kaiser

I've only recently just seen that race of Eriks in the 85 pairs. It's proper balls to the wall stuff, I remember John Berry mentioned it in his book. I think it's on youtube somewhere. Its definitely shows Erik wasn't just a traper like Hans lol!!!!

Hi guys, not posted on here for years. However i look at comments from time to time. Their is an interesting interview with Lance on youtube, from this year. He basically admits he wasn't exactly disappointed Erik won that race. Tbh it looks pretty obvious he clamps Shawn down on the inside going into the 4th bend. Don't get me wrong Gunder was a terrific rider and deserved it on the day, but he definitely got some help. It's well documented Sam and Lance didn't get on. Anyway I'm off, see you all in another 10 years lol!!!!Well worth watching that interview, you might just change your opinions.

Both the Moran bros, also Pc and Mort (heat 13 at Hyde Road simply awesome). Sudden Sam along with Foxy Smith, not suprising that most of these guys were pretty poor gaters (with the exception of Shooey and Sam who could occasionally make a decent start). Cowboy Cook was always great to watch, with his crazy leg trailing antics!!!The B52 Peter Carr was always good value at Sheffield as well. The only dane that i could class as exciting in this era is Jan O, the rest were to busy getting rollers and winning everything in sight!!!!!

AS an Aces fan Mort and PC were phenomenal (god knows how many 5-1 they got in heat 13!!). Bobby Schwartz was one of the best team riders ever, always looked like he had eyes in the back of his helmet!!!Also i remember a certain Tatum and Knudsen being very prolific for the bees in the 80s!!!Shooey and Jellyman were probably the most exciting i ever watched be it for Sheffield or BV. Sadly you dont tend to see as much team riding these days. although of the current generation Ward and Holder are pretty special (even if i does pain me to say so!!!!).

WHAT!!!!Screeny was 20 times more gifted than Carter??Utter tosh, dont get me wrong as an aces fan Joe was a great great talent (having seen him as a kid in 89). But he wasnt in the same league as Carter (just watch his ride against PC and Les in the 84 British Final). KC was probably one of the most natural gifted riders of his generation FACT!!!

Every rider has an off day(well apart from the main dane!!!). We sure missed him in the 85 world team cup final(we were shambolic!!!!). Dont get me wrong as Aces fan i never supported KC (i remember when he virtually ended PC career!!!). But as i remember and i was only a kid at the time, he seemed the only Brit capable of giving them a run for there money,on a weekly basis. If races would have lasted 5 laps mighty mort would have beaten them all

Having just started watching speedway at the begining of the 80s, i was fortunate to see a fare amount of Carter be it at Hyde road or the Shay. KC was world class make no mistake of that. I remember him winning back to back BLRCs (when the line up was tougher than most world finals).He was Englands main man in the 80s, and the only brit capable of beating the top danes and yanks on a consistant basis. People allow there personal opinion of Carter, to cloud there judgement of him as a rider, both have to be seperated. As a person he was a murderer and a killer who orphaned his children, but as a speedway rider he really was top line(just watch the 84 British final!!!).

Having starting watching speedway in the early 80s, i feel pretty fortunate to have seen some great test series during that era. As previously mentioned the England vs USA 5th test from Sheffield was something special (even for an 8yr old!!!!). I remember it was jam packed, they even ran out of progs!!!!

Great news Tony, long overdue having Shooey as cover man. Love to know who was his hardest opponent he rode against, plus what happened to his leathers for the 1990 world team cup final (remember him using some dodgy reserves leathers!!!! ). Oh and tell the miracle worker were looking forward to seeing him at Belle Vue this season!!!!!!

