Signatures 105 total
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Name: Doug Harris on Apr 12, 2010Comments: As a callow youth, I would visit Croft (in the days of the old red bus being the only elevated spectating point) and watch the gladiators of the tarmac defy the laws of physics on tyres that didn't have compounds, only two main features - black and round. Ken Redfern was one of the biggest heroes and put up with naive fans like me replaying recorded motorcycle racing sounds at distorted volumes back in the paddock or getting in the way when machine preparation was urgent. Unlike many who aspired to the margins of international stardom, he remained accessible and a character that refused to become sterile. On that petite Yamsel, he embarrassed many a newer and larger capacity machine rider .... especially when he heeded the notice to "Turn the Bloody Petrol on!".Flag
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Name: DAVE MURRAY on Apr 29, 2010Comments: I knew Ken very well in my teens, sometimes cleaned his bikes and scrounged lifts with him to various meetings. He was a gentleman, and certainly one of the best of his era. At Croft he was untouchable and it certainly seems unjust, even though the track is not the same as the old days, that there is not a corner named after him.Flag
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Name: Steve Lister on May 2, 2010Comments: stevelister@talktalk.netFlag
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Name: CHRIS HOPES on May 6, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Alan Kitching on May 6, 2010Comments: Long overdue...........Flag
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Name: D.H.Redfern on May 6, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Steve Maney on May 6, 2010Comments: I didn't know Ken personally as I do his brother Mike but his racing racing achievements speak for themselfs all on Norton twins as well!Flag
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Name: John Watson on May 6, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Valerie Davey on May 6, 2010Comments: Ken Redfern should be remembered at Croft. His contribution to racing at that circuit should not be forgotten or overlooked.Flag
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Name: Andy McGladdery on May 6, 2010Comments: I think this would be a great idea Ken is still well remembered in the racing world and this would be an inspiration to up and coming racersFlag
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Name: Sharon Hardy on May 6, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Peter Stevens on May 6, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Bill Snelling on May 6, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Ludy E. Beumer on May 6, 2010Comments: It is people like Ken Redfern who continued Britains rider's fame long after the factories faded away.Flag
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Name: Dave Croxford on May 6, 2010Comments: Why not raced against Ken many times a hard man to beat It would be a honour for a great racer to be rememberd in this way Dave CroxfordFlag
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Name: George Simpson on May 6, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Michael Thompson on May 7, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Barry Lees on May 7, 2010Comments: Just one of the silent great riders of the eraFlag
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Name: Colin Godfrey on May 7, 2010Comments: Ken was an inspiration to me both as a spectator, witnessing his mastery of Croft in particular and when I tried my fortune in racing. It is absolutely right that he should be remembered in such a way>Flag
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Name: David Hardy on May 7, 2010Comments: Ken was a close friend of myself and brother, To meet Ken off the race track he was the most unassuming and polite gentelman we ever met, many years have past since we lost Ken but we still have him in our thoughts all who met Ken would agree,I can still see him coming round Tower and through the esses on the Dunstall (I dont think to this day any one appeared to be as fast through there) when he done the lap record, so REDFERN CORNER?/ KENS ESSES?Flag
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Name: Miles PH Mitchell on May 7, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Kovacs on May 8, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Bob on May 10, 2010Comments: Ken's was a fantastic talent and well worth remembering.Flag
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Name: Tony Leonard on May 10, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Frank Kitching on May 10, 2010Comments: I think the inclusion of Ken's name somewhere on Croft racetrack in long overdue.Frank Kitching.Flag
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Name: Stephen Lockwood on May 11, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: A J Bunter on May 11, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Vincent Davey Jnr. on May 12, 2010Comments: I think it is a good thing to keep the memories of riders alive by naming places in their honor, at the circuits where they achieved success, and in my opinion, the name of Ken Redfern is worth keeping alive.Flag
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Name: Leslie Meynell on May 17, 2010Comments: Ken was so much a part of the Croft motor-cycle racing scene, and was a rider of remarkable ability. I was introduced to bikes at this circuit and became a fan, in no small part due to the skilled riding of Ken. I really do feel that "local" riders of such abilities deserve to be honoured and remembered, and the most obvious manner of doing this is to name part of the Croft circuit after him.Flag
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Name: Xavier GAYET on May 19, 2010Comments: In memory of the Gentlemen Riders.Flag
