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Sidney the robin

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Posts posted by Sidney the robin

  1. Posted

    the biggest worry for me is that Jack Holder and Brady Kurtz are just accidents waiting to happen, hope I'm wrong but they're riding way above their capabilities.

    I think they are on that disgrace of a track a track prepared and both will have no problems.To ride that track last night i think you have to attack it which means you take more risks Fricke said it all for me last night.I have never seen him struggle on a bike like he did last night a great technical rider usually smooth he really was fighting with the bike all night.

  3. Posted · Edited by Sidney the robin

    In my speedway viewing days I saw Jack Parker and Eric Langton and base my assessment on that fact. And evidence indicates that Jack Milne was a brilliant rider. Hence why I included that trio in my list. But I admit Ivan Mauger did run them close for inclusion.

     

     

    But this is Ivan though, myself i was never a fan but i admired him and he took speedway to another level and his professionalism was second to none. I recon if you asked 10 real speedway fans i would be very surprised if 9/10 of those did not have him in there top 5 all about opinions though "gustix".😜

    • Like 1

  5. Posted

    True Sidney - but the calibre of his opposition has also to be considered in winning those Titles?

     

    Were all of the Americans racing in Europe involved in the Championships Bast won - I don't know. But if they weren't, it would surely make his achievement of seven Titles a bit suspect when it comes to being a truly great Rider.

     

    Don't you agree?

    Certainly WK quite right and those championships were never as strong as the ones to qualify for the tough Intrercontinental/Overseas round in the World championships.That round was so tough a graveyard for some i think only three qualified the same as the Australian Round.Riders like S.Moran, K.Moran,Autrey ,Sigalos,King,Schwartz missed out badly over the years.
    • Like 1

  7. Posted · Edited by Sidney the robin

    ​Posts keep hammering at Mike Bast for NOT racing in British/European speedway.

    A key factor is that he always made it clear that he had NO INTEREST IN DOING SO. It's as simple as that.

    He never made claims either that he wanted to be world champion.

    This again is from claims by various journalists and others over the years NOT MIKE BAST!!!

    But for some reason the facts outlined here do not seem to be grasped by British speedway supporters. :lol:

    I think all of us who have commented on Mike respect him as a rider i certainly do anyway no malice meant on my part. A 7 times USA champion that is one thing no one can ever take away from him.

  8. Posted

    Autrey came over in 73 and he didn't have a pot to p... in but that hunger and desire was there the same as Dewayne Keeter.At that time the BL was a tough baptism of fire for any newcomer really hard different tracks and conditions and it was a team sport as well.I do actually think Bast would of done well here the talent was there i think he had good equipment but we shall never know now.

  9. Posted

    Adam for team GB...

     

    Individual U21's, missed out of qualifying by 1 point,

     

    European pairs, got team GB into the final with a 6 ride 18 point maximum

     

    U21 SWC, equal top scored with Lambert (12 points) to help team GB reach it's first final in 10 years

     

    2nd in the british U21 final.

     

    Yes his season in the UK hasn't been brilliant but what more would he have do do to be picked?

     

    If Lambert is out of this weekend would you still think one of your suggestions would be a better bet ?

    Myself personally i would of gone with Bates/Bewley for the U21 spot but eh that is great that Rossiter is showing faith and loyalty in your lad.But did he show the same loyalty to Danny King ? ok now if Robert is out he might have to bring Danny back in.

  11. Posted

    In the Bast years i would say S.Bast Sexton ,R.Woods,Christian, were the best local americans. Woods did have a stint at Newport was settling in nicely then went home after a dispute but all those last named three could of done well in England i believe.

  12. Posted · Edited by Sidney the robin

    Be that as it may, Mike Bast did not impress in that World Championship qualifier at the White City. But also remember that he did not follow the same path as Bruce Penal because HE WAS NOT INTERESTED in riding in Europe. He was earning far more by racing in the USA, had a business and very importantly a family consider. And obviously a California life style has great attractions.

    Speedway-wise on USA tracks he was able to match the best visitors from the rest of the world - a fact both Barry Briggs and Ivan Mauger have testified to elsewhere over the years.

    Most of those meetings though in reality Mauger,Briggo,PC (ect) for them it was a kind of working mans holiday of course they tried but it was not that important.What i would like to know is how many times did Bast actually enter the World Championship we know 1977.I know he entered other years and i think he relinquished his place once or twice.I am sure he had a few laps at Wimbledon one year and i beieved he was going to sign for them but it did not materialise.In 1977 before White City i know he was angry as he was promised laps after meetings but it did not happen so i will give him the benefit of the doubt there regarding White City.

  13. Posted

    I dont see why any of the top stars would do England again why would they it is a micky mouse league.Maybe if a few had a few weeks spare at the end of the year they might be tempted if the money was right.Doyley i believe has signed a two year deal but it would not surprise me if he did drop England. Our days of ruling the roost and having the best league are long gone never to return in my opinion.That is why i would be in favour of one big league but as we all know we have people in English speedway who cannot work together. Some think only of there own self interests and not the sport in this country as a whole a shame but true.

  17. Posted · Edited by Sidney the robin

    So Doyley is back in a cast, foot looks painful (he posted a pic this morning) Personally I can't see him riding until Cardiff now (I could of course be wrong). That leaves us with a massive headache. 6 matches before then. Surely a 28 day replacement will be required?! What I would do is sign Zengi, this would move Nick to 1 (would allow for a guest on Thursday as oppose to RR) we would then have about 6 points to replace Gappmaier, would mean hoping it all works out by the time Doyle is fit to return.

    A really good idea hope you are right i fear for Thursday's meeting we could get walloped.

