Gemini Posted November 30, 2015 Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 Ken McKinlay...arguably the best ever Scot! Saw him ride towards the back end of his career...wish I'd seen him at his peak. I did, but all I can remember is him going to Australia every Winter then holding the Hunters to ransom to get the contract he wanted. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coventry1963 Posted November 30, 2015 Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 Ken Mckinlay was widely regarding as a maestro at tuning the JAP engine and many riders used his expertise His riding was always so smooth with very few mistakes and he always looked so calm, and unflurried. I remember late on in his career, he was riding in an individual meeting at Leicester Blackbird Road, Ray Wilson had gone through the meeting unbeaten till his last race when he lined up against Ken. A group of Leicester supporters by me were already celebrating Wilson's max when I said it would not surprise me to see Ken beat him - cue laughter all round as they said Ken was well past it and he would not get near Wilson. Ken sped from the gate and after four faultless laps, try as he might (and Wilson was mighty fast round Blackbird Road at that time), Wilson could not get near him. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted November 30, 2015 Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 Ken Mckinlay was widely regarding as a maestro at tuning the JAP engine and many riders used his expertise His riding was always so smooth with very few mistakes and he always looked so calm, and unflurried. I remember late on in his career, he was riding in an individual meeting at Leicester Blackbird Road, Ray Wilson had gone through the meeting unbeaten till his last race when he lined up against Ken. A group of Leicester supporters by me were already celebrating Wilson's max when I said it would not surprise me to see Ken beat him - cue laughter all round as they said Ken was well past it and he would not get near Wilson. Ken sped from the gate and after four faultless laps, try as he might (and Wilson was mighty fast round Blackbird Road at that time), Wilson could not get near him. Thanks for sharing that memory! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
van wolfswinkel Posted November 30, 2015 Report Share Posted November 30, 2015 One of the greatest English riders of all-time, certainly one of the best I've seen at Blunsdon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dornier Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 I was at Sheffield the night they lifted him on and off his machine for every race he was in a lot of pain with his broken collar bone but he wasn`t going to give in..think it was a world championship round . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 I remember the first meeting of the 1975 season at Oxford when Nigel was excluding in the first race and his wife, Cynthia, taking issue with the referee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coventry1963 Posted December 24, 2015 Report Share Posted December 24, 2015 For those who have not seen the SS this week. Nigel Boocock's ashes will be laid to rest under the starting gate at Brandon on Saturday 9th January 2016 at 11.00am. All welcome at the stadium which is, I believe, open from 10.30 till 1pm. His widow, Cynthia, daughter Vicki, Brother Eric, and many of his old team mates and rivals are to be present. Here's hoping for a really good send off for a great servant of British Speedway. Before anyone asks, it would appear that the spot that the ashes are to be buried at will not be disturbed in the event of redevelopment of the stadium. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
full-throttle Posted January 4, 2016 Report Share Posted January 4, 2016 shameless bump 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coventry1963 Posted January 7, 2016 Report Share Posted January 7, 2016 Big signs have been put up on main roads in Rugby town centre about Saturday's event at Brandon, together with the local papers running a large half page article promoting it. Nigel's ashes are to be taken on a final lap of the circuit on a bike ridden by Peter Collins with the ashes carried by Nigel's grandson, Thomas, on the back before three generations of Nigel's family witness their burial under what was gate one of the old circuit before it was altered. Expected to attend are ex riders Rick France, Roger Hill, Tony Lomas,John Harrhy, Frank Smith, Tony Gillias, Doug Wyer, Ole Nygren, Ray Wilson, Eric Broadbelt, Colin Pratt, Jim Lightfoot, Eric Boocock, Jim McMillan amongst others together with a crop of present riders including Chris Harris. May well turn out to be lot bigger attendance than expected so if you can get along to commemorate Nigel' outstanding career, the event starts at 11.00am (stadium open from 10.30am). 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj350z Posted January 8, 2016 Report Share Posted January 8, 2016 Thanks for this info. I will be going along with friends. I can't really get there before 11.00. Can anyone tell be at what time the committal of the ashes will be? Â Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coventry1963 Posted January 8, 2016 Report Share Posted January 8, 2016 According to the local paper, proceedings are due to officially start at 11.00am so would suggest if you can't get there till 11.00am you should still be in time as the service itself is unlikely to start with the actual committal? