iris123 Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 (edited) Guess looking back there was hardly anyone with quite as spectacular a style as Kelly Moran,which was almost a legtrailer,but very much like the Dudek style,just with his front leg tucked in instead of sticking out Edited March 5, 2017 by iris123 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 (edited) Do I detect something strange happening to this thread? A proliferation of photos that are NOT leg trail action? Has any other member noticed the trend? The preceding one of Kelly Moran is an example while there was another spectacular non-legtrail Post No.16. Edited March 5, 2017 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 Do I detect something strange happening to this thread. A proliferation of photos that are NOT leg trail action? Has any other member noticed the trend? The preceding one of Kelly Moran is an example while there was another spectacular non-legtrail Post No. Not really.Look at the photo of Hougaard and Moran and see where their legs are compared to the other riders next to them.Totally constrasting styles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 I was thinking the modern bike was conducive to a legtrailing style,that is why after decades of foot forward,we saw a revival of legtrailing around the turn of the century? When I first went to speedway (early seventies) the foot forward was the chosen style. The left leg trailing was rare (recall Richard Greer adopting same) but came along, I guess, during the late seventies/early eighties? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 When I first went to speedway (early seventies) the foot forward was the chosen style. The left leg trailing was rare (recall Richard Greer adopting same) but came along, I guess, during the late seventies/early eighties? I was wondering Steve.Have to admit that i am not sure i ever saw Colquhoun and even Greer doesn't stick out for me.Guess i might have seen him riiding for Oxford or White City?Think he was linked to the promotion.Can't even recall Bisson,though i guess i did see him when Poole were the Wildcats.Even Kelly Moran burst on the scene just as i was taking a break for studies from the sport and only went to the NNL Championships,although i did go to an England v USA test in the early 80s.Then when i came back Wimbledon were quickly down in the second division etc.So i think i only ever saw him half a dozen times 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 I was wondering Steve.Have to admit that i am not sure i ever saw Colquhoun and even Greer doesn't stick out for me.Guess i might have seen him riiding for Oxford or White City?Think he was linked to the promotion.Can't even recall Bisson,though i guess i did see him when Poole were the Wildcats.Even Kelly Moran burst on the scene just as i was taking a break for studies from the sport and only went to the NNL Championships,although i did go to an England v USA test in the early 80s.Then when i came back Wimbledon were quickly down in the second division etc.So i think i only ever saw him half a dozen times Ivan Mauger suggested that Dickie Greer should change his style...how about Andrew Silver and Alun Rossiter? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 (edited) Ivan Mauger suggested that Dickie Greer should change his style...how about Andrew Silver and Alun Rossiter? Yes,Silver really was a modern spectacular rider,hanging on to his bike around Rye House or Plough Lane.He was one of my 80s favourites Probably better clips out there,but this does show his style https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geChQHLaEOw Edited March 5, 2017 by iris123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 This is from the late 1940s when there was still leg trail action to create REAL speedway thrills. The photo shows West Ham's Fred 'Kid' Curtis inside Bradford's Oliver Hart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 This is from the late 1940s when there was still leg trail action to create REAL speedway thrills. The photo shows West Ham's Fred 'Kid' Curtis inside Bradford's Oliver Hart. You mean Real speedway thrills like this duel between Richardson and Kennett.Legtrailing a bit as well.Labelled as one of the best speedway races ever.Not quite sure if it is right up there though https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyukusgs-CI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 That is a great photo norbold. All the magic of leg trailing - as you said: Wimbledon in the early 1930s, Australians 'Cyclone' Billy Lamont and Vic Huxley demonstrate the spectacle of leg trail riding. It is, as you say norbold, a great photo. This truly is a great photograph. Is it me - or did Speedway seem a bit more spectacular in those days? Genuine qustion for debate - not taking the mick. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 This truly is a great photograph. Is it me - or did Speedway seem a bit more spectacular in those days? Genuine qustion for debate - not taking the mick. Trouble is a photo is just a split second.We don't really know if that race was agreat or just a split second near each other and that was it.But we can look at modern video and see that speedway today can hold itself against any period of the past. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3wsSo5Ei2g https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nXDDK8POS4 At many stages of these two races we could have a photo that looks more spectacular than the old one as the riders are far closer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 (edited) One of the best action shots ever, in my opinion, was one of Tommy Farndon leg trailing on the outside of a rider (whose name escapes me)...any idea Gustix? Sorry Steve Roberts but I have been unable to trace the photo you mention. But I have found this 1934 photo from New Cross with home rider legtraiier Tommy Farndon leading Harringay's foot forward rider George Wilks. It well depicts the difference in the riding styles IMO. Edited March 5, 2017 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 Trouble is a photo is just a split second.We don't really know if that race was agreat or just a split second near each other and that was it.But we can look at modern video and see that speedway today can hold itself against any period of the past. