steve roberts

I think he started his career in the UK based at Newport before moving up with Poole?

Thankfully I had re-located by then...wouldn't have really taken to him.

Welcome back Sid! Some great names there.

Was never a fan of Rickardsson personally. He certainly let Oxford down when signed on a short-term contract I recall. Always suspected his loyalties to any one club and his team-riding abilities were questionable but that's the same for many riders to be honest.

Ditto!

Great Image!

Who was excluded? Pedersen at fault in my opinion.

Yes that was the one...prior to that I believe that it was a yellow sash on a blue background? Not sure about the blue and gold quarters however.

There were indoor meetings held at the Wembley Arena and the NEC both of which I attended...spectacular but not speedway in the true sense. Concrete start areas were adopted during the fifties (?) but I don't think that they proved successful with riders gaining unnecessary grip which caused issues (?)

For obvious reason I always liked the "Cheetahs" jacket from that era...simple but effective.

The Devonshires also own much of the land around Bolton Abbey (where the charges for the car park are astronomical!) in North Yorkshire...they certainly got around a bit!

Apparently according to "The Homes of British Speedway" quote: "The site of the stadium was once part of a field owned by the Duke of Devonshire, who put it up for auction,. A small holder bought it and sold a piece to the Eastbourne Motor Sports Club for £100".

That's right. It quotes: "Although one unofficial meeting was held, in September 1928, the track (then known as "The Hyde") was officially opened on 5th August 1929, when Les Ashdown won the Arlington Scratch Race. Just one other meeting was staged that year, on 29th August, when Bert Hele was the winner of the same event".

...and such a sad end to his life. RIP

He also played a part in the "Cheetahs" KO Cup win in 1985 during the second leg at Cowley.

Didn't Ole Olsen after he retired and moved onto the GP's suggest such a thing...perhaps for the future?

I remember the Oxford Promotion had plans to promote him full-time in 1986 but during the winter he fell thru' a floor during a restoration project (?) and it was decided to allow him a further season in the National League. He eventually moved up in 1987 but strangely found it tough going especially around Cowley when he had some difficulty negotiating the bends on occasions. He reappeared on a full-time basis at Cowley in 1990 and reached a decent second string standard before moving on.

Alastair Stevens...a rider who showed much promise. Remember his interval demonstration rides at Cowley in 1984 as a fifteen year old.

T/S I believe in 1955?

Brilliant ride!

Brilliant stuff! Julian rode in second halves at Cowley on his grasstrack bike like many others (Matthewa, Drewitt Bros. etc) in 1972 before graduating to a speedway bike. He made a couple of appearances as a "Rebel" that same year but disappeared off the scene in 1973. Of course he later mentored bother Simon.

Not sure if his name has been mentioned but does anyone remember Roland Duke who appeared in second halves c1973? If I recall he had a grasstrack background.

Apparently on his return to the States he became a stunt man.

Remember Trevor Geer loosing control at Cowley and his bike careering full speed across the centre green (it wasn't 'green' in those days however!) taking out a bystander breaking his leg.

Interesting observation. I grew up watching speedway during this era and it was the recognised style...not sure when riders adopted a 'trailing left leg' moving away from the more up right approach. May have been the American invasion of the late seventies/early eighties? I recall the 1987 World Final and Henny Kroeze was the only rider adopting the old style and he looked most out of place!