Ommer Mon Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 A bit of fun. What's the daftest nickname for a rider? We've had the 'Polkadot Kid' in Chris Pusey, 'Mad Wellie' with Malcolm Holloway but does anyone know how Ivan Mauger earned his 'Sprouts' tag? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sotonian Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 Norman 'Pansy' Evans 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmauger Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 Indeed I do (at least I think I do). I believe it given to him by Barry Briggs due to his (Mauger's) handlebars on an early bike resembling those of American rider Lloyd 'Sprouts' Elder who rode in the 1920's & 30's. Coincedentally I read that somewhere recently, probably in a Vintage Speedway Magazine, though more than a bit before my time.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DEAN MACHINE Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 (edited) Not sure it's the daftest but it was a bizarre one that had me puzzled , around 2002- 2005 I kept seeing in southern programmes I was referred to as the " Widnes whirlwind " no idea what it meant or where it came fromas I'd never been to Widnes in my life , I just got used to it for a couple of years .I decided to find out and asked Derek Barclay who was doing the programme notes at southern tracks , he informed me he thought I was from Widnes ? Why? Anybody who has met me (Derek had) knows I have a Black Country accent I think he said he got me mixed up with a relative of his wife ?, we still refer to it Edited September 16, 2016 by THE DEAN MACHINE 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foamfence Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 Indeed I do (at least I think I do). I believe it given to him by Barry Briggs due to his (Mauger's) handlebars on an early bike resembling those of American rider Lloyd 'Sprouts' Elder who rode in the 1920's & 30's. Coincedentally I read that somewhere recently, probably in a Vintage Speedway Magazine, though more than a bit before my time.... I always thought it was just because he was dominant, like Sprouts Elder had been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee jay Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 Norman 'Pansy' Evans that wouldn't be aloud today , p.c. and all that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerblade Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 Indeed I do (at least I think I do). I believe it given to him by Barry Briggs due to his (Mauger's) handlebars on an early bike resembling those of American rider Lloyd 'Sprouts' Elder who rode in the 1920's & 30's. Coincedentally I read that somewhere recently, probably in a Vintage Speedway Magazine, though more than a bit before my time.... I always thought it was just because he was dominant, like Sprouts Elder had been. And I think I read somewhere that it was because he looked like Sprouts in his (Ivan's) early years........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyretrax Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 We used to call Neil Collins "The Flying Lavvy Brush" at Glasgow due to his hair, Nike must be Lavvy Brush 2. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agrotron Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 Wasn't there one called Cupa Soup? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Shovlar Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 Split Watermain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Flag Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 We used to call Neil Collins "The Flying Lavvy Brush" at Glasgow due to his hair, Nike must be Lavvy Brush 2. And at Wolves we called him Tatty, again because of his hair Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottyfan Posted September 16, 2016 Report Share Posted September 16, 2016 Kevin 'smelly' Smith.......Aquired by riding in a grass track meeting in the afternoon, coming off and landing in cow poo, then riding in a speedway meeting in the evening in the same unwashed leathers, hence the 'smelly' nickname. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmauger Posted September 17, 2016 Report Share Posted September 17, 2016 And I think I read somewhere that it was because he looked like Sprouts in his (Ivan's) early years........... Could be, and prevous post, couldn't quote both. Personally, I used to think it came from his Exeter days when he wore green leathers for a while. Anyone know why Niels Kristian Iversen is sometimes called 'Puk' ?.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazeaway Posted September 17, 2016 Report Share Posted September 17, 2016 Could be, and prevous post, couldn't quote both. Personally, I used to think it came from his Exeter days when he wore green leathers for a while. Anyone know why Niels Kristian Iversen is sometimes called 'Puk' ?.... Niels used to play ice hockey I think. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnieg Posted September 17, 2016 Report Share Posted September 17, 2016 I always found the description of Brian Andersen, the smooth stylish Dane, as the 'mad axeman' was somewhat incongruous, made worse by the overuse of the tag by Peter York who seemed to be the only person who used the nickname. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triple.H. Posted September 17, 2016 Report Share Posted September 17, 2016 Niels used to play ice hockey I think. Think it's because as a boy he looked like a TV character called Puk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ommer Mon Posted September 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2016 Indeed I do (at least I think I do). I believe it given to him by Barry Briggs due to his (Mauger's) handlebars on an early bike resembling those of American rider Lloyd 'Sprouts' Elder who rode in the 1920's & 30's. Coincedentally I read that somewhere recently, probably in a Vintage Speedway Magazine, though more than a bit before my time.... Thanks for the Sprouts Elder connection. I wasn't aware of that and thought it may be something to do with the affect that they can have if you eat too many! Here's another - Ole Olsen described as 'The Head Waiter' always presumed that was around him leaving his passing manoeuvres to the last moment. Any thoughts on that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ovalman Posted September 17, 2016 Report Share Posted September 17, 2016 Bobby Boogaloo Schwarz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyretrax Posted September 17, 2016 Report Share Posted September 17, 2016 Ole "Cobber" because of his accent from talking with Ivan Mauger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Shovlar Posted September 17, 2016 Report Share Posted September 17, 2016 (edited) Zorro "The Greek". What the hell was that about? Clive Fisher special. Guess in his head Zorba and Zorro sounded similar. Edited September 17, 2016 by Steve Shovlar 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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