Martin Hitch

[steve roberts]

18 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said:

That was after the heat 11 incident Steve??  Briggs/ Hitch refused to start.The Cheetahs officially won 80/75 on aggregate i have the programmes .I also remember Middleton beating Briggs in heat 1 in one meeting and Oyvind Berg also surprisingly Mckinlay/ Middleton scored a 5.1 over Briggs in heat 1 in another fixture tense meeting's.

Middleton always seemed to have someting extra when up against Briggo but rarely had the better of Martin Ashby! Great memories Sid!

[Sidney the robin]

1 hour ago, steve roberts said:

Middleton always seemed to have someting extra when up against Briggo but rarely had the better of Martin Ashby! Great memories Sid!

Did look through the head to head meeting's Steve ( guest bookings as well just team meetings) Briggs v Middleton 1969 / 19 72  _____ 13 wins to 5.                        Ashby v Middleton 1969 / 1973          12 wins        ------------   each. 

[steve roberts]

22 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said:

Did look through the head to head meeting's Steve ( guest bookings as well just team meetings) Briggs v Middleton 1969 / 19 72  _____ 13 wins to 5.                        Ashby v Middleton 1969 / 1973          12 wins        ------------   each. 

Thanks Sid for that...I guess I was only going on the time that Garry was a "Rebel' in 1972?

Are you able to give stats for that season alone?

Edited November 18, 2020 by steve roberts

[BOBBATH]

How is dad Clive doing these days-I remember him well-always value for money-think he rode for Middlesbrough at one point

[Sidney the robin]

9 hours ago, steve roberts said:

Thanks Sid for that...I guess I was only going on the time that Garry was a "Rebel' in 1972?

Are you able to give stats for that season alone?

3.2 to Briggo Steve in 1972,  league meetings only one of those wins for Barry was when Garry guested for Reading so really 2.2 .

[steve roberts]

7 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said:

3.2 to Briggo Steve in 1972,  league meetings only one of those wins for Barry was when Garry guested for Reading so really 2.2 .

Thanks Sid. I always smile when driving in the Wetherby area when I see a company of skip lorries painted in day-glo orange livery...reminds me of Garry and the full face helmet he used to wear during that year.

[Sidney the robin]

6 minutes ago, steve roberts said:

Thanks Sid. I always smile when driving in the Wetherby area when I see a company of skip lorries painted in day-glo orange livery...reminds me of Garry and the full face helmet he used to wear during that year.

He was very good rider  Garry no doubt about it Steve for  me he was like Dag Lovaas.Was Lovass better at Reading or Hackney/ Oxford or was Garry better at Hackney or Oxford ? For me Dag at Hackney.      -------- Garry  at Oxford.

Edited November 18, 2020 by Sidney the robin

[steve roberts]

13 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said:

He was very good rider  Garry no doubt about it Steve for  me he was like Dag Lovaas.Was Lovass better at Reading or Hackney? was Garry better at Hackney or Oxford ? For me Dag at Hackney.      -------- Garry  at Oxford.

I think it's fair to say that Garry peaked at Oxford but unfortunately fell out with the promotion and moved on in a very complicated deal. Was never the same rider again.

Dag was another favourite...always an Oxford track specialist even during his Reading days when he was overshadowed by Mich. Personally I think that he was equally good for both Hackney and Oxford (his dream move)  but the move to White City seemed to effect him quite badly (he was an advocate of the JAP engine which wasn't suited to Wood Lane) and a bad crash played on his mind. He was a superb exponent of the notorious adverse camber on the pits turn at Cowley using it to his advantage. I remember presenting him with a bottle of bubbly after the last meeting at Cowley in 1975. A great rider!

Edited November 18, 2020 by steve roberts

[Sidney the robin]

3 minutes ago, steve roberts said:

I think it's fair to say that Garry peaked at Oxford but unfortunately fell out with the promotion and moved on in a very complicated deal. Was never the same rider again.

Dag was another favourite...always an Oxford track specialist even during his Reading days when he was overshadowed by Mich. Personally I think that he was equally good for both Hackney and Oxford (his dream move)  but move to White City seemed to effect him quite badly (he was an advocate of the JAP engine which wasn't suited to Wood Lane) and a bad crash played on his mind. He was a superb exponent of the notorious adverse camber on the pits turn at Cowley using it to his advantage. A great rider!

Lovass for me  was in the Knutsson / Penhall,Autrey, mould they all  knew they would not be around for ever and none of them were ever tempted back.

[steve roberts]

28 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said:

Lovass for me  was in the Knutsson / Penhall,Autrey, mould they all  knew they would not be around for ever and none of them were ever tempted back.

Remember seeing Scott ride in his first year in the UK (together with Rick Woods - who I didn't see I think? - and Sumner McNight). You could tell he was something special even then.