Goldhawk 76 Posted September 9, 2020 (edited) On 9/9/2020 at 10:45 AM, Terry said: After beating Chris Morton after a great battle (which included the only ever dead-heat of the competition) at the end of 1980, after a great year for Bo and the Hawks, We were eagerly anticipating his first defence against Lee. Michael was phenomenal and was crossing the finishing line while Bo was still coming out of the fourth bend for an easy 2-0 win..He also set the two fastest times of the season. He could've been the greatest ever if only etc...He was certainly the most naturally talented rider I've ever seen. The only other rider who came close was Darcy Ward imo. Well done Terry. Thanks for the clarity on GH result, yeah it was 2 - 0 . Was shocked to see the manner in which Bo was beaten. I remember Michael had a column in the Star and writing about the KL 27 - 51 victory at Waterdon Road. It must have been late 70s maybe. To those who haven't read the book on him ( and DVD ? ) i recommend. Edited September 10, 2020 by Goldhawk correction 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
martinmauger 584 Posted September 12, 2020 (edited) I read somewhere, possibly here on the forum, that Lee blew Kenny Carter away in the Golden Helmet at Halifax when Carter was 'the boy' around the Shay.... Edited September 12, 2020 by martinmauger belated spelling 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WembleyLion 407 Posted September 12, 2020 I have to agree a lot of what is being said about Michael on this thread. He was brilliant at the age of 16 the like of which I have never seen in any other rider in 50 years. In my view even the extremely talented Darcy Ward was well short of the level Michael was at as a teenager. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djr 145 Posted September 12, 2020 4 hours ago, martinmauger said: I read somehere, possibly here on the forum, that Lee blew Kenny Carter away in the Golden Helmet at Halifax when Carter was 'the boy' around the Shay.... I remember that happening, it was at the time that Carter was going around telling everyone he was " England Number 1 " would love to have seen it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Goldhawk 76 Posted September 13, 2020 20 hours ago, WembleyLion said: I have to agree a lot of what is being said about Michael on this thread. He was brilliant at the age of 16 the like of which I have never seen in any other rider in 50 years. In my view even the extremely talented Darcy Ward was well short of the level Michael was at as a teenager. Agreed. Michael could have been a Speedway Great and in the very top bracket with Mauger and Rickardson with one World Championship already at 20 . Therein could have been the problem being so young with to much to soon. He was both dazzling and brilliant. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
g13webb 4,254 Posted September 17, 2020 On 9/12/2020 at 2:32 PM, martinmauger said: I read somewhere, possibly here on the forum, that Lee blew Kenny Carter away in the Golden Helmet at Halifax when Carter was 'the boy' around the Shay.... I was fortunate to be there that night with Michael, when he totally destroyed Kenny Carter.. In both Golden Helmet races he won by the proverbial mile, each time breaking the track record. in the process. Such was his dominance that night, there was suggestion his bike was unlawfully quick. Following speedway for many years, I am always questioned about my opinion of top Riders, when I will always i say that Michael Lee was up there with the VERY BEST of all time.... 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
g13webb 4,254 Posted September 17, 2020 There are many instances I can remember Michael being sublime, probably one of the earliest was when he was first started riding for Boston against a top Newcastle outfit. Riding high at the top of the second division, it was only ever going to be a close encounter. It hadn't been a good meeting for Lee scoring only a handful of points, but the whole meeting rested on the final race. Tom and Joe Owen off gates 1 and 3 with Lee off 2. Their intentions were clear from the off., squeeze out lee then team ride for the 4-2 for victory. Their plan worked a treat.. Down the back straight , Lee was well last. Lap 2 he moves into third chasing hard. As they start the last lap Lee dives inside the team riding Tom, the crowd could sense a tight finish. Taking to the boards on the last corner Lee rode round Joe to acclaim a stunning victory. This was truly amazing for someone barely 16 yrs old. Everyone there that night knew they had witnessed an awesome talent.... 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sidney the robin 4,735 Posted September 23, 2020 On 9/17/2020 at 7:13 PM, g13webb said: I was fortunate to be there that night with Michael, when he totally destroyed Kenny Carter.. In both Golden Helmet races he won by the proverbial mile, each time breaking the track record. in the process. Such was his dominance that night, there was suggestion his bike was unlawfully quick. Following speedway for many years, I am always questioned about my opinion of top Riders, when I will always i say that Michael Lee was up there with the VERY BEST of all time.... I wish i had seen those races live both 2.0 victories at Halifax and Poole to beat Carter like that was no mean feat. He also went through the card that night at Halifax in a pairs meeting partnering Julian Parr..Also people forget Michael also defeated the great Gundersen in a defence if my memory is correct??? Michael was stripped of the title with his no shows against Kennett/ S.Moran( different years).?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wealdstone 3,454 Posted September 23, 2020 No doubt that a supreme talent threw his career away. Believe that he now thinks the same. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
g13webb 4,254 Posted September 25, 2020 (edited) On 9/23/2020 at 11:22 AM, Sidney the robin said: I wish i had seen those races live both 2.0 victories at Halifax and Poole to beat Carter like that was no mean feat. He also went through the card that night at Halifax in a pairs meeting partnering Julian Parr..Also people forget Michael also defeated the great Gundersen in a defence if my memory is correct??? Michael was stripped of the title with his no shows against Kennett/ S.Moran( different years).?? Sydney, ,I cant comment on the Moran clash, but was in the know in regard the the Kennett challenge. It had been planned that Michael was to ride in the first Moto-cross meeting after his father had acquired the reigns of ELSWORTH Moto-Park. Michael had cancelled lucrative meeting abroad just to be free to ride for his father as a promotion. Believing, Lee was free, the Speedway board instructed him to race against Kennett that same weekend . Michael explained it was not possible as he was booked elsewhere, but they wouldn't recognise moto-cross meeting as a excuse and wouldn't take no for an answer. All arrangements were put in place believing Lee would change his mind and ride both