FAST GATER Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 My all time favourite it's all been said hope he has many quiet happy years ahead of him the "bench mark" for ALL that followed him best wishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henllys Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 Ivan was one of the best rider to enter speedway and was way ahead of his time, he was a true professional in all aspects of the sport and a model to anybody coming into the sport. Ivan's name was up there amongst the top sportsmen in his hey day all the best wishes for the future Ivan & Rae. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moxey63 Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 Not many riders in modern day speedway would retain such interest - never mind when they are still actively racing... let alone retired for 30 years. Ivan came from an era we're never likely to witness again... and the likes of the great man, especally on track, we'll possibly never witness again. Here's wishing he has a wonderful retirement from public life. Thank you for the memories, Ivan... the first iconic rider of my learning years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencebel Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 I was one of the lucky ones, to see him ride for my team Belle Vue Aces...... what a rider, and a gentleman.. Enjoy your retirement from public life. All the best Ivan & Rae & Family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topaz325 Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 Only saw him once when he came to Workington in a Four team tournament with Hull, wandered in the pits after the meet and watched him tinker with his bike, only in Speedway. Best wishes Ivan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
full-throttle Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 wishing Ivan a happy retirement and hopefully he'll rest enough to get over his recent ill health Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nw42 Posted March 19, 2013 Report Share Posted March 19, 2013 (edited) I was also one of the lucky ones, although I was introduced to speedway at around 5y/o I only really became a proper young supporter in 69/70, aged 10, it was Hyde Rd every Saturday with my dad. Soren Sjosten was my favourite rider back then but obviously I was aware of Ivan's qualities, you pick up on different aspects when you're a kid, like which riders sign your autograph book in the pits after the meeting, got to say I had Ivan's signature more than any other, he always obliged even though he was always in a rush, no doubt off to the continent for a Sunday Long Track, I can distinctly remember marvelling at his accent when he spoke with anyone in the pits, he was probably the first 'foreigner' I'd ever heard speak in real life, apart from Taffy Owen of course but I couldn't tell a word he said. For me it was a case of not knowing what you've got until it's gone, the season following Ivan's enforced move to Exeter was completely different, we weren't so invincible anymore, we'd just won the League 3 times on the trot, I'd love to know how few times he was beaten round Hyde Rd during those 3 seasons. Thanks so much for the memories Ivan, hope you enjoy many more restful years. Edited March 19, 2013 by nw42 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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