The Riders Who Never Took Your Imagination Over The Years.?

[Terry]

Having seen a lot of Bo Petersen at Hackney between 1978 and '83, I'm surprised by his inclusion in this debate, which mainly features one-paced riders.

 

Bo was fast and though a decent enough gater, he could pass the very best - inside or out.

 

And he had a tough streak too.

 

From a rigid-looking, upright riding style when he first arrived, he developed into a more spectacular racer who looked good on a bike for one so tall.

 

Remember the night Olsen rode him into the fence on the first bend when Coventry came to Waterden Road (1980?).

 

To be honest, I didn't see much of him - except in Test matches - after '83, so maybe he lost much of his hunger?

 

Definitely one who failed to fulfil his potential and retired from UK speedway all too soon. Would like to catch up with him in Denmark for a Backtrack interview...

 

I remember the night Olsen fenced Bo (Ole could be a dirty git sometimes!) It took about half a dozen trackstaff to restrain Bo on his way back to the pits.

 

There was talk of Olsen playing a part in getting Bo banned for a month the following year because Bo signed in late for a world championship qualifier at Vojens.

 

I don't think they were the best of friends, although I recall Ole slowing himself and Erik Gundersen down in the 82 Inter-Continental final, so that Bo could get the 2 points he needed to go into a run-off for the last world final place..so they must've made up by then!

 

As you said he had a great style for a tall man (so much more graceful than Michael Lee!) And boy could he overtake. The only rider to get the better of him during 1980 at Waterden Rd was Bruce Penhall.

 

I was really pleased for him when he finally qualified for a world final in 84, although he was a Swindon rider by then. I even made a rare trip abroad to watch him (as well as Wiggy) at Ullevi.

 

They both did quite well with 9 points (I think) apiece.

Edited June 2, 2017 by Terry

[waiheke1]

Yet Ole and Eric never get the stick that Penhall does for doing the same.

And in both cases all that was earned for compatriots was a run off that they lost!

[Terry]

Yet Ole and Eric never get the stick that Penhall does for doing the same.

And in both cases all that was earned for compatriots was a run off that they lost!

 

I agree, but Penhall just made it so obvious. Trundling along at the back popping wheelies.

At least Olsen waited until the last bend.

[steve roberts]

 

I agree, but Penhall just made it so obvious. Trundling along at the back popping wheelies.

At least Olsen waited until the last bend.

'Favours' have always been asked and/or given and Penhall could/should have treated the fans' intelligence with a bit more respect that afternoon and been more discrete with his 'arguable' well intentioned actions.

[waiheke1]

 

I agree, but Penhall just made it so obvious. Trundling along at the back popping wheelies.

At least Olsen waited until the last bend.

Is it better to try to deceive the crowd? Personally I have more respect for Penhall being totally honest than say Hancock who had the audacity to deny it

 

I agree, but Penhall just made it so obvious. Trundling along at the back popping wheelies.

At least Olsen waited until the last bend.

Is it better to try to deceive the crowd? Personally I have more respect for Penhall being totally honest than say Hancock who had the audacity to deny it

[The White Knight]

The Supporters paid to watch Riders race - not tootling around.

 

I would have preferred to see him at least give the impression of racing - at least that would have not brought the Sport in to disrepute.

 

More honest, he may have been - not necessarily though - he could also have done it to say 'look at me' - thus detracting from the racing efforts by his compatriots..

 

Stupid he certainly was - treating the Supporters as mugs.

 

From the way he finished with the Sport - I think we know all we need to know about Mr. Penhall.

[Tigerblade]

Is it better to try to deceive the crowd? Personally I have more respect for Penhall being totally honest than say Hancock who had the audacity to deny it

Is it better to try to deceive the crowd? Personally I have more respect for Penhall being totally honest than say Hancock who had the audacity to deny it

 

Waihekeaces1, I once went to an Overseas Final at Coventry that Joe Screen was struggling in, and Jeremy Doncaster who had easily qualified before his last heat, gave him nothing when they met in their final heat. After the meeting I saw and heard some Bradford fans leaning over the fence at Donc and calling him all the names under the sun, for NOT throwing the race.

[The White Knight]

 

Waihekeaces1, I once went to an Overseas Final at Coventry that Joe Screen was struggling in, and Jeremy Doncaster who had easily qualified before his last heat, gave him nothing when they met in their final heat. After the meeting I saw and heard some Bradford fans leaning over the fence at Donc and calling him all the names under the sun, for NOT throwing the race.

Jeremy Doncaster was right, in my opinion.

[Terry]

I remember that Overseas final. Jeremy allowed Chris Louis (who also needed points to qualify) ahead of him, while keeping Screeny behind him. Otherwise Chris and Joe would've joined Billy Hamill in a 3 man run-off for the last 2 places.

