steve roberts

He also appeared a handful of times for "The Rebels" in 1975 due to our promotional tie-up (great days) and, of course, he was very involved with the construction of the White City track. He ran a training school at Cowley during the winter of 1975/76 and I recall Pip Lamb being a regular and Gary Spencer (whatever happpened to him?) Pete was also Team Manager of "The Cheetahs" in 1978...great team with the likes of George Hunter, David Shields, John Hack, Carl Askew etc.

New Zealand were originally due to meet Poland at Cowley in 1973 but the fixture was altered and they were replaced by Australia. At least that gave me the opportunity to see Jim Airey but "Rebels" skipper from the previous season Garry Middleton was programmed to ride he was conspicuous by his absence!

I have it as 9.26 factionally behind teammate Steve Bastable who was on 9.51.

...and one of my favourites, Gordon Kennett, achieved 9 plus averages for 7 seasons (1976 - 82)

Apparently! You couldn't make it up really.

'Speedy Pete' and 'Joe' Gooddy used to look out for each other when they rode for "The Cheetahs". Woe betide anyone who messed about with one because they then had the other to contend wit!

I saw Ronnie ride at Poole for Wimbledon in 1972 and he was a class above scoring, if I remember, 14 points.

...perhaps then one-time King's Lynn co-promoter Bill Barker wouldn't have been 'robbed' of the days takings some years ago when he took the money home with him and left it in his house overnight the story being told in Malcom Simmons' (co-promoter at the time) in his most excellent book?

I'm sure that Ronnie would have added at least a couple of further championship wins if he hadn't retired in 1963 Sid.

I think that records were not always particulary reliable until Bryan Seery became the official statistician...can't remember when however although there was a fascinating article in "Backtrack" a couple or so years ago.

Another good one but I'll say it again what's with the right leg?

Great stuff again!

I'm sure that it was 1986.

Same here...it would be easier listing the tracks that are still open!

One track I would have loved to have visited!

I really would have liked to have been around to have witnessed the birth of the British League...it must have been so exciting and fresh.

Mine arrived this morning with an interview with Marek Cieslak with some surprising comments about Bob Dugard!

I'm generally of the same opinion. Nothing beats watching it live!

Kenny could never resist talking off the cuff...I always thought that Gary Newbon used to seek him out for an interview as he knew that he would get a reaction from Carter for TV purposes.

I've never seen thise version. Must give it a look but quickly located Kenny's interview and he looked gob-smacked by it all!

1972...my first year attending speedway. I was 12 years old and I was hooked from the very first meeting (Oxford vs. Coventry) watching four riders hit the bend at speed with no brakes and fearless. The smell and the noise was something else. As a long time football fan I was immediately struck by the excitement that speedway offered and from that day on football took a back seat. I have many memorable moments during my years following speedway (far too many to mention here) and wouldn't have changed any of it for the world. Great days and many fabulous memories to look back on.

Which is why I placed Nigel further down my particular list (although acknowledging his endeavours) he was on the decline when I started attending speedway.

Agree entirely.

I do wonder how historians will view the present situation in years to come...although far too early to predict such analysis and judgement...and how future generations will look back on it with curiosity and bewilderment? It's unprecedented and no doubt questions will be asked with the benefit of hindsight in years to come and a proper analysis carried out at the appropriate juncture.

ITV's "World of Sport" would have quite an extensive archive of speedway (if it hasn't been wiped?) from the seventies (whereby Peter Collins became a household name) and early eighties as would some of ITV's regional channels (Central and Anglia for example). It would be nice to think that there would be an outlet somewhere on TV under the present circumstances...but I wouldn't hold my breath!