martinmauger Posted February 17, 2018 Report Share Posted February 17, 2018 (edited) 8 hours ago, steve roberts said: Certain people wrote Ivan off as a major (no pun intended!) contender after the 1978 Final but he came back with a vengeance to win in Poland in 1979. He had a great year in 1979...not only lifting the Individual title but also winning the Team Cup leading New Zealand (which gave him great personal pleasure sticking two figures up to the authorities!) and of course almost leading Hull to the League Championship which they should have won if it hadn't been for the inexcusable absence of certain riders in key matches. Ivan had an exeptional year in 1979 personally, but don't get me started on the league ^^, .... Edited February 17, 2018 by martinmauger added info 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 On 17/02/2018 at 2:02 AM, martinmauger said: Maybe, but races often continued with a rider laid on the track in those days . Kennett & Olsen were effectivley 'ganging up' on Ivan from behind and were going to get by sooner or later and, no, he never blamed Kennett for his fall. Whilst on the deck, conveniently near the pit gate, Ivan began planning for his 1979 assault on the title. Incedentally, I read somehere that Olsen had a 'special' JAWA prepared for that 1978 Final and the engine blew up in the next meeting.... Other example of races continuing include Ivan falling in the 1973 run-off and Egon Muller's tumble in the 1976 final. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucifer sam Posted February 19, 2018 Report Share Posted February 19, 2018 12 hours ago, Grachan said: Other example of races continuing include Ivan falling in the 1973 run-off and Egon Muller's tumble in the 1976 final. It was commonplace at the time. Don't forget the 1974 World Final, where Olsen took a heavy fall and the race continued with him lying injured on the track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 Ronnie Moore posted an impressive 10.34 average in his last full season for Wimbledon in 1972. Mirac was a real hero of mine, in my youth! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 41 minutes ago, cityrebel said: Ronnie Moore posted an impressive 10.34 average in his last full season for Wimbledon in 1972. Mirac was a real hero of mine, in my youth! ...I was chuffed that I was able to see him ride during his last full season. 14 points at Poole I recall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted February 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 16 minutes ago, steve roberts said: ...I was chuffed that I was able to see him ride during his last full season. 14 points at Poole I recall. What i thought was amazing was that the three great Kiwi's all got on well together and all have total respect for each other great stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E I Addio Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 3 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said: What i thought was amazing was that the three great Kiwi's all got on well together and all have total respect for each other great stuff. Very true Sid, and it is to Maugers credit than he acknowledged that if it wasn't for Mirac and Briggo , who were a few years older , Ivan himself doesn't think he would have got where he did. I don't suppose we'll ever see the like of them again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cityrebel Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 38 minutes ago, steve roberts said: ...I was chuffed that I was able to see him ride during his last full season. 14 points at Poole I recall. Ronnie made team riding an art form. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted February 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 2 hours ago, E I Addio said: Very true Sid, and it is to Maugers credit than he acknowledged that if it wasn't for Mirac and Briggo , who were a few years older , Ivan himself doesn't think he would have got where he did. I don't suppose we'll ever see the like of them again. To think Addio he had a six year lay off from Britain from 1963 ( only aged 30 maybe entering his peak? ) to 1969 .Could he have won more titles who knows he was in two tough eras the 50s and the 60s i think the likes of Ronnie and Bjorn Knutsson often go unheralded both GREAT riders people like Norbold ( etc) will back that up.Perssonally i only see Ronnie ride five times but I remember him as a rider who rode great racing lines the Wimbledon DVD shows that showing Ronnie beating Ivan at Plough lane poetry in motion. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E I Addio Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 15 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said: To think Addio he had a six year lay off from Britain from 1963 ( only aged 30 maybe entering his peak? ) to 1969 .Could he have won more titles who knows he was in two tough eras the 50s and the 60s i think the likes of Ronnie and Bjorn Knutsson often go unheralded both GREAT riders people like Norbold ( etc) will back that up.Perssonally i only see Ronnie ride five times but I remember him as a rider who rode great racing lines the Wimbledon DVD shows that showing Ronnie beating Ivan at Plough lane poetry in motion. I think we speak the same language sid. I agree with all of that. Maugers win in '72 is one of speedways great "what ifs" . What if Briggo, who had already beaten Mauger in his first ride had not been taken off by Perrson, would he have gone on to be world champion ? What if Olsen had settled for a safe second in his first ride and not fallen off chasing Loftqvist ? He won his last four rides, including beating Mauger, and would have been World Champion unless Briggo could have stopped him. Could we have seen Briggo with five world titles and Mauger only five? Personally, I think luck was with Mauger in the 72 final although against him in 73. