calendar and put on an impromptu pairs meeting.. all the Dukes were paired up, and a few riders were appearing from other clubs. Lee was there.. I think he fancied it as a practise run for Norden.. and even then, had his detractors and haters. The track record at the time was 62.5 or so.. which for fast anyway for the day. Remember, Carter (who held that record) rode there week in, week out, and the place had seen some good riders. Lee knocked 0.9 of a second (EEEEK!) of that time in his first ride.. taking it to 61.6. Because it was the fastest track (officially at the time.. record over distance), you only ever saw it get shaved. To knock a second off.. which is good yardage.. was unheard of. Lee then went on to be untouched.. and I mean untouched.. all meeting. He won every single ride by 50 or 60 yards. He got a standing ovation for his efforts that night by an appreciative Halifax crowd.. they knew greatness when they saw it.. and Lee waved all the way round the ground on his march to the changing rooms at the end. He duly stopped at the tunnel, which entered the showers, and signed every single autograph he was asked to sign. If I ever got to meet him, I'd like to ask him about that night.. the way he rode.. and the fans reaction. As he seemed at one with the world and happy. Much lambasted, the crowd just warmed to him that night.. and he reacted well. After seeing that.. and probably.. that is the most complete performance I've seen by ANY rider... EVER... I was convinced he'd be unstoppable in Germany. He wasn't. But I'll tell you what.. a second off the track record, a full maximum, and dominance of the night like he did.. distance wise.. it will stay with me forever. Michael Lee. Flawed.. yes. But a truly superb speedway rider. Greg. We are all flawed, its a human trait but some have exceptional skills. Mike Lee was one of those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukesGreg Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 We are all flawed, its a human trait but some have exceptional skills. Mike Lee was one of those. Good point, well made Jim, we are indeed all flawed. Perhaps reckless (character wise) would have been a better way to get my point across. The rules were in place... not just in speedway... but in society. Not many of us like all of the rules and laws in general.. but we do adhere to them, as they are there for a reason. Mike Lee just didn't go that far. But exceptional.. yes indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
25yearfan Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 Michael Lee rode a few meetings for King's Lynn in 1985, 1986 and finally in 1991. Flawed genius on a speedway bike who should of done much much more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 Michael Lee - an enigma. Had Michael played it by the book - there are those who would say he could and possibly should have been World Champion on a number of occasions. But would he? Without his wildness and his headstrong way of doing things - would he have been the same Rider??? I wonder............................................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Blanchard Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 (edited) Michael Lee rode a few meetings for King's Lynn in 1985, 1986 and finally in 1991. Flawed genius on a speedway bike who should of done much much more! I just don't get this 'flawed genius' bit. We are all flawed but very few of us get into a 'genius' status. Edited April 13, 2011 by Jim Blanchard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Lee - the best ever Posted April 13, 2011 Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 Well I guess my name will give it all away!!!!!! I have been watching speedway now since 1977 and I still maintain that Mike Lee was the best all round rider I have ever seen........yes there have been others more professional but for all round ability I maintain he was the best... He let himself and his fans down on numerous occasions but I was there at Lynn the night he rode for Poole and was given his 5 year ban.....it was a stitch up.........he was "cheated" at the gate and yes he turned his bike round at the first turn but by the time the riders came back round he was well on the infield and therefore causing no danger........the authorities wanted to get him...and get him they did and in doing do ruined one of the sports greatest talents... was he good?? someone asked......wow...was he ever....used to hope that he would miss the gate just to watch him pass....he was awesome... Happy happy memories!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirate Nick Posted April 14, 2011 Report Share Posted April 14, 2011 Well I guess my name will give it all away!!!!!! I have been watching speedway now since 1977 and I still maintain that Mike Lee was the best all round rider I have ever seen........yes there have been others more professional but for all round ability I maintain he was the best... He let himself and his fans down on numerous occasions but I was there at Lynn the night he rode for Poole and was given his 5 year ban.....it was a stitch up.........he was "cheated" at the gate and yes he turned his bike round at the first turn but by the time the riders came back round he was well on the infield and therefore causing no danger........the authorities wanted to get him...and get him they did and in doing do ruined one of the sports greatest talents... was he good?? someone asked......wow...was he ever....used to hope that he would miss the gate just to watch him pass....he was awesome... Happy happy memories!!!! Has to be the most naturally talented rider I've ever had the pleasure of watching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DW Posted April 15, 2011 Report Share Posted April 15, 2011 I'm sure the Ipswich test match is on You Tube. Didn't he fail to turn up at a match at Sheffield(?) in 1985 or 86 while riding for KL and was sacked by Martin Rodgers? Unfortunately it wasn't the first time that had happened. Re tape touching in 1984, that was the first year they tried it but if I remember correctly it wasn't always an automatic exclusion, hence the controversy at the test match Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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