Michael Lee As A Barracuda

[iris123]

Iris you will know more about this than me but having looked back Sissis was in front of Ward in his career.?I see him beat him on you tube a few times and he certainly looked the business. Such a shame but got a excellent works contract and has paved out a excellent career for himself and must be just a good all-round motorcyclist.

I would agree.I saw them both on what i think was their European debuts,in Denmark and was impressed by Darcy,but had my breath taken away by Arthur.No doubt in my mind who was the better talent at the time.Maybe Sissis wouldn't have gone on to be so great,but that is hard to believe really.He is just a natural on a bike.Just imagine what Australia would be like with Holder,Ward and Sissis!!!!!

Edited September 24, 2012 by iris123

[Gatwick Rocket]

This is an interesting subject. For me, Michael Lee was the best youngster to burst on the scene and rise to the top. I agree with the comment that Darcy Ward is the closest to Lee we've seen since.

 

Plenty have been tipped for stardom in their mid-teens (Martin Dugard, Tai Woffinden, Edward Kennett, Justin Elkins, Lewis Bridger) before exposed to competitive racing. Makes you realise just how hard it is to realise your full potential.

[stratton]

Lee in a way his body and shape made him the rider he was he was agile so quick on a bike.The biggest thing for me was his dad as a partnership they were terrific.MIke as we know has great knowledge of engines but looking back his dad Andy was way ahead of his time and where there set up was close knit they often changed things because of his dads vast skill and knowledge.

[2ndBender]

Off subject a little, I know, but Michael rode in an individual meeting at Mildenhall on 3 November 1974, before the Fen Tigers got their league status. I think he scored 13 in the Bussens & Parkin Trophy. Does anyone have a full list of scorers from that meeting?

[Robbie B]

What about Mitch Shirra he was also an impressive youngster, but everyone seems to forgotten about him.

[moxey63]

Off subject a little, I know, but Michael rode in an individual meeting at Mildenhall on 3 November 1974, before the Fen Tigers got their league status. I think he scored 13 in the Bussens & Parkin Trophy. Does anyone have a full list of scorers from that meeting?

 

Just found these details in Alan Robertson's 1974 British Speedway Yearbook

November 3^rd BUSSEN’S AND PARKIN TROPHY

Peter Mittel 14, Michael Lee 13 (after run-off), Alan Diprose 13, Paul Gilbert 10, Steve Taylor 9, Paul Mills 9, Paul Davey 7, Paul Clipstone 6, R. Ward 6, Fred Mills 6, Dick Partridge 6, B. Aldridge 5, Graham Kerry 5, A. Hansard 5, D. Cutts 4, J. Wade (res) 2, C. Davies 0. Alan Morrison – no rides, injured.

[Parsloes 1928 nearly]

It's true. When Ed Kennett was a 16 year old I really did think he'd be a future World Champ (don't me wrong I'm STILL a massive fan of Eddie's, but guess I may not find my prediction on that one's going to come true...). Not dis-similar with Lewis Bridger and we wait to see re. young Tai.

But Michael Lee really DID achieve: and the speed of his rise from 16 year old NL debutant to top of the country and top of the world will, one would now have to assume, surely NEVER be matched again...

[moxey63]

There have been many riders through the years that promised so much early doors but failed to deliver, a few Parsloes has mentioned above. It's like they reach a ceiling and can't go any higher, whereas Michael Lee's rise was meteoric - British Champion and World Final number four within two years of his career. Shirra was good early on, number two in Coatbridge averages in 1975, his debut, but struggled in 12 double-up matches for Coventry, averaging just two. At the same time Lee was bagging over seven for King's Lynn in his debut season, 1975 and was top kid at Boston. Lee left Shirra at least a couple of steps behind from this point and from memory had topped the National Averages at the end of 1977 while Shirra was taking second peg to Olsen at Coventry. Perhaps only one year, I think it was his first at Reading, 1983, did Shirra look to be coming on. Perhaps being overshadowed by Olsen at Coventry for seven or so years took away some of the gloss.

