BOBBATH Posted April 5, 2020 Report Share Posted April 5, 2020 Easy for me, the 1981 WF at Wembley-the two races where Penhall came from the back to beat Ole Olsen and Tommy Knudsen- I think in the last lap both times. Penhall-a worthy champion indeed!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted April 5, 2020 Report Share Posted April 5, 2020 50 minutes ago, BOBBATH said: Easy for me, the 1981 WF at Wembley-the two races where Penhall came from the back to beat Ole Olsen and Tommy Knudsen- I think in the last lap both times. Penhall-a worthy champion indeed!!! I think the Olsen race has to be the best. That moment they both lifted at the exact same time was incredible! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted April 5, 2020 Report Share Posted April 5, 2020 Don't forget, Bob, PC's first two rides at Katowice in 1976 were both pretty special too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted April 5, 2020 Report Share Posted April 5, 2020 I thought that the Olsen, Mauger & Kennett encounter at Wembley in 1978 was developing into something special until Ivan fell. You could have thrown a blanket over the three of them (to quote a Dave Lanning phrase). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wessex Wanderer Posted April 5, 2020 Report Share Posted April 5, 2020 Completely agree with Steve. Whenever I think of those atmospheric nights ar Wembley it is always the first race that springs to mind. great subject. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted April 5, 2020 Report Share Posted April 5, 2020 I suppose because it was my first final, one race that does stick out in my mind was Heat 2 of the 1963 final. It always promised to be a cracking heat as it brought together the reigning champion, Peter Craven; former champion Ronnie Moore; future champion, Bjorn Knutson and Peo Soderman. Moore led round the first/second bends from Soderman and Knutson with Craven on the outside last, but as they came out of the bend, Craven switched to the inside and by the end of the straight had passed Soderman and Knutson. He then rode under Moore round bends three and four and finished the first lap in the lead. It was an amazing lap from one of the most spectacular riders of all time. Knutson then did the same on lap two, taking both Soderman and Moore to go from last to second on the second lap. The race between Craven and Knutson was then on but Craven just held on to win. It was to be his only heat win of the night. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted April 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2020 5 hours ago, norbold said: I suppose because it was my first final, one race that does stick out in my mind was Heat 2 of the 1963 final. It always promised to be a cracking heat as it brought together the reigning champion, Peter Craven; former champion Ronnie Moore; future champion, Bjorn Knutson and Peo Soderman. Moore led round the first/second bends from Soderman and Knutson with Craven on the outside last, but as they came out of the bend, Craven switched to the inside and by the end of the straight had passed Soderman and Knutson. He then rode under Moore round bends three and four and finished the first lap in the lead. It was an amazing lap from one of the most spectacular riders of all time. Knutson then did the same on lap two, taking both Soderman and Moore to go from last to second on the second lap. The race between Craven and Knutson was then on but Craven just held on to win. It was to be his only heat win of the night. Hi Norbold, your post got me thinking of the first World Final race I ever saw. Heat 1 of 1965- Nigel Boocock beat Ove Fundin--quite a surprise, then in Heat 2, Brian Brett won his first ever World Final ride. Any other forumlanders at the 1965 WF-I assume there were quite a few . However the best Final I ever saw had to be 1981 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted April 5, 2020 Report Share Posted April 5, 2020 34 minutes ago, BOBBATH said: Hi Norbold, your post got me thinking of the first World Final race I ever saw. Heat 1 of 1965- Nigel Boocock beat Ove Fundin--quite a surprise, then in Heat 2, Brian Brett won his first ever World Final ride. Any other forumlanders at the 1965 WF-I assume there were quite a few . However the best Final I ever saw had to be 1981 Was 1981 that good Bobbath? two great races the rest only ok the occasion and atmosphere was as usual electric. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted April 5, 2020 Report Share Posted April 5, 2020 1984 Gothenburg a brilliant Kelly Moran manoeuvre in his fourth ride to nip past Hans Nielsen sticks in the mind.This race ultimately cost Hans the title that year but Hans came back stronger and won his titles yet he was very lucky in 1986. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted April 5, 2020 Report Share Posted April 5, 2020 1 minute ago, Sidney the robin said: 1984 Gothenburg a brilliant Kelly Moran manoeuvre in his fourth ride to nip past Hans Nielsen sticks in the mind.This race ultimately cost Hans the title that year but Hans came back stronger and won his titles yet he was very lucky in 1986. I was there Sid...Hans was caught out trying to move Erik Gundersen out and would have achieved the required pass except that Kelly Moran had filled the gap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted April 5, 2020 Report Share Posted April 5, 2020 4 minutes ago, steve roberts said: I was there Sid...Hans was caught out trying to move Erik Gundersen out and would have achieved the required pass except that Kelly Moran had filled the gap! Lovely rider Kelly also met him in my local Swindon pub after a meeting.A really nice guy Kelly and Shawn as a partnership were something else Shawn first came over to the Uk under the name of David East. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted April 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2020 33 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said: Was 1981 that good Bobbath? two great races the rest only ok the occasion and atmosphere was as usual electric. I greatly enjoyed it, Sid on the edge of my seat throughout-the run off for 2nd and third, the way Carter looked like he was in with a real chance after 3 races-the drama of Jessup's e.f. in second place behind BP-what could have happened without that. Erik Gundersen breaking the track record in heat 6 ahead of Tommy Knudsen, Erik G.'s e.f. in what should have been his easiest race, he could have ended with 14 and a run off with Penhall, or maybe Penhall would have tried harder to beat Carter in Heat 20. Defending Champ Lee beating Carter for his only race win of the night Beautifully laid track and racing surface.And as you say Sid the tremendous atmosphere in what turned out to be the last Wembley Final So I still put it at the top of the Finals I saw. Mind you I saw only 5 Finals in total-65,75,78,81 and 82-any Forumlanders get to L.A.(I was living in Calgary at the time) Sadly no atmosphere, not that big a crowd, most locals didn't know it was going on and the L.A.Times newspaper didn't even mention it on the day it took place. Worthwhile effort to promote it there though-saw a bunch of Leicester supporters cheering on Les Collins' amazing runner up position-hi-lite of Les's career.!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted April 5, 2020 Report Share Posted April 5, 2020 2 minutes ago, BOBBATH said: I greatly enjoyed it, Sid on the edge of my seat throughout-the run off for 2nd and third, the way Carter looked like he was in with a real chance after 3 races-the drama of Jessup's e.f. in second place behind BP-what could have happened without that. Erik Gundersen breaking the track record in heat 6 ahead of Tommy Knudsen, Erik G.'s e.f. in what should have been his easiest race, he could have ended with 14 and a run off with Penhall, or maybe Penhall would have tried harder to beat Carter in Heat 20. Defending Champ Lee beating Carter for his only race win of the night Beautifully laid track and racing surface.And as you say Sid the tremendous atmosphere in what turned out to be the last Wembley Final So I still put it at the top of the Finals I saw. Mind you I saw only 5 Finals in total-65,75,78,81 and 82-any Forumlanders get to L.A.(I was living in Calgary at the time) Sadly no atmosphere, not that big a crowd, most locals didn't know it was going on and the L.A.Times newspaper didn't even mention it on the day it took place. Worthwhile effort to promote it there though-saw a bunch of Leicester supporters cheering on Les Collins' amazing runner up position-hi-lite of Les's career.!! I can remember Mike Lee getting stuffed out really wide in his first race against Gundersen, Penhall,Andersson Bobbath.1981/ 82 were torrid years for Mike he did manage a long track title in 1981 and came back and have a terrific 1983 season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted April 5, 2020 Report Share Posted April 5, 2020 2 hours ago, BOBBATH said: Hi Norbold, your post got me thinking of the first World Final race I ever saw. Heat 1 of 1965- Nigel Boocock beat Ove Fundin--quite a surprise, then in Heat 2, Brian Brett won his first ever World Final ride. Any other forumlanders at the 1965 WF-I assume there were quite a few . However the best Final I ever saw had to be 1981 I was at the 1965 World Final, BOBBATH. Don't remember seeing you there though! 1 hour ago, Sidney the robin said: Was 1981 that good Bobbath? two great races the rest only ok the occasion and atmosphere was as usual electric. I agree, Sidney. I remember coming away from it quite underwhelmed. It was only afterwards that I realised that everyone else thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. I thought it must be me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted April 5, 2020 Report Share Posted April 5, 2020 Just now, norbold said: I was at the 1965 World Final, BOBBATH. Don't remember seeing you there though! I agree, Sidney. I remember coming away from it quite underwhelmed. It was only afterwards that I realised that everyone else thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. I thought it must be me! Wembley was not a great track in all honesty, in 1981 Len Silver prepared a brilliant surface to race on .All of my visits to Wembley( wooden boards to sit on.) were memorable because of the atmosphere the coaches in the car park were jam packed great days.I am not a GP series lover but i acknowledge what a great product we have now something to be proud of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted April 5, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2020 8 minutes ago, norbold said: I was at the 1965 World Final, BOBBATH. Don't remember seeing you there though! I agree, Sidney. I remember coming away from it quite underwhelmed. It was only afterwards that I realised that everyone else thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. I thought it must be me! "arf a mo Norbold-I think we did meet-weren't you the guy who spilt tea over my bag of crisps-spoilt the little blue packet of salt as well (or had Smith's Crisps gone by 1981??) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted April 5, 2020 Report Share Posted April 5, 2020 3 hours ago, BOBBATH said: "arf a mo Norbold-I think we did meet-weren't you the guy who spilt tea over my bag of crisps-spoilt the little blue packet of salt as well (or had Smith's Crisps gone by 1981??) Thought we were talking about 1965...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBBATH Posted April 6, 2020 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2020 20 hours ago, norbold said: Thought we were talking about 1965...... Sorry mate you're right-so it was 1965 when you spilt your tea on my bag of crisps!! BTW what happened to the little twist bag of salt that was in in every Bag?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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