TonyMac 720 Posted July 7, 2021 In issue 105 of Backtrack we'll be looking back at riders from the 70s and 80s who quit early at a relatively young age, for reasons not directly related to serious injury, in 'They Retired Too Soon'. Which riders would YOU include in this bracket? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deano 1,318 Posted July 7, 2021 For me Bruce Penhall. Speedway was a big loser when he retired. We could do with a few more like him these days. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arnieg 3,643 Posted July 7, 2021 (edited) Dag Lovaas was only 25 during his final British season (1976), having reached the world final in 1974 and won the league with a 10pt+ average in 1973 riding for Reading. He also averaged over 10 for Hackney (74) and Oxford (75). I believe his retirement was complete and he did not ride domestically after leaving British speedway. Edited July 7, 2021 by arnieg 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyMac 720 Posted July 7, 2021 49 minutes ago, arnieg said: Dag Lovaas was only 25 during his final British season (1976), having reached the world final in 1974 and won the league with a 10pt+ average in 1973 riding for Reading. He also averaged over 10 for Hackney (74) and Oxford (75). I believe his retirement was complete and he did not ride domestically after leaving British speedway. As Dag told Backtrack many years ago, he lost his nerve after a series of nasty crashes. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
salty 2,202 Posted July 7, 2021 Penhall the obvious one as is the aforementioned Dag. In terms of his English career what about Ulf Lovaas? Others to consider....Jim Airey (again in terms of his British career), Dave Shields, Wayne Brown, David Biles, Dave Tyler. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,246 Posted July 8, 2021 (edited) Bjorn Knutsson of Sweden who became World Champion in 1965 and retired in 1966 I believe? Brian Crutcher another candidate who retired while still in his twenties. Edited July 8, 2021 by steve roberts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sidney the robin 4,735 Posted July 8, 2021 11 hours ago, salty said: Penhall the obvious one as is the aforementioned Dag. In terms of his English career what about Ulf Lovaas? Others to consider....Jim Airey (again in terms of his British career), Dave Shields, Wayne Brown, David Biles, Dave Tyler. All these salty are spot on Airey said he retired from British speedway because he knew after 1971 that he he would never become world champion.Dag I believe was like the great Shawn Moran just lost his nerve tried everything to get it back but nature took over.Shields and Brown (RIP ) we’re both terrific talents such a shame we couldn’t get to see how far they could of got in the sport.A great disappointment of mine was Scott Autrey wanted him to comeback so much in 1984 for the falcons to redeem himself. At Poole he still showed he had real class and what a rider he was at the County ground awesome. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,246 Posted July 8, 2021 2 hours ago, steve roberts said: Bjorn Knutsson of Sweden who became World Champion in 1965 and retired in 1966 I believe? Brian Crutcher another candidate who retired while still in his twenties. Just realised that my two examples are outside the remit! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
salty 2,202 Posted July 8, 2021 Two more who left British Speedway too early? Kristian Praestbro and Phil Collins. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heathen52 384 Posted July 8, 2021 Jan Simensen, think if he had stayed at Cradley would have gone further in British Speedway. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
keepturningleft 589 Posted July 8, 2021 Greg Hancock!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cityrebel 2,960 Posted July 9, 2021 Karl Fiala and Kevin Smith. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
secondbend 9 Posted July 9, 2021 What about Andrew Silver, Neil Evitts, Andy Campbell, Ian Cartwright Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,246 Posted July 9, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, secondbend said: What about Andrew Silver, Neil Evitts, Andy Campbell, Ian Cartwright I've spoken to Ian Cartwright on a number of occasions when visiing "Mouseman" at Kilburn and the intention was always that he would eventually take over the family business after he achieved what he hoped for in speedway. His father was also a keen motorcyclist and of course Ian's son rode before also entering the family business. "Mad" Malcolm Ballard? Attained a high average on his initial season at Arlington and bettered it on his second. Achieved a decent average at Oxford in 1973 when moving up a league but after asking for a transfer he moved to Poole and then quickly on to Leicester in 1974 and retired well before the season ended. Edited July 9, 2021 by steve roberts 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites