Sir Norman Wisdom sadly passed away this week at the grand old age of 95. As well as being one of Britain's best loved comic actors, he was also famously "Big in Albania" as his were some of the very few western films that were allowed to be broadcast in the country during the harsh years of the Marxist dictatorship.
Just as surreal, is the fact that Sir Norman was also guest of honour at the 1962 Speedway World Final and is pictured at the wheel of the Wembley tractor behind bronze medalist Ove Fundin, runner up Barry Briggs & winner Peter Craven.
I love the concept of the winners of a major World Championship event being given a lap of honour sat on the bonnet of an old tractor, being driven by a comedian. Spraying lycra clad podium girls with champagne is all well and good, but sometimes you just have to keep it real and it doesn't get any more real than tractors.
Brilliant, it could only happen in speedway. Could you imagine Man U players being paraded around Old Trafford on an old farm trailer being pulled by an Alec "Massey" Ferguson driven by Lee Evans!!! Norm was also a TT fan as well as a great comedian. I just love his old films. I've lost 2 of my childhood heroes in the space of a few dyas... Norman Wisdom and Tony Curtis, thanks for the memories.
ReplyDeleteIt does get you thinking doesn't it. Perhaps Dorna could prove that Moto GP riders really aren't pampered prima donnas living in a bubble by sending them out for a lap of honour on a tractor. I can picture the scene with Pedrosa, Stoner and Lorrenzo cheerily waving to the crowd while straddling the bonnet of a rusty old orange Fiat as they lap Mugello...
ReplyDeleteGreat post. G
ReplyDelete