steve roberts

Visited once in 1983 when the visitors were Newcastle. As has been suggested the track appeared somewhat narrow in my opinion.

Looking forward in receiving my copy!

Sad news indeed. May he RIP.

Jens Rasmussen - Oxford "Cheetahs"

Miss your input "The White Knight!"

I used to write personal comments in my programmes which I used to find useful in later years when reminiscing with fellow enthusiasts about great meetings and/or races witnessed. I had lots of 'firsts' programmes from new tracks as well as a goodly selection of World Finals (individual/pairs/team)...gone for good!

My memory is pretty good but occasionally there's something I need to check and having access to programmes or books would jog that cell...hence why I've re-aquired reference books but unfortunately the programmes have long gone.

My collection of programmes told a story about my years following speedway and I used to read thru' them fairly regularly. It was only due to re-locating and a lack of space that I was obliged to sell them much to my constant regret.

Mark Lemon...an Oxford favourite! Frank and "Crazy Jack" Millen were the best of enemies!

Good old Tom Leadbitter!

I deeply regret selling my thousands of programmes (some quite rare) before I re-located. I gave away my books but have managed to replace some via ebay at resonable prices.

I seem to remember that he trashed the changing room at Cowley on one occasion?

Sad indeed...however he was well thought of by many. John Davis had good things to say about him for one.

Intrigued to know about his 'off-track' antics? Remember him as a junior riding for Oxford.

Cowley Stadium is just sitting there deteriorating...looked a real mess last time I called in.

Same with Cowley Stadium.

Never knew that Rob!

And, of course, proved inspirational to Ivan Mauger when Ivan spent his formative years in Aussie after his first venture to Britain didn't go to plan.

Me and Shovlar go back a long way...he's nothing but a wind up artist and thrives on being confrontational. He often confuses fiction with fact. Like one or two others on here I could mention.

Appears in the publication "Homes of British Speedway". Caxton, Nr Cambridge, operated on an open licence in 1931 under the promotion of Newmarket Motorcycle Club. Heck, I've just trawled back and it's already been mentioned and the source!!!

I witnessed lots of Kelly down at Arlington and he was a master of that track. Shame that he went home after 1982 when he was entering the best form of his life and was never quite the same again when he returned in 1986(?) in my view.

Like Kelly Moran he could have achieved so much more. He could easily have become a multi World Champion but having said that Michael won so much during a relatively short career and not many can say that!

I saw him ride as a fifteen year old against Colin Richardson (also 15) at Cowley back in 1974 and Colin beat him, if I recall, twice. However as we know Michael went on to scale great heights whereas Richardson after showing great potential (including winning the National League Riders Championship) his career somewhat stagnated and he retired prematurely (1985?)

Unfortunately there are some on here who have a problem accepting somebody else's opinions. Afteral public forums are all about opinions and discussions on same. Back to the question in hand Ian Thomas often quoted that during his tenure as England Mananger he was paired with Eric Boocock which made the perfect choice. Ian covered the rules and/or arrangements whilst Eric the technical issues with machinery etc...but of course that was during the days when England had a national team competing in the various disciplines that international speedway offered back then...team (including test matches) and pairs events as well as individual. Does Team GB (or whatever they're referred to as now) really need a team manager nowadays?

Of course I was forgetting that Lee won two consecutive British Finals when it was a meeting hard fought and won with so many great riders competing.