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Who Would Ride And Win In The World Final Of The Nearly Men


Joe Beevers

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Talking of Brit "nearly men", what about Ken McKinlay and Arthur Forrest? Or Ron How?

In terms of meeting the "nearly" criteria I guess only Forrest meets that criteria? Unless there is background I don't know re the other two s best world final finishes.

That said both could be decent shouts if the criteria were relaxed.

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In terms of meeting the "nearly" criteria I guess only Forrest meets that criteria? Unless there is background I don't know re the other two s best world final finishes.

That said both could be decent shouts if the criteria were relaxed.

 

Ken McKinlay would count. He fell leading his final race in 1956. Had he stayed on the bike, he would have been in a run-off for first place with Ove Fundin.

 

All the best

Rob

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Remember this is just my opinion and I haven't been watching speedway since its birth and only going on some stats, old videos and what I have watched and some like Tommy Knudsen made World Finals for many years and I do not have the same knowledge to know about Parker or Crutcher although I would probably now swap Sigalos for Autrey.

 

Please don't shoot me down in flames for my picks as I am a sensitive soul and just thought it would be an interesting topic but glad some of you enjoyed it and have posted your own.

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If we're now talking about Brits who have actually won the World title, my top 5 would be:

 

1. Craven 2. Collins 3. Lee 4. Williams 5. Price

 

Nearly men:

 

1. Parker 2. Waterman 3. Langton 4. Simmons 5. Jessup

 

Those who never had a chance (or past their best or at War at their best)

 

1. Farndon 2. Roger Frogley 3. Atkinson 4. Kempster 5. Lees

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If we're now talking about Brits who have actually won the World title, my top 5 would be:

1. Craven 2. Collins 3. Lee 4. Williams 5. Price

Nearly men:

1. Parker 2. Waterman 3. Langton 4. Simmons 5. Jessup

Those who never had a chance (or past their best or at War at their best)

1. Farndon 2. Roger Frogley 3. Atkinson 4. Kempster 5. Lees

Interesting Norbold Roger Frogley how good? have a few pictures of him but not alot to go on.Off the subject other riders that i have been putting a collection together of Sprouts Alder,Ron Johnson,Frank Varey,Dent Oliver, can you give me your welcome opinion of them.!
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Always good to hear your thoughts norbold

I'd be tempted to have tai at 4th on your world champ list. If he wins this year would have to be top 3, and maybe number one.

 

Hard to disagree with your nearly men - jessup I think had a better record in individual events than simmo, but Simmons much the better record in team/pairs events. Carter close to making your top 5?

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Always good to hear your thoughts norbold

I'd be tempted to have tai at 4th on your world champ list. If he wins this year would have to be top 3, and maybe number one.

Hard to disagree with your nearly men - jessup I think had a better record in individual events than simmo, but Simmons much the better record in team/pairs events. Carter close to making your top 5?

Did you go to the BLRC at the Vue in 83 a swamp? and the Overseas final if so what were your memories eaces1? the Overseas Final one race with Lee,Grahame,Phil Collins on you tube great stuff wish there was footage of the BLRC 83.
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Interesting Norbold Roger Frogley how good? have a few pictures of him but not alot to go on.Off the subject other riders that i have been putting a collection together of Sprouts Alder,Ron Johnson,Frank Varey,Dent Oliver, can you give me your welcome opinion of them.!

All very good riders of course. Sprouts Elder had quite a short career but was certainly one of the leading riders in the very early days of the late 20s. He didn't really continue on for long, so a bit difficult to make too many comparisons.

 

Ron Johnson is, of course, one of my heroes. Started in this country at Crystal Palace in 1928 and remained with the Crystal Palace/New Cross set up until New Cross closed in 1963, though his last year of actually riding was 1960. Althoigh he had been one of the top riders throughout the 1930s, perhaps his best period was just Post War. For longevity he is right up there. An early Greg Hancock!

