Post by PLUSTAR on Jun 5, 2010 17:01:25 GMT 1
Post by: grasscutter on January 9, 2010, 01:08:41 PM QUESTIONS FROM MERV JANKE FAN CLUB
Q. You were a world finalist in 1952, what are your memories of your big night
under the famous Twin Towers?
DC Rather disappointingly, I remember little. Following the event, I used the
same tuned engine that I had had prepared for the final by a professional
engine tuner and on a track that I knew, realised the engine was not as good
as I was used to. I returned to Wembley just over a week after the World
Final with one of my tuned engines and won a meeting made up of many of
the same riders as the world Final and held the 3 lap track record.
Q. You were idolised on the terraces of Milton Street, you must have fond
memories of your time with the Eagles?
DC I have very fond memories of a very good race track and a very friendly
atmosphere and a fair management with good supporters. I especially
remember their very considerable care and support after my accident and in
hindsight I know that I made the right decision when I chose to move to
Motherwell rather than Wembley.
Q You suffered a serious head injury during your career, how did you feel when
your son Nig decided he wanted to be a speedway rider?
DC It didn't register that my accident would have any factor in Nig's career.
Q. Your rode alongside Tommy Miller, how good was 'Atomic Tommy' ?
DC He was very, very good. A pleasure to race against and you knew that you
would not get chopped up or fenced as he was a Gentleman on and off the
track.
Q.. Who do you regard as the greatest rider of your era?
DC The most spectacular rider was Oliver Hart. The most consistently successful
that I can recall is probably Jack Parker.
Q. Tommy Miller had the track record at Milton Street. Many believed the time
must have been a mistake.
DC The clock recorded that time.
Q Tommy rode for Eagles for part of 1954 season. What are your memories of
Tommy as a rider and a colleague?
DC I don't remember riding in same team as Tommy and wonder whether he rode for them when I was off injured.
QUESTIONS FROM KEIR
Q. What are your memories of Ken Le Breton?
DC Superb rider with consistency although we didn't really know Ken that well.
Q. You rode superbly at the old Ashfield track, scoring a few maximums. How
did you rate it as a race track?
DC One of the best, a good racing track.
Q. Your opinion of the stadium and track at Milton Street?
DC Very good on both accounts with good facilities and looked after the riders. A
pleasure to ride there.
Q. How did you feel when a viable promotion was dumped out of the league at
the end of 1954?
DC Very disappointed as I needed to look elsewhere for a team
Q. Your opinion of the speedway scene today, with particular reference to the
Northern tracks?
DC I don't know as I have had no contact with the sport since Nig retired but
seeing some of the International meetings on TV now, it seems that racing
has got quite spectacular. Starts have improved with less hassle with rolling
starts.
Derek Close, now he was my original no 1 rider. In 1952 he was masterly at
Ashfield and he was THE man at Milton Street.
KEIR
A member of Easy Tiger asked if I could possibly get Derek Close to answer
a few questions as he was the darling of Motherwell Eagles
A big thanks to Derek for taking part in the Q & A and to son Nig for arranging
this to take place.
Title: Re:Derek Close Q & A
Post by: grasscutter on January 9, 2010, 01:13:01 PM Derek is the special guest at the WSRC Dance at Deer Park Hotel, Livingston
Title: Re:Derek Close Q & A
Post by: mervjankefanclub on January 9, 2010, 07:20:47 PM Once again thanks must go to Grasscutter for arranging this and a special thanks to Derrick Close for taking the time to answer the questions. I have spoken to one or two old boys from my area down the years about speedway and they informed me that Derrick was an absolute icon in North Lanarkshire, in much the same way Ken Le Breton was at Ashfield and Tommy Miller at the White City.
Title: Re:Derek Close Q & A
Post by: grasscutter on January 10, 2010, 11:33:39 AM just google it great speedway rider mjfc
Title: Re:Derek Close Q & A
Post by: grasscutter on January 11, 2010, 10:50:49 AM is it true the shape of a speedway track with red blaze is still at motherwell with a grass park in the middle
Title: Re:Derek Close Q & A
Post by: Jim on January 11, 2010, 01:38:34 PM
on 1263207049, grasscutter wrote:
is it true the shape of a speedway track with red blaze is still at motherwell with a grass park in the middle
GC. A pic of the Milton St track as it is today. Doesn't look as though there is any blaze at all now.
Image a wee bit on the small side but if you go on to google earth and enter "milton street motherwell" you will be able to zoom in for a better view.
Title: Re:Derek Close Q & A
Post by: grasscutter on February 27, 2010, 03:43:45 PM guest speaker at to-nights wsra dance in deer park
livingston tonight
Title: Re:Derek Close Q & A
Post by: grasscutter on April 9, 2010, 07:24:35 AM talking to a eagles fan the other day and the first name mentioned derek close
Q. You were a world finalist in 1952, what are your memories of your big night
under the famous Twin Towers?
