steve roberts Posted May 3, 2020 Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 21 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said: He certainly was with Ray/John Louis in the 1975 British Final that was one of my biggest disappointments in speedway .Reserve for the special night i remember supporting Ray and Tommy Jansson on the night though willy was one of my alltime favourites. Yes Martin admitted that he should have been more ruthless but I guess that wasn't in his nature...although he was more than annoyed with John Louis not only at this meeting but during the second half event of the World Team Cup at Norden when Louis hung him up on the fence. Martin took great delight in passing him and then both Simmons and Collins to win the race! Probably Martin's greatest meeting on the International stage. Vastly under-rated rider although I'm not sure by the "Budgie" faithful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry1603 Posted May 3, 2020 Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 23 minutes ago, nw42 said: BLRC was such an occasion, all the coaches from every single track, even 2nd division clubs were represented, I think the capacity was 25,000 and you couldn't move in the place, we always had seats on the entrance to the pit bend but one year my dad forgot to get seats and we stood on the steps in same area, I didn't get to see as much of that meeting but the atmosphere was enthralling. BLRC nights were the highlight of my year as a kid - incredible atmosphere, a bit of friendly banter between supporters (and it WAS friendly!), and the feeling that you were experiencing something special. Obviously Hyde Road was a great speedway track and there was good racing, but it was the sense of occasion that made it memorable (a bit like Wembley World Finals) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry1603 Posted May 3, 2020 Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 Five riders I thought were under rated (even though they all had good careers):- Jim Airey Alan Grahame Tony Davey Larry Ross Martin Ashby 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted May 3, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 25 minutes ago, steve roberts said: Yes Martin admitted that he should have been more ruthless but I guess that wasn't in his nature...although he was more than annoyed with John Louis not only at this meeting but during the second half event of the World Team Cup at Norden when Louis hung him up on the fence. Martin took great delight in passing him and then both Simmons and Collins to win the race! Probably Martin's greatest meeting on the International stage. Vastly under-rated rider although I'm not sure by the "Budgie" faithful! Not by me Steve watching him everyweek was a joy he was a passive man even now he watches regularly such a quiet guy .Martin and Kilb were the men for me lucky to have seen Briggs,Ashby, Kilb, Broady., Crump( snr and jnr) Autrey, Adams , Doyley Swindon have been really blessed over the years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted May 3, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 43 minutes ago, nw42 said: Southern softiness Sid Seriously though you are right, he could be so good at Hyde Rd but you just never knew which Michael was going to turn up, I was always excited when he was coming to town though, just lived in hope that he would be in the mood. Michael was probably the most exciting visitor to Hyde Rd when on song, could generate so much speed off the bends. Although as you said, Gundersen was a sight to behold on that track. Were you surprised how Hans mastered Hyde Rd NW ??? i was i went from being a real doubter of his to being a real fan.My wife who went with me regularly said to me once does this rider Nielsen ever lose at Oxford superb rider great team rider to.It is no exaggeration to say that Hans in another time could of won 8 world titles great rider a great example to any young rider coming up. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted May 3, 2020 Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 3 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said: Were you surprised how Hans mastered Hyde Rd NW ??? i was i went from being a real doubter of his to being a real fan.My wife who went with me regularly said to me once does this rider Nielsen ever lose at Oxford superb rider great team rider to.It is no exaggeration to say that Hans in another time could of won 8 world titles great rider a great example to any young rider coming up. The first time I saw Hans at Hyde Road was in 1984 and I have to say he had difficulty in keeping either Peter Collins or Chris Morton behind him but when I next saw him there he was a master of the track riding all the lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nw42 Posted May 3, 2020 Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 10 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said: Were you surprised how Hans mastered Hyde Rd NW ??? i was i went from being a real doubter of his to being a real fan.My wife who went with me regularly said to me once does this rider Nielsen ever lose at Oxford superb rider great team rider to.It is no exaggeration to say that Hans in another time could of won 8 world titles great rider a great example to any young rider coming up. Your memory is much better than mine Sid, I think a general rule was that the Scandinavians didn't fare well at Belle Vue, obviously Ole was the exception but even he had bad nights there, Hans just came across as another who excelled on smaller tracks but struggled on the wide open spaces of Hyde Rd. I supposed once he learned that you just had to let the bike go and keep the revs on there was no stopping him, I'm sure Erik took to it quicker, such an electric starter though, I can't think of anyone who gated like Gundersen could. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted May 3, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 3, 2020 3 hours ago, nw42 said: Your memory is much better than mine Sid, I think a general rule was that the Scandinavians didn't fare well at Belle Vue, obviously Ole was the exception but even he had bad nights there, Hans just came across as another who excelled on smaller tracks but struggled on the wide open spaces of Hyde Rd. I supposed once he learned that you just had to let the bike go and keep the revs on there was no stopping him, I'm sure Erik took to it quicker, such an electric starter though, I can't think of anyone who gated like Gundersen could. I don't think so NW your memory seems pretty spot on to me . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatface Posted May 4, 2020 Report Share Posted May 4, 2020 Seen Alan Grahame get a few mentions on here...and I couldn't agree more. He didn't ride for any teams I ever supported, in fact more the opposite, riding for Cradley Heath when they were big rivals of Belle Vue for the big trophies. More often than not he was the key man too. Always capable of beating the best and doing the business in critical races. His international record doesn't really do him justice, he was much more of a club speedway rider. But I even love that his one appearance - as reserve in the 84 final - he didn't waste the moment and scored 5 from two rides. Most reserves would simply stay out of the way on such occasions. But he was always 100% effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted May 4, 2020 Report Share Posted May 4, 2020 35 minutes ago, falcace said: Seen Alan Grahame get a few mentions on here...and I couldn't agree more. He didn't ride for any teams I ever supported, in fact more the opposite, riding for Cradley Heath when they were big rivals of Belle Vue for the big trophies. More often than not he was the key man too. Always capable of beating the best and doing the business in critical races. His international record doesn't really do him justice, he was much more of a club speedway rider. But I even love that his one appearance - as reserve in the 84 final - he didn't waste the moment and scored 5 from two rides. Most reserves would simply stay out of the way on such occasions. But he was always 100% effort. His brother, Andy, didn't even bother travelling to Munich in 1989 when he was down as a reserve! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted May 4, 2020 Report Share Posted May 4, 2020 On 5/3/2020 at 10:37 AM, Sidney the robin said: Kennett for me along with Crump senior was one of the strongest and fittest riders i ever saw ride he could force his way through on the line.See a picture of him the other year and he still looks fit and healthy would of loved to see him move to the Abbey terrific value there always seemed like a quiet guy. Kennet did ride for us one year, Sidney. It was in the latter part of his career. I'm not sure if he was a full time member or rode as a number 8 while in the Second Division. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted May 4, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2020 8 minutes ago, Grachan said: Kennet did ride for us one year, Sidney. It was in the latter part of his career. I'm not sure if he was a full time member or rode as a number 8 while in the Second Division. So did Finn Thomsen, Malcolm Simmons Grachan, like Kennett there glory days had long gone 1979-81 Kennett could of been a massive asset to the Robins. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted May 4, 2020 Report Share Posted May 4, 2020 28 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said: So did Finn Thomsen, Malcolm Simmons Grachan, like Kennett there glory days had long gone 1979-81 Kennett could of been a massive asset to the Robins. I felt that Gordon should have gone to Swindon when White City closed rather than moving back to Eastbourne but I guess that it was his comfort zone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted May 4, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2020 1 hour ago, steve roberts said: I felt that Gordon should have gone to Swindon when White City closed rather than moving back to Eastbourne but I guess that it was his comfort zone? I could never quite understand that Steve, he had nothing to fear he was so good at White City and Swindon.I suppose Eastie being closer to home and being a lovely area held some bearing on his decision he also was superb around Arlington. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted May 4, 2020 Report Share Posted May 4, 2020 22 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said: I could never quite understand that Steve, he had nothing to fear he was so good at White City and Swindon.I suppose Eastie being closer to home and being a lovely area held some bearing on his decision he also was superb around Arlington. I can only assume Sid that Bob Dugard was a good promoter to ride for and he did treat his riders with respect. When Gordon eventually moved on in 1983 to King's Lynn I think he regretted it and the following year when riding for Wimbledon his form tailed off (despite a superb 13 points taken at Cowley and beating Hans in the process). It was therefore no surprise that he then dropped down a league and returned to his spiritual home. A great servant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Split Posted May 4, 2020 Report Share Posted May 4, 2020 On 5/2/2020 at 6:04 PM, chunky said: Ron How, Arne Pander, Jimmy Gooch (Oxford 65). The previous year they were backed up by Ronnie Genz, Colin Gooddy and Jack Geran who would themselves have made a formidable heat leader trio. It's no surprise that Oxford were league champions that season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Split Posted May 4, 2020 Report Share Posted May 4, 2020 Just now, Split said: The previous year they were backed up by Ronnie Genz, Colin Gooddy and Jack Geran who would themselves have made a formidable heat leader trio. It's no surprise that Oxford were league champions that season. As an afterthought, it's appropriate that these three should be mentioned in an 'underrated riders' thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customhouseregular Posted May 4, 2020 Report Share Posted May 4, 2020 Stan Stevens, Tony Clarke, Brian Leonard, Ted Ede, Tyburn Gallows. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin man 76 Posted May 4, 2020 Report Share Posted May 4, 2020 I guess it all depends on the definition of 'under-rated.' Under-rated but still international standard riders, or under-rated clubmen? If I was to stick to under-rated international standard riders who I have seen ride, I would choose Simon Cross (very good career, but could have gone further with fewer injuries); Alan Grahame; Peter Karlsson (top league rider, World Cup Winner and GP competitor, but over shadowed by Tony Rickardsson); Kai Niemi (regularly mixed it with the best at club and world championship level) and Tommy Knudsen (over-shadowed by Olsen, Gundersen and Nielsen, plus injuries). At club level, there have been a whole host of riders over the years, so sticking to five is hard. Nonetheless, in no particular order, I would go for James Grieves; Garry Stead; Kauko Niemenen; Jonathan Forsgren and Leigh Lanham. Hopefully no-one has hijacked the thread earlier (I haven't checked) trumpeting the virtues of Buzz Burrows... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 5, 2020 Report Share Posted May 5, 2020 My five would be: (1) Alec Statham (2) Eric French (3) Ernie Price (4) Malcolm Craven (5) Danny Dunton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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