Thank you for a great time Lee and a huge thank you to Bruce. I have great memories of Bruce at Cradley. As a child me and my mom and dad used to go to Coventry, Cradley and Birmingham regularly. Bruce at White City and Wembley, fantastic. Thanks again Bruce and best wishes
This man comes across and always has done as one of the nicest, most talented rider and pleasant people I've ever watched. I'd love to be able to meet him in person. True gentleman.
I would like to pay my respects to another American rider a part of that group . Absolute gentleman of the highest order. Tragically died entertaining speedway fans. As a member of the American team touring to Australia, he loaned his bike to my son to ride endless laps on a fun day between race meetings. What made this act of kindness more special was the fact that my son Michael was aged only twelve or thirteen at the time. R . I . P Denny Pyeatt
I was a speedway fan in Southern California and I convinced the company I worked for to sponsor speedway riders. In the beginning I handed out product to riders in the pits, then I was able to write my first money contract to BP. He also strongly suggested to sign Bobby Schwartz and we did and he later helped us sponsor great riders in the UK and Europe. I loved going to lunch when BP and Bobby were back in the states. Incredible storytelling.
Great stuff, Brucey is an inspirational person. Great great rider, as a father I cannot imagine the sadness he's endured losing his son. Proof that sometimes the good guys do win.
I lived a 10 minute walk from Dudley Wood. Bruce Penhall and Lance king. As a Black Country boy aged 7 these Americans were superstars in those days literally from a different universe. To get near them in the pits pre racing was so exciting to me as a kid !.
Bruce was my hero as a 10 year old. When I saw him for real at Poole doing the pre race lap on the trailer with all the other big names I think I cried... freakout🤣 and I saw him win at Wembley in '81. As everyone else says, it's probably one of the greatest nights in the history of speedway. Great interview though. 👍
Having watched speedway for 45 years I can honestly say I never saw any rider better than Bruce , besides being a great rider i always admired Bruce's on track toughness he was never afraid to mix it with anyone. Coming from Hull myself saw Bruce many times at the Boulevard including the YTV trophy win in 1981 which was just superb, I often wondered what the Californians made of the Hull track on a cold wet miserable evening set amongst the terraced houses 😀
I remember meeting Bruce in the lift of the Crest Hotel, London before the World final. He and my family were all staying there for the World final. What a surprise that was. I was 15 years old and with my parents and wee sister. He was such a gent. You could tell he had a lot on his mind. Neil Street and many riders stayed at my parents B and B in Edinburgh in those days. George Hunter, Neil Collins, Phil Crump, the whole Havelock family etc etc. I will remember that whole time forever. We had a huge Victorian House then and i think they all enjoyed the relaxed home cooking atmosphere. Stevie in Scotland.
I was at Wembley THAT night. Such a happy memory for me and all Heathens fans. Great to hear from BP again. He along with all the other american riders were so entertaining - they moved the speedway scene on a great deal. I loved watching that Heathens team every Saturday.
Me too! THAT night (I was 14 at the time) seems like yesterday to me. To this day, Bruce remains my sporting hero. You can just tell he’s a real gentleman.
A wonderful rider and person from a very competitive time. He did so well and really deserved his success, very sorry to hear about the loss of his son can't imagine how awful that was and is for the family. Great interview and bring in Siggy and Boogaloo. Bobby Swartz rode at Ruapuna in Christchurch New Zealand when I was about 16 (1982 or so) he rode an inch off the fence in mountains of dirt was the most amazing racing I ever did see and I watched and competed quite a bit. But Wow his riding was just incredible to witness.
I remember you practicing at a tracked Alan and corona California, I was Ryan a TZ 250 twin no brakes just compression release and got a lot of grandpa the line and flip the bike over and slammed me on my back and I got back in the pits trying to bend it from Molly to backfire and got it down far enough when you came over and gave me a seat off of one of your west legs so I want to say thank you you’re a great guy.
Great interview. Bruce remembers Hull Speedway track,one of his favourits. H e must b eth eonly famous person that even remembers that Hull exists! LOL.
You’re the one that got me into Speedway I drove from Vegas every Saturday night supposed to mean and also San Bernardino Rd. and GR 500 Godden And one of Méliès motors.
A great rider was such an inspiration in the 1980’s he progressed so quickly I remember when he rode his first race in the UK with another US rider they were totally outclassed but that didn’t last long the best in the world were soon chasing his tail.
Thank you for a great time Lee and a huge thank you to Bruce. I have great memories of Bruce at Cradley. As a child me and my mom and dad used to go to Coventry, Cradley and Birmingham regularly. Bruce at White City and Wembley, fantastic. Thanks again Bruce and best wishes
This man comes across and always has done as one of the nicest,
most talented rider and pleasant people I've ever watched. I'd love to be able to meet him in person. True gentleman.
