NickRushbrook Posted December 11, 2015 Report Share Posted December 11, 2015 Been watching a fair bit of him on YouTube recently and am aware he retired to become an actor. I wasn't aware however that he was so young. Was there ever any talk of a comeback etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 Don't think so, although his acting career didn't last very long. He was the darling of the Cradley Heath fans but he did leave them somewhat in the lurch from what I can remember as he didn't finish the season with them. I'm sure one of those fans will comment later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIRKYLANE Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 (edited) He was the darling of British Speedway until the White City meeting where he threw points away to help his USA compatriots. Edited December 12, 2015 by KIRKYLANE 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitar_art Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLvgbeYRbhc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 I'll just say that there were other American Riders I liked better - and leave it at that. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Posted December 12, 2015 Report Share Posted December 12, 2015 I remember he constantly amazed me by getting drive off corners when other top riders struggled Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyMac Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 Great rider, Mr Personality and the kind of charismatic character speedway is so badly lacking today. Some would argue the sport has never recovered from his abrupt departure in 1982. You can enjoy more than 100 of his races on our DVD - here's a taster: http://www.retro-speedway.com/extras/ytm_gallery/ytm.php?view=Cy_qtTbJDP4&p=1 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 He was the darling of British Speedway until the White City meeting where he threw points away to help his USA compatriots. I've never understood the hatred for this. If it had been one of the English lads helping a fellow rider no one would have complained. For instance if Peter Collins by losing a race could help Chris Morton also qualify then why not? Not doing it would be selfish. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HenryW Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 I've never understood the hatred for this. If it had been one of the English lads helping a fellow rider no one would have complained. For instance if Peter Collins by losing a race could help Chris Morton also qualify then why not? Not doing it would be selfish.I'm just guessing, but I think the biggest issue that the crowd had with that race was just how deliberate Bruce made it look. If he had ridden close to the others and looked like he was maybe making an effort he probably wouldn't have got the same abuse, it would just have been a big talking point about whether or not he tried. He made it blatant that he wasn't trying and the sporting Brits didn't like that one bit. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 Don't think so, although his acting career didn't last very long. He was the darling of the Cradley Heath fans but he did leave them somewhat in the lurch from what I can remember as he didn't finish the season with them. I'm sure one of those fans will comment later.Yep he handed the 82 bl title to the aces by missing the last heathens meetings. Thanks Bruce! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave the Mic Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 (edited) Great rider, no doubt. Not sure that his leaving was the start of the demise of British speedway-can't see that at all. The White City display was the nail in his coffin here. Never one of my favourites, but what told me all I need to know about him were his comments about Kenny Carter in an edition of back track. Carter did a terrible thing, but Penhall's comments were out of order. He never liked Carter and simply used that platform to vilify him. Poor taste from someone who should have known better. Edited December 14, 2015 by Dave the Mic 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 I'm just guessing, but I think the biggest issue that the crowd had with that race was just how deliberate Bruce made it look. If he had ridden close to the others and looked like he was maybe making an effort he probably wouldn't have got the same abuse, it would just have been a big talking point about whether or not he tried. He made it blatant that he wasn't trying and the sporting Brits didn't like that one bit. Yep he handed the 82 bl title to the aces by missing the last heathens meetings. Thanks Bruce! Whatever Penhall did - it was 33 years ago. Time to forgive - if that was needed? - and also forget but that doesn't happen in British sport generally and most certainly it doesn't seemingly in speedway?. USA-wise I fancy Prnhall was regarded as a patriot for helping his fellow countrymen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 Great rider, no doubt. Not sure that his leaving was the start of the demise of British speedway-can't see that at all. The White City display was the nail in his coffin here. Never one of my favourites, but what told me all I need to know about him were his comments about Kenny Carter in an edition of back track. Carter did a terrible thing, but Penhalls comments were out of order. He never liked Cartwr and simply used that platfo to vilify him. Poor taste from someone who should have known better.I don't know what Penhall said but in guessing he pointed out that Carter was a prick for killing himself and his wife leaving his children without their parents. Well he was a prick, I say that as someone who has loved watching Kenny on video but try all you like, you'll not convince me he was anything but the lowest of the low as a person. As for Bruce, typical cheesy American for me. Didn't like him "as a person" from what I've seen on video and read. But as a rider, he could do magic things on a bike. As for the White City incident, numerous riders have done similar. Joe Screen shut off for Mark Loram in Poland to help him win a World title, Martin Dugard "had an EF" to get Havvy a point in the '99 overseas(?) final to allow Havvy to qualify. Hampel shut off in his last ride of the 2002ish U21 final to let a fellow Pole have a point to get him 3rd after Hampel had already won the title. It happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starman2006 Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 As for the White City incident, numerous riders have done similar. Joe Screen shut off for Mark Loram in Poland to help him win a World title, Martin Dugard "had an EF" to get Havvy a point in the '99 overseas(?) final to allow Havvy to qualify. Hampel shut off in his last ride of the 2002ish U21 final to let a fellow Pole have a point to get him 3rd after Hampel had already won the title. It happens. You are right about Screeny helping Mark to win the 2000 World title, but any fellow countryman would do the same.