steve roberts Posted 20 hours ago Report Share Posted 20 hours ago Sad to read that Martin has died...a true legend and loyal rider. RIP. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted 20 hours ago Report Share Posted 20 hours ago 15 minutes ago, steve roberts said: Sad to read that Martin has died...a true legend and loyal rider. RIP. Condolences to his Family at this time. Cracking rider for the 'Robins'. R.I.P. + Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunky Posted 19 hours ago Report Share Posted 19 hours ago Oh, I hadn't seen anything? That is so sad to hear. Absolutely legend, always got a very warm welcome at Plough Lane. What a rider... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frigbo Posted 19 hours ago Report Share Posted 19 hours ago (edited) Such desperately sad news! Martin Ashby was a true Swindon sporting icon and one of my first sporting heroes. He won the 1st race I ever saw, was undefeated in the first 5 meetings I went to and was my Dad's favourite rider - these things stay with you. A glittering career, but always such a humble, polite and generous man with fans. Sleep well Martin, and thank you! Edited 19 hours ago by frigbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyretrax Posted 19 hours ago Report Share Posted 19 hours ago R.I.P .Martin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briggo Posted 19 hours ago Report Share Posted 19 hours ago A Swindon legend, rest easy Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellevueace Posted 10 hours ago Report Share Posted 10 hours ago Sad news a true Swindon legend, a great rider and a humble man, very classy on the bike. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebv Posted 9 hours ago Report Share Posted 9 hours ago He had some great races at Hyde Rd.... A time when this country had many absolute top level riders, and he was definitely one of the best... RIP... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M.D Posted 9 hours ago Report Share Posted 9 hours ago RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FAST GATER Posted 9 hours ago Report Share Posted 9 hours ago A credit to the sport in every way RIP . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fromafar Posted 8 hours ago Report Share Posted 8 hours ago Sad news, he was a genuine Top Rider and very stylish.Remember him winning the Scottish Open at Coatbridge against a World Class field and he was a World class rider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmauger Posted 6 hours ago Report Share Posted 6 hours ago (edited) Sad news, other sharing the same name, 'Crash' was one of my favourite riders back in the day as I thought his white face mask, distinctive red leathers with white & black stripes looked so cool. He was popular at Hull, Boulevard days, guested for the Vikings helping secure a few away wins. The nickname, Crash, was a true misnomer, Martin was one of the safest riders in the sport, think it came after a spill very early doors in his career, it rhymed & so it stuck. RIP Martin.... Edited 6 hours ago by martinmauger spelling x2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Shovlar Posted 4 hours ago Report Share Posted 4 hours ago Martin Ashby was my absolute hero when I started going to speedway in the early 70’s. A brilliant rider with many seasons averaging over 10. I remember one race at the Abbey where he forgot to turn his fuel on in heat one, was miles at the back but came through and beat I think Valentine off the last bend to take the win. Also the 1975 British Final at Coventry when he was in a race off for the final spot at Wembley against Ray Wilson. Wilson gated, Ashby attacked up the inside for three laps and got through, but gave Wilson racing room for the Leicester rider to. Last around and win by half a bike. True gentleman. Swindon hero. RIP Martin. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frigbo Posted 4 hours ago Report Share Posted 4 hours ago 32 minutes ago, Steve Shovlar said: Martin Ashby was my absolute hero when I started going to speedway in the early 70’s. A brilliant rider with many seasons averaging over 10. I remember one race at the Abbey where he forgot to turn his fuel on in heat one, was miles at the back but came through and beat I think Valentine off the last bend to take the win. Explore Riding Gear Also the 1975 British Final at Coventry when he was in a race off for the final spot at Wembley against Ray Wilson. Wilson gated, Ashby attacked up the inside for three laps and got through, but gave Wilson racing room for the Leicester rider to. Last around and win by half a bike. True gentleman. Swindon hero. RIP Martin. That Valentine race is on Retro Speedway's 1974 production. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARK246 Posted 3 hours ago Report Share Posted 3 hours ago R.I.P. a true legend of the sport Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry1603 Posted 2 hours ago Report Share Posted 2 hours ago A great rider and always seemed a decent guy. RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Shovlar Posted 1 hour ago Report Share Posted 1 hour ago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grachan Posted 41 minutes ago Report Share Posted 41 minutes ago Awwww. Martin Ashby. What a rider. I was totally obsessed with the guy as a teenager. I remember the first time I ever went to Swindon Speedway. Swindon v Wolves in 1974. I stood on the apex of the first and second bends. First race I saw - Martin Ashby of Swindon beating some foreign bloke called Ole Olsen and breaking the track record. Amazing. He had the best style of any rider. Take any picture of Martin Ashby riding, and you could put it into any other picture of him. He always looked exactly the same in every picture. So stylish, but possibly not aggressive or ruthless enough sometimes, which probably cost him a place in my first ever World Final in 1975. That race with Ray Wilson was over 50 years ago now, and I'm still traumatised by it! I even took my FS1-E to his garage once for a service - just so I could say my moped was serviced by Martin Ashby. After he retired, he was regular supporter at Blunsdon. Always in the same spot - near to the tea hatch going into the first bend - as though he were just another supporter. No heirs and graces at all. RIP Martin Ashby. What a guy! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Shovlar Posted 23 minutes ago Report Share Posted 23 minutes ago Yes Grachan that 1975 British Final runoff with Wilson upset me as a young lad for a long, long time. I was on the first bend at Coventry and was willing him on with everything I had. Shed a tear after that race. Would love to see it again but not on YouTube. I haven’t yet heard there is footage of it on a dvd though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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