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Characters of the sixties


BOBBATH

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Hi Tsunami, actually I included Mike Watkin as a character for two reasons a) because he was such a good bloke b) because his fame as Mudlark had even spread as far as South Wales.  Chunky mentioned that the thread I started as characters of the sixties had started to include riders of later eras-and that is great because I enjoy reading all the posts. However I wonder if we should start a new topic "Many Many Years Gone By":wink:- I got thinking that I got into Speedway in 1964-(54 years ago)holy smokes-that would be like me meeting some old geezer in 1964 who started reminiscing  about stuff in 1910(not that I am an old geezer of course)!!!:):):)- P.S.just figured out how to add emoticons!!

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Lots of memories here, I started going to " the speedway" in 1965 at somerton park. Some things that stick in my mind from sixties & early seventies. Nigel Boocock " little boy blue", Garry Middleton, Reg Luckhurst, Olle Nygren, Etc, race jackets - for some reason the iconic Newcastle one, we had a few characters in our wasps team trough the period I remember vaguely a full on fight between 2 of our own riders Bill Andrew & Jon Erskine not far from where I was. The first time Ronnie Moore turned up with the Dons seemed like the return of of a King, , booing the likes of Ivan, Ole but not Briggo for some reason. I m not sure the racing was any better but I think the package was. 

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On 16/05/2018 at 9:51 AM, Sidney the robin said:

Thanks Norbold i have the Anniversary meeting 1968  with Leonard and Briggs on the front and the 1967 meeting you talk about i need to get  for my collection.I am missing 8 West Ham home  programmes  between  1967/70. Can  you remember Bradshaw/ Nygren beating Briggo??? thanks again Norbold.

Nygren and Bradshaw beat Briggo in Heat One of the match on 2 June 1970. I wasn't there but my friend went and gave me a filled in programme. His comment on this race was, "Pete and Olle were miles in front." Briggo was unbeaten for the rest of the night.

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3 hours ago, norbold said:

Nygren and Bradshaw beat Briggo in Heat One of the match on 2 June 1970. I wasn't there but my friend went and gave me a filled in programme. His comment on this race was, "Pete and Olle were miles in front." Briggo was unbeaten for the rest of the night.

He must have tied a bit more string to his Bike. ;):D

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2 hours ago, The White Knight said:

He must have tied a bit more string to his Bike. ;):D

...remember looking at 'Joe' Gooddy's bike at Poole once and it was literally tied together with bits of string and tape!

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20 hours ago, The White Knight said:

He must have tied a bit more string to his Bike. ;):D

WK i can remember going to Eastbourne one afternoon ( hated there dam claxon!!) and seeing the Italian rider Nano Righetto ride. His bike god it looked like he had just picked it up from Steptoes junk yard what a heep.!!!

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18 hours ago, The White Knight said:

I know Sidney. You saw some wrecks of Bikes in those days. But they worked, that is always what amazed me.

I think in those days WK when the riders went to the tapes most of them were on the same sort of aquipment a level playing field the skill element track craft then came into the equation.That is why IVAN was so special aquipment immaculate he ploughed money into his aquipment and got his rewards later on.

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5 hours ago, Sidney the robin said:

I think in those days WK when the riders went to the tapes most of them were on the same sort of aquipment a level playing field the skill element track craft then came into the equation.That is why IVAN was so special aquipment immaculate he ploughed money into his aquipment and got his rewards later on.

I wonder how many World Championships Briggo would have won if he had paid the same attention to detail, and organised his equipment, in the way Ivan did?

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24 minutes ago, The White Knight said:

I wonder how many World Championships Briggo would have won if he had paid the same attention to detail, and organised his equipment, in the way Ivan did?

That might depend on whether Ove Fundin did the same!

 

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15 hours ago, The White Knight said:

I wonder how many World Championships Briggo would have won if he had paid the same attention to detail, and organised his equipment, in the way Ivan did?

 

15 hours ago, The White Knight said:

I wonder how many World Championships Briggo would have won if he had paid the same attention to detail, and organised his equipment, in the way Ivan did?

I dont know WK a great question   maybe i am wrong  but Briggs was pretty professional really fit as well physically.

stronger than most.Mauger was good really top class he  took the sport forward  but Briggs like you have said endless times was very unlucky and I believe he would  and should of won his fifth title in 72.

Edited by Sidney the robin
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18 hours ago, The White Knight said:

Jack Millen.

George Major?

I thought Jack was a pussycat WK ??  no  seriously apparently he was great with the young riders with his  advice and support and  i never knew he was great mates with the great Phil Crump.

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2 hours ago, Sidney the robin said:

I thought Jack was a pussycat WK ??  no  seriously apparently he was great with the young riders with his  advice and support and  i never knew he was great mates with the great Phil Crump.

Yes, he was also great mates with Jim Wells.

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Sorry, first time on Forum. Past "characters". I see "cass" Middleton has already been mentioned. Did he really bring Gerard Ullenbroch from behind the iron Curtain in the boot of his car???. How many  remember Roman Matousec and his mode of transport. Front wheel of his bike comes out, and the whole lot go on the back set. Stan Williams, clip his fag on the way out to his bike, and tuck the fag end under the roll of the top of his socks. 

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Shouldda mentioned Bert Harkins-just started reading his book(great read)-wotta character of the sixties also. Here's another- Brian Brett -any memories, I always recall he was considered to be a cert to qualify from the British Final of 1964  to get to the World Final-and maybe even become British Champ-famous photo of him sitting on the track after his first ride when he fell. Got to the WF in 1965 and performed creditably-went from Swindon to Newcastle and then I think retired-anybody know why he quit so young?

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