British League Riders Championship 1979
Belle Vue Gardens, Wednesday 24th October
Sponsored by Gauntlet.
This was the fifteenth staging of the event. There had been only four winners before 1979: Barry Briggs, Ivan Mauger, Ole Olsen (three in a row before this one) and Peter Collins.
| No. | Rider | Club | Ave | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gordon Kennett | Eastbourne | 10.43 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | Phil Crump | Swindon | 10.30 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
| 3 | Hans Nielsen | Wolverhampton | 10.35 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 9 |
| 4 | Michael Lee | Kings Lynn | 10.46 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 12 |
| 5 | John Davis | Reading | 10.15 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 6 | Ivan Mauger | Hull | 10.54 | 1 | EF | 2 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| 7 | John Louis | Ipswich | 9.04 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 14 |
| 8 | Malcolm Simmons | Poole | 9.11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 9 | Peter Collins | Belle Vue | 10.04 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 11 |
| 10 | Larry Ross | Wimbledon | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 10 | |
| 11 | Andy Grahame | Birmingham | 8.70 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 12 | Ian Cartwright | Halifax | 9.38 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| 13 | Ole Olsen | Coventry | 9.91 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| 14 | Scott Autrey | Exeter | 11.14 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 |
| 15 | John Titman | Leicester | 8.91 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 16 | Bruce Penhall | Cradley Heath | 9.91 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 13 |
Rostrum:
1st: John Louis - Gauntlet League Riders Trophy, RAC Championship trophy and Charles Ranford Foot Memorial trophy + £450
2nd: Bruce Penhall - Trophy + £275
3rd: Michael Lee - Trophy + £200
Bruce Penhall - submitted 15th May, 2009
I have had many fond memories with John, one in particular the 1979 BLRC.
It came down to the last lap last turn I thought I had the race and the meeting won and John came under me mach 9 and moved me quite hard.
It was a perfect pass from Tiger and very hard. Good for him not so good for me!
That was the closest I have ever been to winning the BLRC.
Many have said the BLRC was the hardest race of the year. I believe the same.
Tiger was one of the hardest racers I have met!
A true ambassador to the sport of Speedway.
1974 - Golden Helmet Results
The Golden Helmet challenges were staged as the best of three races, by a nominated rider, on a home & away basis during this season. The Speedway Star sponsored the races at £100 per month.
April: John Louis (Ipswich) beat Ray Wilson (Leicester).
May: John Louis (Ipswich) beat Peter Collins (Belle Vue).
June: John Louis (Ipswich) beat Malcolm Simmons (Kings Lynn).
July: John Louis (Ipswich) beat Dag Lovaas (Hackney).
August: John Louis (Ipswich) beat Ole Olsen (Wolverhampton).
September: Phil Crump (Newport) beat John Louis (Ipswich).
October: Phil Crump (Newport) beat John Boulger (Cradley).
