Guest Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 (edited) It's hard to define a speedway rider as the greatest ever. The sport develops and changes as time progresses. I was once told that a reasonable time span period would be in 20 year eras. In the eras, there would be riders who obviously "move forward' to the next one. For example, in a 1928-48 period, riders like Vic Duggan, Jack Parker, Tommy Price would earn places in the next era -1949-1968. Again, many like Ove Fundin, Ivan Mauger, Barry Briggs would also move forward from the 1949-68 era to the 1969-1998 period. I hope I make myself clear? I don't intend to do the job myself but it would be interesting to see Top 20 rider lists for all the periods. Edited December 15, 2016 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 Easy one that...Ivan Mauger! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 It's hard to define a speedway rider as the greatest ever. The sport develops and changes as time progresses. I was once told that a reasonable time span period would be in 20 year eras. In the eras, there would be riders who obviously "move forward' to the next one. For example, in a 1928-48 period, riders like Vic Duggan, Jack Parker, Tommy Price would earn places in the next era -1949-1968. Again, many like Ove Fundin, Ivan Mauger, Barry Briggs would also move forward from the 1949-68 era to the 1969-1998 period. I hope I make myself clear? I don't intend to do the job myself but it would be interesting to see Top 20 rider lists for all the periods. Easy one that...Ivan Mauger! As an Ove Fundin advocate I would dispute that steve roberts although I do have a strong admiration for the ability of Ivan Mauger. But what I was actually trying to rationale is lists of Top 20 riders in different eras. The main reason for bringing this topic forward is because so many changes have taken place in the sport over the years - bikes, tracks and riding styles are so different in modern times compared to what the pioneers of the late-1920s early-1930s had available to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 (edited) My top FIVE for three era's the 60s,70s,80s ( i will leave the early era's to Norbold,Gustix,Bobbath,BL, Sam ect) who maybe would of seen them live(.60s)--Fundin,Craven,Mauger,Briggs,,Knutsson. (70s)- Olsen,Mauger,Collins,Michanek,Lee. (80s) Nielsen,Penhall,Gundersen,Lee,Carter. Edited December 15, 2016 by Sidney the robin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 Agree with you 100% on your 70s and 80s lists sid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 (edited) Agree with you 100% on your 70s and 80s lists sidBe great to hear what your 60s list would be i recon you could ask 10 different people aces1 and we could all differ that's what makes it a fascinating subject. Edited December 15, 2016 by Sidney the robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 Briggs 2nd in the 60s though imo. Funding Briggs Mauger knuttson craven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 Briggs 2nd in the 60s though imo. Funding Briggs Mauger knuttson craven Really surprising 😅i am a avid Briggo fan so i would have him higher up in a 50s list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 (edited) My top FIVE for three era's the 60s,70s,80s ( i will leave the early era's to Norbold,Gustix,Bobbath,BL, Sam ect) who maybe would of seen them live (.60s)--Fundin,Craven,Mauger,Briggs,,Knutsson. (70s)- Olsen,Mauger,Collins,Michanek,Lee. (80s) Nielsen,Penhall,Gundersen,Lee,Carter. Thank you for the 'taster' start Sidney the robin. A commendable effort and maybe act as a stimulant for more detailed lists. What I am actually suggesting however is - and I realise what a daunting task this is are - lists of Top 20 riders in different eras. 1928-48 1949-1968 1969-1988 1989- to present times Edited December 15, 2016 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 But to go 69-98: Mauger nielsen olsen penhall gundersen Collins rickardsson lee Hamill ermolenko Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 Thank you for the 'taster' start Sidney the robin. A commendable effort and maybe act as a stimulant for more detailed lists. What I am actually seeking however is - and I realise what a daunting task this is - lists of Top 20 riders in different eras. God that is so tough Gustix😅 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 99-2018 Rickardsson crump Hancock pedersen woffy gollob adams Loram hampel holder Only 10 I realise. 20 needs a lot more thought! