Just my old brain couldn't remember Billy.
No problem Dougie. I mentioned Ben to Asko Maatta who I met earlier this year.
I figured as he races a Nitro Harley and has been around quite a while that he might remember Ben.
I sent him a PM through another forum and he only got back to me today.
Here is his reply.
Hi Sam
Sorry, been not at the forum for some time so not noticed your message. My wife is now well as I'm too, that's the great news.
And for now I don't have bad ones
Yep, I know Ben or his real name is (was?) Bengt Luotonen, he raced with me in late 80's / early 90's in Top Gas and Fuel Super Twin (I had then ex-Charley nitrous-gas Harley). And he was one of the riders to race on the ex-Mancuso nitro-Harley here in Finland. Actually at the Finnish Finals this autumn I had in my team Topi Mäkelä who raced that bike after Bengt. Topi lives nearby here at the Jyvaskyla district and he is an old friend of mine. Nowadays he is mostly racing speedway and even ice-speedway sometimes. But he is also a co-owner of the ex-Salakari nitro Harley from late 90's / early 00's with Kari "Gremlin" Nätkin. You might have notized the username "gremlin".
So the world is actually quite small! At least if you have enough friends!
Greetings, and hope to see ya next season,
Asko
Asko Maatta, ST77
Baldie´s VooDoo Racing
Finland
Sam.
