Top British riders 1965-1969 (no Aussies or Kiwis)

[BOBBATH 467]

This would cover the first 5 years of the BL. I reckon #1 would be Nigel Boocock (topped the BL averages in 65). #2 I would say was Ray Wilson-any others spring to mind- Martin Ashby maybe?

[chunky 6,094]

27 minutes ago, BOBBATH said:

This would cover the first 5 years of the BL. I reckon #1 would be Nigel Boocock (topped the BL averages in 65). #2 I would say was Ray Wilson-any others spring to mind- Martin Ashby maybe?

Hurriken, definitely. If you're looking at league figures, Eric Boocock will be there too.

[chunky 6,094]

Here are the Top Ten averages by year (over 9.00)

1965
11.12 - Nigel Boocock
10.83 - Ken McKinlay
10.48 - Mike Broadbank
10.16 - Ron How
  9.90 - Jimmy Gooch
  9.65 - Cyril Maidment
  9.45 - Ronnie Genz
  9.43 - Eric Boocock
  9.42 - Norman Hunter
  9.35 - George Hunter

1966
10.54 - Nigel Boocock
10.46 - Eric Boocock
10.00 - Colin Pratt
  9.67 - Ken McKinlay
  9.60 - Mike Brooadbank
  9.55 - Cyril Maidment
  9.42 - Norman Hunter
  9.41 - Terry Betts
  9.39 - Trevor Hedge
  9.29 - Eric Boothroyd

1967
10.52 - Nigel Boocock
10.43 - Ray Wilson
10.29 - Eric Boocock
  9.74 - Terry Betts
  9.53 - Ken McKinlay
  9.37 - Roy Trigg
  9.12 - Dave Younghusband

1968
10.74 - Nigel Boocock
10.72 - Martin Ashby
10.17 - Eric Boocock
  9.71 - Norman Hunter
  9.62 - Ron  Mountford
  9.58 - Colin Pratt
  9.45 - Terry Betts
  9.40 - Malcolm Simmons
  9.37 - Ray Wilson
  9.15 - Trevor Hedge

1969
11.08 - Eric Boocock
10.78 - Nigel Boocock
10.56 - Ray Wilson
10.35 - Norman Hunter
10.33 - Trevor Hedge
10.01 - Jim McMillan
  9.97 - Martin Ashby
  9.39 - Reg Luckhurst
  9.38 - Dave Younghusband
  9.35 - Terry Betts
 

[BL65 657]

Ron Mountford might have continued his high scoring but for serious injury in 1968. 

In 1965 Ivor Brown averaged 9.83 after 16 matches before serious injury in the Internationale at Wimbledon in June.  He ended the season on 9.27 after returning, clearly unfit, in September. Before his accident he had ridden against the former National League teams on 5 occasions, including away at Swindon (Briggs, Broadbank, Ashby), West Ham (McKinlay, Harrfeldt, Hunter) and Oxford (How, Pander, Gooch). Before his accident he recorded 6 maximum scores (5 full, 1 paid). On his return he scored 7+1, 4+1 and 5 in league matches before missing the last three matches due to another injury.

[midlandred 206]

Four firsts and one second - clear winner here!

[norbold 7,116]

The Speedway Star used to issue an end-of-year ranking list. Unfortunately this finished in 1966, so there are only two years to look at. But, in both, Nigel Boocock was the highest ranked British rider. But, what is perhaps more interesting, is that in 1965, he was ranked at no. 5 in the World and in 1966, only at no.12. The foreigners were truly taking over!

The only other British riders to feature were Ken McKinlay, at no.9= in 1965 and Mike Broadbank(s) (no.13), Eric Boocock (18=) and Ken McKinlay (no.20) in 1966.

[salty 2,202]

A fair few years ago "Classic Speedway" magazine did a top 20 of the 60's. Compiled by a "respected author"....

Obviously is the whole of the decade rather than the period in the OP.....

1. Nigel Boocock

2. Ken McKinley

3. Peter Craven

4. Mike Broadbank

5.Eric Boocock

6. Ron How

7. Martin Ashby

8. Ray Wilson

9. Terry Betts

10. Dave Younghusband

Focusing on the BL era, would see Craven and How removed from the list and probably higher positions for Eric B and Ray Wilson.

