tomcat 21 Posted February 12, 2016 Already mentioned, but Tim Hunt was crackers. One incident (well two really), was Hunt the Shunts fencing of John Louis at Reading, when Hunt had moved to the Racers from Ipswich. JL duly noted that incident and promptly put Hunt into the back straight fence at Foxhall, just before they entered the 3rd bend in the return fixture....I forget the year I'm afraid. But Hunt had a habit of knocking opposition riders off, even during his Witches days. Never liked him then and liked him even less when he moved on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arnieg 3,606 Posted February 12, 2016 But Hunt had a habit of knocking opposition riders off Not just opposition riders - Mitch Shirra in particular was unhappy about riding with Tim. Yet off track one of the most pleasant riders I've encountered. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,241 Posted February 12, 2016 I remember the occasion when Tim Hunt came storming out of the pits and rode straight across the width of the track and hit the white line and jumping high into the air! Totally bizarre behaviour! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grachan 7,314 Posted February 12, 2016 Would have enjoyed watching Sandor in his prime...only saw him towards the back end of his career but apparently was a real character! As I remember it, he was the only Cradley rider who seemed prepared to give it a go in that famous 1975 meeting at Oxford. By the time Cradley had walked out, Levai had already taken 4 rides I think, including a TS. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,241 Posted February 12, 2016 (edited) As I remember it, he was the only Cradley rider who seemed prepared to give it a go in that famous 1975 meeting at Oxford. By the time Cradley had walked out, Levai had already taken 4 rides I think, including a TS. Yes that's correct...and from that day some Oxford fans decided to christened John Boulger 'Snow Flake' in remembrance of that occasion! Edited February 15, 2016 by steve roberts 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lucifer sam 3,953 Posted February 12, 2016 Yes that's correct...and from that day some Oxford fans decided to christened John Boulger 'Snow Flake' in remembrance of that occasion! It just shows how times have changed - can you imagine a meeting continuing in snow these days? I remember a couple of meetings at Oxford when I was young, around 1980 or 1981. The final meeting of 1980 was an Inter-League 4TT, right at the very end of October. Towards the end of the meeting, the temperature hit zero, and the final few races were completed, despite the fact the track was starting to freeze over. I was stood on the terracing, freezing over. And they cancelled the opportunity for kids to go around on the back of their favourite rider's bike (I ended up going around on Mick Fletcher's bike the following April, for my 8th birthday). Also, for another meeting, there was a really heavy thunderstorm at start-time. The riders simply waited for it to stop and then started the meeting. Times were the opening races were about 15-20 seconds more than usual. But by the last few heats, race times had returned to normal. Different times. All the best Rob 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reviresco 708 Posted February 12, 2016 Already mentioned, but Tim Hunt was crackers. One incident (well two really), was Hunt the Shunts fencing of John Louis at Reading, when Hunt had moved to the Racers from Ipswich. JL duly noted that incident and promptly put Hunt into the back straight fence at Foxhall, just before they entered the 3rd bend in the return fixture....I forget the year I'm afraid. But Hunt had a habit of knocking opposition riders off, even during his Witches days. Never liked him then and liked him even less when he moved on. I thought I remembered that Tim Hunt and John Louis had a coming together at Foxhall on the 3rd/4th bends when JL came back with Halifax in 1981 and thought that Tim Hunt moved from Ipswich to Reading in 1982, a year after JL had left the Witches. Certainly remember Hunt going ape, storming around on the track and losing it big time. All this after JL had mentored Hunt in his early career. And I was disappointed with the reaction of the Witches supporters, including one who went on to be the Team Manager, around me that evening, who all had a go at Louis after his tremendous service to the Club. It's ok supporting your team, but another, in my book, having a go like that at one of your club's greatest ever riders. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shrimpfan 11 Posted February 13, 2016 I thought I remembered that Tim Hunt and John Louis had a coming together at Foxhall on the 3rd/4th bends when JL came back with Halifax in 1981 and thought that Tim Hunt moved from Ipswich to Reading in 1982, a year after JL had left the Witches. Certainly remember Hunt going ape, storming around on the track and losing it big time. All this after JL had mentored Hunt in his early career. And I was disappointed with the reaction of the Witches supporters, including one who went on to be the Team Manager, around me that evening, who all had a go at Louis after his tremendous service to the Club. It's ok supporting your team, but another, in my book, having a go like that at one of your club's greatest ever riders. I'd like to bet a few of those around you that evening have recently spent £16 and queued patiently to have JL sign their copy of his autobiography! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reviresco 708 Posted February 13, 2016 I'd like to bet a few of those around you that evening have recently spent £16 and queued patiently to have JL sign their copy of his autobiography! Well said Wooly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ommer Mon 381 Posted February 15, 2016 I remember the Cradley match at Oxford very well. It was actually snowing in the middle of May!!! Dave Perks wrote 'SNOW' in the windscreen of his car, immortalised in the famous photo in Speedway Star. My abiding memory is Bernie Persson riding round in the blizzard. Whilte Helmet, white jumper, white race jacket, white midguards - all you could see was a pair of red legs going round. Not a lot of fun that night unless you like watching a string of 5-0s to the opposition! a 58-14 thumping if I recall rightly. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
R87 476 Posted February 15, 2016 I remember Morton Andersen wiping Mikael Karlsson out at Cradley in 93. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Argos 262 Posted February 16, 2016 If you had seem Morris drive David through the fence at Ashfield you would not think it was hard riding. . Vermin would be too good a name for the thug, personally I think he should have been charged with G.B.H. Having been at this meeting I agree with you, hold your h ad in shame Morris 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
R87 476 Posted February 17, 2016 I was a regular visitor at Wolves for a few years when Sam was there and he did have a habit of inexplicably sliding off all on his own. Never seen a rider of his calibre do that so often. That said, when he wasn't crashing he pulled off some amazing passes that defied belief. Never a dull meeting when Sam was racing. Sam used to do it at Dudley Wood as well on the pits bend. We used to refer to it as "Sams Bend", it happened that often. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,241 Posted February 17, 2016 Not sure if Carl 'The Spear' Askew was dirty or just over exuberant although Robert Hollingsworth was less than complimentary towards him! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shale Searcher 1,264 Posted February 17, 2016 If I remember correctly, Mitch Shirra never used his mirrors, and had a liking to depositing riders into the safety fence!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites