Bryce Posted October 2, 2021 Report Share Posted October 2, 2021 I only had the pleasure of speaking to Colin a handful of times, but he was always a very approachable lovely man. A genuine legend in the sport. Condolences to his loved ones. RIP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dontforgetthefueltapsbruv Posted October 2, 2021 Report Share Posted October 2, 2021 RIP Colin I had the pleasure of a mini pit tour at the British GP conducted by Colin. Despite obviously having a long list of duties on the day you would've thought I was his only responsibility at that time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customhouseregular Posted October 2, 2021 Report Share Posted October 2, 2021 3 hours ago, auntie doris said: Friendly guy and very good rider. Spoke to him at Swindon few years ago recalling the time in 1963 when he beat Bjorn Knutson at New Cross riding for PL Select against Southampton. Survived the terrible crash in Belgium that decimated West Ham. R.I.P. Survived the crash but ended his racing career. A terrible time which has stayed in the memory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted October 2, 2021 Report Share Posted October 2, 2021 Very sad news..... R.I.P..... Condolences to his family and friends..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty Posted October 2, 2021 Report Share Posted October 2, 2021 Really sad to hear this news. Riding career curtailed by Lokeren, but what a second career as an administrator. RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted October 2, 2021 Report Share Posted October 2, 2021 Sad news indeed. Another icon lost who gave his all to to speedway both as a rider and later Team Manager/Promoter. RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawk127 Posted October 2, 2021 Report Share Posted October 2, 2021 5 hours ago, arnieg said: When I started following the sport 51 years ago Colin was already a big name in the sport (and would still have been riding if it wasn't for Lokeren). That's a hell of a long time to be a major figure in speedway. My condolences to friends and family. Totally agree. Like you I started following the sport many years back and still remember delivering the Evening News newspaper when they carried the Lokeren disaster on the front page. A dark day for U.K. speedway. Condolences to family friends and colleagues, another sad day for the sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted October 2, 2021 Report Share Posted October 2, 2021 R.I.P. + Colin Pratt. A Speedway legend. My condolences go to his family and friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldhawk Posted October 2, 2021 Report Share Posted October 2, 2021 One Top Bloke - Had pleasure of seeing him turn out one last time as a guest for the Hawks on the Friday before the Lokeran tragity two days later.. Had please of chatting with him in 2017 at Paradise Park, one really nice guy. RIP Pratty - Hackney Hawks Skipper and Speedway Legend ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted October 2, 2021 Report Share Posted October 2, 2021 Yes, very sad news. Colin gave so much to speedway not just as a rider, manager and promoter but also, after he retired, through the World Speedway Riders' Association, of which he was president in 2011. I used to see him every week at Hackney of course and then met him several times at various WSRA functions. But perhaps our strangest meeting was when I just happened to bump into him at Liverpool Street Underground Station and we travelled as far as Tottenham Court Road together. This was the first time I actually met him and he must have wondered who this strange person was who suddenly accosted him to talk about Hackney speedway! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gambo Posted October 2, 2021 Report Share Posted October 2, 2021 Really depressing news! When I was the Coventry correspondent for the Speedway Mail, Colin was always very amenable to the 'Press Gang' as he named us. He traveled (cadged a lift) with myself and Wayne Roberts to a few Bees away matches and often had us in stitches, or awe, with his outrageous (but true) tales of his life as a rider. We always had to stop on the way to Eastbourne at a certain spot for an ice cream. A really great loss to our sport in general. RIP Pratty. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatface Posted October 3, 2021 Report Share Posted October 3, 2021 Sorry to read that. Someone who truly gave his whole life to the sport through thick and thin. Sincere condolences to his nearest and dearest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LesR Posted October 3, 2021 Report Share Posted October 3, 2021 Very sad news, RIP Colin. Condolences to his family and close friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IainB Posted October 3, 2021 Report Share Posted October 3, 2021 I have 2 abiding memories of Colin Pratt, he first came to my attention when being interviewed by ITV after a Coventry vs Cradley Heath match by Gary Newbon where he was disagreeing that he should have used a tactical or something and saying his reserves cost them and he'd have to get some new ones! All in his gruff style, I think it's fair to say he wasn't a natural for TV. The 2nd time, I was walking back to my car in the Oxford car park after a Bees defeat and Wayne Carter had scored 1 point and a fan made a comment to him as he walked by saying something like how about Mr 1 point, he cost us... Pratty then bellowed "Piss Off, alright!" at him across the car park... it was quite comical! Still makes me laugh to this day. An undoubted "character" of the sport and another sad loss 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrs Posted October 3, 2021 Report Share Posted October 3, 2021 Very saddened and shocked, thoughts are with the family RIP Colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted October 3, 2021 Report Share Posted October 3, 2021 41 minutes ago, iainb said: I have 2 abiding memories of Colin Pratt, he first came to my attention when being interviewed by ITV after a Coventry vs Cradley Heath match by Gary Newbon where he was disagreeing that he should have used a tactical or something and saying his reserves cost them and he'd have to get some new ones! All in his gruff style, I think it's fair to say he wasn't a natural for TV. The 2nd time, I was walking back to my car in the Oxford car park after a Bees defeat and Wayne Carter had scored 1 point and a fan made a comment to him as he walked by saying something like how about Mr 1 point, he cost us... Pratty then bellowed "Piss Off, alright!" at him across the car park... it was quite comical! Still makes me laugh to this day. An undoubted "character" of the sport and another sad loss He would stand at the start line at Cowley shaking his head at another Hans lightening reaction start! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted October 3, 2021 Report Share Posted October 3, 2021 Got used to seeing Colin going about his business quietly at Swindon i got him to sign a few Hackney photos a few times.He was a guy who i was quite wary of but he was ever so pleasant to speak to loved speedway and what a servant he was terrific.Along with Kilb, Broady, Wellie, Crash, ( ect) he was very approachable had time for people a real people’s person..The one thing that often gets forgotten is just how good a speedway rider he was and he had his best years still to come until injury curtailed that.RIP Colin. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellevueace Posted October 3, 2021 Report Share Posted October 3, 2021 Sad news a great servant to the sport, RIP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidney the robin Posted October 3, 2021 Report Share Posted October 3, 2021 1 hour ago, steve roberts said: He would stand at the start line at Cowley shaking his head at another Hans lightening reaction start! I can’t remember seeing Colin ride in 1969 for Hackney but that was the only time i see him race Steve.The same as Ove Fundin only see him ride once in 1970 and unfortunately never got to see Bjorn Knutsson or the brilliant Peter Craven ride a real regret of mine.Thinking of Colin did he once consider coming back after those horrific injuries but was told it was to risky.? he must of worked hard to get back to that level of fitness. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
False dawn Posted October 3, 2021 Report Share Posted October 3, 2021 If you'd been "selling" speedway over the past several decades, Colin would have been one of the fixtures and fittings. A stalwart by any definition. We're worse off without you Colin. Rest in peace. 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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