What a great interview Lee. Bruce is and always will be a Legend. A honest guy, openly admitted his mistakes he made. But very open about them 👍
I would like to pay my respects to another American rider a part of that group .
Absolute gentleman of the highest order.
Tragically died entertaining speedway fans. As a member of the American team touring to Australia, he loaned his bike to my son to ride endless laps on a fun day between race meetings.
What made this act of kindness more special was the fact that my son Michael was aged only twelve or thirteen at the time.
R . I . P Denny Pyeatt
I was a speedway fan in Southern California and I convinced the company I worked for to sponsor speedway riders. In the beginning I handed out product to riders in the pits, then I was able to write my first money contract to BP. He also strongly suggested to sign Bobby Schwartz and we did and he later helped us sponsor great riders in the UK and Europe. I loved going to lunch when BP and Bobby were back in the states. Incredible storytelling.
Great stuff, Brucey is an inspirational person. Great great rider, as a father I cannot imagine the sadness he's endured losing his son. Proof that sometimes the good guys do win.
I lived a 10 minute walk from Dudley Wood. Bruce Penhall and Lance king. As a Black Country boy aged 7 these Americans were superstars in those days literally from a different universe. To get near them in the pits pre racing was so exciting to me as a kid !.
Bruce was my hero as a 10 year old. When I saw him for real at Poole doing the pre race lap on the trailer with all the other big names I think I cried... freakout🤣 and I saw him win at Wembley in '81. As everyone else says, it's probably one of the greatest nights in the history of speedway. Great interview though. 👍
Having watched speedway for 45 years I can honestly say I never saw any rider better than Bruce , besides being a great rider i always admired Bruce's on track toughness he was never afraid to mix it with anyone. Coming from Hull myself saw Bruce many times at the Boulevard including the YTV trophy win in 1981 which was just superb, I often wondered what the Californians made of the Hull track on a cold wet miserable evening set amongst the terraced houses 😀
I remember meeting Bruce in the lift of the Crest Hotel, London before the World final.
He and my family were all staying there for the World final.
What a surprise that was. I was 15 years old and with my parents and wee sister. He was such a gent. You could tell he had a lot on his mind.
Neil Street and many riders stayed at my parents B and B in Edinburgh in those days. George Hunter, Neil Collins, Phil Crump, the whole Havelock family etc etc.
I will remember that whole time forever. We had a huge Victorian House then and i think they all enjoyed the relaxed home cooking atmosphere.
Stevie in Scotland.
I was at Wembley THAT night. Such a happy memory for me and all Heathens fans. Great to hear from BP again. He along with all the other american riders were so entertaining - they moved the speedway scene on a great deal. I loved watching that Heathens team every Saturday.
Me too! THAT night (I was 14 at the time) seems like yesterday to me. To this day, Bruce remains my sporting hero. You can just tell he’s a real gentleman.
A wonderful rider and person from a very competitive time. He did so well and really deserved his success, very sorry to hear about the loss of his son can't imagine how awful that was and is for the family. Great interview and bring in Siggy and Boogaloo.
Bobby Swartz rode at Ruapuna in Christchurch New Zealand when I was about 16 (1982 or so) he rode an inch off the fence in mountains of dirt was the most amazing racing I ever did see and I watched and competed quite a bit. But Wow his riding was just incredible to witness.
I remember you practicing at a tracked Alan and corona California, I was Ryan a TZ 250 twin no brakes just compression release and got a lot of grandpa the line and flip the bike over and slammed me on my back and I got back in the pits trying to bend it from Molly to backfire and got it down far enough when you came over and gave me a seat off of one of your west legs so I want to say thank you you’re a great guy.
Great interview
Remember him coming to Boston and having match races with Dave Jessup
Awesome interview with BP, I learned a lot during this interview, just amazing!
Legend & Gentleman
Brilliant, love BP, my hero. BTW, Tony Rickardsson won 6 world titles.
Great interview. Bruce remembers Hull Speedway track,one of his favourits. H e must b eth eonly famous person that even remembers that Hull exists! LOL.
You’re the one that got me into Speedway I drove from Vegas every Saturday night supposed to mean and also San Bernardino Rd. and GR 500 Godden And one of Méliès motors.
A great rider was such an inspiration in the 1980’s he progressed so quickly I remember when he rode his first race in the UK with another US rider they were totally outclassed but that didn’t last long the best in the world were soon chasing his tail.
Excellent had my photo took with BP at cradley methodist church i think it was after meeting him as a youngster at 5 ways pub
i think bruce won his first race at bristol & i remember seeing him at the pre meeting parade & thinking how fresh he was for the sport
What a brilliant interview are Martin Ashby son
Hi Bruce
Hi