RebelDan Posted April 19, 2020 Report Share Posted April 19, 2020 He was the master of no nonsense. It took my three kids 3/4 of a season to get a high five off him on the victory lap after a race on the back straight but they eventually cracked him ! He was an excellent servant for the Rebels. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Najjer Posted April 19, 2020 Report Share Posted April 19, 2020 10 hours ago, EnglishRoundabout said: I don’t think he ever rode the OTA again after he left us. He was absolutely no nonsense going into the first bend and didn’t suffer fools gladly. Often his team mates would cop it too, but I remember Olly saying the first bend was “ all or nothing “ Olly was a great skipper at Somerset and often gave his time up for a mid meeting interview, answering fans questions and giving his opinion on speedway stuff Definitely missed at the OTA. His first bends almost became legendary how he would run in so deep and pretty much take anybody with him who got in his way. As Sugarray has posted, the drive he would get off the bends was unreal. You know he loved racing for Somerset too and was pretty passionate about it. I’m not sure why the numbers didn’t work out the following year as he would of been my first name on the team sheet, but he went to Peterborough and I think rode against us in a challenge match at their track and then was injured in the following meeting... and forced to retire 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnglishRoundabout Posted April 20, 2020 Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 17 hours ago, Najjer said: His first bends almost became legendary how he would run in so deep and pretty much take anybody with him who got in his way. As Sugarray has posted, the drive he would get off the bends was unreal. You know he loved racing for Somerset too and was pretty passionate about it. I’m not sure why the numbers didn’t work out the following year as he would of been my first name on the team sheet, but he went to Peterborough and I think rode against us in a challenge match at their track and then was injured in the following meeting... and forced to retire Exactly right. I remember a quote from Mads Kornelieussen when the two rode together at KingsLynn some years ago. He said that he not only had to watch out for the opposition at the race for the first bend, but also for his partner Olly Allen!! Says it all really! Anybody remember when Olly was a country mile in front during one meeting, and then he unexpectedly pulled up on the third and fourth bend....he claimed he saw a red light, but it was obviously someone with a flash camera. He was absolutely furious...from where I stood I could actually hear Olly screaming in frustration as he coasted around the track Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catalan Posted April 20, 2020 Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 14 minutes ago, EnglishRoundabout said: Exactly right. I remember a quote from Mads Kornelieussen when the two rode together at KingsLynn some years ago. He said that he not only had to watch out for the opposition at the race for the first bend, but also for his partner Olly Allen!! Says it all really! Anybody remember when Olly was a country mile in front during one meeting, and then he unexpectedly pulled up on the third and fourth bend....he claimed he saw a red light, but it was obviously someone with a flash camera. He was absolutely furious...from where I stood I could actually hear Olly screaming in frustration as he coasted around the track Remember being sent into crowd to find the culprit. I actually couldn't find anyone with a camera in that area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnglishRoundabout Posted April 20, 2020 Report Share Posted April 20, 2020 1 minute ago, sugarray said: Remember being sent into crowd to find the culprit. I actually couldn't find anyone with a camera in that area. He was probably on his toes if he knew you were after him Ray! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Najjer Posted April 21, 2020 Report Share Posted April 21, 2020 18 hours ago, EnglishRoundabout said: Exactly right. I remember a quote from Mads Kornelieussen when the two rode together at KingsLynn some years ago. He said that he not only had to watch out for the opposition at the race for the first bend, but also for his partner Olly Allen!! Says it all really! Anybody remember when Olly was a country mile in front during one meeting, and then he unexpectedly pulled up on the third and fourth bend....he claimed he saw a red light, but it was obviously someone with a flash camera. He was absolutely furious...from where I stood I could actually hear Olly screaming in frustration as he coasted around the track I remember that now you mention it! Think that typified his will to win. You get the impression with some riders they want to win but it’s not the be all and end all of everything, but with certain riders it is. Fans really get behind riders like that and who show a passion for their club and go above and beyond. You don’t get that with every rider but is what made BWD, Charles Wright and few others so relatable I think. Ben Barker certainly isn’t as likeable but you can’t say he doesn’t bring an element of passion to the team this year and a will to win. Probably why people love him when he’s in their team and hate him when he’s against them. I think as long as he doesn’t bring his off track issues to the club, he could be a good signing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted April 21, 2020 Report Share Posted April 21, 2020 1 hour ago, Najjer said: I remember that now you mention it! Think that typified his will to win. You get the impression with some riders they want to win but it’s not the be all and end all of everything, but with certain riders it is. Fans really get behind riders like that and who show