BOBBATH 467 Posted May 7, 2018 I remember speedway in the sixties as being full of "characters"-flamboyant personalities, guys who would put you into the fence as soon as look at you!!. Anybody in forumland recall this-I'm thinking of Jim Squibb, Bill Andrew, Clive Featherby (of course), Colin "Joe"Goody (I'll have another beer thank you!!) and many others. Any memories from other folks of this era-BTW-I think there should be created another category in forum ,called "Many Years gone By" as most of the current years go by posts are after my time-excuse me -the sun is starting to come up, so I have to get into my coffin quick!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted May 7, 2018 Lot's of Characters in the Seventies too BOBBATH. As regards the 'Sixties' - Ivor Brown was quite a character as I recall. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,247 Posted May 7, 2018 Just before my time although I seem to recall going to the speedway once during the back end of the decade. !972 was my first year and the seventies were full of characters and we at Cowley had one of the champions...Garry "Cassius" Middleton skipper of 'The Rebels'. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted May 7, 2018 We too had a real character at Sunderland - Jack Millen. Fondly remembered still by Sunderland Speedway Supporters. He will never be forgotten by those of us who survive those days. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOBBATH 467 Posted May 8, 2018 You are absolutely right white knight, I said the sixties because I left England in 1968 and sadly the seventies are a blank slate to me-however you are right Ivor Brown was indeed a great character-Ivan Mauger hated him -he is referred to in Ivan's book "Triple Crown Plus" although un-named it was Ivor he was talking about. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,247 Posted May 8, 2018 4 hours ago, BOBBATH said: You are absolutely right white knight, I said the sixties because I left England in 1968 and sadly the seventies are a blank slate to me-however you are right Ivor Brown was indeed a great character-Ivan Mauger hated him -he is referred to in s"Ivan's book "Triple Crown Plus although un-named it was Ivor he was talking about. ...my holiday reading in a couple of weeks when on holiday in the Cotswolds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grachan 7,364 Posted May 8, 2018 Interestingly, I have some Speedway Stars from the 60s, and one of them has an article bemoaning the lack of characters like the ones they used to have in the 50s. Plus ca change.... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norbold 7,161 Posted May 8, 2018 " guys who would put you into the fence as soon as look at you!!" I think that category includes Briggo and Ove Fundin - and to their own partners too if they got in the way! As for characters in general, Reg Luckhurst, the famous pop star, was a bit of a character and, of course, the character amongst characters, Split Waterman, was still around in the early 60s. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BL65 658 Posted May 8, 2018 Characters noted for their hard-riding style also include Chris Blewett (particularly at Exeter) and Chris Julian. Roy Trigg and Chris Julian exchanged blows following one of Chris's forceful rides at Exeter in 1968 and they were team mates at the time! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,125 Posted May 8, 2018 (edited) 13 hours ago, norbold said: " guys who would put you into the fence as soon as look at you!!" I think that category includes Briggo and Ove Fundin - and to their own partners too if they got in the way! As for characters in general, Reg Luckhurst, the famous pop star, was a bit of a character and, of course, the character amongst characters, Split Waterman, was still around in the early 60s. You beat me to it with Reg, and Ron Mountford was another who was known for racing against his team-mates! Oh, and apologies if this is in the wrong thread (I was too lazy to make separate posts), but I too have "Cracked Eggs and Chicken Soup" on the way... Steve Edited May 8, 2018 by chunky 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wessex Wanderer 148 Posted May 9, 2018 Maybe the “characters” grow in greatness with the passing years as I do remember veterans at that time reminiscing about long retired riders with “they don’t make em like that anymore”. Some great names mentioned in this thread. I particularly like the first to be mentioned was Jim Squibb who would surely be among the top characters of any era. I remember him clashing with Ken Sharples of Belle Vue at Poole one night. They tangled on the second bend and both fell. Picking themselves up they immediately squared up and the punches started swinging. Usually people close by would try to separate them but this time there was a HUGE reluctance by track staff,pit staff, riders and mechanics to go anywhere near the pair! Can’t say I blame them. Eventually the pair calmed down so discretion did prove the better part of valour. Great thread. Thanks Bob. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sidney the robin 4,735 Posted May 9, 2018 (edited) Chris Pusey, Alan Cowland, Les Red Ott , and Tony Clarke would be a few to mention. Edited May 9, 2018 by Sidney the robin 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted May 9, 2018 Ken Sharples, Jim Airey, Ivan Mauger, Brian Brett. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sidney the robin 4,735 Posted May 10, 2018 Dave Gifford , Ross Gilbertson,Graeme Smith,Barney Kennett,Kelvin Mullarkey all great servants to speedway and were all real characters. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites