BWitcher Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 4 minutes ago, steve roberts said: All the more remarkable that Hans achieved an average of 11.03 in 1988 and 10.91 in 1989 when both those criterias were in operation. Just demonstates the force he was during the eighties. Agreed, although the big hitting Heat 13 wasn't in place for 88 and 89. The other riders to achieve 11+ averages since no fixed gates and nominated riders races in place. Ermolenko in 1993 with 11.12... this was a season where heat leaders didn't race reserves. 11 team league. Crump in 2006 - 11.21 .. 11 team league (Heat 13 in operation) Adams in 2008 - 11.04 ... 9 team league (Heat 13 in operation) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, Grachan said: Hans Nielsen is the only rider I know of to manage a perfect 12.00 league average away from home during an entire season. He dropped a few races at home, though, bless him. It was 1986. He finished with a league average of 11.83. From what I remember, that year there was a small league and the League Cup took up half the season. His average in that was lower so it drops below Ivan's. In league alone, though, I'm pretty sure Hans in 1986 wins it. From my memory Gundersen, Knudsen, Thorp, Blackbird,Shirra/Holloway, Ermolenko,were amongst only a few who beat him on merit at Cowley.His battles with Erik and Tommy were pretty special when prepared right Cowley was a half decent racetrack was never really a fan of it up until about 1984. Edited May 18, 2020 by Sidney the robin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W9 Lion Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 3 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said: From my memory Gundersen, Knudsen, Thorp, Blackbird,Shirra/Holloway, were amongst only a few who beat him on merit at Cowley.His battles with Erik and Tommy were pretty special when prepared right Cowley was a half decent racetrack was never really a fan of it up until about 1984. Wasnt the deal that Nielsen put together with Oxford included a clause where he could "reshape" the track?!? Or is my memory playing mind games.? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 1 minute ago, W9 Lion said: Wasnt the deal that Nielsen put together with Oxford included a clause where he could "reshape" the track?!? Or is my memory playing mind games.? Good point Lion, Steve Roberts could probably tell us the track certainly got better in my view.My first visit there was in the 1973 Supporters club trophy and then it looked a little run down but in the Nielsen era when the track was good with the new restaurant open it was a terrific night out.Then apart from Wimbledon which had an aura about it Oxford with that new restaurant was probably one of the most comfortable nights out at a league meeting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 10 minutes ago, BWitcher said: Agreed, although the big hitting Heat 13 wasn't in place for 88 and 89. The other riders to achieve 11+ averages since no fixed gates and nominated riders races in place. Ermolenko in 1993 with 11.12... this was a season where heat leaders didn't race reserves. 11 team league. Crump in 2006 - 11.21 .. 11 team league (Heat 13 in operation) Adams in 2008 - 11.04 ... 9 team league (Heat 13 in operation) Remind me what the 'big hitting heat 13" was as I've totally forgotten? I'm assuming that number one's were pitted against each other? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 20 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said: From my memory Gundersen, Knudsen, Thorp, Blackbird,Shirra/Holloway, Ermolenko,were amongst only a few who beat him on merit at Cowley.His battles with Erik and Tommy were pretty special when prepared right Cowley was a half decent racetrack was never really a fan of it up until about 1984. Hans when he signed for "The Cheetahs" in 1984 had the bends re-shaped to allow more passing opportunities going in and coming out of the bends...although he fence would come up very quickly on the exits as the track narrowed! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 18 minutes ago, W9 Lion said: Wasnt the deal that Nielsen put together with Oxford included a clause where he could "reshape" the track?!? Or is my memory playing mind games.? I've just seen your post! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 4 minutes ago, steve roberts said: Remind me what the 'big hitting heat 13" was as I've totally forgotten? I'm assuming that number one's were pitted against each other? Top two from each side in vast majority of cases. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 12 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said: Good point Lion, Steve Roberts could probably tell us the track certainly got better in my view.My first visit there was in the 1973 Supporters club trophy and then it looked a little run down but in the Nielsen era when the track was good with the new restaurant open it was a terrific night out.Then apart from Wimbledon which had an aura about it Oxford with that new restaurant was probably one of the most comfortable nights out at a league meeting. ...when the centre green (for want of a better term) was dire Sid. It was like a rubbish tip due to a Sunday Market and for a season when Banger Racing took place at Cowley...bits of car bodies all over the place! