Jump to content
British Speedway Forum

The Greatest Seven riders ever


wimbledonwomble

Recommended Posts

I suppose I should do my best I've seen 7, having already done my best of all time. Here goes then:

 

1. Ove Fundin

2. Ivan Mauger

3. Tony Rickardsson

4. Barry Briggs

5. Hans Nielsen

6. Bjorn Knutsson

7. Michael Lee (1977-80 version)

Edited by norbold
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Best I've seen (in no particular order):

 

Ronnie Moore

Anders Michanek

Ivan Mauger

Hans Nielsen

Tony Rickardsson

Bruce Penhall

Per Jonsson

Ole Olsen (no 8)

 

However none of these can compare with John Cook for entertainment value

 

Best I've not seen:

 

Vic Duggan

Peter Craven

Ove Fundin

Vic Huxley

Tommy Farndon

Jack Parker

Bluey Wilkinson

Bjorn Knutsson (no 8)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He is one of the greats of 2nd League racing ,no doubt.Maybe Backtrack will do something about him :D Just from what i remember he was still extremely good in conditions where other riders were struggling a bit :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Anyone with memories of Youngie?

Yes, I have. 1961 New Cross. Youngie was well past his best then though he was still a heat leader with Coventry, but not in the same class as the 'Big 5' of the period.

 

August 30 1961, King of the South Cup. Youngie scored 14 points having beaten Ove Fundin, Barry Briggs, Ron How, Peter Moore and Eric Williams amongst others on the way. The only rider to beat him was Ronnie Moore. However Moore also dropped a point during the meeting, so there was a run-off which Youngie duly won. So during the course of the evening he had beaten Fundin, Briggs and Moore to take the title.

 

The following week, 6 September 1961, the Tom Farndon Memorial Trophy. Youngie again scored 14 points, this time beating Moore, Briggs and Bjorn Knutson along the way. The only rider to beat him on the night was Peter Craven. However, Craven dropped three points during the meeting, so Youngie won without the need for a run-off this time.

 

He was absolutely brilliant and there was no doubt that on those two nights at New Cross the speedway world had a 'Big 6' not just 5. He rode like he must have ridden in the early 50s. I feel very privileged to have seen Youngie at his best long after I thought I'd missed his best years. He was a great rider. And always had to do it from behind as he was one of the world's worst gaters.

Edited by norbold
Link to comment
Share on other sites

In no particular order...

 

1. Ivan Mauger... still had the hunger for that last title at 39 years old.

2. Ole Olsen... a fantastic and skilful racer.

3. Peter Collins... Britains greatest and so gutsy in defending his title in 1977, with part of his shin missing. Girly footballers take note!

4. Erik Gundersen... not as consistently dominant in the league as Mr Nielsen, but always could raise his game when it really mattered.

5. Hans Nielsen... stylish, hard and as consistent as they come.

6. Tony Rickardson... won the last one-off Final, as well as a few GP's! Not fazed at all by temporary tracks, and his overtaking skills in the GP's a couple of years ago, after nearly falling off were breathtaking, showing his skill and hunger to win.

7. Jan O Pedersen... a rubbish gater, who weighed less than a sack of King Edwards spuds, how could he have been any good? Well in my book he was the greatest, simply because of his sheer riding ability, allowing to find the best racing lines on any track. In 1990 Per Jonsson fully deserved his title at Bradford, but a fit Jan O would've given him a run for his money.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jan O Pedersen... a rubbish gater, who weighed less than a sack of King Edwards spuds, how could he have been any good? Well in my book he was the greatest, simply because of his sheer riding ability, allowing to find the best racing lines on any track. In 1990 Per Jonsson fully deserved his title at Bradford, but a fit Jan O would've given him a run for his money.

I have to agree with this one.

 

Of the 5 finals from 90 to 94 I think he was more than capable of winning at least three of them. I have a sneaky feeling he could have taken one or two of the early GP's aswell with Rickardsson not yet dominant - the performances of Nielsen, Knudsen and Ermolenko who were edging past their best at this stage without being properly replaced (sorry Hamill and Hancock, I may be being a bit harsh) suggest these could even have been his best years.

 

In terms of all time greats I think there is a flow from Young-Moore-Fundin-Briggs-Craven-Mauger-Olsen-Penhall-Gundersen-Nielsen which breaks down until we get to Rickardsson-Crump now. Without doubt Jonsson and Ermolenko are world class and without injuries who knows but I think Pedersen would have been the man to fill this gap with several titles. Had it not been for injuries I seriously think he could well be making a few top 7's on this thread.

 

Plus a bloody great rider to watch to top it all off!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Privacy Policy