Robbie B 262 Posted March 18, 2013 Ivan is a true legend of the sport and I wish him all the very best in his retirement. Many thanks for all the of the great memories. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Graham C 10 Posted March 18, 2013 Even as a Cradley fan, he was one of my all time favourite riders. Here's a couple of magic moments. At Monmore riding for Exeter he was the victim of a ragged start and after a great deal of arm waving to the referee he finally got under way with the other three going into the third turn. You can guess the rest.....there was only going to be one winner. Then at Perry Barr, after sufering a first race defeat to Andy Grahame and getting stick for being 'past it' nobody got near him for the rest of the night and he shepherded Bobby Beaton home in the last race for a match winning 5-1 for Hull. Have a great retirement Ivan. Without doubt the greatest ever and the man who brought a new level of professionalism to the sport, which the likes of Olsen, Penhall, Gundersen and Nielsen all learnt from. I remember that night very well - Mauger got a well deserved standing ovation from the Perry Barr faithful. In over 40 years of watching speedway I don't think there is another rider who comes anywhere near him in terms of team riding skill. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stratton 1,491 Posted March 18, 2013 Great rider and at his peak and as somebody else said you didn't expect him to lose.So professional i see him ride at Poole once for the falcons 1974 he was awesome he wore flash White leathers.Have a great retirement Ivan with Rae good luck in the future. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
waiheke1 4,295 Posted March 19, 2013 (edited) a true great, an absolute speedway and New Zealand sporting legend. Hopefully he is well enough to get along to Western Springs and enjoy the GP this coming weekend. all the best for the future to Ivan and family Edited March 19, 2013 by waihekeaces1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PHILIPRISING 7,298 Posted March 19, 2013 a true great, an absolute speedway and New Zealand sporting legend. Hopefully he is well enough to get along to Western Springs and enjoy the GP this coming weekend. all the best for the future to Ivan and family a true great, an absolute speedway and New Zealand sporting legend. Hopefully he is well enough to get along to Western Springs and enjoy the GP this coming weekend. all the best for the future to Ivan and family SADLY he won't be there... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FAST GATER 853 Posted March 19, 2013 My all time favourite it's all been said hope he has many quiet happy years ahead of him the "bench mark" for ALL that followed him best wishes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Henllys 9 Posted March 19, 2013 Ivan was one of the best rider to enter speedway and was way ahead of his time, he was a true professional in all aspects of the sport and a model to anybody coming into the sport. Ivan's name was up there amongst the top sportsmen in his hey day all the best wishes for the future Ivan & Rae. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
moxey63 1,785 Posted March 19, 2013 Not many riders in modern day speedway would retain such interest - never mind when they are still actively racing... let alone retired for 30 years. Ivan came from an era we're never likely to witness again... and the likes of the great man, especally on track, we'll possibly never witness again. Here's wishing he has a wonderful retirement from public life. Thank you for the memories, Ivan... the first iconic rider of my learning years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spencebel 181 Posted March 19, 2013 I was one of the lucky ones, to see him ride for my team Belle Vue Aces...... what a rider, and a gentleman.. Enjoy your retirement from public life. All the best Ivan & Rae & Family. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
topaz325 1,859 Posted March 19, 2013 Only saw him once when he came to Workington in a Four team tournament with Hull, wandered in the pits after the meet and watched him tinker with his bike, only in Speedway. Best wishes Ivan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
full-throttle 182 Posted March 19, 2013 wishing Ivan a happy retirement and hopefully he'll rest enough to get over his recent ill health Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nw42 2,048 Posted March 19, 2013 (edited) I was also one of the lucky ones, although I was introduced to speedway at around 5y/o I only really became a proper young supporter in 69/70, aged 10, it was Hyde Rd every Saturday with my dad. Soren Sjosten was my favourite rider back then but obviously I was aware of Ivan's qualities, you pick up on different aspects when you're a kid, like which riders sign your autograph book in the pits after the meeting, got to say I had Ivan's signature more than any other, he always obliged even though he was always in a rush, no doubt off to the continent for a Sunday Long Track, I can distinctly remember marvelling at his accent when he spoke with anyone in the pits, he was probably the first 'foreigner' I'd ever heard speak in real life, apart from Taffy Owen of course but I couldn't tell a word he said. For me it was a case of not knowing what you've got until it's gone, the season following Ivan's enforced move to Exeter was completely different, we weren't so invincible anymore, we'd just won the League 3 times on the trot, I'd love to know how few times he was beaten round Hyde Rd during those 3 seasons. Thanks so much for the memories Ivan, hope you enjoy many more restful years. Edited March 19, 2013 by nw42 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