DC Rather disappointingly, I remember little. Following the event, I used the
same tuned engine that I had had prepared for the final by a professional
engine tuner and on a track that I knew, realised the engine was not as good
as I was used to. I returned to Wembley just over a week after the World
Final with one of my tuned engines and won a meeting made up of many of
the same riders as the world Final and held the 3 lap track record.
Q. You were idolised on the terraces of Milton Street, you must have fond
memories of your time with the Eagles?
DC I have very fond memories of a very good race track and a very friendly
atmosphere and a fair management with good supporters. I especially
remember their very considerable care and support after my accident and in
hindsight I know that I made the right decision when I chose to move to
Motherwell rather than Wembley.
Q You suffered a serious head injury during your career, how did you feel when
your son Nig decided he wanted to be a speedway rider?
DC It didn't register that my accident would have any factor in Nig's career.
Q. Your rode alongside Tommy Miller, how good was 'Atomic Tommy' ?
DC He was very, very good. A pleasure to race against and you knew that you
would not get chopped up or fenced as he was a Gentleman on and off the
track.
Q.. Who do you regard as the greatest rider of your era?
DC The most spectacular rider was Oliver Hart. The most consistently successful
that I can recall is probably Jack Parker.
Q. Tommy Miller had the track record at Milton Street. Many believed the time
must have been a mistake.
DC The clock recorded that time.
Q Tommy rode for Eagles for part of 1954 season. What are your memories of
Tommy as a rider and a colleague?
DC I don't remember riding in same team as Tommy and wonder whether he rode for them when I was off injured.
QUESTIONS FROM KEIR
Q. What are your memories of Ken Le Breton?
DC Superb rider with consistency although we didn't really know Ken that well.
Q. You rode superbly at the old Ashfield track, scoring a few maximums. How
did you rate it as a race track?
DC One of the best, a good racing track.
Q. Your opinion of the stadium and track at Milton Street?
DC Very good on both accounts with good facilities and looked after the riders. A
pleasure to ride there.
Q. How did you feel when a viable promotion was dumped out of the league at
the end of 1954?
DC Very disappointed as I needed to look elsewhere for a team
Q. Your opinion of the speedway scene today, with particular reference to the
Northern tracks?
DC I don't know as I have had no contact with the sport since Nig retired but
seeing some of the International meetings on TV now, it seems that racing
has got quite spectacular. Starts have improved with less hassle with rolling
starts.
Derek Close, now he was my original no 1 rider. In 1952 he was masterly at
Ashfield and he was THE man at Milton Street.
KEIR
A member of Easy Tiger asked if I could possibly get Derek Close to answer
a few questions as he was the darling of Motherwell Eagles
A big thanks to Derek for taking part in the Q & A and to son Nig for arranging
this to take place.
Title: Re:Derek Close Q & A
Post by: grasscutter on January 9, 2010, 01:13:01 PM Derek is the special guest at the WSRC Dance at Deer Park Hotel, Livingston
Title: Re:Derek Close Q & A
Post by: mervjankefanclub on January 9, 2010, 07:20:47 PM Once again thanks must go to Grasscutter for arranging this and a special thanks to Derrick Close for taking the time to answer the questions. I have spoken to one or two old boys from my area down the years about speedway and they informed me that Derrick was an absolute icon in North Lanarkshire, in much the same way Ken Le Breton was at Ashfield and Tommy Miller at the White City.
Title: Re:Derek Close Q & A
Post by: grasscutter on January 10, 2010, 11:33:39 AM just google it great speedway rider mjfc
Title: Re:Derek Close Q & A
Post by: grasscutter on January 11, 2010, 10:50:49 AM is it true the shape of a speedway track with red blaze is still at motherwell with a grass park in the middle
Title: Re:Derek Close Q & A
Post by: Jim on January 11, 2010, 01:38:34 PM
on 1263207049, grasscutter wrote:
is it true the shape of a speedway track with red blaze is still at motherwell with a grass park in the middle
GC. A pic of the Milton St track as it is today. Doesn't look as though there is any blaze at all now.
Image a wee bit on the small side but if you go on to google earth and enter "milton street motherwell" you will be able to zoom in for a better view.
Title: Re:Derek Close Q & A
Post by: grasscutter on February 27, 2010, 03:43:45 PM guest speaker at to-nights wsra dance in deer park
livingston tonight
Title: Re:Derek Close Q & A
Post by: grasscutter on April 9, 2010, 07:24:35 AM talking to a eagles fan the other day and the first name mentioned derek close