1983 Speedway British Final from Coventry

Dave Lanning commentates on classic British Final action. Kenny Carter, John Davis, Michael Lee, Peter Collins and reigning Champ Andy graham all compete.

[@nervo6321]

My favourite era of speedway…so exiting with true characters and some great racing.

[@paulsowney771]

Hi martyn. I remember this was on itv around 10-30. And recorded it on my top load video !!! So wanted simmo Get through don’t think he had his gating gloves on. Still Was amazing at Wimbledon though even though I was hackney!!! My dad rip absolutely loved simmo Went once with me. Simmo spoke to him outside in the car park and dad was a. Simmo fan !! He was 73 my dad and we had to go to Wimbledon every Thursday!!! He was so bias with simmo even got animated!! Happy days. Must say simmo was a absolutely a nice guy with fans

[@colinrichardson-dm5yk]

I missed out consistent but not good enough to qualify for the next round. The days when the british final was as hard as a world final

[@dominich2263]

Bless you Colin Richardson from a Dons supporter who watched you in awe as a boy

[@colinrichardson-dm5yk]

Thsnks very appreciated

[@enothewonderdog]

When I was a kid I went to matches at Coventry. We left for Australia in about '77 but had stand tickets for years. Excellent to see the place again!

[@artodyfilms]

The track my parents met at and where I was an official for Stock Cars in the early to mid 00's. That said, this was the best configuration of the track. My grandmother's team was Coventry Bees. My dad was a junior for Leicester.

[@smoggysads]

I’ve still got Peter Collin’s autograph from a guest appearance he made at Teesside in the 70’s. True gentleman and in my opinion the best rider this country ever produced

[@jessebelanger9753]

Michael Lee was such a fun rider to watch.

[@markwaudby]

Cant believe Bruce Penhall didnt try to equal Ivan Mauger's record of 3 one off World Final wins in a row, 'CHiPs' was a complete waste of time

[@bosssuggs1]

Bruce didn't really have a choice - the offer of the CHiPS contract was for that point in time and that point only. He left bikes in the UK ready to race in the hope he could return and lead Cradley (hopefully) to the League title but was categorically told that if he rode again then the contract would be withdrawn. 7 years later I saw him break the Landshut track record on a bog standard untuned 4 valve in the 1989 Golden Greats meeting proving how good he was. The sport was SO much the poorer for his leaving it.

[@paulcruse]

4-way run off for third!

[@markwaudby]

So sad to see the current level of the British Final these days, id say ALL of todays riders who take part in the British Final not fit to be mentioned in the above company of riders from 1983, even Tai Woffinden cant be bothered with it.

[@jessebelanger9753]

I have a ton of respect for the old British riders. They were tough as nails.

[@martynhepworthArchiveSpeedway]

I think Dan Bewley's fans would totally disagree with you there!

[@markwaudby]

Thank you Martyn for your reply, yes Dan Bewley is a great talent and our best hope for future world honours, but he has a long way to go to be mentioned in the same breath as Kenny Carter, Collins, Lee, Jessup etc., Scott Nicholls isnt even winning 7 British Finals if he had been riding a bit earlier in that company.

[@martynhepworthArchiveSpeedway]

Ive been going to Speedway for over 40 years so lived through the 'golden era' and marvelled at the racing then. I still go to Speedway regularly and still marvel at the todays 'gladiators' of my favourite sport. Comparing is pointless, like Senna with Hamilton, Ali and Fury, Best and Messi. Remember the good times and enjoy what you have at the moment. I actually believe that Zmarzlik would outpace all before him, Fundin, Mauger, Olsen and Collins. It's not a different Sport now, just a different era.

[@markwaudby]

Agree with you up until Zmarzlik, in my opinion he hasnt got much to beat after Emil and Artem not allowed to race, also too many of the GP rounds are staged in Poland on his style of track, big and fast. I would have loved to watch Bartek race regularly over here around our smaller tracks, but i dont think it will happen unfortunately.