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 In 1972 Bernie came 9th in the European qualifier and only 8 qualified, the top 8 seem to be in the final so why was Bernie in the 16 rather than a reserve? Any ideas anyone, I've probably missed something obvious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 Looks like it's 11 from the European final Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted February 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 (edited) 3 hours ago, E I Addio said: I think we speak the same language sid. I agree with all of that. Maugers win in '72 is one of speedways great "what ifs" . What if Briggo, who had already beaten Mauger in his first ride had not been taken off by Perrson, would he have gone on to be world champion ? What if Olsen had settled for a safe second in his first ride and not fallen off chasing Loftqvist ? He won his last four rides, including beating Mauger, and would have been World Champion unless Briggo could have stopped him. Could we have seen Briggo with five world titles and Mauger only five? Personally, I think luck was with Mauger in the 72 final although against him in 73. I often thought Barry had slipped a bit in 72 his figures were still good but the odd slip up here and there and i know he had a couple of years with niggly aquipment issues which did not help.But the final in 72 if Olsen was unbeaten before meeting him who knows if Briggs had beat Persson and after Olsen had fell i am convinced Briggo could of won on 14 pts all hyphathetical i know still wrangles me even now. Edited February 21, 2018 by Sidney the robin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E I Addio Posted February 21, 2018 Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 2 hours ago, Sidney the robin said: I often thought Barry had slipped a bit in 72 his figures were still good but the odd slip up here and there and i know he had a couple of years with niggly aquipment issues which did not help.But the final in 72 if Olsen was unbeaten before meeting him who knows if Briggs had beat Persson and after Olsen had fell i am convinced Briggo could of won on 14 pts all hyphathetical i know still wrangles me even now. Yes, once again I totally agree Sid. Briggo was my boyhood hero and I really wanted him to win in 72. Briggo was 37 years old by then and his days at the top were numbered. I thought it would be a fitting end to his world class career if he went went out as World Champion, whereas Mauger and Olsen still had several years left at the top. Briggo was an up and down sort of rider. Whereas Mauger was like a machine and could turn it on all the time Briggo was a bit more temperamental but when he had his head in the right place I don't think there was anyone bar Fundin, that could stop him. He certainly had his head in the right place in the 72 Final and even had some special lightweight leathers made to reduce unnecessary weight. Such a pity about his crash. I think Barry would have finished either first or second otherwise. A truly great great rider. As for Ronnie Moore I only saw him at the tail end of his career but what a great stylist he was. Many fans say he was the most naturally talented rider ever to sit on a Speedwáy bike. If he had not had that enforced retirement through injury from 63 - 69 it is more than possible he could have picked up a third World crown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted February 22, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2018 6 hours ago, E I Addio said: Yes, once again I totally agree Sid. Briggo was my boyhood hero and I really wanted him to win in 72. Briggo was 37 years old by then and his days at the top were numbered. I thought it would be a fitting end to his world class career if he went went out as World Champion, whereas Mauger and Olsen still had several years left at the top. Briggo was an up and down sort of rider. Whereas Mauger was like a machine and could turn it on all the time Briggo was a bit more temperamental but when he had his head in the right place I don't think there was anyone bar Fundin, that could stop him. He certainly had his head in the right place in the 72 Final and even had some special lightweight leathers made to reduce unnecessary weight. Such a pity about his crash. I think Barry would have finished either first or second otherwise. A truly great great rider. As for Ronnie Moore I only saw him at the tail end of his career but what a great stylist he was. Many fans say he was the most naturally talented rider ever to sit on a Speedwáy bike. If he had not had that enforced retirement through injury from 63 - 69 it is more than possible he could have picked up a third World crown. I think Briggs's longevity was his real success 18 world finals. - Fundin ( 15). ( Mauger ) (14) that tells you something. With 4 title wins, 3 runner up spots, and 3. third place finishes also he finished fourth place twice a hell of a record.You would say Fundin just outdid him no disgrace in that as Ove was a GREAT maybe the best ? be great to get a head to head record of Ove v Barry Fundin wins but as you say Briggs was unlucky not to win title number 5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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