nw42

Maybe I'll give it another go, I know his accent is strong and I'm ok with that, I think it was the position of his phone, anyway I will revisit, I like Sean, no nonsense, typical of those from the wrong side of the Pennines.

Really enjoyed listening to the Stoney one and was looking forward to the one with Sean Wilson but unfortunately Sean's phone was crap and I could hardly tell a word he was saying, gave up after about 10 minutes. Will definitely look in again though, Hoping the line was better with Garry.

100%, great ride from him to work his way through the field but he just pushed too far.

Thanks for the link Rusky, enjoyed that, although Suzi could've been better prepared with her questions it's good to get an insight into the sport and it's stars.

Gollob getting Gollobed, a rarity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNnTwkXWRPQ

I know these gustix threads are ridiculous but I find they are becoming one of my early ports of call each morning when I have my first brew, just to see what depths he has plunged to and how he has been found out again.

Your memory is much better than mine Sid, I think a general rule was that the Scandinavians didn't fare well at Belle Vue, obviously Ole was the exception but even he had bad nights there, Hans just came across as another who excelled on smaller tracks but struggled on the wide open spaces of Hyde Rd. I supposed once he learned that you just had to let the bike go and keep the revs on there was no stopping him, I'm sure Erik took to it quicker, such an electric starter though, I can't think of anyone who gated like Gundersen could.

Southern softiness Sid Seriously though you are right, he could be so good at Hyde Rd but you just never knew which Michael was going to turn up, I was always excited when he was coming to town though, just lived in hope that he would be in the mood. Michael was probably the most exciting visitor to Hyde Rd when on song, could generate so much speed off the bends. Although as you said, Gundersen was a sight to behold on that track.

Yes Sid, probably saw them all, he just seemed to have a hold over that title, won it in both wet and dry conditions. Can't recall specifics but I'm sure I saw him have stinkers in league matches there, although they were probably in the twilight of his career. BLRC was such an occasion, all the coaches from every single track, even 2nd division clubs were represented, I think the capacity was 25,000 and you couldn't move in the place, we always had seats on the entrance to the pit bend but one year my dad forgot to get seats and we stood on the steps in same area, I didn't get to see as much of that meeting but the atmosphere was enthralling.

I suppose we form these views and they stick with us, Kennett I always saw as a dirty rider, couldn't pin it down to a particular incident, just became the way I viewed him. If I think about Jessup I think of engine failure, Davis was a nancy boy, Carter, although he was the enemy I was always pleased if he was representing the national team, a bit like I viewed Bryan Robson when he played for England (I'm a Mancunian blue). Gundersen was always good value, Nielsen less so, although as you say he did master it eventually. John Louis could get round Hyde Rd well, can't remember Wiggy ever doing much. Arnie Haley was a regular guest rider for the Aces, so he must have enjoyed racing there.

Davis was never very popular up north, certainly not at Hyde Rd anyway, southern softy was how my dad referred to him. Someone mentioned he was good on big fast tracks abroad but I can't remember him ever doing anything at the Zoo.

Also managed Manchester City and was very well thought of at Maine Road.

Jim Airey, Soren Sjosten, Terry Betts, Dag Lovaas, whether or not underrated they are ones that don't often get recognition in these type of discussions. Peter Ravn could be unbeatable on his night but often gets overlooked, no surprise when you consider the list of Danes around in his time.

Glen Hornby is another, I think he rode for Middlesborough but I'm sure he was a product of the BV training school. Early 70's Paul Callaghan was a Colts/Rochdale rider, his mum had a pub in Stockport, The Touchstone. The Meredith brothers, Duncan was one, can't remember the other's first name, they lived in Bredbury, Stockport, Duncan rode for Ellesmere Port and was a regular 2nd halfer at Hyde Road, I think he may have rode for the Aces an odd time or two.

Brilliant, cabin fever is starting to bite.

You could be right, his name alone suggests he would have been a tough nut.

Taffy was a good entertainer and was always a regular at Hyde Rd, another one I just remembered from Rochdale was Ken Moss, similar in stature to Taffy.Me and my dad used to go to Rochdale on Sundays, saw PC's first meeting there, I think he got double figures from reserve, we had already seen him plenty of times throughout the winter at the Saturday training schools and knew he was going to be good.

I was at that meeting Sid, only 12 0r 13y/o but remember it quite vividly, Cowland took Wilkie to the fence and forced him to bail off, Wilkie waited for the warm down and dragged him off the bike, next thing the pits emptied on to the track, remember Ray Wilson getting stuck in, some fans went over the fence to get involved. Probably only lasted about 30 seconds but was quite a brawl. Can just about picture Dent in his cap, probably a programme in his hand, trying to restore order. Are the pics from the following week's Star? I got rid of my collection years ago but can recall there being 2 or 3 pictures and a write up. edit, I think Mike Hiftle was another from the Rochdale stable, blue leathers is my main memory of him, 2nd thoughts maybe he was from the Colts.

This one is a cracker, have seen it before but had forgotten all about it and couldn't remember the outcome. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNbTcoi3m4o

Thought it was a great race, you couldn't predict the outcome and it was interesting in how it was filmed, I've always enjoyed that low down front on view of riders exiting the bend, gives a great perspective as they race towards the camera. probably as close to actually being stood right behind the back straight fence at somewhere like the Shay, what a thrill that was.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4WPPzFhXt0 Deprivation is kicking in now, more and more I'm taking to youtube in search of another fix, it's a fantastic resource and I would be lost without it. Seeking out odd random heats for this thread has been interesting, seeing some meetings I'd never watched before and some I attended but had forgotten about.

I think you're right, although it's typically a moniker that you would expect someone to pick up later in their career than as a youngster. As you say, The Main Dane was definitely how Hans was described. As an aside, I only posted that race because I loved the way Loram & Gollob went at it, absolutely enthralling battle, so much so that I never even looked at Hans, there's no doubting his prowess but he was never one that I relished seeing ride. I would've travelled to watch Erik Gundersen though. I was lucky enough to see the Aces of the late60s/early 70s, Ivan was the master but my first favourite rider was Soren Sjosten, I suppose I've always preferred the racers over gaters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3wsSo5Ei2g

Most definitely, I imagine they both gave all the help they could to ensure their protege took the honours.

Knowing a little of the business acumen of both Ole & Ivan it was probably a rivalry cooked up by the pair of them to ensure they both had all expenses paid trips to all the prestige meetings, sly old dogs the pair of them.