Take me back

**Maha** · 21st November 2007, 14:59

Was working for a bloke today (out at Algies Bay) and noticed a photograph on his wall. I was black and white, three guys in leathers and and Speedway Bibs. His name is Bob Anderson, and he raced Speedway here and in England in the 60's...He and his mates boycotted Western Springs (cos' of some money thing) and used to travel down to Palmerston North to race, leaving Auckland at 9pm friday night, arriving in Taupo at 1am. Then onto Palmmy Saturday....race that night, get on the piss and drive back Sunday. When i was growing up in Palmerston North, my ole' man took me to the Speedway in the early 70's...got to see four of the then top riders in the world, race together and they were...Ivan Mauger/Barry Briggs/Olly Olsen/Ove' Funden.......two kiwis and two Swedes...Bob raced in the days of Ronnie Moore ....the photo on the wall was when he was in England racing in the Oxford colours...that didnt mean much to me but hell, when were talking it sure took me back a long way...

**jafar** · 21st November 2007, 15:15

Feeling old now are ya maha

**skidMark** · 21st November 2007, 15:22

when i was a boy........................................

**Maha** · 21st November 2007, 15:23

Originally Posted by jafar

Feeling old now are ya maha

As old as my tounge and a little older than my teeth....

Thats about the earliest memory i have anything bike!....Dads brother used to race Speedway but i never really knew him

**jafar** · 21st November 2007, 15:23

Originally Posted by skidMark

when i was a boy........................................

Waddya mean 'when' ??

**Disco Dan** · 21st November 2007, 15:26

GO ENGLAND ! ! !

Ya old bugga!

**Maha** · 21st November 2007, 15:32

Originally Posted by Disco Dan

GO ENGLAND ! ! !

Ya old bugga!

It was the whole (how we used to do it things) that was cool....Bobs winnings allowed them to carpet their house...new light fittings etc...not much by todays standards but, quite a bit back in the 60's..when you could build a house for $9000 pounds.... his left leg has a permanant bow in it...

**nadroj** · 21st November 2007, 15:39

Ivan, Barry & Ronnie + some kiwi's in England in the 60's including Dave Gifford.

**Maha** · 21st November 2007, 17:37

Originally Posted by nadroj

Ivan, Barry & Ronnie + some kiwi's in England in the 60's including Dave Gifford.

Would never pick Briggs if walk past him in the street...remember him with a mop of curly hair. Bob spoke of road/track racers, the likes of Holden/Hiscock and Crosby...all after his time of cause but it seemed like, get him on the subject and away he goes.

**Motu** · 21st November 2007, 17:38

Bob Anderson eh? Did he have a bike shop in Otahuhu in the '70's?

Speedway at Western Springs in the late '60's through the '70's was just top class - if there wasn't anything else more urgent to do I was there.The best riders in the world came down here for the off season.

**Maha** · 21st November 2007, 17:43

Originally Posted by Motu

Bob Anderson eh? Did he have a bike shop in Otahuhu in the '70's?

Speedway at Western Springs in the late '60's through the '70's was just top class - if there wasn't anything else more urgent to do I was there.The best riders in the world came down here for the off season.

Yes he did...he was from Otahuhu, said his mate owned a car yard there and they used to use some big ole' Yank tank (his words) for the weekend trips to Palmy.Yeah only four laps Motu but that smell.....! not everyones buzz i fucken' exciting for a young fulla.

**u4ea** · 21st November 2007, 17:44

Blimmen great tale Maha .. thanks for sharing.These guys are our legends of speedway..what an awesome fluke to spot the ol pic!

**Maha** · 21st November 2007, 17:48

Originally Posted by u4ea

Blimmen great tale Maha .. thanks for sharing.These guys are our legends of speedway..what an awesome fluke to spot the ol pic!

I reckon he would have gone on and on if i had let him, his wife was right into it as well, other names he mentioned i cant remember, should have jotted them down but didnt want to look like a nong!....but i know where he lives....should have asked him to get the photo album out...

**u4ea** · 21st November 2007, 17:58

Originally Posted by maha man

I reckon he would have gone on and on if i had let him, his wife was right into it as well, other names he mentioned i cant remember, should have jotted them down but didnt want to look like a nong!....but i know where he lives....should have asked him to get the photo album out...

heck yer!! Go back and get the real tales...just too special!
....And Yup 4 laps and ohhh yer the smell.......Did 3 laps swinging(fun day) on Don Cosfords 900 cb a few moons ago..scared myself stupid but still was cool to be on an ol' legends steed....