 

I think Doncaster was married to Chris's mum at the time, so he probably would have got an earful if Chris had missed out!

 

I think Sam Ermolenko and Greg Hancock also allowed Josh Larsen ahead of them in his last race.

 

Everybody's at it!

Edited June 2, 2017 by Terry

[waiheke1]

Certainly ermolenko let Hancock passed on the last lap of an early 90s final so that Hancock qualified.

Far less common these days, between that and getting rid of the old tac sub rule speedways credibility must be improving.

The Supporters paid to watch Riders race - not tootling around.

 

I would have preferred to see him at least give the impression of racing - at least that would have not brought the Sport in to disrepute.

 

More honest, he may have been - not necessarily though - he could also have done it to say 'look at me' - thus detracting from the racing efforts by his compatriots..

 

Stupid he certainly was - treating the Supporters as mugs.

 

From the way he finished with the Sport - I think we know all we need to know about Mr. Penhall.

Surely treating fans as mugs is thinking they are so thick as to swallow your lies a la Hancock.

And yes penhalls departure did tell us something - he was a winner.

[steve roberts]

Certainly ermolenko let Hancock passed on the last lap of an early 90s final so that Hancock qualified.

Far less common these days, between that and getting rid of the old tac sub rule speedways credibility must be improving.

Surely treating fans as mugs is thinking they are so thick as to swallow your lies a la Hancock.

And yes penhalls departure did tell us something - he was a winner.

...personally never had a problem with the old T/S rule.

Edited June 3, 2017 by steve roberts

[The White Knight]

Certainly ermolenko let Hancock passed on the last lap of an early 90s final so that Hancock qualified.

Far less common these days, between that and getting rid of the old tac sub rule speedways credibility must be improving.

Surely treating fans as mugs is thinking they are so thick as to swallow your lies a la Hancock.

And yes penhalls departure did tell us something - he was a winner.

Crikey!!!

 

You lost me there.

 

What lies would those be then?

 

I may have made a mistake but, I do not deliberately lie.

 

Too many people on here are far too quick to call people liars.

[waiheke1]

Crikey!!!

 

You lost me there.

 

What lies would those be then?

 

I may have made a mistake but, I do not deliberately lie.

 

Too many people on here are far too quick to call people liars.

His lies about letting holder past last year in the final gp. Was covered on here extensively. He was excluded for it then threw a tantrum and quit the meeting, before coming out with statements on his website and in the media.

Crikey!!!

 

You lost me there.

 

What lies would those be then?

 

I may have made a mistake but, I do not deliberately lie.

 

Too many people on here are far too quick to call people liars.

His lies about letting holder past last year in the final gp. Was covered on here extensively. He was excluded for it then threw a tantrum and quit the meeting, before coming out with statements on his website and in the media.

[The White Knight]

His lies about letting holder past last year in the final gp. Was covered on here extensively. He was excluded for it then threw a tantrum and quit the meeting, before coming out with statements on his website and in the media.

His lies about letting holder past last year in the final gp. Was covered on here extensively. He was excluded for it then threw a tantrum and quit the meeting, before coming out with statements on his website and in the media.

Yeah.

 

But I still don't understand where I told any lies, of which I stand accused. Hancock may have lied, I don't know. I only know that I didn't unless through error.

[waiheke1]

Yeah.

 

But I still don't understand where I told any lies, of which I stand accused. Hancock may have lied, I don't know. I only know that I didn't unless through error.

I didn't say you lied? I was talking about Hancock lying?

[The White Knight]

I didn't say you lied? I was talking about Hancock lying?

Read your Post again.

 

I'll even quote it for you:

 

"Surely treating fans as mugs is thinking they are so thick as to swallow your lies a la Hancock".

 

I have read it a few times, and it still intimates that I lied whka1 - and I did not knowingly do so.

[waiheke1]

Read it again. "A la Hancock " is the bit you seem to be missing.

Unless you once treated fans as mugs I can't see how you could read this as me accusing you of lying.

[The White Knight]

Read it again. "A la Hancock " is the bit you seem to be missing.

Unless you once treated fans as mugs I can't see how you could read this as me accusing you of lying.

Well that's the way it reads to me. It still does.

 

Never mind, at least we have established that you are not accusing me of lying.

 

That's the main thing.

[Tigerblade]

Jeremy Doncaster was right, in my opinion.

And mine too. But it's possible that some of those castigating him for not throwing the race, would have been Halifax fans who abused Penhall in 1982 for doing so!

[Sidney the robin]

Was it common knowledge that some second halves were shared between the riders ? saying that i still miss the old second halves.

Edited June 5, 2017 by Sidney the robin