steve roberts

It was a good shape modelled on Ipswich (?) if I remember but often far too slick...probably to suit Jan Andersson! I recall the first Easter Triangle in 1984 and the circuit resembled a dust bowl and was as slick as hell

If I recall there was a Post Office complex adjacent to the site? We used to travel to it from Oxford via Pangbourne I remember.

Personally I felt that the stadium when it opened was a credit to those involved during a struggle getting the place ready (remember that the 3 day week delayed construction) but it seemed to go down hill very quickly. General upkeep and maintenance appeared to be disregarded and it showed pretty well early on during its short existance. I actually preferred Tilehurst personally. Reminded me of Cowley Stadium!

It's a while since I read the book. I'm struggling remembering when he vacated Smallmead. Was it prior to the commencement of 1979 season which would make his presence there only four seasons? I recall reading that there was much animosity at the time which led to him selling his share to the remaining members of the consortium. Whoever was to blame it was a massive blow to have a lease reduced so significantly.

Interesting reading Reg Fearman's book where he felt that the incumbent promotion after his departure re-structured the lease hence the eventual closure of the stadium.

Another tragic loss to speedway. Stadium that has apparently not been developed and the site laying dormant. Where have we read that before?

Remember when at Hackney behind glass my brother blew the klaxon horn that were all the rage during the seventies & eighties and was promptly told where to go! We still got to beat the "Hawks" though!

...and Oxford repeated the feat at King's Lynn later in the same season much to Martin Rogers' "disappointment!!"

Thanks to a match winnig performance by "Rebel" Gordon Kennett I recall!

Me just the once as well...Eastbourne's first meeting in the top flight in 1979. Just not the same behind glass. I've had meals in the restaurant at Cowley whilst watching the racing and the same applied.

Just watched a League Cup match between Wimbledon and Oxford (1984) that you commentated on Rob where the "Cheetahs" scored three 5-1's in the last three heats to steal the match! Great stuff! I was there live also at the time.

Never liked that one! We never excelled in that competition...the 3TT format was a strange one having to rely on the other two teams taking points off each other whilst the third team sat idly by. If I recall the meeting was run over 18 heats and for 6 of those heats your chosen team didn't take part.

Yes when I recall all the great local derbies between the three teams it's a shame that the "Budgies" are the only ones now in existence.

...only because Reading & Oxford no longer have speedway! Swindon were always having to play catch up when the "Racers" & the "Cheetahs" were competing!

Fabulous!

I'm guessing that we would have known some of the same faces/characters without mentioning any names?

I would agree...I've just watched two fabulous meetings (1984) involving Oxford at first Reading and then Wimbledon both in the League Cup (commentary by our friend Rob Mac) both meetings which I attended live. Great memories and I wouldn't have missed it for the world!

Not sure but apparently it was on teletext (which I no longer have and haven't for many a long year) but the story was featured in the Manchester Evening News and Stockport Council apparently wish to proceed with it and have it placed in Chester Road, Woodford where Ivan once lived before moving to Bramhall which is good news indeed.

That's what kept me going for many years...meeting those on the third bend at Cowley. Great Days!

Apparently there's a discussion about placing a Blue Plaque on the one-time residence of Ivan Mauger when he was based in Cheshire during his time in Britain? Would be great if it came about and a first for speedway!

I think he was a Cradley asset and loaned out to sister team at the time Oxford. If I remember he started off quite useful at Cowley but I'm sure that he picked up a cartilage (?) injury which impeded his progress and he drifted away from the sport. He did appear in an interview in "Backtrack" a few years back.

Denmark always operated an amateur stance for many years but I guess that ceased during the eighties and/or nineties?

I often remember Erik arriving at the first bend after the tapes had risen having his front wheel just inches off the ground before placing it down before entering the bend. Whether this was his way of gathering traction or just a reactionary thing I don't know but I certainly don't recall him pulling wheelies in the traditional sense.

Yes I also knew of fans who kept away and fundamentally that was the issue in my view hence which is why I keep repeating why I was never sure who the target audience were and whether any genuine marketing was carried out at the time? I've never subscribed to SKY (and never likely to) so was never an issue with me personally.

Erik Gundersen was another who didn't perfect 'wheelies'...or I certainly never saw him do so and I did see a lot of him during the many clashes between the "Cheetahs" and "Heathens".