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted January 8, 2016 Report Share Posted January 8, 2016 Yes, I would imagine that will be the last thing to happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj350z Posted January 8, 2016 Report Share Posted January 8, 2016 Thank you very much for the replies. Hopefully I can get there a bit earlier anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coventry1963 Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 Just returned from the commemoration service for "Little Boy Blue". The event was very well attended with at least, I would estimate, 500+ fans and riders. Great to see some old familiar faces, even if they do look somewhat older and with many of them showing the aches and pains resulting from their riding days! Â A fitting tribute to "Booey", one of the sport's best entertainers from the sixties and seventies. Interesting facts in the programme state that Nigel topped the British league averages in 1965 with 11.09 points CMA (including 17 maximums from 34 league matches that year) and 11.16 CMA for the remaining 10 non-league team matches. He also averaged 10.70 CMA for the seven year period from 1964 to 1970! That's some record, especially bearing in mind the quality of opposition at that time. His last race in the Bees colours, which he won, was on 09 October 1976. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
van wolfswinkel Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 (edited) Great rider, always one of the best away riders seen at Blunsdon, and some good battles with Briggo, Ashby, Kilby, Broady. Memorable 11 points scored at Swindon for GB v. Sweden 1968 in front of 12000, GB winning, big scores from Ashby Broady and brother Eric. Edited January 9, 2016 by Mad Moose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj350z Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 (edited)  A fitting tribute to "Booey", one of the sport's best entertainers from the sixties and seventies. Interesting facts in the programme state that Nigel topped the British league averages in 1965 with 11.09 points CMA (including 17 maximums from 34 league matches that year) and 11.16 CMA for the remaining 10 non-league team matches. He also averaged 10.70 CMA for the seven year period from 1964 to 1970! That's some record, especially bearing in mind the quality of opposition at that time. His last race in the Bees colours, which he won, was on 09 October 1976. Those statistics are amazing given the opposition at the time. From the eulogy by Eric Boocock and interviews with some former team mates, sounds like he was ruthless with gate positions!! I know Peter York comes in for criticism on here but I thought he was very good today. Edited January 9, 2016 by dj350z 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
full-throttle Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 (edited) I know Peter York comes in for critism on here but I thought he was very good today.  100% agree. TBH I wasn't looking forward to listening to Peter York, but he presented the occasion with remarkable ease.  As for attendance I would have thought 800+, four deep along the back straight and the grandstand was about 60% full. This gives a good impression of the turnout   https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/12508784_966704233399619_5247631981164800795_n.jpg?oh=566e40575eeb80f21ca84eb9bbf90a86&oe=570A9792 Nigels final lap. Courtesy of David Presscott on facebook   New link below, but you may need to log onto FB to view, apologies if that's the case Edited January 9, 2016 by full-throttle 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedibee Posted January 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2016  100% agree. TBH I wasn't looking forward to listening to Peter York, but he presented the occasion with remarkable ease.  As for attendance I would have thought 800+, four deep along the back straight and the grandstand was about 60% full. This gives a good impression of the turnout   https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/12508784_966704233399619_5247631981164800795_n.jpg?oh=566e40575eeb80f21ca84eb9bbf90a86&oe=570A9792 Nigels final lap. Courtesy of David Presscott on facebook   https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/rsrc.php/v2/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif Final lap link wont work for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
full-throttle Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 hope this works  https://www.facebook.com/david.prescott.5209/videos/1106848989349488/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dj350z Posted January 9, 2016 Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 (edited) I have added them directly to the thread now for easier viewing. Â No I won't files too big!! Edited January 9, 2016 by dj350z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.