 

Frank Varey was another great in a team of great riders at pre-War Belle Vue. He was maybe a bit overshadowed by being Eric Langton's partner, but together, they were arguably the best team pairing ever.

 

Dent Oliver was good too, but I personally would not put him in the same class as the other three mentioned.

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All very good riders of course. Sprouts Elder had quite a short career but was certainly one of the leading riders in the very early days of the late 20s. He didn't really continue on for long, so a bit difficult to make too many comparisons.

Ron Johnson is, of course, one of my heroes. Started in this country at Crystal Palace in 1928 and remained with the Crystal Palace/New Cross set up until New Cross closed in 1963, though his last year of actually riding was 1960. Althoigh he had been one of the top riders throughout the 1930s, perhaps his best period was just Post War. For longevity he is right up there. An early Greg Hancock!

Frank Varey was another great in a team of great riders at pre-War Belle Vue. He was maybe a bit overshadowed by being Eric Langton's partner, but together, they were arguably the best team pairing ever.

Dent Oliver was good too, but I personally would not put him in the same class as the other three mentioned.

Great stuff what about Eric Chitty? Edited by sidney
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Did you go to the BLRC at the Vue in 83 a swamp? and the Overseas final if so what were your memories eaces1? the Overseas Final one race with Lee,Grahame,Phil Collins on you tube great stuff wish there was footage of the BLRC 83.

 

i went to the 83 BLRC, but actually nothing really stands out in the memory. I remember 81 and 82 for Carter being untouchable, 84 for Mort's run off win, 85 for PC contiuning his superb BLRC record, 86 for Nielsen capping perhaps his best ever season wit his first BLRC crown - but 83 doesn't stand out.

83 overseas final my memory is two of the pre-meeting faourites (and two of my favourite riders) S Moran and PC missing out on a spot in the next round. Larry being in a great position at the interval for a rostrum spot, but then missing out. Surprises in Phil Collins and Shirra making the podium. Pretty wet conditions as I recall, though not as bad as the 85 test match vs USA.

It's a shame there is not more footage from Hyde Rd full stop, certainly wish the 80s BLRC/overseas finals were fully covered, and more of the Aces meetings too.

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i went to the 83 BLRC, but actually nothing really stands out in the memory. I remember 81 and 82 for Carter being untouchable, 84 for Mort's run off win, 85 for PC contiuning his superb BLRC record, 86 for Nielsen capping perhaps his best ever season wit his first BLRC crown - but 83 doesn't stand out.

83 overseas final my memory is two of the pre-meeting faourites (and two of my favourite riders) S Moran and PC missing out on a spot in the next round. Larry being in a great position at the interval for a rostrum spot, but then missing out. Surprises in Phil Collins and Shirra making the podium. Pretty wet conditions as I recall, though not as bad as the 85 test match vs USA.

It's a shame there is not more footage from Hyde Rd full stop, certainly wish the 80s BLRC/overseas finals were fully covered, and more of the Aces meetings too.

 

The 1983 BLRC should of been called off for me,i am glad it was not it P.....d down all the way up and i thought it has to be off.In Lee /Carter's first ride they were both worried about each other ,i think Petersen and Andersson( who was not the best at Hyde rd) beat both Kenny third and Mike both getting really filled in.After that Lee was decent even though his Hyde Rd record was pretty chequered he beat Hans in a a run off for second place that meeting really sticks in the mind and then Lee won the pride of the east in October killing the GREAT Nielsen.
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  • 2 weeks later...

Ipswich could certainly put together a decent side from those mentioned through this thread!!

 

Both Chris and John Louis,Sanders,Sigalos,Hampel and Doncaster.......

 

Can any other team match this??

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Ipswich could certainly put together a decent side from those mentioned through this thread!!

 

Both Chris and John Louis,Sanders,Sigalos,Hampel and Doncaster.......

 

Can any other team match this??

You never mentioned Tony Davey - a great Rider in my opinion.

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