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 You are right about Screeny helping Mark to win the 2000 World title, but any fellow countryman would do the same.. Very true. As I said previously - it's time to forgive-and-forget Bruce Penhall and his support of fellow Americans 33 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 I don't know what Penhall said but in guessing he pointed out that Carter was a prick for killing himself and his wife leaving his children without their parents. Well he was a prick, I say that as someone who has loved watching Kenny on video but try all you like, you'll not convince me he was anything but the lowest of the low as a person. As for Bruce, typical cheesy American for me. Didn't like him "as a person" from what I've seen on video and read. But as a rider, he could do magic things on a bike. As for the White City incident, numerous riders have done similar. Joe Screen shut off for Mark Loram in Poland to help him win a World title, Martin Dugard "had an EF" to get Havvy a point in the '99 overseas(?) final to allow Havvy to qualify. Hampel shut off in his last ride of the 2002ish U21 final to let a fellow Pole have a point to get him 3rd after Hampel had already won the title. It happens. I don't know what Penhall said but in guessing he pointed out that Carter was a prick for killing himself and his wife leaving his children without their parents. Well he was a prick, I say that as someone who has loved watching Kenny on video but try all you like, you'll not convince me he was anything but the lowest of the low as a person. As for Bruce, typical cheesy American for me. Didn't like him "as a person" from what I've seen on video and read. But as a rider, he could do magic things on a bike. As for the White City incident, numerous riders have done similar. Joe Screen shut off for Mark Loram in Poland to help him win a World title, Martin Dugard "had an EF" to get Havvy a point in the '99 overseas(?) final to allow Havvy to qualify. Hampel shut off in his last ride of the 2002ish U21 final to let a fellow Pole have a point to get him 3rd after Hampel had already won the title. It happens. Add to that, Olsen and Gundersen letting Petersen through in the 82 Inter-continental final and Ermolenko and Hancock making sure Larsen went through the 94 Overseas final. Probably dozens more examples. I think what p!ssed people off was how blatant Penhalls actions were. Tootling around at the back popping wheelies. He should've faked an engine failure or slid off. He was probably the most popular champion ever when he won at Wembley, but all that disappeared with that incident. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Endeavour Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 Penhall was box office. Will never forget the atmosphere at Wembley in 1981. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinMills Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 Penhall was box office. Will never forget the atmosphere at Wembley in 1981. every promoters dream 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucifer sam Posted December 14, 2015 Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 (edited) I'm just guessing, but I think the biggest issue that the crowd had with that race was just how deliberate Bruce made it look. If he had ridden close to the others and looked like he was maybe making an effort he probably wouldn't have got the same abuse, it would just have been a big talking point about whether or not he tried. He made it blatant that he wasn't trying and the sporting Brits didn't like that one bit. The Overseas Final crowds at White City were highly hypocritical. The previous year (1981) one of the final races had featured Ivan Mauger, Michael Lee, Dave Jessup and Larry Ross. Mauger and Lee were in desperate need of points and received them finishing in a co-ordinated 1-2 finish that moved both onto eight points, DJ needed a single point to clinch the title and took it, Larry Ross had already qualified, had only a faint chance of winning (he needed to win the race, with DJ last to get a run-off) and was happy to cruise around in forth place. Poor Les Collins was the victim, as Lee and Mauger's extra points put him out of the World Championship. Did the "sporting Brits" boo Dave Jessup and Larry Ross? Not a sausage. Was it obvious what was happening? Well, no-one was going around pulling wheelies, but even as an 8-year-old at the meeting, I realised what was happening. It was very obvious. The following year I was an extremely annoyed 9-year-old in the White City crowd after Bruce - my hero - was jeered. I really couldn't see any difference between what he'd done and what DJ and Larry Ross had done 12 months previously. All the best Rob Edited December 14, 2015 by lucifer sam 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted December 14, 2015 Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 The following year I was an extremely 9-year-old in the White City crowd after Bruce - my hero - was jeered. I really couldn't see any difference between what he'd done and what DJ and Larry Ross had done 12 months previously. All the best Rob Quite an eventful year for you Rob.Getting under the binliner dress of a Bucks Fizz star and then having your hero booed.Sort of explains why yu grew up to be the person you are 3 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.