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Name: Stew Hodgson on May 25, 2010Comments: Ken was the instigator of my introduction to Motor Cycle Road Racing. As well as being a true gentleman, Ken was my mentor, very close friend and tutor in this wonderful sport. Extremely fond memories of the outstanding talent which we were all privelaged to witness will remain with me always . So few times in life do we meet fellow men of the calibre of Ken, it would be very fitting to honour Ken at Croft Racing Circuit.Flag
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Name: Frank Kateley on May 26, 2010Comments: Ken was a great rider who provided huge amounts of pleasure, thrills and excitement. He was a sportsman through and through. It will be a fitting tribute to have a part of the circuit named after him.Flag
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Name: Diane Redfern on May 26, 2010Comments: I am married to the late great Ken Redfern's brother Mike. Over the years I have heard so many exciting and memorable stories about Ken. Many of these stories relate to Ken's domination and success at the Croft Autodrome. To name a corner after such a well respected and loved rider as Ken, a local rider who is still revered among many, is the right and just thing for the Croft Circuit owners to do.Flag
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Name: Chris Lee on Jun 5, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Mick Anderson on Jun 8, 2010Comments: He was a local lad racing at his local track it would make sense to name part of the circuit after him.Flag
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Name: Donna Davison on Jun 8, 2010Comments: I'm all for remembering people in their local area. It's good to be proud of the talent produced and to mark this by naming part of Croft in memory of Ken.Flag
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Name: Anonymous on Jun 8, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Richard Bell on Jun 9, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Les Emery on Jun 11, 2010Comments: One of the greatestFlag
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Name: Alan Dawes on Jun 25, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Brian Dent on Jun 26, 2010Comments: This wonderfull rider is long overdue recognition at the circuit synonymous with his name, Come on Croft !Flag
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Name: Phil Read MBE on Jul 5, 2010Comments: I the first years of the new Croft circuit in the 60's and up until his death in the 70's Ken's name was synonymous with the circuit, attracting many fans to watch his victories, even against established stars, even me! A part of the circuit must be named after him, for everyones benefit in the future "There is no good future without a past". Phil Read, 8 x GP World ChampionFlag
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Name: Mike Redfern on Jul 6, 2010Comments: Ken was my brother so I am very aware of his achievements Croft in particular where he was 'the man'. He was so much faster than anyone else there that it was always a question of 'who came second ?' Mick Grant once said after a wet race 'Redfern made me feel as if I was going slow' After another wet 8 lap race, Ken ,on his Aermacchi finished 54 seconds in front of second placed Peter Berwick and was back in the paddock with his helmet off before Peter crossed the line. Only the third placed man remained unlapped. If this petition is successful then I think the chicane or the esses should be renamed, the chicane in particular because Ken had his own unique 'wide' lineFlag
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Name: Thelma Ballinger on Jul 8, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: John Ballinger on Jul 8, 2010Comments:Flag
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Name: Mrs Hilary Graham on Jul 9, 2010Comments: Ken was my cousin. In his day he gave so much to the Croft race track that I feel there should be some recognition of his achievements.Flag
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Name: Mary Gaisford on Jul 11, 2010Comments: A simple request!!Flag
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Name: Paul Ryder on Jul 17, 2010Comments: A fitting tribute to a man who always delivered so much. He raced with some of the most famous racers ever know and should be remembered accordingly. Redfern Esses has a nice ring to it...Flag
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Name: Keith Jeal on Jul 17, 2010Comments: I have many memories of Ken racing at Croft when it was a bare, glamour less circuit and not known to many outside the region and always struggled to appeal to the wider audience as a place to go and watch good racing with top line riders appearing. Ken always thought of Croft as his home circuit and place were he wanted to display his talents and show his love of competitive motorcycle racing in front of local people. He had a vision and dream of seeing Croft as a prestigious circuit which attracted top line racers from across the globe and grandstands full of people enjoying great competitive racing. During Ken’s era at Croft, British championship racing was greatly enhanced by his participation. Everyone taking part knew that with Ken in the race, it would be fast and a titanic battle to win. Some of the most exciting racing I have ever seen were Kens British championship rounds at Croft (yes I am biased) Ken was a local boy who “did good” he was an inspiration to many, to follow in his tracks and take up racing. He showed it was possible for a local boy to take on the best racers and win or show “next time I am ready and capable of a win” It is 40+ years since Ken started to race motorcycles and the wider audience is still talking about Ken! What an impact! Of course a corner should be named after Ken. (About time too) He is part of Crofts history, a local legend. Keith JealFlag
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Name: Peter Donaldson on Jul 20, 2010Comments: Ken was a brilliant rider, a local hero who would have gone on to even greater success. Ken and that other local star rider of the sixties and seventies, his friend Chris Hopes, raced against riders with greater backup and resources and yet their talent shone through, they were world class. Ken raced against the best and beat the best, there should be a section at Croft, his home circuit, named after him.Flag