stratton

DId Mike Bast have a few practice laps at Wimbledon once? he so nearly signed for them.I also have a feeling i might be wrong? that two other established USA riders Alan Christian(could of been top class) and Jim Fishback had a few spins at a few tracks.I think Christian? might of had a spin at the Abbey.

The BLRC victories to my mind were Carters greatest achievement forget the team medals Lee also won a few of them.1982 to me was easily Lee's worst year in speedway but up to then from 1977 he had averaged 10 plus in the BL i think in 82 he averaged about 9.70.Also you have to remember how many individual meeting's Lee won over the years quite a few and some big titles so there he would get the edge.Your stats and theory are spot on and i respect your knowledge of the sport but i cannot agree about Carter in 82 that version in my mind was never superior to Lee of 1980 and 1983.In 82 the record book says Carter failed the pressure of the world final got to him he didn't even have to beat Penhall in that race he could of maybe? waited for a run off.The biggest point though that none of us have ever mentioned is RESPECT i know Lee has had grave problems in his life but as far as i know as a rider and person he is respected and liked.Kenny never had that he never earned that respect was his own man and often had disregard for others sometimes reckless and dangerous as a rider after all that i did enjoy watching him ride and he was hell of a rider.

Did you just have a wet dream? get real.

Lee was placed in the 83 British final where was Carter ? Lee was placed in the 83 BLRC where by then Lee was the only brit to be able to beat the big two Danes Lee piddled all over NIelsen in the pride of the east he got the track record. that night. Carter was never good anough to do that.Lee was placed at Norden where was Kenny ? also Lee piddled all over Carter in the helmet that was fact i liked Carter rated him but Lee's overall cv record is there there in black and white Carter never had the chance to prove otherwise.

You are spot on in your analysis,but i stlll believe Lee's best in 83 was better than anything Carter ever achieved in the 80s.The Golden helmet proved this both riders motivated and in the two legs Lee murdered him.As you have said World Final records well that is a no contest on records the only thing Carter had the upper hand in was the BLRC and even then Lee has been placed himself.

Does it matter that much " Iris? do we have to stick to the letter of the law it is only a discussion and a bit of banter. Ah new he won a top individual meeting was these averages around the time of the handicap racing? Briggo said he disliked it i know Peter Craven rode regularly giving handicaps.

"Gustix" you post what you like my friend,i am interested in your recollection of that period now it would be interesting from 1965.If i am right i think Charlie Monk was top of the averages in 1965 and did he win the Wills International.?

I was looking through my old programmes and was surprised on how many national league meetings i attended.I always enjoyed watching that league and see some great entertainment over the years what a decent product it was.Who were people's all time top five riders? and another top five who were they're favourites here goes.Didnt include Lee,Carter, both Crump's and Tiger Louis. 1.Joe Owen( the king) also did well in the BL 2.Tom Owen. 3. John Jackson. 4.Steve Lawson. 5. Laurie Etheridge. My favourite all time five riders in the NL were Malc Holloway, Mark Courtney, Pete Jarman,Paul Woods and Bob Humphreys.

Thats why he is in the GPs with a chance of being world champion, god you do talk total bollocks.

Nothing wrong with his ears, by the way he is world champion something MJJ will never achieve he might not even be good anough to be a GP regular Woffinden i am not a fan but he is good for the sport media savvy and will appeal to the younger generation.

I never ever saw Knudsen as a dirty rider, he was tough but lets get thing's right so was Hans.Knudsen for me was up there with Jessup ( ect as very unlucky not to be champion.Even when Knudsen came back from that serious back injury he was still a force he was never frightened of Nielsen his head to head record like ERIK in all competitions was pretty good he beat him Hans as i can remember in quite a few heat 1s.I just felt Hans up until 86 had been really frustrated had been a tad unlucky i admit but he was so lucky to stay in with Knudsen excluded.To his credit Hans went on and got his just rewards a great pro and i began to like him more later on in his career( still not as good as Ole though in my humble my opinion.!)

You must be in the minority then Rob,i know you were a Hans fan but he was so lucky not to be excluded in the Knudsen incident.Hans had a record of panicking and making the wrong move in finals and this was one of them he later rectified it and went on to become a great champion.

Does WK wear his Sunderland colours and his George Barclay rosette?i will be able to reconize him don't you think.

Thanks for that "Tnunami". Rosen will be a top ten rider in the Pl i believe i have a friend who lives in Whitley Bay so i want to make the effort and give Brough another visit be great if i make it.

How is the track looking "Tsunami ? i have only been to Brough twice the last time in the BL year and the track was superb.I always thought Brough looked a tough track to master anyway how do you think Rosen will do? he could have a big year i feel.

Went to Buxton once with mad Wellie Holloway with the Swindon Sprokets he told me this lad Wright is talented.I can remember Malc gated him led him for two laps and James came through the Buxton track i thought was excellent great shape decent racing anyway what ever James does good luck i hope he enjoys it anough to stay in speedway.

Good luck to James, i hope he enjoys it, does what he thinks is right for himself because before he was an excellent racer a very good rider gave his all did his best thats all anyone can ask for.

Seven plus averages not bad eh! he admitted he was not enjoying it and did the right thing for himself and the team.Maybe he has really missed it and needs to get it out of his system good luck to James i enjoyed watching him when he rode for the Robins remined me of David Ruud awesome sometimes poor the next.

I hope James does ok where has all this hatred of him come from?

Do like the look of Jensen with Rosen at Newcastle i believe they are capable of going on to better things.

WK i loved the individual having they're own identity, Booey, Cowland,Major (ect) it does not bother me to much now they're are more important thing's they need to address.I would say though after Jason Crump suffered those horrendous burns are the Kevlars thick anough? they do look flimsy.

I always preferred league racing was never a mega fan of individual meetings even though i see quite a few.But if i was an outsider looking in the GP series does look a excellent and professional product not like the days of a rider having a fag in the pits black leathers (ect) .WIth the rules as they are and the sport not being strong and UTD,that is the frustrating thing it could be so much better the potential is there but in my memory the sport has always managed to shoot itself in the foot.

Great post and i will hold my hands up and say i was totally wrong about the GP Series and the younger generation taking over from Crump,Gollob,( ect).I look around we have Tai, others reaching there prime and classy sorts like the Pawlicki bros, Dudek,MJJ sniffing about.WIth myself maybe because the golden time was in my youth it all seemed like a bed of roses maybe it was because i enjoyed going so much.When i see Ward ride and say both the Pawlicki bros i enjoy watching as much now not so much the league racing but it is not all doom and gloom.

Yes correct Oldace sometimes these riders only rode at certain tracks once a year i can remember the Robins beating Halifax 63-15 with Cartwright i think? the only rider to split a home partnership.Newport Somerton park ( only went once) a weird shape a massive home advantage (ie for the likes of Street,Trigg,Tebby (ect)