Colin Pratt

[iris123]

Hedge did he once win a Wills or the International a big prestige meeting.???He maybe a step ahead of the riders mentioned Arnold Haley and Dave Younghusband are two other names who be in the same bracket.

I agree Sid,but as a Wimbledon fan i am a bit biased,so left it at that.I do honestly think Trevor was a bit better than Colin

[Sidney the robin]

Interesting reading British Final apearances Hedge (8) Monk(4) Genz (3) Pratt (3) Trigg (4) Younghusband (2).Haley (4).

Edited April 12, 2017 by Sidney the robin

[iris123]

Interesting reading British Final apearances Hedge (8) Monk(4) Genz (3) Pratt (3) Trigg (4) Younghusband (2).Haley (4).

Good work Sid.Out of interest how many did Brett or Rick France make?

[Sidney the robin]

Good work Sid.Out of interest how many did Brett or Rick France make?

Brett (3) France (2) France had a worldy year and reached a WF some achievement that.

[iris123]

Brett (3) France (2) France had a worldy year and reached a WF some achievement that.

Think your assesment was spot on Sid.He was at the level of a Genz,Monk,Trigg etc.He wasn't a Betts or Ashby or Hedge

[KevH]

Think you are right "salty"he did consider coming back he broke 3 bones in his neck and was told he could be paralysed if injured again.I am sure he did have a spin after a meeting but decided the risk was to great.Looking at Frigbo's stats they are pretty good to be in the WTC squad with the quality around then was some achievement.

This surprises me as I seem to recall reading somewhere that the moment Colin threw a leg over a speedway bike, the insurance payments would stop. Can't be sure of that though.

[Sidney the robin]

This surprises me as I seem to recall reading somewhere that the moment Colin threw a leg over a speedway bike, the insurance payments would stop. Can't be sure of that though.

Probably right Kev it makes sense to be honest,but can you believe that when Colin got himself fit that he has never had a few laps ? speedway was in his blood and still is. Edited April 13, 2017 by Sidney the robin

[salty]

This surprises me as I seem to recall reading somewhere that the moment Colin threw a leg over a speedway bike, the insurance payments would stop. Can't be sure of that though.

As I said, I would need someone to verify. I just have a vague memory at the back of my mind. I'll maybe check through some old programmes to see if there is any reference to it, though given what you say re insurance, it might not have been a publicised event.

[steve roberts]

As I said, I would need someone to verify. I just have a vague memory at the back of my mind. I'll maybe check through some old programmes to see if there is any reference to it, though given what you say re insurance, it might not have been a publicised event.

In an interview with Colin in the 'Classic Speedway' magazine he mentions he did about a dozen private laps at Dudley Wood a year after the accident but after a trip to the re-nowned speedway medico, Dr Carlo Biagi, was warned that if he broke his vertebra again he would end up paralysed.

 

Terry Betts (they were good mates) has always acknowledged how helpful Colin was during Terry's career after Colin's enforced retirement.

Edited April 13, 2017 by steve roberts

[Sidney the robin]

In an interview with Colin in the 'Classic Speedway' magazine he mentions he did about a dozen private laps at Dudley Wood a year after the accident but after a trip to the re-nowned speedway medico, Dr Carlo Biagi, was warned that if he broke his vertebra again he would end up paralysed.

 

Terry Betts (they were good mates) has always acknowledged how helpful Colin was during Terry's career after Colin's enforced retirement.

Good old Salty thought he was right😆he must be just like me sometimes we forget what day of the week it is.😆 Edited April 13, 2017 by Sidney the robin

[keef robin]

Where do you find this stuff? It's amazing that you have/find heat details including times from this era. I am suitably impressed.

Just found Speedway Researcher on www.british-speedway website, excellent as well.

Probably right Kev it makes sense to be honest,but can you believe that when Colin got himself fit that he has never had a few laps ? speedway was in his blood and still is.

He has a desk in the old souvenir shop on first bend at The Abbey.

[Sidney the robin]

Just found Speedway Researcher on www.british-speedway website, excellent as well.

 

He has a desk in the old souvenir shop on first bend at The Abbey.

Beefy got him to sign an old speedway post in which he was on the front cover in Ackney colours which he happily obliged.

[salty]

Had a quick flick through some old programmes. Tom Johnston who used to write in the Cradley programme, mentions a couple of times during 1971 of Colin's intention to return in 1972. Also mentions that Len Silver got into a wrangle as to who Colin would ride for when he returned. Colin originally came to Dudley Wood at the start of 1970 with Bob Andrews heading the opposite direction to Hackney. As Bob had come back to Dudley Wood in 1971, Len felt that he should got first dibs on Colin. However, Colin pledged he would be riding in Green and White when he returned. Sadly to never happen...

