steve roberts

I've always believed that the standard of speedway reflected the relevent track. There were so many tracks back before and during "The Golden Age" and some were very questionable in shape and size. Just to quote one example Somerton Park, Newport (although there were many others during that period I could mention) It rarely produced good racing (although I'm prepared to be corrected) but I would dare to suggest that if it still existed as a a raceway the same would apply today despite the 'advancement' of bikes etc. I travelled around the UK and abroad and the racing was variable but that was very much down to the track in my opinion whereby some offered better fare than others.

Yes I read it when I received my copy...interesting to say the least!

Yes it does amuse me when it's suggested that the Yanks were the best exponents of the art!

Our cycle speedway team Cowley "Crusaders" adopted the Canterbury race jacket except with a red background.

Rick Timmo was a one club rider and the sort of middle order rider that speedway thrived upon although not receiving the plaudits that their efforts deserved in my opinion.

My first year was 1972 so the riders who rode for "The Rebels" that year hold special memories for me...Garry Middleton, Oyvind S.Berg, Colin Gooddy, Rick Timmo, Svein Kaasa, Preben Rosenkilde, Norman Strachan, Ken McKinlay, Malcolm Ballard, Gordon Kennett and Julian Wigg. Alas five of those are no longer with us but great days!

If I recall the referees during the England vs. USA Test series (1986) were under instructions to exclude any rider who performed a 'wheelie'...hence Wiggy's exclusion. Think the ref on that occasion was Paul Ackroyd?

Recall the occasion when Swindon's Shawn McConnell played to the gallery when about to cross the finishing line only to be passed by Oxford's Jens Rasmussen who claimed the point!

...and of course the farcical exclusion 'Wiggy' got when celebrating with a victory wheelie completing, what he thought, a full 18 point maximum against the Yanks!

They were all good exponents but what I remember of Hans was that he was always pretty spectacular in that he would pull wheelies down the straights on successive laps whilst the race was in progress and not not just as he crossed the finishing line as did 'Wiggy' of course...the pair of them together pulling wheelies whilst leading 'The Cheetahs' to another 5-1...great memories!

Seem to recall that Dave Lanning was deposited in the well that was a feature of Arlington by the young "Eagles?'

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.