00000 1,279 Posted March 30, 2018 7 hours ago, Haza said: I was there that day as well I seem to remember Micheal whipped the then England captain Ray Wilson 3 times - that morning as I’m sure it was a 11am start we all knew we’d something very special In Lee - seem to remember overnight snow and it being freezing cold but the meeting went ahead . And yes I feel old too It was the centre white that day. Lee was brilliant. We were there, and thank goodness we were Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Star Lady 5,400 Posted March 30, 2018 I have quite a few special memories of speedway but that day, and in particular the manner that Lee beat Ray Wilson has to be in the top 3. Where did it all go so badly wrong. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trees 2,814 Posted March 30, 2018 1 hour ago, Willowman said: But has a bloody good memory. Yeah apparently that happens as you get old, remember the past but not what ya did 5 mins ago 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
semion 2,192 Posted March 30, 2018 I don’t know Trees I quite like the idea of not remembering what I did 5 mins ago Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
proud panther 1,493 Posted March 30, 2018 1 hour ago, Richard Weston said: It was the centre white that day. Lee was brilliant. We were there, and thank goodness we were Think he beat him once, but still special. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
g13webb 4,254 Posted March 31, 2018 7 hours ago, proud panther said: Think he beat him once, but still special. Looking back through my program notes, he beat him 3 times, The first was from the gate, in heat 6; then in heat 10 Wilson made the gate , but on the second lap Lee cut back to the inside to pass driving out of second bend. Lee then won the second half final with Betts second Wilson third... Track started very wet but dried out as the meeting went.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waytogo28 2,054 Posted March 31, 2018 My best early memory of the phenomenon that was Michael Lee was at Brandon when he easily passed and then chopped up Nigel Boocock ( then a formidable foe especially at Brandon and virtually unbeatable around there ). Michael was the best natural rider I have ever seen and the best English rider, never to have won multiple world speedway titles. A privilege to have seen him ride at his peak. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Haza 1,765 Posted March 31, 2018 1 hour ago, g13webb said: Looking back through my program notes, he beat him 3 times, The first was from the gate, in heat 6; then in heat 10 Wilson made the gate , but on the second lap Lee cut back to the inside to pass driving out of second bend. Lee then won the second half final with Betts second Wilson third... Track started very wet but dried out as the meeting went.... Thank you for comfiming that time plays tricks on your mind but I just knew he beat Wilson 3 times admittedly Wilson was on decline at that time but even so that was a special meeting one that I’ve never forgotten over the years one question how many of today’s meetings will be remembered 40 odd years later ? my guess not many Another special night was at Coventry when on Wednesday night with a full stadium Michael won the British Final again I was there . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bald Bloke 3,281 Posted March 31, 2018 3 hours ago, g13webb said: Looking back through my program notes, he beat him 3 times, The first was from the gate, in heat 6; then in heat 10 Wilson made the gate , but on the second lap Lee cut back to the inside to pass driving out of second bend. Lee then won the second half final with Betts second Wilson third... Track started very wet but dried out as the meeting went.... I was there ,but only young.Cheers for that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
g13webb 4,254 Posted March 31, 2018 1 hour ago, Haza said: Thank you for comfiming that time plays tricks on your mind but I just knew he beat Wilson 3 times admittedly Wilson was on decline at that time but even so that was a special meeting one that I’ve never forgotten over the years one question how many of today’s meetings will be remembered 40 odd years later ? my guess not many Another special night was at Coventry when on Wednesday night with a full stadium Michael won the British Final again I was there . Yeah Me too. Them years I went to most meetings where Lee was riding. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sidney the robin 4,735 Posted March 31, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, g13webb said: Yeah Me too. Them years I went to most meetings where Lee was riding. Remember reading that Wilson who was a hell of a rider himself took defeat very well against the whipper snapper Lee.I think the first time i ever saw Lee ride was in the Embassy international at Wimbledon he came a brilliant third and later in the year 1976 x2 in a league match and was fourth in the Silver Plume meeting at the Abbey the greatest English rider i have seen(never saw Craven). Edited March 31, 2018 by Sidney the robin 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevehone 3,412 Posted March 31, 2018 20 hours ago, Star Lady said: Where did it all go so badly wrong. getting friendly with the Americans of the time that were 'enjoying' themselves 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Haza 1,765 Posted March 31, 2018 22 hours ago, Star Lady said: I have quite a few special memories of speedway but that day, and in particular the manner that Lee beat Ray Wilson has to be in the top 3. Where did it all go so badly wrong. Where did it go wrong ? Do you mean Lee or speedway in general? Michael made his choices as we all do in life if they are right or wrong that’s Micheal to decide - as for speedway in general the powers that be pocketed the glory years £s rather than thinking long term in finding the next Michael Lee - thinking back in those 40odd years we’ve had Darcy Ward and to a lot lesser extent Robert Lambert but neither have come close to Lee talent he should and could have gone much further in speedway thing to remember is the British League was the strongest league in the world in Lee day Ward rode for us in the second league and Lambert is again in a very much weaker leage . Lee was special very special 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
proud panther 1,493 Posted March 31, 2018 13 hours ago, g13webb said: Looking back through my program notes, he beat him 3 times, The first was from the gate, in heat 6; then in heat 10 Wilson made the gate , but on the second lap Lee cut back to the inside to pass driving out of second bend. Lee then won the second half final with Betts second Wilson third... Track started very wet but dried out as the meeting went.... Remember Wilson giving him a friendly clip round the ear after one race where he beat him, but forgot the other 2. Even more amazing to know the full facts. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
g13webb 4,254 Posted March 31, 2018 34 minutes ago, proud panther said: Remember Wilson giving him a friendly clip round the ear after one race where he beat him, but forgot the other 2. Even more amazing to know the full facts. I was very fortunate to be friends with a number of people that allowed me unlimited access into the pits at Lynn. When Lee was an interval attraction,. my friendship with Andy Lee opened the door for a connection with Michael that lasted many years. He was an immense talent that was recognised by the whole speedway world. Seasoned riders stood in awe as he powered round during them intervals equal to or faster than the times actually recorded during the proceeding match. No it was no surprise when he beat Wilson in that first meeting. and Ray took it in good heart. Such was the talk about Lee and them interval rides at that time , it created so much interest that world stars, namely, Barry Briggs and Ivan Mauger travelled purposely to Kings Lynn solely to watch him ride. Later they remarked that Michael was a good a 15yr old as they had ever seen, anywhere..... Such praise from established Stars.... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites