SCB 0 Posted February 3, 2014 What ever happened to Ben Howe I remember him quite well Ben had a big smash at Arena Essex riding for Newport in 2000 and broke his arm in something like 16 places. To me thats not a break but shattered. Amazingly he made a comeback in 2002 for Newport and score 14 from 5 on his return and made the gate 5 times (was passed by Phil Morris on the last bend of his first ride back), amazing as I don't think he made 5 gates in the rest of his career combined! The week after he smashed into the fence against Swindon and did his leg. He did make another come back the following year at Mildenhall in the NL before drifting away. No doubt in my mind he was the fastest rider I have ever seen over 3.5 laps at PL level but sadly he was outgated by NL riders and would stuggle to pass 3 other riders most of the time. He could catch anyone though. no way could anyone diss rickardsson, but personally don't think he was extra special from the back..when he hit the front it was goodbye, mega fast Totally disagree. Rickardsson gated 95% of the time so didnt get to show he could pass but he could. One of the earlier one off GPs, TRick gated in 1st, lifted on the dodgy track on bend 2 and ended up last. He managed to battle his way back into 1st on a track that had no passing over than that heat. Sadly I cant find it on youtube. You can't base your argument on "had gp's been around", the fact is they wasn't so no one knows what would have happened. Saying world titles were almost handed to him on a plate is ridiculous, were the other riders told "you're not allowed to beat Tony!" He was helped a lot. While TRick was at his peak the GP format meant the top 8 in the last GP only needed 4 ride to win a GP but the rest needed 6. Also, the top 4 form the last GP got the inside gates so were likely to have better start positions and the winners of heats got the inside gates meaning it was harder to break into the top of the GP standings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ColinMills 1,728 Posted February 3, 2014 only from what I saw of him, didn't find ricko the best of passers, not saying he never passed, but in comparison to pc and loram, prob not..this doesn't alter my opinion as one of the best ever riders Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Falcon Hammer 576 Posted April 1, 2014 Personally I didn't see the guy race, but here's one for you TWK (Taken from Weymouth programme 11/08/77, concerning the fixture Edinburgh v Weymouth 05/08/77) - "The hard riding Jack Millen had just been excluded for unfair riding in his qualifying heat, a decision which he didn't agree with at all. After some remonstrating on track, the Monarchs rider decided it was time his exclusion light was extinguished and with the aid of a track rake, the light was extinguished - in fact the whole light fitting was smashed to pieces." - sounds like a great nights entertainment to me... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted April 1, 2014 Personally I didn't see the guy race, but here's one for you TWK (Taken from Weymouth programme 11/08/77, concerning the fixture Edinburgh v Weymouth 05/08/77) - "The hard riding Jack Millen had just been excluded for unfair riding in his qualifying heat, a decision which he didn't agree with at all. After some remonstrating on track, the Monarchs rider decided it was time his exclusion light was extinguished and with the aid of a track rake, the light was extinguished - in fact the whole light fitting was smashed to pieces." - sounds like a great nights entertainment to me... That sounds about right to me Falcon Hammer. It sounds bad - but - it did no harm at all to attract the Crowds to Speedway. People were always wondering what 'Crazy' Jack would get up to next. Oh - and he once needed a Police Escort out of Peterborough. Ron Wilson the Promoter at Teeside used to always invite Jack to ride in Open Meetings - he reckoned that it was worth 500 on the Gate. Happy days. :approve: 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LagutaRacingFan 1,935 Posted April 1, 2014 Jepsen Jensen has to be one, His boyish good looks and charisma drew over 20,000 Czechstowa fans to a semi-final against Torun 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stratton 1,491 Posted April 1, 2014 Jepsen Jensen has to be one, His boyish good looks and charisma drew over 20,000 Czechstowa fans to a semi-final against TorunDid you just have a wet dream? get real. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StephenMiller 75 Posted April 8, 2014 Phil Herne, Birmingham legend in the 70's & early 80's. A great racer who was idolized by the Brummie fans but sadly too many injuries caught up to him in the end. Jason Lyons - The Legend of the modern revival of the Brummies. The finest rider around Perry Barr by some margin. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ruffdiamond 6,115 Posted April 8, 2014 Richard Hall 'v' Josh Auty,,, put that one in ye diary, ;-) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
big wilson 1 Posted April 8, 2014 One of the most spectacular riders from the late 70's .Bob garrad of rye and hackney .I remember many great races against mildenhall when they were fighting for trophies . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Ore 204 Posted April 8, 2014 Richard Hall 'v' Josh Auty,,, put that one in ye diary, ;-) Robert Lambert. Everyone's talking about him; it seems. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted April 8, 2014 Robert Lambert. Everyone's talking about him; it seems. Why? He's a kid who needs to grow up. He will eventually. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FAST GATER 853 Posted April 8, 2014 The Owen Bros against John Jackson at Newcastle or Elle Port in the early to mid 70's ( all in one race even better) happy days !!!!!!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stratton 1,491 Posted April 8, 2014 The Owen Bros against John Jackson at Newcastle or Elle Port in the early to mid 70's ( all in one race even better) happy days !!!!!!!!!!!Jackson was a terrific rider i see him ride for Wolves i think he went full time? he was a rider at NL a real star not quite as good as Joey though Tom before he broke a leg nearly on par three great riders. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Triple.H. 1,986 Posted April 8, 2014 I've seen many posts on this thread mentioning riders from the golden age of the 70's and 80's. Yet surprisingly I haven't seen one mention of the "cowboy" John Cook! Easily one of the most entertaining riders of the 80's. Great rider specially on the night he won the cup for Oxford Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ruffdiamond 6,115 Posted April 8, 2014 The Owen Bros against John Jackson at Newcastle or Elle Port in the early to mid 70's ( all in one race even better) happy days !!!!!!!!!!! don't forget Chris Turner,,, was'nt he the only rider to beat 'Joe' around Brough in 76,,, apart for 'The Mauger', of course ??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