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 My top FIVE for three era's the 60s,70s,80s ( i will leave the early era's to Norbold,Gustix,Bobbath,BL, Sam ect) who maybe would of seen them live(.60s)--Fundin,Craven,Mauger,Briggs,,Knutsson. (70s)- Olsen,Mauger,Collins,Michanek,Lee. (80s) Nielsen,Penhall,Gundersen,Lee,Carter. Probably my list would be the same Sid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 OK, let's go back a bit...my top 5s (not in order!): 1920s/30s: Vic Huxley, Tom Farndon, Bluey Wilkinson, Jack Milne, Eric Langton 1940s: Vic Duggan, Jack Parker, Ron Johnson, Tommy Price, Aub Lawson 1950s: Ronnie Moore, Jack Young, Ove Fundin, Barry Briggs, Peter Craven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucifer sam Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 (edited) 1920s/1930s: Jack Milne, Bluey Wilkinson, Tom Farndon, Lionel Van Praag, Vic Huxley 1940s/1950s: Ove Fundin, Vic Duggan, Ronnie Moore, Peter Craven, Jack Young 1960s/1970s: Ivan Mauger, Barry Briggs, Ole Olsen, Peter Collins, Bjorn Knutsson 1980s/1990s: Hans Nielsen, Erik Gundersen, Bruce Penhall, Michael Lee, Jan O Pedersen 2000s/2010s: Tony Rickardsson, Jason Crump, Nicki Pedersen, Greg Hancock, Tomasz Gollob All the best Rob Edited December 15, 2016 by lucifer sam 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foamfence Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 I couldn't begin to compile any such list and my favourites are not always who I thought of as a member of the absolute elite. There have been many mentions of Jack Parker, they are well deserved and he covered such a long time span. A name not often mentioned but who also covered a long time span, is Aub Lawson, he was very popular and rode at the top level for so many years. I remember those two because they were such good battlers, often the multi-award winners were undoubtedly skillful but rather clinical and predictable, whereas I liked to see a good scrapper (only on the track of course). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest compost Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 Top 20 for the pre-war era based on a combination of average from Official matches (League and Nat Trophy plus EDL KO Cup) and % unbeaten would be - Jack MilneWilbur LamoreauxEric LangtonJack ParkerVic HuxleyBill KitchenBluey WilkinsonDick CaseGinger LeesCordy MilneMax GrosskreutzTom FarndonJoe AbbottFrank CharlesLionel Van PraagSyd JacksonFrank ArthurTommy CroombsJack OrmstonSprouts Elder Notes : Elder actually came in 11th but only participated in such meetings in one season hence the demotion. Both the Milne's plus Lamoreaux and Frank Arthur also competed in far fewer matches than the other 15 riders so may be in an artificially high positions. Reserves would be Ron Johnson and Wal Phillips. Details for this era are incomplete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 1920s/1930s: Jack Milne, Bluey Wilkinson, Tom Farndon, Lionel Van Praag, Vic Huxley 1940s/1950s: Ove Fundin, Vic Duggan, Ronnie Moore, Peter Craven, Jack Young 1960s/1970s: Ivan Mauger, Barry Briggs, Ole Olsen, Peter Collins, Bjorn Knutsson 1980s/1990s: Hans Nielsen, Erik Gundersen, Bruce Penhall, Michael Lee, Jan O Pedersen 2000s/2010s: Tony Rickardsson, Jason Crump, Nicki Pedersen, Greg Hancock, Tomasz Gollob All the best Rob No fundin in the 60s70s? Gollob ahead of woffy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucifer sam Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 (edited) No fundin in the 60s70s? Gollob ahead of woffy? Each rider only listed once. Yes, Gollob still ahead of Woffy at the moment - that may change in a year or two!! All the best Rob Edited December 15, 2016 by lucifer sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted December 15, 2016 Report Share Posted December 15, 2016 (edited) A bit of a marathon i know but here are my top 20 for FOUR of my favourite era's the 60s,70s,80s, 2000s I have bound to have missed endless riders out but here we go.(no order) 60S) Briggs,Fundin,Mauger,Moore,Craven, Olsen,Knutsson,Sjosten,B.Jansson,Wilson,Nordin!Harrefeldt,Nygren,E.Boocock,N.Boocock,Plechanov,Waloszek,Broadbank,Airey,N.Hunter. 70S) Olsen,Mauger,Michanek,Collins,Lee,Louis,Ray Wilson,Ashby,Simmons,T.Jansson,E.Boocock,Crump,Autrey,Morton,Plech,Briggs,Sanders,Persson,Boulger,Jessup, (80S) Nielsen,Penhall,Lee,Morton,Carter,Gundersen,Sigalos,Sanders,S.Moran,K.Moran,Ermolenko,Petersen,Knudsen,Crump,Muller,L.Collins,JOPedersen,King,Jessup,Tatum, - 2000S)- Crump,Rickardsson,Woffinden,Gollob,Pedersen,Hampel,Doyle,Holder,Iversen,Sayutdinov,Hancock,Adams,Loram,Hamill,Sullivan,Zmarzlik,Jonsson,Ward,Protasiewicz,Holta. Edited December 15, 2016 by Sidney the robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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