Martin Merritt Posted April 9, 2014 Report Share Posted April 9, 2014 My Grandma is in the early stages of this horrible disease, it is utterly terrible to watch this despicacle affliction erase those that we love. Ssadly I fear it is time to remember Ivan for the great speedway rider he was as sadly he wil never be the same person again. But my god what an amazing speedway rider he was, no one before or after will ever change the approach to speedway racing that he did. Regards, Martin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gatwick Rocket Posted April 10, 2014 Report Share Posted April 10, 2014 Well said Martin. I can't recall ever seeing the great man ride although it is quite possible I did when I was too young to remember. Would like to read other peoples' memories of this speedway legend on this thread though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Stadia Posted April 10, 2014 Report Share Posted April 10, 2014 The trouble is, we all get locked into our own little memory bubble and we forget that past icons get older, as we do. We still remember Ivan as a dashing Speedway rider, gracing the tracks of yesteryear. Sadly, Ivan is only human like the rest of us and as we will, has succumbed to one of the health issues, which are challenging. The man is in his mid seventies, has enjoyed a long and very successful career in a very dangerous sport and finished his career without suffering too much injury along the way. Some of his contemporaries lost their lives or ended up with life changing injuries. Ivan survived all that. Along with his family, he now has a new challenge. Whatever the outcome, the man had a great career as a rider and no one can take that away. I bet Ivan and his family have no regrets. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted April 10, 2014 Report Share Posted April 10, 2014 I'm sure a few have seen it but I watched this the other day. it might be a few (!!!) years old but it was an enjoyable watch. Showed what a pro-Ivan was and how serious he took the sport. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZC1cWGMWG2M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencebel Posted April 11, 2014 Report Share Posted April 11, 2014 I am so shocked and saddened to read this. Ivan was my childhood hero. My thoughts are with Ivan and his family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midland Red Posted April 11, 2014 Report Share Posted April 11, 2014 In 50 years of watching this wonderful sport, Ivan gave me my most memorable occasion - the 1970 World Final victory in Wroclaw which I was fortunate enough to attend His title win with so much stacked against him in the then far off land of Poland was immense and the memory of that meeting will stay with me for ever Thanks, Ivan - with every good wish to you and your family at this even more difficult time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellevueace Posted April 11, 2014 Report Share Posted April 11, 2014 Best wishes to Ivan and his family, a few years ago when he attended the BV meeting at Gorton Monastary it appeared he was starting to suffer with this condition. The man is a legend, his professionalism and consistency was absolute top drawer. Today sports people make a big thing of the importance of psycology in attaining their goals, Ivan recognised this many many years ago and had many opponents beaten in the pits before a wheel was turned. Very shrewd and a fantastic influence to all those around him as his record with his various teams show. The early seventies BV team was a powerhouse unit and that was in no small part to Ivan Maugers influence, it was a privilege to have seen him in his prime. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ommer Mon Posted April 11, 2014 Report Share Posted April 11, 2014 It was only Saturday, as I watched the NZ GP, that I thought how fitting it would have been for Ivan to present the trophy. I was aware that he had stepped back from public life but I had no idea what he has been suffering from. Very sad to hear that. As a Cradley fan I've had the privilege to watch and to some extent be involved with five great World Champions but Ivan will always stand out to me as the greatest rider of all time. He took professionalism to a new standard and set the mark for all of the greats who have followed him. I always remember one quote "If you get everything else right, riding the bike is the easy bit" and that is a philosophy I've always tries to take with me in my own career - not that that involves racing bikes! My best moment was seeing him mess a start up at Wolverhampton and stare up at the Ref for at least 10 seconds by which time Tom Leadbitter and the rest were going into turn 3. Needless to say he got going and passed the lot. My thoughts are with him. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestGorton1884 Posted April 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2014 I have many memories of Ivan , but none are better than my father taking me to Hyde Road to my first speedway meeting in 1970 , to watch the 'famous Belle Vue Aces' the smell , the noise , the ace of clubs race jacket i had bought me , the riders ....Soren , Wilkie , Chris Pusey , etc ,but none better than the great Ivan Mauger, with his trademark checkered helmet and a riding style that just oozed class ,. thanks for the memories Ivan , the greatest speedway rider ever ! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dornier Posted April 12, 2014 Report Share Posted April 12, 2014 (edited) I remember one Thursday tea time Mauger was on his way to Owlerton and in those days he had a trailer with two machines on, and as he took a right hand acute bend his bikes were spilled onto the road don`t remember if the trailer overturned or they just came adrift from the trailer . I didn`t see it personally but a friend who lived on the corner told me about the incident. I think he was an ACE at that time Mauger that is. Edited April 12, 2014 by dornier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springdale Posted April 12, 2014 Report Share Posted April 12, 2014 So very sad to read, my best wishes to Ivan and the Mauger family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted April 12, 2014 Report Share Posted April 12, 2014 I remember one Thursday tea time Mauger was on his way to Owlerton and in those days he had a trailer with two machines on, and as he took a right hand acute bend his bikes were spilled onto the road don`t remember if the trailer overturned or they just came adrift from the trailer . I didn`t see it personally but a friend who lived on the corner told me about the incident. I think he was an ACE at that time Mauger that is. 