The BLRC 1975
By Tracy Holmes

A black cloud of pain hung over Belle Vue on October 18. The previous night at Wolverhampton, Gary Peterson had been killed. A minutes silence was observed before the meeting's start. One of Gary's closest friends, World Champion Ole Olsen withdrew from the meeting, understandably in no state to ride. Another close friend, Ivan Mauger rode but the 6 points reflected his state of mind.

The show must go on and at the end of it all, Belle Vue's own Peter Collins had successfully defended his Title with another breathtaking performance. Missed gates were followed by amazing overtakes and his maximum reflected his mastery. Phil Crump was again on the rostrum with another solid 12 points and Martin Ashby joined him by beating the British Champion John Louis in the 3rd place run-off. So good to have Sweden's Anders Michanek and Tommy Jansson back in the mix. No-one could ever have imagined that this would be Tommy's last BLRC.

Heat 1. Collins, Crump, MAUGER, Valentine.
Heat 2. Wyer, Simmons, Pusey, Boulger.
Heat 3. Ashby, Jessup, Lovaas. McMillan ef
Heat 4. Louis, Michanek, Betts, T Jansson.
Heat 5. Crump, Lovaas, Michanek, Boulger.
Heat 6. Simmons, McMillan, Betts, MAUGER.
Heat 7. T Jansson, Wyer, Valentine, Jessup.
Heat 8. Collins, Louis, Ashby, Pusey.
Heat 9. Crump, Jessup, Simmons, Louis.
Heat 10. MAUGER, Ashby, T Jansson, Boulger.
Heat 11. Pusey, Betts, Valentine, Lovaas.
Heat 12. Collins, Michanek, Wyer, McMillan.
Heat 13. Ashby, Wyer, Crump, Betts.
Heat 14. Pusey, Jessup, MAUGER. Michanek nf
Heat 15. Louis, McMillan, Valentine, Boulger.
Heat 16. Collins, Simmons, T Jansson, Lovaas.
Heat 17. Crump, Pusey, T Jansson, McMillan.
Heat 18. Louis, Wyer, MAUGER, Lovaas.
Heat 19. Michanek, Ashby, Simmons. Valentine ef
Heat 20. Collins, Jessup, Betts, Boulger.
3rd Place run-off. Ashby, Louis.

Peter Collins Belle Vue 15. Phil Crump Newport 12. Martin Ashby Swindon 11. John Louis Ipswich 11. Doug Wyer Sheffield 10. Chris Pusey Halifax 9. Malcolm Simmons Poole 9. Anders Michanek Reading 8. Dave Jessup Leicester 8. IVAN MAUGER Exeter 6. Tommy Jansson Wimbledon 6. Terry Betts Kings Lynn 5. Jim McMillan Hull 4. Bob Valentine Coventry 3. Dag Lovaas Oxford 3. John Boulger Cradley Heath 0. Ole Olsen Wolverhampton q ns. Res Dave Morton Hackney dnr.

This article was first published on 13th September 2020