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3wsSo5Ei2g https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nXDDK8POS4 At many stages of these two races we could have a photo that looks more spectacular than the old one as the riders are far closer Both great Races - but - wouldn't it be brilliant if we could have had the same sort of Film from the days of the Legtrailers? Sadly we can't really compare.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 (edited) Both great Races - but - wouldn't it be brilliant if we could have had the same sort of Film from the days of the Legtrailers? Sadly we can't really compare.... Unfortunately we look at the original footage of the first meeting at High Beech and it is nothing like the race between Emil and Darcy.It is in fact very tame.But i do agree it would be wonderful to see some of those old meetings to really judge. This is the 1933 test England v Australia and not very exciting apart from one or two incidents.I would put todays speedway in front of this tbh https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zykyrxhJaL4 Hard of course to say if this was as good as it gets,an average or a poor meeting for the time.If the track was too deep.Guess a report from the meeting would be good,but looking at the scores a number of riders weren't able to complete the meeting.The spectacular Farndon only managed 3 rides for 1 pt.Claude Rye was out after a fall in his first ride as was Max Gross kreutz of Australia and a few others had falls like Dicky Case,Vic Huxley,Bluey Wilkinson and Wal Phillips http://www.internationalspeedway.co.uk/engvaus1a.htm Edited March 5, 2017 by iris123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 Unfortunately we look at the original footage of the first meeting at High Beech and it is nothing like the race between Emil and Darcy.It is in fact very tame.But i do agree it would be wonderful to see some of those old meetings to really judge. This is the 1933 test England v Australia and not very exciting apart from one or two incidents.I would put todays speedway in front of this tbh I wouldnt for its time looks exciting the track looks decent a good crowd pretty hypothetical to be honest you cant compare eras's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 Both great Races - but - wouldn't it be brilliant if we could have had the same sort of Film from the days of the Legtrailers? Sadly we can't really compare.... Agree...nigh impossible to compare as track surfaces were very different and required a different technique. Nowadays riders tend to enter a bend with the left foot down momentarily before lifting it and relying on balance more than anything. When I gave speedway a go many moons ago boy did I make sure that I kept my left boot on the track...no way I was going to lift it at any point as I went round the bend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 (edited) Ivan Mauger suggested that Dickie Greer should change his style...how about Andrew Silver and Alun Rossiter?Spot on about the last two i even think the late Martin Hewlett trailed a bit he really excelled in his first full time BL season always remember Martin in his Artdeans sponsored leathers. Edited March 5, 2017 by Sidney the robin 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 Agree...nigh impossible to compare as track surfaces were very different and required a different technique. Far be it for me to say what TWK meant,but i took it as being due to the lack of footage we can't compare. Of coure when we look at footage we can compare.We can see whether it is less,more or as exciting as todays meetings.As i pointed out with the 1933 test,that is i guess the highlights of the meeting and nothing there to compare with Emil v Darcy or Lee v Eddie.But maybe the best races were cut short and maybe it just wasn't a typical good meeting.I am open minded about it.Some don't seem to be.Not you mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 Far be it for me to say what TWK meant,but i took it as being due to the lack of footage we can't compare. Of coure when we look at footage we can compare.We can see whether it is less,more or as exciting as todays meetings.As i pointed out with the 1933 test,that is i guess the highlights of the meeting and nothing there to compare with Emil v Darcy or Lee v Eddie.But maybe the best races were cut short and maybe it just wasn't a typical good meeting.I am open minded about it.Some don't seem to be.Not you mind Yoou were right on what I mean't iris but there is a distinct dearth of film from those days. I still think I would rather have watched Speedway in the Forties and Fifties as compared to now. I don't know, of course, but reading about it and watching some clips on youtube I just get the feeling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 Yoou were right on what I mean't iris but there is a distinct dearth of film from those days. I still think I would rather have watched Speedway in the Forties and Fifties as compared to now. I don't know, of course, but reading about it and watching some clips on youtube I just get the feeling. Of course standing in a stadium with 55,000 watching a test with some of the best in the world is straight away better than standing with 1,000 watching 1 or 2 good riders and some run of the mill......without even talking about the racing.Which could be better or worse,but just due to the atmosphere seems better. I know from experience having been to a number of big meetings at Vojens that both i and most around me have enjoyed the meeting,then got back home and looked here and all thse at home watching on tv have thought it boring 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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