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Dave Jessup Book


steve roberts

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Haven't read it and sorry to say, but I don't think I'll be buying it. Good rider, but not one who ever really got the juices flowing.

The obvious gaps in speedway autobiographies are Ole Olsen and Peter Collins. They would be must-reads. 

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  On 4/11/2021 at 8:45 AM, falcace said:

Haven't read it and sorry to say, but I don't think I'll be buying it. Good rider, but not one who ever really got the juices flowing.

The obvious gaps in speedway autobiographies are Ole Olsen and Peter Collins. They would be must-reads. 

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I had an autobiography (?) of Ole Olsen I recall sometime back during the eighties (?) but obviously didn't cover his whole career either side of the fence.

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  On 4/11/2021 at 9:19 AM, steve roberts said:

I had an autobiography (?) of Ole Olsen I recall sometime back during the eighties (?) but obviously didn't cover his whole career either side of the fence.

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I have his speedway scrap-book...but there is so much more he could share. It's hard to think of another person who has a life so intertwined with every aspect of the sport. Raw beginner from minnow nation to world-beater, promoter of his own track, national team manager, mentor, track curator, international official. His relationships with Mauger, Nielsen Gundersen, Rickardsson, Ochiltree, Adams...there's a rare old story to tell.

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  On 4/11/2021 at 9:25 AM, falcace said:

I have his speedway scrap-book...but there is so much more he could share. It's hard to think of another person who has a life so intertwined with every aspect of the sport. Raw beginner from minnow nation to world-beater, promoter of his own track, national team manager, mentor, track curator, international official. His relationships with Mauger, Nielsen Gundersen, Rickardsson, Ochiltree, Adams...there's a rare old story to tell.

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That's the one.

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I saw Dave Jessup in one of his first races in public as a 15 year old in 1968 in a second half at West Ham. He beat Alan Sage, Vic Harding and Barry Thomas. My programme notes say, "won by half a lap". He was immediately signed up for the Hammers for the following season. It was obvious, even from that first race, that he was destined for greater things and he became my "protege". I always followed his career from then on - I just wish I could have advised him on how to look after his bike!

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  On 4/11/2021 at 11:19 AM, norbold said:

I saw Dave Jessup in one of his first races in public as a 15 year old in 1968 in a second half at West Ham. He beat Alan Sage, Vic Harding and Barry Thomas. My programme notes say, "won by half a lap". He was immediately signed up for the Hammers for the following season. It was obvious, even from that first race, that he was destined for greater things and he became my "protege". I always followed his career from then on - I just wish I could have advised him on how to look after his bike!

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More recently he used to run the spares van at Lakeside and if I remember correctly , Rye House as well. I had the distinct impression that despite his talent he never made a lot of money from speedway and seemed to me to finish up not much better off than he started. 

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  On 4/11/2021 at 11:34 AM, E I Addio said:

More recently he used to run the spares van at Lakeside and if I remember correctly , Rye House as well. I had the distinct impression that despite his talent he never made a lot of money from speedway and seemed to me to finish up not much better off than he started. 

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I remember Malcolm Simmons saying that Dave was 'tight' where money was concerned and would do anything to save a few bob!

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  On 4/11/2021 at 1:29 PM, chunky said:

Nowt wrong wi' that!

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Simmo tells the story when they were out riding trials for fun rather than buy a £2 carbuettor slide Dave chose to bodge a dodgy one together with Araldite hoping it would hold it in place. Apparently the throttle jammed open as it broke and he fell off the bike and broke his leg forcing him to miss the start of the season...all for the sake of buying a ne £2 carbureetor slide!

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  On 4/11/2021 at 1:59 PM, steve roberts said:

Simmo tells the story when they were out riding trials for fun rather than buy a £2 carbuettor slide Dave chose to bodge a dodgy one together with Araldite hoping it would hold it in place. Apparently the throttle jammed open as it broke and he fell off the bike and broke his leg forcing him to miss the start of the season...all for the sake of buying a ne £2 carbureetor slide!

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Sounds about right... Makes you wonder how many of his E/F's could perhaps have been prevented with a little more forethought - and cash.

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  On 4/11/2021 at 2:04 PM, chunky said:

Sounds about right... Makes you wonder how many of his E/F's could perhaps have been prevented with a little more forethought - and cash.

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...apparently Dave was also 'drill happy' and drilled so many holes into the jubilee clip to make it lighter (?) which subsequently broke during that all important World Final race in 1978!

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  On 4/11/2021 at 2:10 PM, steve roberts said:

...apparently Dave was also 'drill happy' and drilled so many holes into the jubilee clip to make it lighter (?) which subsequently broke during that all important World Final race in 1978!

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So, he could spend money on a drill? Or did he borrow it from someone? :rofl:

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Even though he was the Dons number 1 for a spell, DJ was one rider I never warmed to unfortunately. He never really team rode unlike Simmo who seemed to ride with eyes in the back of his head at times.

 

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