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 1 hour ago, Sidney the robin said: From my memory Gundersen, Knudsen, Thorp, Blackbird,Shirra/Holloway, Ermolenko,were amongst only a few who beat him on merit at Cowley.His battles with Erik and Tommy were pretty special when prepared right Cowley was a half decent racetrack was never really a fan of it up until about 1984. I'm pretty sure I remember Jimmy Nilsen beating him a couple of times. I remember the Carl Blackbird meeting. Didn't he beat Hans more than once? A remarkable meeting for Carl. It shows how good Hans was, though, when you remember times he was actually beaten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 44 minutes ago, Grachan said: I'm pretty sure I remember Jimmy Nilsen beating him a couple of times. I remember the Carl Blackbird meeting. Didn't he beat Hans more than once? A remarkable meeting for Carl. It shows how good Hans was, though, when you remember times he was actually beaten. All his stars were aligned that night! If I remember he beat Hans three (?) times including the Golden Helmet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Grachan said: I'm pretty sure I remember Jimmy Nilsen beating him a couple of times. I remember the Carl Blackbird meeting. Didn't he beat Hans more than once? A remarkable meeting for Carl. It shows how good Hans was, though, when you remember times he was actually beaten. Remember Blackbird beating him in the helmet he did beat him three times ??. I have a picture of Hans/Carl talking afterwards laughing and joking no bitterness from Hans he took defeat on the chin. Edited May 18, 2020 by Sidney the robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 1 hour ago, steve roberts said: ...when the centre green (for want of a better term) was dire Sid. It was like a rubbish tip due to a Sunday Market and for a season when Banger Racing took place at Cowley...bits of car bodies all over the place! I can remember those shed huts over the far side that sold memorabilia i was always spending shedloads there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 5 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said: Remember Blackbird beating him in the helmet he did beat him three times ??. I have a picture of Hans/Carl talking afterwards laughing and joking no bitterness from Hans he took defeat on the chin. I think twice in the match and once in the Golden Helmet...all very surreal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 9 minutes ago, steve roberts said: I think twice in the match and once in the Golden Helmet...all very surreal! Blackbird, Mark Courtney, Mel Taylor were all three riders who should of achieved more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 4 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said: Blackbird, Mark Courtney, Mel Taylor were all three riders who should of achieved more. I particularly remember when a 16 year old Mel Taylor came onto the scene. There was a lot of talk of him being a star of the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 1 hour ago, Grachan said: I'm pretty sure I remember Jimmy Nilsen beating him a couple of times. I remember the Carl Blackbird meeting. Didn't he beat Hans more than once? A remarkable meeting for Carl. It shows how good Hans was, though, when you remember times he was actually beaten. I came back to the sport in 88 when the Aces moved to Kirky Lane and watched the first few matches as many riders (probably the majority), found the track somewhat tricky and more than a good few were 'all shapes' on occasions.. He smashed the track record in his first ride.. I remember he rode down the straights with his front wheel slightly off the ground for virtually the whole straight, before bringing it down to execute a perfect turn, never once locking up or finding unwanted drive, but riding every bend as if on rails.. One of those WOW moments some riders can give you.. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucifer sam Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 44 minutes ago, steve roberts said: I think twice in the match and once in the Golden Helmet...all very surreal! Actually, three, because of the Gold Sash. Just put together the content for Issue 2 of the Oxford mag... but I think I might include a piece on Hans' BL record from 1984-1992 in the next issue. In some years they are staggering - the 11.83 in '86 and 11.73 in '87 (would have been 11.87 but for an e/f). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 2 hours ago, Sidney the robin said: Blackbird, Mark Courtney, Mel Taylor were all three riders who should of achieved more. Melvyn Taylor was a favourite of mine...got stick from the Cowley faithfull when unbeknown to them was having a traumatic time with a seriusly ill wife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted May 18, 2020 Report Share Posted May 18, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, lucifer sam said: Actually, three, because of the Gold Sash. Just put together the content for Issue 2 of the Oxford mag... but I think I might include a piece on Hans' BL record from 1984-1992 in the next issue. In some years they are staggering - the 11.83 in '86 and 11.73 in '87 (would have been 11.87 but for an e/f). I acquired issue one...are the mags likely to be monthly and what's the best source to but them from Rob? Edited May 18, 2020 by steve roberts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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