steve roberts

Wasn't necessarily comparing cities but the fact that the the two day world final was derided by many at the time and since and yet that's what's been put forward at Manchester albeit within a GP series?

Interesting development? The two day final in Amsterdam has constantly been criticised over the years although I enjoyed the event as it gave you two days in Amsterdam enjoying the sites. Obviously people now accept the idea of a two day event albeit within a GP series?

Ivan Mauger was quoted as saying that his style needed "tidying" up as Andrew appeard to be riding four bends continually locking up and should have been smoother but I guess that's what made speedway so exciting back then to watch...individualist. Riders now look all the same.

I used to enjoy watching riders negotiating the bends with full lockers of which the Kennett Brothers were masters!

I've just re-read an interview with Gary Havelock he made in "Backtrack" some years back and then he was saying that laydown engines didn't "offer" the opportunity for riders to apply throttle control...it was either off or full on with nothing in between and personally I think this is the problem with many riders now. The bikes are too powerfull for the often too restricted tracks which can cause issues with riders seemingly "out of control."

Having watched speedway during the 2 and 4 valve era and the advent of lay downs is that riders today all tend to adopt thr same styles and are indistinguishable from each other. Whether that's down to the performance of the bike and/or track conditions is obviously open to conjecture?

If I recall Troy Butler also worked/works in the construction industry?

When I first went to speedway in 1972 as a 12 year old the admission was 30p and programme 8p.

Sad news indeed. RIP

I'm fortunate in that I have a small private pension and was able to pay into a savings plan. Having moved to York some years ago I worked within the tourism industry where generally salaries are barely above minimum wage. How my younger ex-colleagues will cope in years to come is questionable and I don't envy them. York is a tourist centre and prides itself on same but that isn't reflected in salaries unfortunately.

Unfortunately not everyone was/is able to pay into a private pension. Those that were/are on low salaries had/have difficulties enough paying bills never mind finding that bit extra to have paid into a private scheme.

Bit of a generalisation?

Sad news...a true promoter. RIP

Just re-reading the excellent "Tears and Glory" and Hans Nielsen's winning time of 58.4 was never acknowledged by the Reading Management as it was clocked when the the tapes had failed and they resorted to the green light? I would have thought that what the management thought was irrelevant because surely the official match report would have been submitted and noted? I was at that meeting and Hans' winning time will always be the record time in my opinion.

Ipswich from their 1972 squad no longer with us are John Louis, Sandor Levai, Billy Sanders and Olle Nygren.

Used to like Chris French on Screensport.

Of course we are all advancing down a particular road which is unavoidable but I've quickly glanced at the year 1972 and starting line ups of teams appear to have a few that are still with us...my team Oxford have so few now with us? If I'm mistaken nearest rivals Swindon all of their 1972 team are still with us for example?

I was checking thru team members of my team Oxford who rode for the "Rebels" during my first two years following the sport. Those no longer with us are Garry Middleton, Oyvind S. Berg, Colin Gooddy, Ken McKinlay, Svein Kaasa and later additions and regulars in 1973 Gordon Kennett, Bob Kilby, John Dews and Malcolm Ballard. Those surviving are stalwart Rick Timmo, Norman Strachan and Preben Rosenkilde from the 1972 squad. Certainly made me realise how the passing years have taken many of my "heroes" from that era.

I'm a member of the Karl Fiala Group page but no longer receive notifications and haven't for a while now?

I used to get notifications but no longer?

Is he on Facebook now?

Bit like those who never thought/believed that points were bought and favours handed out and were shocked by the Sunday People "revelations"...been going on for years since the birth of the sport judging by accounts down the years.

Seem to recall Ivan used a long track short engine during one world final?

Personally I find the modern style of riding unattractive and they all look the same...very little individualism.

A real character...sad news. RIP