stratton 1,491 Posted December 25, 2015 (edited) I was a huge Bruce fan and no doubt his rivalry with KC was good for the sport. Don't agree with riders racing with broken legs, danger to others. Couldn't ride for their team in British league but "fit" to ride in world championships rounds. You declare yourself fit to ride in both or none.I will never forget the Oxford round how driven he was to compete, he really wanted to be Champion badly the weird thing is if he had ever reached his goal i think he would of been a good WC. Edited December 25, 2015 by sidney Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
topsoil 2,498 Posted December 25, 2015 I was a huge Bruce fan and no doubt his rivalry with KC was good for the sport. Don't agree with riders racing with broken legs, danger to others. Couldn't ride for their team in British league but "fit" to ride in world championships rounds. You declare yourself fit to ride in both or none. How many times do you see this today as well, when riders are not fit enough to ride in league racing but are okay to compete in the GP? It's a part of the sport which I don't like, but Britain has fallen down the pecking order so much for these "top" riders. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phillipsr 2,057 Posted December 25, 2015 How many times do you see this today as well, when riders are not fit enough to ride in league racing but are okay to compete in the GP? It's a part of the sport which I don't like, but Britain has fallen down the pecking order so much for these "top" riders. I never understand people who question it, Riders want to be the best they can be 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
g13webb 4,254 Posted December 27, 2015 Was privileged to have seen Kenny Carter race many times. Being a Lee supporter, we always gave biased opinions on other greats, thinking Mike was the best . To me, early on, Carter was just a Kid from Yorkshire, trying to measure up at that time. Remembering a night in '83, when accompanying Mike to Halifax for the Golden Helmut. That night Lee was on fire and demolished all Carter efforts. I seem to remember Lee broke the track record in the process, as he won both races by the proverbial mile. But that was a far cry to the person I saw at Coventry winning the British Final on a sodden track with a broken leg. In a meeting when everyone wanted to cancel, Carter really came of age to me when he resisting all those trying to persuade him not to ride. I thought this man has some guts, and for that I held my hand up in support. He became Box office and was a marked man every where he rode. His friends were few and far between since that British Final , but he never faltered. and for that I admired him. I believe his confrontations with Penhall was stage managed for the benefit of Penhall. Ivan Mauger was aware of Kenny's talent and agree to managed him with the sole intentions of making him the world's No 1. Carter was that good. The final chapter of his life was a real shame, for everyone. I could never contemplate, what would drive a man to do Kenny's final act . I hope I never find that out, but it doesn't stop me feeling sorrow for all those concerned. Such a waste of life............ 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,246 Posted December 27, 2015 (edited) A very good post! I was never a Carter fan, I have to admit, but he obviously had a massive talent...trouble was that injuries at crucial moments during his career didn't help him achieve the ultimate goal. Would he have become World Champion if those awful events hadn't taken place? I don't know but, personally, I felt that his best opportunity was in Los Angeles and if only he hadn't allowed his over bearing father to dictate events in the pits things may well have been different. Would he have made a good World Champion? Can't answer that. Edited December 27, 2015 by steve roberts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shale Searcher 1,264 Posted December 27, 2015 Was privileged to have seen Kenny Carter race many times. Being a Lee supporter, we always gave biased opinions on other greats, thinking Mike was the best . To me, early on, Carter was just a Kid from Yorkshire, trying to measure up at that time. Remembering a night in '83, when accompanying Mike to Halifax for the Golden Helmut. That night Lee was on fire and demolished all Carter efforts. I seem to remember Lee broke the track record in the process, as he won both races by the proverbial mile. But that was a far cry to the person I saw at Coventry winning the British Final on a sodden track with a broken leg. In a meeting when everyone wanted to cancel, Carter really came of age to me when he resisting all those trying to persuade him not to ride. I thought this man has some guts, and for that I held my hand up in support. He became Box office and was a marked man every where he rode. His friends were few and far between since that British Final , but he never faltered. and for that I admired him. I believe his confrontations with Penhall was stage managed for the benefit of Penhall. Ivan Mauger was aware of Kenny's talent and agree to managed him with the sole intentions of making him the world's No 1. Carter was that good. The final chapter of his life was a real shame, for everyone. I could never contemplate, what would drive a man to do Kenny's final act . I hope I never find that out, but it doesn't stop me feeling sorrow for all those concerned. Such a waste of life............ Is there a meeting video anywhere on YouTube or anywhere else on the interweb for that British Final? The wet one!! I was at work and could not get to that one..... Cheers, Shale Searcher Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,246 Posted December 27, 2015 (edited) Is there a meeting video anywhere on YouTube or anywhere else on the interweb for that British Final? The wet one!! I was at work and could not get to that one..... Cheers, Shale Searcher I have a copy of the highlights of the 1984 British Final on DVD. I obtained a copy from fellow poster 'Moxey63' who maybe able to help you out? Edited December 27, 2015 by steve roberts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shale Searcher 1,264 Posted December 27, 2015 I have a copy of the highlights of the 1984 British Final on DVD. I obtained a copy from fellow poster 'Moxey63' who maybe able to help you out? Thanks.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foamfence 2,917 Posted December 27, 2015 Is there a meeting video anywhere on YouTube or anywhere else on the interweb for that British Final? The wet one!! I was at work and could not get to that one..... Cheers, Shale Searcher https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFOJ1m0F_yU 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Derwent 271 Posted December 27, 2015 From purely a speedway perspective, there was no more entertaining sight on a bike than Kenny Carter in full flow. I know the mists of time can cloud our memories somewhat but at times he could be absolutely mesmerising on the track. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OGT 612 Posted December 27, 2015 Carter was the only rider I'd go to another track just to watch. He was a bums on seat star and as has someone else said, how speedway could do with that today. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shale Searcher 1,264 Posted December 27, 2015 Do you think that speedway is becoming sanitised..? Riders not honour lapping, having to remain still at the start line, not frequenting track bars after racing, constant apologies from its broadcaster when agricultural language is used, and when a rider breaks this new breed of cleaner than clean sportsmanlike behaved rider mould, certain sections of the sports global fanbase get offended not only themselves, but on everybody else's behalf!! Doesn't provide the right environmental conditions to breed controversial characters... Talented or not talented. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
g13webb 4,254 Posted December 28, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFOJ1m0F_yU Thanks; It sure brought back a few memories. Look at how big the crowd was on a wet day..... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shale Searcher 1,264 Posted December 28, 2015 Thanks; It sure brought back a few memories. Look at how big the crowd was on a wet day..... Yea, me too... But was that actually much different to what we get served up today? Obviously it was a far better field, but it was a proper World Championship qualifying round.. Big crowd, no laydowns, Kevlars, Airfences, "jumpers for goalposts" type of memories... But was it better racing? I'm not so sure.. Thanks for the link though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lestrade1983 3 Posted December 29, 2015 i would like to thank you all for you input. As i said at the begginning of th epost i was 18 months old when the tragic events took place. All i wanted was people personal views which i have got thank you 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
