bluejam Posted May 22, 2017 Report Share Posted May 22, 2017 Tai told me a funny story once that bens always been a plonker they had a dust up when they were teenagers.. There was also a ding-dong between the two of them in a Bydgoszcz hotel in 2010 before the GP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudtobeaBrummie Posted May 23, 2017 Report Share Posted May 23, 2017 There was also a ding-dong between the two of them in a Bydgoszcz hotel in 2010 before the GP That is the story he told but i thought it was a u21 meeting i may be wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewy Posted May 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2017 (edited) Barker certainly likes to ruffle a few feathers especially of riders who are rated highly but he doesnt winge when hes on the recieving end. What about the british final a few yrs back when cookie and woffinden blatantly contrived to stitch barker up in the first turn which resulted in it being rerun a number of times because bb wouldnt be intimidated. Any speedway meeting with barker in it will be more entertaining than it would have been without him. Lets not forget if bb is on decent equipment and has someone good in the pits which hasnt always been the case in the past he would give most riders in british speedway a run for their money he seems to have things going well atm so i do feel hes worth a go in the premiership especially if porsing has a poor meeting this week. Edited May 23, 2017 by lewy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPNY Posted May 23, 2017 Report Share Posted May 23, 2017 I've heard a few stories over the years but just couldn't see it myself. I Remember when Plymouth were at Rye a few years back he was straight over to the fans that had made the Journey up after the meeting, sat and spoke to them for ages, was holding the gate open for the older guys as they left, just seemed a thoroughly decent bloke. But he's obviously put a few noses out of place over the years! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewy Posted May 23, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2017 I've heard a few stories over the years but just couldn't see it myself. I Remember when Plymouth were at Rye a few years back he was straight over to the fans that had made the Journey up after the meeting, sat and spoke to them for ages, was holding the gate open for the older guys as they left, just seemed a thoroughly decent bloke. But he's obviously put a few noses out of place over the years! Very approachable guy in the pits and brilliant with the younger fans but people dont like posting anything positive generally. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnglishRoundabout Posted May 23, 2017 Report Share Posted May 23, 2017 I've met Ben a few times at Somerset and I agree with you Lewy. Any meeting is certainly enriched when he's riding. He's tremendously exciting to watch and a 100% all action racer. If I'm honest though, I don't think he's the brightest and he certainly has a thick skin. He could do with some father figure giving him guidance because he regularly makes poor choices. On one occasion after riding at the OTA he was in the bar after the meeting. At Somerset, he is definitely the one they "love to hate". He was asked to do an interview and when asked about the rivalry between himself and the Rebels fans he uttered a defiant " I couldn't care less what they think of me". Fortunately the supporters present took the comments in their stride, but certainly an ill judged comment in the circumstances. As Lewy mentioned earlier, he doesn't ever seem to be intimidated and indeed he seems to thrive on it if he's faced with the issue. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehone Posted May 23, 2017 Report Share Posted May 23, 2017 (edited) taking out Jack Holder after a race at Peterborough wasn't one of his best moves, might have cost himself a few £££ in bike repairs Edited May 23, 2017 by stevehone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonga Posted May 23, 2017 Report Share Posted May 23, 2017 As a Redcar fan I am quite happy that he is only riding for us , his home form is sensational.. Bills will come rolling in just like they have everywhere else, fear for you guys as Garitty hasn't imploded yet either. Best of luck and hope I'm wrong for the sake of the red k supporters👍🏼 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert72 Posted May 23, 2017 Report Share Posted May 23, 2017 I've met Ben a few times at Somerset and I agree with you Lewy. Any meeting is certainly enriched when he's riding. He's tremendously exciting to watch and a 100% all action racer. If I'm honest though, I don't think he's the brightest and he certainly has a thick skin. He could do with some father figure giving him guidance because he regularly makes poor choices. On one occasion after riding at the OTA he was in the bar after the meeting. At Somerset, he is definitely the one they "love to hate". He was asked to do an interview and when asked about the rivalry between himself and the Rebels fans he uttered a defiant " I couldn't care less what they think of me". Fortunately the supporters present took the comments in their stride, but certainly an ill judged comment in the circumstances. As Lewy mentioned earlier, he doesn't ever seem to be intimidated and indeed he seems to thrive on it if he's faced with the issue. Not surprised with his answer as he has always said it as it is and he won't change even if it offends. He always looked up to bomber as a kid but didn't quite reach that level even though he had the potential too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehone Posted May 23, 2017 Report Share Posted May 23, 2017 great little racer, but something clearly not right oh the irony ...... 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simonh Posted May 24, 2017 Report Share Posted May 24, 2017 I have a son with Autism and Ben was brilliant with him, chatting, listening and making him feel special. (Not just a one off). The guys not perfect but I'll always be grateful for the times when he showed he cared. We'll go out of our way to watch as he is an entertainer. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudtobeaBrummie Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 Well most entertaining rider in the British Finals without doubt and ended up 4th .. Hes form in general is pretty good Surely he gets a chance back in the top flight now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foreverblue Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 Well most entertaining rider in the British Finals without doubt and ended up 4th .. Hes form in general is pretty good Surely he gets a chance back in the top flight now I would have thought on his current average he is a bargain although he won't produce last night's form every week certainly worth a chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve0 Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 (edited) Well most entertaining rider in the British Finals without doubt and ended up 4th .. Hes form in general is pretty good Surely he gets a chance back in the top flight now He was entertaining but I thought Richard Lawson, Steve Worrall and Craig Cook were more entertaining. Its great to see someone like Steve do so well and is one of the success stories of the ill-conceived draft system that later wasn't a draft system. I did, however, think that with Swindon looking to strengthen and Tungate the most likely candidate, sadly there would be no way he (Ben Barker) would ride for Swindon this year - unless Rosco wants a bad atmosphere in the pits for the rest of the year! Edited June 20, 2017 by Steve0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A ORLOV Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 (edited) He was entertaining but I thought Richard Lawson, Steve Worrall and Craig Cook were more entertaining. Its great to see someone like Steve do so well and is one of the success stories of the ill-conceived draft system that later wasn't a draft system. I did, however, think that with Swindon looking to strengthen and Tungate the most likely candidate, sadly there would be no way he (Ben Barker) would ride for Swindon this year - unless Rosco wants a bad atmosphere in the pits for the rest of the year! Or from many fans. Edited June 20, 2017 by A ORLOV 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 He was entertaining but I thought Richard Lawson, Steve Worrall and Craig Cook were more entertaining. Its great to see someone like Steve do so well and is one of the success stories of the ill-conceived draft system that later wasn't a draft system. I did, however, think that with Swindon looking to strengthen and Tungate the most likely candidate, sadly there would be no way he (Ben Barker) would ride for Swindon this year - unless Rosco wants a bad atmosphere in the pits for the rest of the year! I think Steve Worrall is brilliant. It's great to see him do so well. When he was at Swindon as a draft rider all the talk was about Garrity and Newman, but he has surpassed both by a long way. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starman2006 Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 I think Steve Worrall is brilliant. It's great to see him do so well. When he was at Swindon as a draft rider all the talk was about Garrity and Newman, but he has surpassed both by a long way. Are we not talking about Ben Barker ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Normski Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 Could be interesting at Berwick next Saturday , with 3 Aussies in our line up BB will have plenty opportunities to get his alleged dislike of Australians out his system Plenty aussies at Kevin's testimonial and Ben didn't do anything untoward, was probably the most exciting rider to watch in the meeting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghosty Posted June 21, 2017 Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 Off track Ben is a very nice guy, BUT he suffers from "Nikki Pedersen Syndrome" that being: you put on a crash helmet & it changes your personality! I must say Ben is nowhere as dirty as Nikki just more of an out & out racer - & there lies the problem Ben is to injury prone that's why no one in the Premiership has signed him. Very underrated rider on his day very good. I wish Ben an injury free 2017 season & keep entertaining the fans............. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted June 21, 2017 Report Share Posted June 21, 2017 marmite,but he is an entertainer,he can give it but he can also take which I like him for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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