home and away legs. However, After winning the home leg 2-0 on the Saturday night, Michael gave the Helmut to Kennett to take home with him, telling him he would not be there for the return leg, because as he had promised he would be at the Elsworth meeting . So one has to believe that Eastbourne were aware that Lee was not going to race there. They could have let the fans know, had they wanted to be up front..... This whole sorry episode could and should have been avoided. The governing Powers should have been more understanding instead of taking a high handed approach, and no doubt Lee should have made the situation more public, but he was always of the impression that he was victimised. This will be remembered as just another notch that killed some interest we supporters had At the end of the day it was the fans who missed out again ... Edited September 25, 2020 by g13webb 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bunce 347 Posted September 25, 2020 When Michael won the World Championship, I was on holiday in Spain. Desperate to know the result, (in the days before mobile phones and the internet), I decided to place a phone call from my Spanish hotel reception to my Dad who was keeping an eye on the result in the newspaper. When he read me the result over the phone, I leapt out of the phone booth shouting Yes..yes...yes! The spanish girl on reception must have thought I was mad! Great days and such a talent on a bike. One wonders just what would have happened, had he really applied his skill to the sport. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sidney the robin 4,735 Posted September 25, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, g13webb said: Sydney, ,I cant comment on the Moran clash, but was in the know in regard the the Kennett challenge. It had been planned that Michael was to ride in the first Moto-cross meeting after his father had acquired the reigns of ELSWORTH Moto-Park. Michael had cancelled lucrative meeting abroad just to be free to ride for his father as a promotion. Believing, Lee was free, the Speedway board instructed him to race against Kennett that same weekend . Michael explained it was not possible as he was booked elsewhere, but they wouldn't recognise moto-cross meeting as a excuse and wouldn't take no for an answer. All arrangements were put in place believing Lee would change his mind and ride both home and away legs. However, After winning the home leg 2-0 on the Saturday night, Michael gave the Helmut to Kennett to take home with him, telling him he would not be there for the return leg, because as he had promised he would be at the Elsworth meeting . So one has to believe that Eastbourne were aware that Lee was not going to race there. They could have let the fans know, had they wanted to be up front..... This whole sorry episode could and should have been avoided. The governing Powers should have been more understanding instead of taking a high handed approach, and no doubt Lee should have made the situation more public, but he was always of the impression that he was victimised. This will be remembered as just another notch that killed some interest we supporters had At the end of the day it was the fans who missed out again ... Great post he was victimised no doubts about that and the referee Eglese was a total disgrace in the Kings Lynn v Poole incident in 1984.All the riders involved in that incident all wrote letters to the control board but there was no budging them they had a agenda.Look we all know Mike was no angel but he was a marked man the disgraceful decision to stop Mike riding in the 1984 British Final after his ban was reduced was scandalous.But you know what, as you said the paying speedway public were punished and robbed of seeing this unique talent perform. Edited September 25, 2020 by Sidney the robin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
racers and royals 8,696 Posted September 25, 2020 19 minutes ago, Sidney the robin said: Great post he was victimised no doubts about that and the referee Aglese was a total disgrace in the Kings Lynn v Poole incident in 1984.All the riders involved in that incident all wrote letters to the control board but there was no budging them they had a agenda.Look we all know Mike was no angel but he was a marked man the disgraceful decision to stop Mike riding in the 1984 British Final after his ban was reduced was scandalous.But you know what as you said the paying speedway public were punished and robbed of seeing this unique talent perform. I think the person was John Eglese. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sidney the robin 4,735 Posted September 25, 2020 37 minutes ago, racers and royals said: I think the person was John Eglese. Ah yes Royals god rest his soul but he was not a popular guy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
g13webb 4,254 Posted September 25, 2020 3 hours ago, Sidney the robin said: Great post he was victimised no doubts about that and the referee Eglese was a total disgrace in the Kings Lynn v Poole incident in 1984.All the riders involved in that incident all wrote letters to the control board but there was no budging them they had a agenda.Look we all know Mike was no angel but he was a marked man the disgraceful decision to stop Mike riding in the 1984 British Final after his ban was reduced was scandalous.But you know what, as you said the paying speedway public were punished and robbed of seeing this unique talent perform. Totally agree with you Sydney, That five year ban was a joke aimed solely to stop him riding. When his appeal was heard on the day of the British final , because the case was so fictitious, everyone assume it would be thrown out of court leaving him free to ride in the final that night. Hundred of supporters travelled to Coventry believing he would ride only to be informed over the loudspeaker, that the BSPA then concocted another offence against him with this time a 12 month ban instead of the five year one. It was so obvious to each and everyone one of us that they were out to get him no matter what........ I can personally name 6 people who travelled to that British final that night who, on hearing the announcement, packed up and went straight home, never to go to another speedway meeting again.... Since that day in question the belief of many Stars supporters have never been so keen as they were years gone by. When somebody Like Michael Lee comes along to grace our sport, one would have thought the powers in charge would do everything in their power to use situation to elevate this sport to greater heights, But it appeared these people were so jealous of his ability to enthral vast crowd they did their upmost to destroy him... Its no surprise, when thinking back 40 years, when we ruled the world, and this sport was compared with football , that we are now the poor relation when neither the fans nor the riders want to participate. and how much blame can be proportioned to the people who made all those dreadful decisions.... 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites