steve roberts Posted March 8, 2019 Report Share Posted March 8, 2019 I remember a classic second half race featuring George Hunter and Mike Sampson at Cowley where they passed each other on numerous occasions...could have been set up but I'd like to belive that it was genuine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted March 9, 2019 Report Share Posted March 9, 2019 (edited) The run-off between Martin Ashby and Ray Wilson for the last qualifying place for the World Final during the 1975 British Final at Coventry. Martin could have been more ruthless but being the gentleman that he was/is he raced Ray hard but fair missing out by a tyre at the chequered flag. Two great Britons during the time that England ruled the speedway world. Edited March 9, 2019 by steve roberts 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno Posted March 10, 2019 Report Share Posted March 10, 2019 I remember that race Steve but I don't think I went to the meeting so I'm guessing it must have been on tv 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted March 10, 2019 Report Share Posted March 10, 2019 (edited) 7 hours ago, bruno said: I remember that race Steve but I don't think I went to the meeting so I'm guessing it must have been on tv Yes it was on BBC's 'Sportsnight' if I remember? Edited March 10, 2019 by steve roberts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 On 3/9/2019 at 7:35 PM, steve roberts said: The run-off between Martin Ashby and Ray Wilson for the last qualifying place for the World Final during the 1975 British Final at Coventry. Martin could have been more ruthless but being the gentleman that he was/is he raced Ray hard but fair missing out by a tyre at the chequered flag. Two great Britons during the time that England ruled the speedway world. People sometimes forget just how good Ray Wilson was i would say from 1967/73 he was in the top 10 /15 riders in the world.His record generally does not show that but i believe he was.Boocock/2 / Betts Wilson, Simmons,Collins, Jessup, Ashby,Louis, (ect) what a generation that was. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 (edited) 14 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said: People sometimes forget just how good Ray Wilson was i would say from 1967/73 he was in the top 10 /15 riders in the world.His record generally does not show that but i believe he was.Boocock/2 / Betts Wilson, Simmons,Collins, Jessup, Ashby,Louis, (ect) what a generation that was. Yes, add Briggo,Mauger,Moore,Olsen,Michanek,Sjösten,Persson,Jansson,Jancarz,Waloszek,Plech one or two Australians like Airey,Valentine or Boulger etc and all those Brits Tbh it is hard to put Wilson in the top 10 of the period when you look at his rivals,but top 20 or 30 for sure.Maybe 1 or 2 seasons he just squeezed in,but not over a few seasons Edited March 11, 2019 by iris123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 1 hour ago, iris123 said: Yes, add Briggo,Mauger,Moore,Olsen,Michanek,Sjösten,Persson,Jansson,Jancarz,Waloszek,Plech one or two Australians like Airey,Valentine or Boulger etc and all those Brits Tbh it is hard to put Wilson in the top 10 of the period when you look at his rivals,but top 20 or 30 for sure.Maybe 1 or 2 seasons he just squeezed in,but not over a few seasons There are at least 5 there who you named, who were not anywhere near Wilson's level Valentine a very strange choice of course he was very talented. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 I know you are a fan of Valentine,so I put him in to see what you say But of course I can add for the period you mention Fundin,Harrfeldt,Plechanov,Eide,Woryna,Löfqvist for any of the 5 you think aren't better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 (edited) 19 minutes ago, iris123 said: I know you are a fan of Valentine,so I put him in to see what you say But of course I can add for the period you mention Fundin,Harrfeldt,Plechanov,Eide,Woryna,Löfqvist for any of the 5 you think aren't better The era was certainly a special one no doubt about that and all those you named deserve to be mentioned.Wilson for me is in a group of riders who were alot better than there bare results show Adams, E.Boocock, Ashby,Sigalos,Autrey, P.Crump are other examples. Edited March 11, 2019 by Sidney the robin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 2 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said: The era was certainly a special one no doubt about that and all those you named deserve to be mentioned.Wilson for me is in a group of riders who were alot better than there bare results show Adams, E.Boocock, Ashby,Sigalos,Autrey, P.Crump are other examples. I agree there.Just a pity I missed Fundin,Harrfeldt and Plechanov etc at their best 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 10 minutes ago, iris123 said: I agree there.Just a pity I missed Fundin,Harrfeldt and Plechanov etc at their best Same as you Iris i never saw Craven or Knutsson either but not to worry eh.Some of those i named i saw alot of so a huge bias is there you tend to do that without realising.Ashby a prime example apart from Norden 1975 wtc and winning the superama he never showed his true worth his World class record in all honesty was modest he was better than that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chadster Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 Saw quite a lot of Fundin when he signed for the Aces in 1967. He was obviously still a top class rider, though apparently Hyde Road was not a particular favourite of his, not that you would have known from watching him. The first home meeting after he won the world title was against Newcastle. He came round on the tractor with the World Championship trophy, won his first two rides and then was beaten third time out. Who was the Newcastle rider to beat him? It's not the obvious answer.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracy Bird Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 26 minutes ago, Chadster said: Saw quite a lot of Fundin when he signed for the Aces in 1967. He was obviously still a top class rider, though apparently Hyde Road was not a particular favourite of his, not that you would have known from watching him. The first home meeting after he won the world title was against Newcastle. He came round on the tractor with the World Championship trophy, won his first two rides and then was beaten third time out. Who was the Newcastle rider to beat him? It's not the obvious answer.... Goog allen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chadster Posted March 11, 2019 Report Share Posted March 11, 2019 1 hour ago, Tracy Bird said: Goog allen Is right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ovalman Posted March 12, 2019 Report Share Posted March 12, 2019 Saw Ove win the World final at Wembley 63..for me he was top rider in early 60s..Briggs top in mid 60s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted March 19, 2019 Report Share Posted March 19, 2019 (edited) During the 1972 World Final at Wembley when Ole Olsen was pushed out at the first bend by John Louis and ended up at the back but managed to pass him and Bernie Persson before giving chase to leader Christer Lofqvist when he lost it and slid off which effectively ended his chances of retaining his crown. Pure drama. Pure Theatre...and pleased me having never been a fan of him! Edited March 19, 2019 by steve roberts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeyenz Posted March 21, 2019 Report Share Posted March 21, 2019 1971 Gordon Kennett stalking John Louis and eventually forcing his way up the inside. 1973 Neil Middleditch passing Arthur Price on the last bend to win the match 40-38 against Boston 1974 Martin Yeates breaking the Arlington track record in Heat 2 the reserves race. 1978 John Barker the Eagles number 7 winning Heat 8 against the Newcastle Tactical Substitutes Tom Owen and Graeme Stapleton All time favourites were the second half finals in 1971 and 1972Â which usually featured Malc Ballard, Gordon and Dave Kennett, Roger Johns and occasionally an opposition heat leader. They were like stock cars on bikes. I don't think the Kennetts and Ballard liked each other much. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted March 21, 2019 Report Share Posted March 21, 2019 4 hours ago, hawkeyenz said: 1971 Gordon Kennett stalking John Louis and eventually forcing his way up the inside. 1973 Neil Middleditch passing Arthur Price on the last bend to win the match 40-38 against Boston 1974 Martin Yeates breaking the Arlington track record in Heat 2 the reserves race. 1978 John Barker the Eagles number 7 winning Heat 8 against the Newcastle Tactical Substitutes Tom Owen and Graeme Stapleton All time favourites were the second half finals in 1971 and 1972Â which usually featured Malc Ballard, Gordon and Dave Kennett, Roger Johns and occasionally an opposition heat leader. They were like stock cars on bikes. I don't think the Kennetts and Ballard liked each other much. I never had an issue with the old T/S ruling and I, too, recall when a 'lesser' rider went out and beat tactical moves made by the opposition Team Manager. Used to bring the house down and added an element to the procedings and highlighted the sometimes unpredictabilty of the sport. We were fortunate at Cowley in watching many of the Eastbourne lads during second halves (which I used to enjoy) and, of course, both Gordon and Malcolm ended up riding for Oxford. I recall that there was some animosity between Ballard and the Kennett brothers and remember when in 1974 during a 4TT held at Eastbourne which involved Oxford (Gordon), Hackney (Dave), Poole (Malcolm) and the home team Ballard got upto all sorts of mischief picking fights with all and sundry! Whatever became of 'Mad Malc'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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