Total mistake by myself, thats what happens when i try multi tasking(watching the superbowl while typing my list ) Billy will have to slot in around no6!!!Remember one of the first times i watched him was the overseas final in 83, when the track resembled a bog!!!Billy had the title in the bag, until his last heat when trying to blast around the outside on the final bend, where he fell/slid off, gifting the title too Phil Collins i believe?(i was only 8 at the time!!).Always liked him after that, as he gave 110%. My major reason for picking Ravn is purely down too individual bias, in that i watched him race more for BV than Larry(i only started going to BV in 82!!).Some other close calls are Kai Niemi Armando Gastagna and Preben Eriksen. Good to see my hero Shooey high up in everybodys list, as JB had him around 10th!!!in backtrack

Ok here goes, my best johnny foreigners of the 80s. 1.Hans Nielsen(world champ 3 times in the decade and came mighty close in 85 and 88. The rider of the 80s). 2.Erik Gundersen (three world titles and numerous team and pairs golds with the all dominant danes!!). 3.Bruce Penhall(two quick world titles along with a world team cup and pairs win, could have won in 83 as well). 4.Shooey Moran(consistantly at the top throughout the decade, just a shame he didnt make enough world finals!!!). 5.Tommy Knudsen(match winner for the Danes in the 85 world team cup, also really unlucky in the 86 final, when Hans clattered into him!!). 6.Sam Ermolenko(shock 3rd place in 85 but just got better and better as the decade progressed). 7.Jan O Pedersen(similar to Sam improved greatly as the decade concluded, as proven by his BLRC win in 88). 8.Dennis Sigalos(so unlucky with that ankle injury when just about at his peak otherwise he would have won a world title). 9.Jellyman Moran(most exciting rider ive ever seen, pretty good record in world finals considering his gating wasnt great!!). 10.Jan Andersen(Swedens outstanding rider of the decade and Readings No1 of the 80s). 11.Lance King(came close to winning it in 84 after getting a max in the overseas final, never really kicked on though). 12.Cowboy Cook(similar to Kelly unbelievable on a bike, out and out entertainer!!). 13.Mitch Shirra(The best Kiwi of the decade, also won an Overseas final added with numerous world final appearances). 14.Phil Crump(sure he wasnt the force of the previous decade, but still Swindons best rider for most of the 80s). 15.Bobby Schwartz(how the hell he never made a world ind final!!!Still one of the best team captains ever, a real team player!!). 16.Per Johnsson(as the decade finished he was Swendens top rider, so unlucky with injury as im sure he could have won another world title). 17.Jimmy Nielsen(along with Per took the mantle as the dominant force for Sweden by the end of the decade, also bit underated in my opinion). 18.Peter Ravn(never one of the top danes but was a match winner in the 83 final, also never let BV down). 19.Egon Muller(83 win, but thats about it, more of a longtracker in my view). 20.Bo Pedersen (Heat leader for Hackney often overlooked for Denmark due to there indepth quality).

Cheers for info Rob, the guy was sure consistant. Plus it was in a very competitive league full of geniuine world class riders, unlike the current watered down EL!!!I was shocked with Kev Jollys average in 1980, as i only really remember him at Peterborough in the mid 80s as a NL heat leader(man he was hard in them 4tt finals!!!).

Look at Nielsens average in 86!!!Blimmey the guy must have hardly dropped a point all season!!! No wonder i used to boo him, just shows what a class act he was, top of the averages virtually throughout the decade, even in 1980 when he must have only been about 12

I dont really understand how anyone can consider any second division riders for this list.For the recond what was Mr Lawsons record in British finals?? Now im sure he was a very good NL rider, but lets be honest he wasnt in the same league as riders like Carter/Morton and Wigg. To be considered one of the best, surely you need to be competing week in week out against the very best in your chosen field. If anything it shows a lack of ambition from certain riders, who were happy to pick up easy pickings season after season, instead of having ago against the big boys in the BL.

Guess its all down to opinions, you do make a valid point ref Carters qualifying rounds, although he was usually partly injured/knackered!!!Broken leg in 84 overseas and 85 intercontinental. Came close in 85 overseas, but for a great cut back from the mighty Shooey!!! One rider i didnt submit (well forgot!!) is Richard Knight, probably worthy of making the top 20 really. Just shows how many genuine class riders we had in the decade, sadly something thats lacking at the moment!!

For things see think and vice versa!!!!

Come on thats hardly Carters fault, Halifax were a one man team, he had virtually no backup!!!Only reason to watch Halifax was to watch KC!!Well that and the shay was a top racing track. Two BLRCs (when it was a meeting worth winning!!!). Two British finals in the decade (did anyone win any more than 2 over the 80s??). That said im still shocked that someone things J Davis should be ranked third!!! I must have spent the decade in some sort of parrell universe, biggest think JD did in the 80s was wear PINK leathers!!!!!

Ok here goes, my top 20 brits of the 80s. 1. Kenny Carter (and i used to boo him!!!). But man he was fast. 2. Chris Morton (great rider, not sure about manager!!!). 3. Mike Lee (never saw him at his peak as i started going end of 82, but having since watched the 80 final, he was awesome. 4. Simon Wigg (the most complete motorcyclist of all time, be it on shale or grass). 5. Peter Collins (not as dominant as in the previous decade, but a world team cup win and three pairs titles puts him up there. 6. Kelvin Tatum (ok he was a start tart!!but for a large part of the decade he was one of the few brits that could mix it with those pesky Danes!!). Also our last world team cup championship winning skipper!!! 7. Jem Doncaster (world number three and world team cup winner, great team man at Ippo and Reading). 8. Marvyn Cox (always thought Marv would have gone further on the world stage, but boy could he go at the old hyde road, plus as a world under 21 champ, he gets my vote). 9. Andy FOXY Smith (ok im a bit biased as he was one of my favs as a kid, remember thinking he was certain to be a multi world champion, still great to watch, very much in the Collins Mort mould. 10. Alan Grahme (sure he was never a superstar, but as team man he was second to non, a Cradley legend, god knows how many 5-1s he got the Heathens with Phil Collins. 11. Les Collins (strange that Les was only a the very top for a few years, otherwise he would be much higher on my list, close to ultimate glory in 82, im also sure he won a BLRC??). 12. Phil Collins (remember him winning an overseas final at hyde road, the track was like a sodding bog!!). Very similar in style and action to his older more illustrious brother PC. Another Cradley stalwart. 13. Simon Cross (very unlucky with injuries as i feel he could have gone even further, great to watch). 14. Andy Grahame (more of a gater than his brother Al, but 82 british champion and close again in 83 gets him on the list). 15. Martin Duggard (not everyones cup of tea, but he really impressed me when he moved to Oxford, and did the business, pretty hard rider as well!!!). 16. Peter B52 Carr (the bomber, he actually improved when he left BV for Sheffield!!man he could fly at Owleton). 17. Dave Jessup (probably should be higher, but by the time i started going DJ was on the wane, his best years were in the 70s, although a world team cup win and no2 to Lee in 80, probably proves im doing him an injustice!!At number 17!!!). 18. Andy Silver (NL Legend, never made the mark at world level, but man he could hang off a bike!!Rubbish at gating but would find lines, other riders couldnt!!). 19. John Davis (never a huge fan, but he was always consistant, made the most of his talent, as i dont think he could be classed as a natural.) 20. Paul Thorp (if Hyde road would have remained Thorpy would have become an aces legend, he was awesome around there in 87, pitty he was so bad at Kirky lane, did a sterling job at Odsal with Bradford). Ok thats it, boy my fingers are hurting, pretty sure ive missed out someone but hey thats life!!!

Ok here goes, my top 20 brits of the 80s. 1. Kenny Carter (and i used to boo him!!!). But man he was fast. 2. Chris Morton (great rider, not sure about manager!!!). 3. Mike Lee (never saw him at his peak as i started going end of 82, but having since watched the 80 final, he was awesome. 4. Simon Wigg (the most complete motorcyclist of all time, be it on shale or grass). 5. Peter Collins (not as dominant as in the previous decade, but a world team cup win and three pairs titles puts him up there. 6. Kelvin Tatum (ok he was a start tart!!but for a large part of the decade he was one of the few brits that could mix it with those pesky Danes!!). Also our last world team cup championship winning skipper!!! 7. Jem Doncaster (world number three and world team cup winner, great team man at Ippo and Reading). 8. Marvyn Cox (always thought Marv would have gone further on the world stage, but boy could he go at the old hyde road, plus as a world under 21 champ, he gets my vote). 9. Andy FOXY Smith (ok im a bit biased as he was one of my favs as a kid, remember thinking he was certain to be a multi world champion, still great to watch, very much in the Collins Mort mould. 10. Alan Grahme (sure he was never a superstar, but as team man he was second to non, a Cradley legend, god knows how many 5-1s he got the Heathens with Phil Collins. 11. Les Collins (strange that Les was only a the very top for a few years, otherwise he would be much higher on my list, close to ultimate glory in 82, im also sure he won a BLRC??). 12. Phil Collins (remember him winning an overseas final at hyde road, the track was like a sodding bog!!). Very similar in style and action to his older more illustrious brother PC. Another Cradley stalwart. 13. Simon Cross (very unlucky with injuries as i feel he could have gone even further, great to watch). 14. Andy Grahame (more of a gater than his brother Al, but 82 british champion and close again in 83 gets him on the list). 15. Martin Duggard (not everyones cup of tea, but he really impressed me when he moved to Oxford, and did the business, pretty hard rider as well!!!). 16. Peter B52 Carr (the bomber, he actually improved when he left BV for Sheffield!!man he could fly at Owleton). 17. Dave Jessup (probably should be higher, but by the time i started going DJ was on the wane, his best years were in the 70s, although a world team cup win and no2 to Lee in 80, probably proves im doing him an injustice!!At number 17!!!). 18. Andy Silver (NL Legend, never made the mark at world level, but man he could hang off a bike!!Rubbish at gating but would find lines, other riders couldnt!!). 19. John Davis (never a huge fan, but he was always consistant, made the most of his talent, as i dont think he could be classed as a natural.) 20. Paul Thorp (if Hyde road would have remained Thorpy would have become an aces legend, he was awesome around there in 87, pitty he was so bad at Kirky lane, did a sterling job at Odsal with Bradford). Ok thats it, boy my fingers are hurting, pretty sure ive missed out someone but hey thats life!!!

What about Lance King we hear very little about him after speedway. Also the Morans, be nice to see something about the Jellyman and hopefully his recovery after his recent ongoing scare with ill health. Peter Ravn and Peter Carr would also be interesting, i believe the B52 is in the motor trade through a friend of a friend!!Anyway keep up the good work, i thought the Jan O piece was top!!!!

Yeah i remember that, it was the 1983 fifth and final deciding test, PC was unstoppable that day, im sure he got a max. One of the bussiest meetings ive ever been too, i didnt even get a programme as they had run out!!!! Still my dad bought me an air horn so i was more than happy!!!!

Sadly i only started going to BV in 1982, when PC was coming to the later stages of his career (still brilliant at hyde road though). So i never watched him at his peak, my dad watched him in the early 70s and said he was just unbelievable passing top riders for fun. For me Mort was my hero around BV, as between 82-87 he was probably at his peak, i just wish id been around too have seen PC in full flight in the 70s. You only have to watch the 76 world final to realise he was a fantastic rider, his natural abillity deserved more than 1 world title, although im pretty sure if it hadnt been for a broken leg in 77 he would have won another(well thats what my dad says and thats good enough for me!!!). PC still looked pretty good when he did a few laps at the 80th anniversary last year, we even joked he could have done a job at reserve in the current team!!!!