frigbo 518 Posted October 15, 2023 As he didn't prioritise it, Simon Wigg never reached the individual heights in speedway that his early years promised. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,093 Posted October 15, 2023 2 hours ago, frigbo said: As he didn't prioritise it, Simon Wigg never reached the individual heights in speedway that his early years promised. Funny... As you mentioned it, I just decided to check his figures. It does seem that after 1989, he just went backwards. Not something I'd ever thought of before... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OveFundinFan 4,142 Posted October 15, 2023 2 hours ago, frigbo said: As he didn't prioritise it, Simon Wigg never reached the individual heights in speedway that his early years promised. But he was 5 times world long track champion, that may have been the problem. Not all could do both speedway and long track at the very top level. Seems like Simon Wigg was one of them. Get hold of his book if you can, a very good read. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FAST GATER 853 Posted October 15, 2023 19 minutes ago, OveFundinFan said: But he was 5 times world long track champion, that may have been the problem. Not all could do both speedway and long track at the very top level. Seems like Simon Wigg was one of them. Get hold of his book if you can, a very good read. Wiggy probably made more money on L/track riding in Europe on grasstrack as well ,think the same can be said for Kelvin Tatum a bad injury early on plus racing L/track effected his S/way career but not his bank balance I suspect . 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,246 Posted October 15, 2023 4 hours ago, Andy Downes said: I think Toni Kasper Jr would have achieved more if he had had more than 1 1/2 seasons in the British League I first saw Toni ride for Hackney at Swindon during his first season here and looked very impressive. Alas no longer with us. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve roberts 9,246 Posted October 15, 2023 3 hours ago, frigbo said: As he didn't prioritise it, Simon Wigg never reached the individual heights in speedway that his early years promised. His priorties were Grasstrack and Longtrack....should have achieved more in speedway (altough his record was impressive) if he had applied more in my opinion. I saw him during his hey-day riding for the "Cheetahs" and he proved to be both inspirational and frustrating at times. Hans always said that Wiggy was forever tinkering with his bikes even when they were going well which cost him points. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
salty 2,202 Posted October 15, 2023 (edited) Given that the OP asked for those who could have been greats if they had committed to ride in Britain, I'll throw in Chris Watson who confined himself more to other motor cycle disciplines back in Aussie. In more recent times Rune Holta reached 4th in the World afaik, but could he have took it a stage further with UK experience? Edited October 15, 2023 by salty 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,093 Posted October 15, 2023 55 minutes ago, salty said: Given that the OP asked for those who could have been greats if they had committed to ride in Britain, I'll throw in Chris Watson who confined himself more to other motor cycle disciplines back in Aussie. In more recent times Rune Holta reached 4th in the World afaik, but could he have took it a stage further with UK experience? I'd thought about Holta, but good call with Chris Watson. I was just thinking that this thread had developed into a discussion about DJ, and how he could have been a force... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frigbo 518 Posted October 15, 2023 3 hours ago, salty said: Given that the OP asked for those who could have been greats if they had committed to ride in Britain, I'll throw in Chris Watson who confined himself more to other motor cycle disciplines back in Aussie. In more recent times Rune Holta reached 4th in the World afaik, but could he have took it a stage further with UK experience? Tommy Nilsson might well be another.. Or Mikael Blixt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,093 Posted October 15, 2023 36 minutes ago, frigbo said: Tommy Nilsson might well be another.. Or Mikael Blixt I always wondered why Blixt never fulfilled his early promise, but I'm pleased you mentioned Nilsson. I just checked, and didn't realize he was only 17 when he rode for Hackney. He had a great first year, and had he stuck around for a bit longer, who knows? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,988 Posted October 16, 2023 I think Egon made so much money on the Continent with little of the hassle that came with British speedway, it wasn't worth it for him . And then he had the side show of his singing career and concerts. Which he usually put on as part of the long track weekend as well . Where it was and to some extent still is a weekend event with people camping out at the track 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
longlivefrankie 458 Posted October 16, 2023 Torbjorn Harrysson, if nor for the crash in the 1969 World Final? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grachan 7,362 Posted October 16, 2023 Dag Lovaas. He was so good but seemed to just lose interest and retired at the end of 1976. He was almost unbeatable in the wet. If he'd been in the 1977 World Final he might well have won it with conditions how they were. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fatface 2,554 Posted October 16, 2023 14 hours ago, chunky said: I'd thought about Holta, but good call with Chris Watson. I was just thinking that this thread had developed into a discussion about DJ, and how he could have been a force... 12 hours ago, frigbo said: Tommy Nilsson might well be another.. Or Mikael Blixt Yep. I think you guys are right. It's less about those who didn't quite win the big ones and more those, who never really 100% went for it, despite their obvious ability. Staying with Swedes, I'd pick out Erik Stenlund. Obviously a highly accomplished motorcyclist, winning the World Ice Speedway in Moscow is some achievement, plus also good enough to finish 4th in the World Long Track and be Swedish Champion in speedway. If he'd focussed purely on speedway and came to Britain for more than just some cameo appearances, he could have been a real force. I would have liked to have seen plenty more of this... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnBBUn3pbf4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chunky 6,093 Posted October 16, 2023 2 hours ago, Grachan said: Dag Lovaas. He was so good but seemed to just lose interest and retired at the end of 1976. He was almost unbeatable in the wet. If he'd been in the 1977 World Final he might well have won it with conditions how they were. Well, he came to the UK when he was 19, and stayed for 7 years, so I'm not sure he is a suitable answer to the original question... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites