TheScotsman Posted April 14, 2014 Report Share Posted April 14, 2014 Those were the days, also riders travelling around with a bike strapped to the back of a car. Nowadays it seems as if young riders want everything right from the start and must have 'International Speedway Rider' emblazoned on the sides of their latest model van. I remember Bert Harkins used to turn up at Old Meadowbank with his speedway bike on the sidecar of his road bike!! Top man too!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 BERT also used to travel with his bike on a train... as did Ole Olsen when he first arrived from Denmark at Harwich and then by train to Newcastle and then immediately made the return journey back to Denmark. But it wasn't long before Diamonds promoter Mike Parker provided him with a van ... an old Morris Minor version formerly in service with the Post Office. What luxury! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phlipphlopp Posted April 15, 2014 Report Share Posted April 15, 2014 I first heard about Ivans health problems nearly three years ago now from a friend of his who's name i shant disclose over lunch. I did at the time tell a few mates on here what i'd heard but obviously until the results proved conclusive its best not to put such things onto a forum . Speedway legend doesnt even come close to what the great man has given our sport. Hope him and his family gets the help they need , and the support of the speedway community . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevePark Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 Surely a Benefit Meeting for Ivan wouldn't be out of the question? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert72 Posted April 16, 2014 Report Share Posted April 16, 2014 Surely a Benefit Meeting for Ivan wouldn't be out of the question? Benefit meeting for a millionaire ? The guy is a real legend of speedway history and this illness is terrible maybe a collection around the tracks for the Alzheimer's charity in the name of Ivan would be better and something fans would happily support. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midland Red Posted April 17, 2014 Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 Benefit meeting for a millionaire ? The guy is a real legend of speedway history and this illness is terrible maybe a collection around the tracks for the Alzheimer's charity in the name of Ivan would be better and something fans would happily support. Agree with the above 100% Often wondered why Ivan was never knighted for his achievements - compared to a lot of "Sirs" he is well deserving Perhaps a concerted campaign to no.10 would be a good idea? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyretrax Posted April 17, 2014 Report Share Posted April 17, 2014 Agree with the above 100% Often wondered why Ivan was never knighted for his achievements - compared to a lot of "Sirs" he is well deserving Perhaps a concerted campaign to no.10 would be a good idea? I think the nomination would have to come from New Zealand. Best wishes to the Mauger family and to all families in the same position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hulvik Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 I think the idea of a benifit meeting with Ivan's name on it with the proceeds going to chairity is a great idea providing Ivan's family is fine with it. It's good when a sport gives back to those that made it great in the first place. I was lucky enough to watch Ivan race in his days at Hull speedway around the bulevard. I remember the first time he turned up in his new van which had been sign written with 9 times world champion on it and a painting of Ivan in full slide airbrushed on the side. in those days it was unheard of a rider having a van and it drew just as big a group around as did the great man himself. then to find out he had 2 bikes as well. A great Man and Speedway around the world will always be in his dept 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehone Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 was that the VW van that had 8 times world champion on it then that was crossed out to say 9 times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hulvik Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 was that the VW van that had 8 times world champion on it then that was crossed out to say 9 times yes it was and the 8 got crossed out and the nine put in when he won his 6th tilte while he rode at Hull. Kelly Moran had come 4th in the same final so there was a big celebration on their return. The result was Kelly "celebrated" a little too much and never made it past the 1st bend all night much to the fans amusment and Ian Thomas's descused 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryce Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 Just caught up with this thread. I'm so sad that this man who had a mind like a machine, so sharp, so organised, so far ahead of his rivals; is suffering with this awful disease. My father suffered with this before he passed away. I will never forget the day I went to see him and he didn't know who I was. It was utterly gut wrenching. My thoughts and prayers are with Ivan's family as much as the great man himself. I count myself blessed I was able to have a good conversation with Ivan when he was over doing his book tour a couple of years ago. The signed copy of his book is one of my most treasured posessions. Even more so now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry1603 Posted April 30, 2014 Report Share Posted April 30, 2014 That's so sad. I met Ivan a few years ago at Cardiff where he signed his book for me. Loved the guy when he rode for Belle Vue, hated him for a bit when he left (!), but I came around to totally respecting a great professional and the blue print for riders today to follow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsteve1999 Posted December 20, 2014 Report Share Posted December 20, 2014 Ivan was the greatest of the greats and always will be I saw him ride many times and he was as perfect as you can get It was a very sad day when we found out about his terrible illness he wiilalways be a hero to so many people Steve 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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