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. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted April 12, 2014 Report Share Posted April 12, 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 actually saw a Car complete with Bike Rack and Speedway Bike last week at Newcastle. I haven't seen anything like that for years. It didn't half take me back. :) 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunami Posted April 13, 2014 Report Share Posted April 13, 2014 I actually saw a Car complete with Bike Rack and Speedway Bike last week at Newcastle. I haven't seen anything like that for years. It didn't half take me back. :) Probably Josh Embleton's bike. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredbogge Posted April 13, 2014 Report Share Posted April 13, 2014 I remember our trip to Wembley in 1969 Ivan took his #1 bike on the back of his Mercerdes car Soren Sjostin took his #1 bike in the boot of his Merc I took both riders #2 bikes & the Belle Vue track spare for both riders to use if required in a van Happy days 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluPanther Posted April 13, 2014 Report Share Posted April 13, 2014 When Ipswich joined the 1st division in 1972, and Ivan came to town with the mighty Aces, you would have thought the King was coming to town. The excitement was unbelievable, never to be repeated by one man and his bike... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george.m Posted April 13, 2014 Report Share Posted April 13, 2014 My dear old mum has Alzheimer's. With the drugs she's in a happy place, it makes it much easier for us. So sad to read this about such a great man who's done so much for speedway. Good luck. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dornier Posted April 13, 2014 Report Share Posted April 13, 2014 (edited) 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. Yes Mauger was a big wig only one or two had more than one machine at that time.... Edited April 13, 2014 by dornier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthur cross Posted April 14, 2014 Report Share Posted April 14, 2014 Having seen three relatives or family friends either succumb or become dreadfully affected by Alzheimer's disease (or similar mental illnesses) in just the last six years, I have two angles looking at Ivan's own situation. Firstly, immense sympathy for Ivan himself, his family and his friends because this may well be a long drawn out process with very few "better days" but many more "slightly downhill days" ... it's horribly sad when you have such vivid memories of people in both their prime and normal older age to then witness their decline. Secondly, while respecting any family's wish for their local privacy, we desperately need the wider public to become better-educated, more tolerant and better-prepared for dealing with Alzheimer's and its related conditions. Medical science has made huge advances with various problems that previously meant a swift death (notably heart conditions) but one unfortunate side-effect of such progress is that it means a greater proportion of the population survive long enough to reach the stage where their mental strength fails them before any of their other vital organs ... if the general public can simply understand this concept a lot better, we'll be on the way to making sure there's better advice/help for family/friends to deal with their private anguish when they need to be realistic about someone they know who has become seriously affected. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevePark Posted April 14, 2014 Report Share Posted April 14, 2014 Having seen three relatives or family friends either succumb or become dreadfully affected by Alzheimer's disease (or similar mental illnesses) in just the last six years, I have two angles looking at Ivan's own situation. Firstly, immense sympathy for Ivan himself, his family and his friends because this may well be a long drawn out process with very few "better days" but many more "slightly downhill days" ... it's horribly sad when you have such vivid memories of people in both their prime and normal older age to then witness their decline. Secondly, while respecting any family's wish for their local privacy, we desperately need the wider public to become better-educated, more tolerant and better-prepared for dealing with Alzheimer's and its related conditions. Medical science has made huge advances with various problems that previously meant a swift death (notably heart conditions) but one unfortunate side-effect of such progress is that it means a greater proportion of the population survive long enough to reach the stage where their mental strength fails them before any of their other vital organs ... if the general public can simply understand this concept a lot better, we'll be on the way to making sure there's better advice/help for family/friends to deal with their private anguish when they need to be realistic about someone they know who has become seriously affected. Top post, as per usual. More about the dreadful disease can be found here: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/ I forgot to mention in my earlier post, that I have met Ivan on a few occasions, and had the pleasure of interviewing him at the final Exeter meeting. I found him the most approachable of people. A pleasure to talk to, he would give up his time without a thought. The word 'legend' can be overly used sometimes. Not with Ivan. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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