Dream Team : Darren Garlick

I am 32 and have been watching the Belle Vue Aces from the early 1980's to the present day. During those times I have had the pleasure of watching some great speedway meetings. The bikes have changed a little with the lay-down engines and dirt deflectors, but the excitement of the racing will never change. I have chosen my seven from riders who have been loyal and consistent to riders who have excited the fans and put on a show every time they raced.

Chris Morton
Has been chosen for obvious reasons, commitment and consistency over all the years he rode for Belle Vue and England. He never gave up and chased all the way, usually from the back.

Shawn Moran
Should have been world champion. A naturally talented rider, who could gate or beat anybody from the back. Shoey was a genuine person who always had time to give an autograph or picture.

Kelly Moran
Possibly even more talented than his brother Shawn. If he had been more commited he could have dominated speedway for some time. I have never seen any rider since have his balance on a bike.

Mike Faria
'Flyin' Mike Faria came to Belle Vue as reserve and was beating the top riders round Kirky Lane as though he had been there years. Always put on a show for the fans, pulling one handed wheelies in the middle of races.

Jason Lyons
Another rider in the same mould as Chris Morton. Belle Vue through and through always giving his all. Probably the best rider of turns 3 and 4 at Kirky Lane I have ever seen, lets hope it comes back very soon.

Bobby Ott
'Showtime' Bobby Ott says it all really, always put on a show whether he was winning or trying to come from the back. I remember him once falling and keep going all in one movement without getting off the bike.

Joe Screen
Started at Belle Vue when he was sixteen and you could see he was a natural from the beginning. Another of the famous Belle Vue non gaters had to do it all from the back and usually did. Cannot understand why he has not gone on to be a real force in speedway, with his talent he should be challenging for the world title.

This article was first published prior to October 2002