a passion for their club and go above and beyond. You don’t get that with every rider but is what made BWD, Charles Wright and few others so relatable I think. Ben Barker certainly isn’t as likeable but you can’t say he doesn’t bring an element of passion to the team this year and a will to win. Probably why people love him when he’s in their team and hate him when he’s against them. I think as long as he doesn’t bring his off track issues to the club, he could be a good signing. Barker is an other one that brings a load of baggage with him, he is running out of Clubs though. He is entertaining though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnglishRoundabout Posted April 21, 2020 Report Share Posted April 21, 2020 (edited) What I would say about Ben Barker, and I’m sure there are plenty of Plymouth fans that would back me up on this, is that he is one of the sports best team riders. His team riding especially at Plymouth was outstanding when he rode there 5 years or so ago. Sadly that art has become almost redundant these days Barker absolutely loves being the pantomime villain and I reckon that helps fire him up even more. But like you guys have said, he puts everything into every race. Edited April 21, 2020 by EnglishRoundabout Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewy Posted April 21, 2020 Report Share Posted April 21, 2020 Ben barker will not disappoint he,ll take a few meetings to find his best set up at the OTA and will score consistently well thereafter, he will win his critics over no problem imo,but you only got him because the powers to be contrived an excuse to keep Plymouth out of the championship this season,but possibly done them a favour with this pandemic I will get up to the OTA to see bb ride he's always good value. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedwayPortal Posted April 22, 2020 Report Share Posted April 22, 2020 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedwayPortal Posted April 22, 2020 Report Share Posted April 22, 2020 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Najjer Posted April 23, 2020 Report Share Posted April 23, 2020 18 hours ago, SpeedwayPortal said: Is there any plans to show the second leg too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronScorpion Posted April 23, 2020 Report Share Posted April 23, 2020 On 4/20/2020 at 5:35 PM, EnglishRoundabout said: Exactly right. I remember a quote from Mads Kornelieussen when the two rode together at KingsLynn some years ago. He said that he not only had to watch out for the opposition at the race for the first bend, but also for his partner Olly Allen!! Says it all really! Anybody remember when Olly was a country mile in front during one meeting, and then he unexpectedly pulled up on the third and fourth bend....he claimed he saw a red light, but it was obviously someone with a flash camera. He was absolutely furious...from where I stood I could actually hear Olly screaming in frustration as he coasted around the track Obviously, the person with the camera returned for the Sheffield meeting & caught out King in heat 5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnglishRoundabout Posted April 23, 2020 Report Share Posted April 23, 2020 11 minutes ago, IronScorpion said: Obviously, the person with the camera returned for the Sheffield meeting & caught out King in heat 5. There was definitely an issue that particular season. It happened on at least three or four occasions. Mind you, I’m sure it’s not unique to Somerset. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasp Posted April 26, 2020 Report Share Posted April 26, 2020 On the exmouth journal I see u have signed a 16 year old eli meadows one for the future? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedwayPortal Posted April 26, 2020 Report Share Posted April 26, 2020 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racin Jason 72 Posted April 26, 2020 Report Share Posted April 26, 2020 On 4/21/2020 at 2:37 PM, EnglishRoundabout said: What I would say about Ben Barker, and I’m sure there are plenty of Plymouth fans that would back me up on this, is that he is one of the sports best team riders. His team riding especially at Plymouth was outstanding when he rode there 5 years or so ago. Sadly that art has become almost redundant these days Barker absolutely loves being the pantomime villain and I reckon that helps fire him up even more. But like you guys have said, he puts everything into every race. Has had two spells as a witch and on the track was absolutely brilliant especially his passing and team riding. But other off track issues hold him back. I feel if you could do a deal where the club provides the bikes and a mechanic who cleans and maintains them with Ben just turning up and riding them before returning home with the bikes going in the opposite direction with the mechanic. then I think you would see a even better version and if he could lose a stone or two then he would really benefit imo. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idh Posted April 28, 2020 Report Share Posted April 28, 2020 On 4/23/2020 at 12:50 PM, EnglishRoundabout said: There was definitely an issue that particular season. It happened on at least three or four occasions. Mind you, I’m sure it’s not unique to Somerset. I sure it was the twinkle in your eyes ER Hope your keeping well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnglishRoundabout Posted April 29, 2020 Report Share Posted April 29, 2020 17 hours ago, idh said: I sure it was the twinkle in your eyes ER Hope your keeping well Hello Idh! At least we know it wasn’t you flashing your camera on the back straight there! Hope you are keeping well during these difficult times mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedwayPortal Posted May 3, 2020 Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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