BOBBATH Posted November 20, 2023 Report Share Posted November 20, 2023 This would cover the first 5 years of the BL. I reckon #1 would be Nigel Boocock (topped the BL averages in 65). #2 I would say was Ray Wilson-any others spring to mind- Martin Ashby maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted November 21, 2023 Report Share Posted November 21, 2023 27 minutes ago, BOBBATH said: This would cover the first 5 years of the BL. I reckon #1 would be Nigel Boocock (topped the BL averages in 65). #2 I would say was Ray Wilson-any others spring to mind- Martin Ashby maybe? Hurriken, definitely. If you're looking at league figures, Eric Boocock will be there too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted November 21, 2023 Report Share Posted November 21, 2023 Here are the Top Ten averages by year (over 9.00) 1965 11.12 - Nigel Boocock 10.83 - Ken McKinlay 10.48 - Mike Broadbank 10.16 - Ron How 9.90 - Jimmy Gooch 9.65 - Cyril Maidment 9.45 - Ronnie Genz 9.43 - Eric Boocock 9.42 - Norman Hunter 9.35 - George Hunter 1966 10.54 - Nigel Boocock 10.46 - Eric Boocock 10.00 - Colin Pratt 9.67 - Ken McKinlay 9.60 - Mike Brooadbank 9.55 - Cyril Maidment 9.42 - Norman Hunter 9.41 - Terry Betts 9.39 - Trevor Hedge 9.29 - Eric Boothroyd 1967 10.52 - Nigel Boocock 10.43 - Ray Wilson 10.29 - Eric Boocock 9.74 - Terry Betts 9.53 - Ken McKinlay 9.37 - Roy Trigg 9.12 - Dave Younghusband 1968 10.74 - Nigel Boocock 10.72 - Martin Ashby 10.17 - Eric Boocock 9.71 - Norman Hunter 9.62 - Ron Mountford 9.58 - Colin Pratt 9.45 - Terry Betts 9.40 - Malcolm Simmons 9.37 - Ray Wilson 9.15 - Trevor Hedge 1969 11.08 - Eric Boocock 10.78 - Nigel Boocock 10.56 - Ray Wilson 10.35 - Norman Hunter 10.33 - Trevor Hedge 10.01 - Jim McMillan 9.97 - Martin Ashby 9.39 - Reg Luckhurst 9.38 - Dave Younghusband 9.35 - Terry Betts 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BL65 Posted November 21, 2023 Report Share Posted November 21, 2023 Ron Mountford might have continued his high scoring but for serious injury in 1968. In 1965 Ivor Brown averaged 9.83 after 16 matches before serious injury in the Internationale at Wimbledon in June. He ended the season on 9.27 after returning, clearly unfit, in September. Before his accident he had ridden against the former National League teams on 5 occasions, including away at Swindon (Briggs, Broadbank, Ashby), West Ham (McKinlay, Harrfeldt, Hunter) and Oxford (How, Pander, Gooch). Before his accident he recorded 6 maximum scores (5 full, 1 paid). On his return he scored 7+1, 4+1 and 5 in league matches before missing the last three matches due to another injury. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midlandred Posted November 21, 2023 Report Share Posted November 21, 2023 Four firsts and one second - clear winner here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted November 21, 2023 Report Share Posted November 21, 2023 The Speedway Star used to issue an end-of-year ranking list. Unfortunately this finished in 1966, so there are only two years to look at. But, in both, Nigel Boocock was the highest ranked British rider. But, what is perhaps more interesting, is that in 1965, he was ranked at no. 5 in the World and in 1966, only at no.12. The foreigners were truly taking over! The only other British riders to feature were Ken McKinlay, at no.9= in 1965 and Mike Broadbank(s) (no.13), Eric Boocock (18=) and Ken McKinlay (no.20) in 1966. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty Posted November 21, 2023 Report Share Posted November 21, 2023 A fair few years ago "Classic Speedway" magazine did a top 20 of the 60's. Compiled by a "respected author".... Obviously is the whole of the decade rather than the period in the OP..... 1. Nigel Boocock 2. Ken McKinley 3. Peter Craven 4. Mike Broadbank 5.Eric Boocock 6. Ron How 7. Martin Ashby 8. Ray Wilson 9. Terry Betts 10. Dave Younghusband Focusing on the BL era, would see Craven and How removed from the list and probably higher positions for Eric B and Ray Wilson. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbold Posted November 21, 2023 Report Share Posted November 21, 2023 9 minutes ago, salty said: A fair few years ago "Classic Speedway" magazine did a top 20 of the 60's. Compiled by a "respected author".... Obviously is the whole of the decade rather than the period in the OP..... 1. Nigel Boocock 2. Ken McKinley 3. Peter Craven 4. Mike Broadbank 5.Eric Boocock 6. Ron How 7. Martin Ashby 8. Ray Wilson 9. Terry Betts 10. Dave Younghusband Focusing on the BL era, would see Craven and How removed from the list and probably higher positions for Eric B and Ray Wilson. Funnily enough, that's exactly the same as the Top Ten I would have chosen. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted November 21, 2023 Report Share Posted November 21, 2023 6 hours ago, BL65 said: Ron Mountford might have continued his high scoring but for serious injury in 1968. In 1965 Ivor Brown averaged 9.83 after 16 matches before serious injury in the Internationale at Wimbledon in June. He ended the season on 9.27 after returning, clearly unfit, in September. Before his accident he had ridden against the former National League teams on 5 occasions, including away at Swindon (Briggs, Broadbank, Ashby), West Ham (McKinlay, Harrfeldt, Hunter) and Oxford (How, Pander, Gooch). Before his accident he recorded 6 maximum scores (5 full, 1 paid). On his return he scored 7+1, 4+1 and 5 in league matches before missing the last three matches due to another injury. Ron Mountford 1965 - 8.74 1966 - 9.29 1967 - 8.66 1968 - 9.62 Over those four years, his average was 8.92. Compare to some of the other riders I mentioned. From 1965 to 1969: 10.73 - Nigel Boocock 10.31 - Eric Boocock 9.46 - Martin Ashby 9.44 - Terry Betts 9.43 - Ken McKinlay 9.27 - Ray Wilson 9.22 - Trevor Hedge 9.14 - Norman Hunter 9.03 - Dave Younghusband Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old bob at herne bay Posted November 21, 2023 Report Share Posted November 21, 2023 Ivor Brown was certainly the "idol" of the CH supporters and it's fair to say had a "reputation" in the Provincial League, where he pushed and shoved himself around amongst the PL teams. Never really got a fair crack at BL racing due to his coming together with Ove Fundin at the Wills Internationale at Wimbledon. I was there sat in the glasshouse on the entrance to the first bend. Still think to this day he picked on the wrong man to mix with on the first bend. Saddened to read later that the incident pretty well finished Ivor's speedway career. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ovalman Posted November 22, 2023 Report Share Posted November 22, 2023 (edited) Great to see Broady in there. At 89 still see him power walking around north Swindon. The recent Celebration of Swindon Speedway will probably be the last time we will see Briggo, Broady, and Ashby together. Was great to watch British riders such as The Boococks, Broady, Ashby, Wilson, Betts, Hunter, Hedge, Luckhurst, McKinlay at New Cross, West Am, Ackney, Wimbledon, Swindon in the 60s, 70s. How good would Peter Craven have been? Edited November 22, 2023 by auntie doris 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve roberts Posted November 22, 2023 Report Share Posted November 22, 2023 15 hours ago, old bob at herne bay said: Ivor Brown was certainly the "idol" of the CH supporters and it's fair to say had a "reputation" in the Provincial League, where he pushed and shoved himself around amongst the PL teams. Never really got a fair crack at BL racing due to his coming together with Ove Fundin at the Wills Internationale at Wimbledon. I was there sat in the glasshouse on the entrance to the first bend. Still think to this day he picked on the wrong man to mix with on the first bend. Saddened to read later that the incident pretty well finished Ivor's speedway career. The one rider Ivan Mauger "hated" as was highlighed in his books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted November 22, 2023 Report Share Posted November 22, 2023 Guess 1969 was the year that could have been for Boocock and McKinlay in the world final. Both looking good after the first three rounds of heats, then both had something of a collapse afterwards.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted November 22, 2023 Report Share Posted November 22, 2023 6 minutes ago, iris123 said: Guess 1969 was the year that could have been for Boocock and McKinlay in the world final. Both looking good after the first three rounds of heats, then both had something of a collapse afterwards.... With McKinlay, I don't think it could be considered "something" of a collapse! 7 points from his first three, and then nowt from his last two. Worst thing is, he couldn't even beat Glucklich, Mucha, or Klementiev in those... I was there that night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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