steve roberts

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!

Thanks!

Is it Rick?

Thinking it's Rick Miller but I don't think it is?

Got this on DVD...great memories!

Saw a lot of Bobby, not only at Eastbourne, due to the promotional tie up at Cowley. He was ear-marked to move up with "The Rebels" but if I recall Bob Radford advised him otherwise and he eventually moved to Swindon. Bob Radford was somewhat bitter towards Oxford after he resigned his position whilst the season was still in progress in 1974. Of course it's well documented that after McNeil's move to Hackney he was badly affected by the death of Vic Harding who he knew growing up within the grasstrack scene and he retired prematurely.

It's funny how things turn out but I remember both Colin Richardson and Michael Lee as fifteen year olds riding in 'demonstation' races at Cowley (1974) and Colin coming out on top. As we know Michael's career reached the heights whereas Colin's after showing much promise tended to peter out.

Yes I remember that...but more that Gordon Kennett missed a golden opportunity of winning the thing on his own track because, if I recall, he went into the meeting with most points?

He was pally with Reg Wislon I remember.

I also went to the three White City Finals...including seeing Freddie Starr at the 1978 event when he bought a bike for the competing Tony Davey!