 

[norbold 7,116]

9 minutes ago, salty said:

A fair few years ago "Classic Speedway" magazine did a top 20 of the 60's. Compiled by a "respected author"....

Obviously is the whole of the decade rather than the period in the OP.....

1. Nigel Boocock

2. Ken McKinley

3. Peter Craven

4. Mike Broadbank

5.Eric Boocock

6. Ron How

7. Martin Ashby

8. Ray Wilson

9. Terry Betts

10. Dave Younghusband

Focusing on the BL era, would see Craven and How removed from the list and probably higher positions for Eric B and Ray Wilson.

 

Funnily enough, that's exactly the same as the Top Ten I would have chosen.

[chunky 6,094]

6 hours ago, BL65 said:

Ron Mountford might have continued his high scoring but for serious injury in 1968. 

In 1965 Ivor Brown averaged 9.83 after 16 matches before serious injury in the Internationale at Wimbledon in June.  He ended the season on 9.27 after returning, clearly unfit, in September. Before his accident he had ridden against the former National League teams on 5 occasions, including away at Swindon (Briggs, Broadbank, Ashby), West Ham (McKinlay, Harrfeldt, Hunter) and Oxford (How, Pander, Gooch). Before his accident he recorded 6 maximum scores (5 full, 1 paid). On his return he scored 7+1, 4+1 and 5 in league matches before missing the last three matches due to another injury.

Ron Mountford
1965 - 8.74
1966 - 9.29
1967 - 8.66
1968 - 9.62

Over those four years, his average was 8.92. Compare to some of the other riders I mentioned. From 1965 to 1969:

10.73 - Nigel Boocock
10.31 - Eric Boocock
  9.46 - Martin Ashby
  9.44 - Terry Betts
  9.43 - Ken McKinlay
  9.27 - Ray Wilson
  9.22 - Trevor Hedge
  9.14 - Norman Hunter
  9.03 - Dave Younghusband
 

[old bob at herne bay 828]

Ivor Brown was certainly the  "idol" of the CH supporters and it's fair to say had a "reputation" in the Provincial League, where he pushed and shoved himself around amongst the PL teams. Never really got a fair crack at BL racing due to his coming together with Ove Fundin at the Wills Internationale at Wimbledon. I was there sat in the glasshouse on the entrance to the first bend. Still think to this day he picked on the wrong man to mix with on the first bend.

Saddened to read  later that the incident pretty well finished Ivor's speedway career.

 

[auntie doris 2,342]

Great to see Broady in there. At 89 still see him power walking around north Swindon. The recent Celebration of Swindon Speedway will probably be the last time we will see Briggo, Broady, and Ashby together. Was great to watch British riders such as The Boococks, Broady, Ashby, Wilson, Betts, Hunter, Hedge, Luckhurst, McKinlay at New Cross, West Am, Ackney, Wimbledon, Swindon in the 60s, 70s.

How good would Peter Craven have been?

Edited November 22, 2023 by auntie doris

[steve roberts 9,246]

15 hours ago, old bob at herne bay said:

Ivor Brown was certainly the  "idol" of the CH supporters and it's fair to say had a "reputation" in the Provincial League, where he pushed and shoved himself around amongst the PL teams. Never really got a fair crack at BL racing due to his coming together with Ove Fundin at the Wills Internationale at Wimbledon. I was there sat in the glasshouse on the entrance to the first bend. Still think to this day he picked on the wrong man to mix with on the first bend.

Saddened to read  later that the incident pretty well finished Ivor's speedway career.

 

The one rider Ivan Mauger "hated" as was highlighed in his books.

[iris123 20,990]

Guess 1969 was the year that could have been for Boocock and McKinlay in the world final. Both looking good after the first three rounds of heats, then both had something of a collapse afterwards....

[chunky 6,094]

6 minutes ago, iris123 said:

Guess 1969 was the year that could have been for Boocock and McKinlay in the world final. Both looking good after the first three rounds of heats, then both had something of a collapse afterwards....

With McKinlay, I don't think it could be considered "something" of a collapse! 7 points from his first three, and then nowt from his last two. Worst thing is, he couldn't even beat Glucklich, Mucha, or Klementiev in those...

I was there that night.