  19. Posted · Edited by Sidney the robin

    I was in Gothenberg in 1977 when Peter Collins finished second with a badly broken leg that contained 300 stitches after clipping a grid cover at Hyde Road very close to the world final, he could have actually won it only for a rerun in atrocious weather. Not only was he on crutches but had to be lifted on and off his bike, so not really amazing how Doyle was able to race really.

    Carter at Oxford he was in a wheelchair was he not in between races.?

    yep .no bother though , the young poles have long memories , through rose tinted glasses brave and reckless look exactly the same .

     

    Wont phase Doyle though he is a grinder as well as being a class act a great example to others believe in yourself work hard and anything is possible.

  20. Posted

    Bear in mind Sidney the robin that the opinions of Scott Daloisio are coming from an American perspective. They originally appeared in an American publication. Daloisio writes as he has seen Bast and the others active against each other on American tracks, not speculating on how they might have shown against each other in other parts of the world.

    Remember that achieving his multi-US National Championship victories, Bast accomplished these in meetings where American riders who had featured strongly in the European season, returned to challenge for the title and were ultimately outpaced by him.

    What would be interesting i cant be bothered to look back,maybe it could be on Brian Collins website?? was his record at Ascot.? On the little technical tracks yes what a force he would of been but what about the big uns like at Belle Vue,Swindon,Halifax,Sheffield,White City ( outclassed in 77 Penhall was competetive Bast had a superior pedigree to Penhall then) Exeter.All those answers niggle away Penhall and Hancock are two examples without England they would of never of been world champions in my view.

    Can only imagine this journalist is 'respected' in the same way old duffer John Hyam might be 'respected'.Ever decreasing circle,springs to mind

    I do respect Mr Hyam;s opinion and he has made a very good case from the Americans perspective.
    • Like 1

  21. Posted

    Scott Daloisio is a leading photographer and journalist on the USA's West Coast. He has many years experience in American speedway and much respected. In the introduction to the article it was said that his opinions could stimulate much debate and that certainly appears to be the case, especially in view of his comments re Mike Bast.

    So far as the rider is concerned, he had no interest in riding in speedway outside the USA. Professionally it would have been of no financial benefit. And with a family and business interests in California there was good reason to stay away from racing for example in Britain.

    ​There is to some extent a blinkered opinion that participation in British speedway is 'a must' for any rider seeing world glory. In recent years, that has been proven by several riders - Greg Hancck and Tai Woffnden - and it just simple logic that Bast was of much the same opinion.

    Basically, the fact is that 'all the benefits of world speedway achievement' are derived from a career in Britsh speedway. In these modern times, that is no longer the case. Bast was just a forerunner of that outlook. And while it persists the current problems surrounding the sport in Britain will not in my view g away but increase.

    Sadly comments that are unrelated to expressing views on 'the greatest 5 Americans ever' but an opinion that needs to be clarified.

    I actually dont take this blokes opinion to seriously to be honest i listen to the likes of Briggs/Mauger and they both rated Bast so that was good anough for me.Also most of us on here respect Bast i certainly do and from interviews seems like a really nice bloke.But to put Bast in front of Autrey and Sigalos for me is a big slur on those two those two did it against world class riders Bast did not.Also i find the Muller/Bast comparison amazing Muller was World Class most of us on my bus who went to Norden in 83 had him favourite we all wanted him in the sweep stake.Bast say for example if he had qualfied for the Coliseum in 1982 and this is my own opinion only even with a month's practice on that track he still would not of been good anough to be World Champion i am convinced of that.The reasons for that is he had not got the experience for one and had not learned the ropes and paid his dues.
    • Like 1

  22. Posted

    some great races up to heat 20 . and the first 2 laps of semi 1 ,then I switched off as soon as Doyle barged his way through once again . Pleased to see the final result that he didn't make the rostrum . nice to see Emil back at his best , hope for more from him and the rest of the Europeans in the remaining GPs

     

    Barged really ? did he do anything illegal ? he was brave thats it he will be the 2017 World Champion.
    • Like 1

  23. Posted

    This is how Mike Bast was rated by its author Scott Dalosio in the American article (see first quote).

    "If this list was just on talent alone, Mike Bast would be at the top of it. Bast was so good, he was almost boring to watch. His gating was amazing, and his form was absolutely flawless. He parlayed that combination into hundreds of main event wins, seven U.S. National championships and six California State titles. Bast chose not to go overseas because he was raising a young family, had business interests and was making too much money riding in California. Had he gone overseas, he probably would have been a multi-time World Champion and started a World War or two."[/size]

    I dont know who this Dalosio bloke is but what he has said here is way off the mark most of us on here know Bast was talented but he didnt go and prove himself.He stayed in his safety zone beat the locals it was a big disapointment to me that Bast did not come to Britain Wimbledon would of been ideal for him.As for this Dalosio bloke where is AUTREY. SiGALOS, in the list it is staggering and as for this quote Bast would of been multi time world champion he is deluded.
    • Like 1

  24. Posted · Edited by Sidney the robin

    Bollocks !

     

    His first outing was at Coatbridge on on 27/4/73 against Cradley.

     

    He beat Bruce Cribb in his first race for his solitary point.

     

    Was a bit hairy but wasn't afraid to wind it on.

     

    As Max Boyce would say : "I was there" ;)

    He was not very hairy at the Abbey he scored a big fat 0 😜🤓

  25. Posted · Edited by Sidney the robin

    Egon Muller never rode a home match for us , he was gone after two away matches . Christer Sjosten was a cracking little rider . Hampden was much bigger than Coatbridge , Sidney , though Coatbridge was exciting with high bankings much like the Shay

    World Championship rounds have been held there 1971 the last one ??? Briggs eliminated it was big forgot that getting old😂 i suppose West Ham would be one of the bigger english tracks along with Crewe.
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