steve roberts

Think that he now works at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford?

Poor old 'Budgies" featured in head to head with "The Rebels" and "Cheetahs". Must have been galling seeing their nearest and dearest rivals picking up so much silverware during the period covered!

I remember he used to wear khaki. Last saw him when he 'adopted' Neil Evitts (1986?)

I recall reading some years ago that he won the lottery?

Perhaps not the furthest to travel but just read in the latest "Backtrack" magazine that Steve McDermott and his great buddy Jack "The Villain" Millen would both catch the train from Crewe to Edinburgh and make the return trip on the sleeper after the meeting.

Damn...I'd forgotten to update my subscription! Put it right today and looking forward in receiveing back dated editions.

Edward Jancarz - Wimbledon (1977 - 82)

A rider I felt who never really did himself justice in Britain despite a fine international record (World under 21 Champion and a third in the World one year)

Damn! Caught out again...many thanks! It's very difficult finding riders who fell into that particular category? I'm obviously not looking at riders who did a couple of years (mainly overseas like Roman Jankowski for example) but who remained loyal to one particular club for, say, five years or more.

George White - Swindon

There's two names that remind me of trips to Radipole Lane when holidaying in Weymouth!

Per Jonsson - Reading

Rick Miller - Coventry. Pete Smith & Odd Fossengen - Poole

Plus of course the old Rider Control system and later the points limit that forced riders to move on...often against their wish.

...and Mike Keen for California (?) and/or St. Austell (had to check that one!) but, hey, my memory's not what it was...although I'm sure I'm correct with Tony Davey and definately Rick Timmo!

Yes I was forgetting that PC rode for Rochdale!

There was a time when riders remained with one club and served their whole careers riding for same. Some that instantly come to mind are Peter Collins, Erik Gundersen, Tommy Knudsen, Tony Davey, Rick Timmo, Mike Keen...plus many others.

Apologies but no malice was intended except that obviously the travel industry has suffered badly together with tourism and the lesiure industry generallly during the pandemic and was only making a sincere observation that hopefully things will be okay within TPT as it's a service I have personally used in the past and found it to be a superb organisation in all aspects and well respected within the speedway fraternity.

Yes I remember Peter patrolling the terracing at Cowley selling the magazine.

Looking forward in receiving my copy. Together with "Backtrack" the best reads regarding speedway in my opinion.

Yes I remember when the Golden Helmet was a match race between the holder and the highest scoring opposition rider...infact the very first meeting I attended Garry Middleton relieved holder Nigel Boocock of the tifter! Then, of course, it was decided to run a monthly challenge which caught the imagination at the time. I witnessed many memorable challenges over the years before it reverted back to the on-off and finally disappearing (together with the helmet!) altogether.

I would imagine that the clear winner would be Chris Julian - Cornwall to Glasgow. However other worthy entries would include:- Mike Sampson & Bob Coles - Devon to Barrow Michael Coles - Devon to Edinburgh Bert Harkins - Herts to Edinburgh Robert Hollingworth - Lincs to Edinburgh Graham Jones - Suffolk to Berwick George Hunter - Midlands to Edinburgh

Peter Collins averaged a massive 10-98 (which included 19 maximums) from the more difficult No.3 position (if I recall Soren Sjosten and/or Chris Pusey rode at No.1?). Although probably the most challenging heat leader was those programmed to ride at No.5. I remember reading that Malcolm Simmons envied fellow "Star" Howard Cole riding at No.3 in the same team as he was programmed to ride with a reserve for three of his rides although like the No.5 was programmed to meet the oppostion No.1 twice during the meeting. However it still didn't stop Malcolm heading the team's averages in 1973 with a figure of 10.26.

Got me thinking about past, present and future World Champions who rode for Oxford over the years? The aforementioned Ivan Mauger and, of course, Hans Nielsen. Plus Jason Crump, Nicki Pedersen, Greg Hancock, Billy Hamill and Tony Rickardsson. I have a sneaking feeling that Briggo put in some second half rides as a novice as I recall my dad talking about it and Briggo falling off more often than not?

That's awful!