steve roberts

I remember watching the highlights later that evening on ITV (main stream TV...imagine that now?) and thought that the meeting had everything and couldn't have been more dramatic in its content and conclusion. Strange that Briggo's ride against Ivan was not featured however?

I certainly hope so...just hope TPT can remain solvent during these troubled times without obviously knowing their business infrastructure.

Are they still taking bookings for Speedway Tours? Yes they've been good servants but the lack of speedway must raise concerns?

Who no doubt will be going the same way as Shearings?

Remember he took umbrage over a tapes infringement during the Midland Cup tie and the Swindon pair refused to come to the tapes thereby gifting the tie to Oxford. However Swindon won an appeal but Oxford counter-appealed but the season was coming to a close and there wasn't an opportunity for Oxford to complete the fixture against Leicester in the next round I recall. Garry Middleton often had the beating of Briggo but Martin Ashby proved a thorn and more often than not had the beating of "Cassius".

Great records indeed. I saw a fair bit of Briggo (once when he lost his temper at Cowley in 1972) but Fundin I only saw in demonstration races at Coventry during "The Golden Greats" meeting in 1988 but he could still throw the bike about!

...and was favourite to win the World Championship that season after dominating both the domestic and international scene. However a pointless first ride proved costly but if GPs had been in place during that period he may well have been given a second chance which is why winning a one-off World Final was not as straight forward, or indeed easier, as some would have us believe. However both disciplines require different approaches and therefore very difficult comparing one with the other in my view.

Never a fan of him as a rider but he always talked a good talk!

Phil Crump recorded a phenomenal 1975 average of 11.17 and 23 maximums despite riding at number five therefore programmed to meet the opposiition number one at least twice during a 13 heat fixture.

Did he have anything of interest to say?

Remember when he rode for Oxford...very best wishes Chris!

Yes I've also read the book...well worth it.

I think that may be Tommy Jansson's Brother, Bo, on the right?

Forgotten about "Five Flavours!"

Ivan also rode at number four on occasions away from home so that he and Scott Autrey would ride in the last heat...often claiming a 5-1. It's one of those urban myths that the 'star' man would ride at number one (although some did insist) as it was often the contrary in many instances (as per examples given earlier) which often resulted in some meeting opposing number ones more than once during a meeting and yst still managing to achieve very healthy averages.

I have to admit before I used to attend speedway I remember watching on, I guess, "World of Sport" a televised meeting that featured Barry Briggs and being impressed with his full face helmet. Never saw many of those then not even on the roads in the UK. The name Barry Briggs just trips off the tongue. However the two names that I found iconic were Roy Trigg and Eddie Reeves who always evoked memories of speedway before I became a regular as my brother would constantly refer to them...John Bishop was another bizarely!

I would generally agree...and those who used a Double Tactical in heat eight. Exeter occasionally named Ivan Mauger at Number Two at the County Ground to repel such a move!

...or Leicester who had a heat leader trio of Wilson, Boulger and Jessup or Reading with Andersen, Davis and Schwartz or Eastbourne with Kennett, Moran and Preston.

It has to be remembered that many Number One's (those with averages of nine and above several of which headed their particular team's average) didn't actually ride at Number One but either at Number Three or Five and therefore met an opposite Number One twice during a match. Riders who achieved averages in excess of nine plus riding at number three or five include Ashby, Lovaas, Jessup, Boulger, Wilson, Simmons, Autrey, Collins, Gundersen, Tatum, P. Crump, Jansson, Hedge , Sanders, Lee, Sigalos etc etc. Fixed gare postions came into being during 1988 if memory serves.

Thanks Rob!

...or the shop above the pits tunnel?

I lost a lot of respect for Jason after that incident (wasn't even Todd's fault!) but I later re-gained it when he matured both as a rider and a person. A good ambassodor I felt towards the sport.

I acquired issue one...are the mags likely to be monthly and what's the best source to but them from Rob?

Fair comments Rob!

Melvyn Taylor was a favourite of mine...got stick from the Cowley faithfull when unbeknown to them was having a traumatic time with a seriusly ill wife.