[2ndBender]

Just found these details in Alan Robertson's 1974 British Speedway Yearbook

November 3^rd BUSSEN’S AND PARKIN TROPHY

Peter Mittel 14, Michael Lee 13 (after run-off), Alan Diprose 13, Paul Gilbert 10, Steve Taylor 9, Paul Mills 9, Paul Davey 7, Paul Clipstone 6, R. Ward 6, Fred Mills 6, Dick Partridge 6, B. Aldridge 5, Graham Kerry 5, A. Hansard 5, D. Cutts 4, J. Wade (res) 2, C. Davies 0. Alan Morrison – no rides, injured.

 

Moxey, Thank you.

[BuckTaylor64]

Lee was great,no doubt.One of the absolute best youngsters i have ever seen.I would say Arthur Sissis is up there as well.Unfortunatelly for speedway he chose superbikes and last time i looked was doing very well.But maybe just maybe we have another great talent coming through.Something we see once every decade or two.I hope to be seeing the kid for the second time next weekend.And even though this will be for the German U21 title the youngster is from Norwich! I wonder if there was ever before someone so young who has won a national U21 title,because believe me he really stands a good chance

 

http://www.speedway.org/dm-praedikate/2012/races/index.html

 

He rides in Moto 3 not super bikes. I suppose he is looking to progress through the different formulae like Casey Stoner.

 

 

[Robbie B]

There have been many riders through the years that promised so much early doors but failed to deliver, a few Parsloes has mentioned above. It's like they reach a ceiling and can't go any higher, whereas Michael Lee's rise was meteoric - British Champion and World Final number four within two years of his career. Shirra was good early on, number two in Coatbridge averages in 1975, his debut, but struggled in 12 double-up matches for Coventry, averaging just two. At the same time Lee was bagging over seven for King's Lynn in his debut season, 1975 and was top kid at Boston. Lee left Shirra at least a couple of steps behind from this point and from memory had topped the National Averages at the end of 1977 while Shirra was taking second peg to Olsen at Coventry. Perhaps only one year, I think it was his first at Reading, 1983, did Shirra look to be coming on. Perhaps being overshadowed by Olsen at Coventry for seven or so years took away some of the gloss.

 

I never said that Shirra was anyway as good as Michael Lee I would be a fool too that.

 

But there have been many threads on here about really good young riders, but no-one so far has mentioned Mitch in any postings that's all I was stating.

 

I doubt that there wil be another rider quite like Michael Lee and achievements as such an young age. Don't forget he also won the World Longtrack Champion in 1981 to go his World Team Cup victories in 1977 & 1980.

[WestGorton1884]

I think in 1975? Boston went to the great Hyde Rd, against the mighty aces and got walloped maybe 57.21.?Mike was top scorer on 6 pts was in the mix on his first ever visit aged 16.Mind you he might of had a few training spins there? i am not quite sure.

I was at that meeting sidney , it was always going to be a rout , but most Aces fans went along to see what all the fuss about this "wonder kid" was , he didn't disappoint , ...... a special talent

[stratton]

I was at that meeting sidney , it was always going to be a rout , but most Aces fans went along to see what all the fuss about this "wonder kid" was , he didn't disappoint , ...... a special talent

Yes but you said PC was a better rider Gorton? no only joking both were great riders in there own right.PC for ten years was mega value. Crump who beat him at the abbey in the golden helmet i think 2.1 was the only bloke who beat PC reasonably comfortably in all my time of watching Peter ride great rider mr excitement.!

[SCB]

Its funny reading this thread about Mike Lee being a one off for winning a title at such a young age. Woffy did it when he was only 9 months older, I wonder if the old folk still think it's not like it used to be, Mike was a one off and it's not going to happen again

[stratton]

Its funny reading this thread about Mike Lee being a one off for winning a title at such a young age. Woffy did it when he was only 9 months older, I wonder if the old folk still think it's not like it used to be, Mike was a one off and it's not going to happen again

Lee at aged 16 apart from Ward is by far the most talented youngster ever seen, he competed with Olsen,Mauger, Collins aged17 ( ect) i believe Tai was a conference rider at that age different stage different scenario.On the other hand Mauger did his apprentiship had his struggles and matured alot later in life and did pretty dam well.