Also dug out the Classic Speedway interview where he confirms he did have a spin.

[E I Addio]

Colin i would put in the Monk,Trigg,Genz,Hedge mould a very underated rider he did reach one WF just like Hedge.

That's a pretty fair assessment sid.

 

Pratty was a bit of a perfectionist who understood the importance of gating in speedway . His bikes were well prepared and his clutches were apparently completely stripped, cleaned and reassembled before every meeting. He always liked to get to the track early for home meetings to make sure his favoured inside line was prepared as he wanted it so he was a pretty good gater who was rarely beaten if he hit the front first. Not surprised he beat Bjorn Knutson on a tight circuit like New Cross if he made the gate.

 

Never smiled though, even if he banged in a maximum.

Edited April 13, 2017 by E I Addio

[steve roberts]

That's a pretty fair assessment sid.

 

Pratty was a bit of a perfectionist who understood the importance of gating in speedway . His bikes were well prepared and his clutches were apparently completely stripped, cleaned and reassembled before every meeting. He always liked to get to the track early for home meetings to make sure his favoured inside line was prepared as he wanted it so he was a pretty good gater who was rarely beaten if he hit the front first. Not surprised he beat Bjorn Knutson on a tight circuit like New Cross if he made the gate.

 

Never smiled though, even if he banged in a maximum.

..which is where I believe he assisted Bettsy stressing the importance of clutch maintenance.

[BL65]

I well recall Colin Pratt being at his peak in the mid 1960s, including his final year at Stoke in 1963 (averaging over 9.5 in the Provincial League), his first season at Hackney (average over 10 again in the PL), then averaging between 8.5 and 10 in the first four years of the British League. Colin was 31 when he joined Cradley Heath in 1970. Two test matches at West Ham spring to mind, paid 15 points and a retirement from 6 rides against the USSR in 1966 and 13, including 4 heat wins, in the 39-69 defeat of GB by Poland in 1967. In that meeting Colin fought a lone battle as his team mates struggled - Nigel Boocock 8 from 6 rides, Luckhurst 7, McKinlay 5, Betts 3, Eric Boocock 3, Hedge 0, Norman Hunter 0. Colin often started the season slowly, such as in 1965 when he dropped to reserve for a short time before hitting top form. At Cradley Heath in 1970 he again started slowly and was hitting top form by mid-summer, although he had already shown he was still a top rider when defeating the high flying Ivan Mauger twice in the league meeting with Belle Vue. At his very best Colin was certainly a top rider, not someone I would describe as merely 'solid'. Comparisons with other riders mentioned must take into account age differences, some of the younger ones such as Hedge blossomed later but could not live with Colin in direct competition with him at his best.

[Sidney the robin]

In a really good era 1969/73 how could you split these riders impossible Betts,Jessup,N.Boocock,E.Boocock,Harrefeldt Nordin,Airey,Sjosten,Hedge,Mcmillan,Eide, Lofqvist,B.Jansson,Middleton,,Persson,Wilson,Boulger,Louis,Monk,Ashby,Kilby,Simmons,and others)Then add the Five LEGENDS as well-

Briggs,Mauger,Olsen,Moore,Michanek what a superb standard of rider we were blessed with then.

Edited April 14, 2017 by Sidney the robin

[steve roberts]

In a really good era 1969/73 how could you split these riders impossible Betts,Jessup,N.Boocock,E.Boocock,Harrefeldt Nordin,Airey,Sjosten,Hedge,Mcmillan,Eide, Lofqvist,B.Jansson,Middleton,,Persson,Wilson,Boulger,Louis,Monk,Ashby,Kilby,Simmons,and others)Then add the Five LEGENDS as well-

Briggs,Mauger,Olsen,Moore,Michanek what a superb standard of rider we were blessed with then.

Great list there Sid! Saw them all ride bar Nordin and Harrefeldt.

[Sidney the robin]

Great list there Sid! Saw them all ride bar Nordin and Harrefeldt.

Steve - MIDDLETON was his best year with the Hawks or your /Rebels he was a genuine no1 in both years. Edited April 14, 2017 by Sidney the robin

[iris123]

Comparisons with other riders mentioned must take into account age differences, some of the younger ones such as Hedge blossomed later but could not live with Colin in direct competition with him at his best.

Might well be,but when assesing how many British finals each qualified for, age doesn't come into it for instance.Britsh finals seems a decent way to see how any rider especially at that time compared with his rivals of the day.And in 1970 as i mentioned Colin didn't qualify even if he was starting to score some points before Lokeren

Edited April 14, 2017 by iris123