Skodaman Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 do you know something Mudllo doesn't Seriously- Clive Featherby - never a dull moment when he was about. And he was always prepared to help less experienced riders! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebaron Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 What a Brilliant Question ! KENNY ! ...Kenny Carter was without doubt the biggest box office draw British Speedway racer of the "modern era". If there was no news he made it; and when there was news he was it ! He was like a cocky boxer always spoiling for a fight; always pushing the limits and boundaries. But a brilliant and brave rider; just watch his track craft and his bludgeoning determination to win. I don't think there was ever a time when Kenny was out of the race he was always going for it. Well; maybe there was; and it was during the British Semi Final at Odsal three days before the tragic events of 21 May 1986. The media loved him; wanted to be around him and that reflected back in added interest in our sport in general. I am just watching documentaries on Road Racing legends Barry Sheene and Mike Hailwood; Kenny Carter is up there with them an icon of his time and of his sport. My all time hero is Gary Peterson; I would love to bring Gary back; would love to see how good he could have been. So I acknowledge Gary here too. But for the good of British Speedway it has to be KENNY!. But what a great question Tony. All the best Ray Allen Bradford 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ommer Mon Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 Really difficult to pick one, which means I can't select two of my all time favourites Mauger and Lofqvist. My vote has to go to Buce Penhall. The sport is crying out for a personality with charisma who can draw the crowds and he was certainly it (and his arch rivalry with Kenny Carter pulled plenty through the turnstiles). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LionsDen Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 Avoiding the bigger names and more obvious choices I'm going to nominate an unsung hero in Colin Cook. He typified that Lions team of the early 80s and simply NEVER gave up. Seeing him charge after, and quite often beat, his more illustrious named opponents was a true speedway spectacle. A proper crowd favourite at Blackbird Road. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevethelion Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 Avoiding the bigger names and more obvious choices I'm going to nominate an unsung hero in Colin Cook. He typified that Lions team of the early 80s and simply NEVER gave up. Seeing him charge after, and quite often beat, his more illustrious named opponents was a true speedway spectacle. A proper crowd favourite at Blackbird Road. I have to agree, I loved to watch Cook in action & remember him battling with Ole Olsen for 4 laps to get a last heat win to earn Lions a rare 40-38 win over Coventry. The only time i've shouted myself hoarse at a speedway meeting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miro Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 Garry Middleton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customhouseregular Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 Of all the riders I saw in 25 years of attending speedway, picking 1 is impossible. I would have to choose between Lofqvist, Harrfeldt, Carter, Briggs, Nordin etc. etc....the list is endless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 Bluey Wilkinson...the bonus points system scuppered his chance in 1936 and the hiatus from 1939-1948 ruined his chances of more titles. Have I had a senior moment?. Of all the riders I saw in 25 years of attending speedway, picking 1 is impossible. I would have to choose between Lofqvist, Harrfeldt, Carter, Briggs, Nordin etc. etc....the list is endless. Er,you didn't have any trouble yesterday......another 'senior moment'????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customhouseregular Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 No...my original post related to any rider from any era, hence Bluey Wilkinson. Today's post refers to riders I personally saw...Bluey having died 8 years before I was born. Mind you Iris, the senior moments are becoming more frequent 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B.V 72 Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 Alan Wilkinson for his true grit and determination and to teach a good few of todays riders the meaning of passion and loyalty to your speedway club.Never the best speedway rider but i m o you will never find a better captain and team rider he put his heart and sole into every race and never gave up till the race was over.His passion for his club also got him into a few scrapes off the track at a few meetings all of which added a little bit more to a good night at the speedway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foamfence Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 Alan Wilkinson for his true grit and determination and to teach a good few of todays riders the meaning of passion and loyalty to your speedway club.Never the best speedway rider but i m o you will never find a better captain and team rider he put his heart and sole into every race and never gave up till the race was over.His passion for his club also got him into a few scrapes off the track at a few meetings all of which added a little bit more to a good night at the speedway. I've watched Speedway since the early fifties, also was a mechanic and sponsor, apart from Bernt Persson he was the most deliberately dirty rider I ever saw. He even had followers who carried a banner declaring "give 'em the bounce Al" which was a play on words from the Brylcreem bounce adverts of the day. I would bring back Peter Craven but I'd settle for Darcy just now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 I've watched Speedway since the early fifties, also was a mechanic and sponsor, apart from Bernt Persson he was the most deliberately dirty rider I ever saw. He even had followers who carried a banner declaring "give 'em the bounce Al" which was a play on words from the Brylcreem bounce adverts of the day. I would bring back Peter Craven but I'd settle for Darcy just now. I never thought I would see those two names in the same sentence. :angry: 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brummiestormer Posted February 20, 2015 Report Share Posted February 20, 2015 (edited) I never thought I would see those two names in the same sentence. :angry: I agree bloody sacrilege that statement--not fit to polish his leathers! Edited February 20, 2015 by Brummiestormer 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.N.T. Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 Although my all time favourite rider was Hans Nielsen, I would have loved to have seen some of the old time riders like Peter Craven or Ove Fundin but there are names even further back that I look at like Ron Johnston who was my fathers favourite. However the one rider I would have loved to have seen is BLUEY WILKINSON just ahead of Split Waterman and Sprouts Elder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willstaxi Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 The respect I have for riders of yesteryear is second to none ,but how many would fit into today's world of speedway, Parker, Young, Moore, Fundin, Briggo, Knudsson , Mauger , Collins, Olsen, Lee, Gundersen , Nielsen, Penhall and many many others were all great riders but they all come from another era. The only one I think that could possibly that could compete with likes of today's GP stars is the original PC Peter Craven, his riding style would have suited present day speedway perfectly , and he rode a JAP imagine him on a GM. Peter was liked by everyone and would be a great ambassador for the sport now as he was in his time 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B.V 72 Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 I've watched Speedway since the early fifties, also was a mechanic and sponsor, apart from Bernt Persson he was the most deliberately dirty rider I ever saw. He even had followers who carried a banner declaring "give 'em the bounce Al" which was a play on words from the Brylcreem bounce adverts of the day. I would bring back Peter Craven but I'd settle for Darcy just now. Its all about opinions the following quote is from a man who raced him on the track and not just watched from the stands. After Wilkies crash Barry Briggs said"Alan was a fine opponent.hard as nails,very strong but very fair.You always knew he would leave you enougth room-just." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marko Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 Bruce Penhall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customhouseregular Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 Bruce Penhall How many titles could he have won I wonder. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadders Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 Bill Fox 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foamfence Posted February 21, 2015 Report Share Posted February 21, 2015 Bill Fox His tussles with Compo were the stuff of legends. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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