steve roberts

Personally I felt that the aggregate bonus point system was one of the better innovations and during the Nielsen years at Cowley we certainly benefitted when during that period we were consistantly one of the more attractive teams away from home taking into account points scored and against although our home record could sometimes be suspect none more so than in 1990 when we achieved the best away record but threw too many points away at home.

When I had a try out at one of Olle Nygren's Training Schools I recall that we were given a pre-ride discussion as regards the bikes (2 valve Jawa) and tracks.

Am I right to think that Exeter once gained the most with the aggregare bonus point when added together gave them the championship despite not achieving much on their travels in that particular year (which I can't remember)?

I recognise the fact that younger audiences apparently no longer watch "live" TV however I do find it ironic that the main terrestrial channels (can't comment on cable/satellite) broadcast programmes aimed at that same audience ie "reality" type programmes with "celebrities" that those of a certain age would be able to relate to? As regards "modern agenda/gender and cultural needs" we now have a greater influx of main stream sports that now cover both male and female participants (football, rugby and cricket being the high profile ones) which is no bad thing but which ultimately squeezes out any hope of other "minority" sports getting much of a look in as there is only so much air time available. As regards "popular" sports that's very much open to question and speedway in the past when "popular" never got much in the way of a look in other than the sadly missed "World of Sport" and regional channels (ATV and Anglia were particularly good) but it never got the recognition it deserved from the BBC who obviously viewed it with suspicion and not worthy of much attention despite many thousands following the sport during that period. The BBC in particular has always been very selective in its sports coverage whereas commercial TV tended to be more adventurous in its policy making especially when Channel 4 came into being.

Yes I was thinking more the five main terrestrial channels although the BBC was never reallly a great fan of the sport even during its last "Golden Era" when England ruled the world. Thank goodness for cable and/or satellite (although I subscribe to neither) for showing interest but the days of main stream coveage have long gone to be replaced by sports that fit the modern agenda/gender and cultural needs.

Oil from the bikes used to help the shale "bind" thereby benefitting the surface of the track.

Just goes to show how much speedway has slipped off the radar the fact that the BBC can justify televising the Woman's Netball World Cup!

Blink and you missed it but there was a small bit of action on the local Lincolnshire/Yorkshire BBC News tonight featuring Tai Woffinden!

I've just finished reading my visiting brother's Oxford programme of the recent visit of Poole and have to say it's a class publication. Plenty of interest for present fans and those that enjoy reading some nostalgia and Scott's Nicholl's refeshingly honest account of the well taken win up at Berwick. Nice to see that the "warm toned" Dave Hammond still does the announcing. I always thought that he was/is the best in the business and a terribly nice person as well. Richard Palmer (I used to work with his uncle at the Zoology of Department) is still there and great to see that Leon Foster-Hill is still involved...used to enjoy my banter with him as he had a dry sense of humour. Matt Davis involved on the track curatorial side of things another who I remember (I presented him with my "Skol" Cheetahs jacket!) and of course that super enthusiast Rob Peasley who is the programme editor. I wrote some articles for him for the "Chronicle" some years back. Even my uncle one time Oxford photographer Keith Lawson got a credit! Well done to everyone involved!

I recall at Eastbourne Kelly Moran falling off at the first bend against Wimbledon (1981?) after arriving back from the States that same morning and it was thought that he had "over indulged" with the duty frees on the plane? Malcolm Simmons talked candidly about the incident in his most excellent book.

I second that.

I would agree but just raised it for debate...can't recall when they were used and the initiative lasted only a couple of years (?). Personally I used to rather enjoy all the kidology with riders trying to psych each other out when lining up at the start kicking up the dirt and digging their heels and toes although there were some who took it to an extreme.

Perhaps reverting to a concrete starting area would remove any "manipulation" and all the "digging" and "time wasting" prior to race?

I recall back in 1974 Gordon Kennett phoned ahead from his Kent base to check as to whether the meeting at Cowley against Swindon was to go head and was told by then Oxford Promoter Bob Radford that it had been postponed only for it to go ahead and Oxford used Alan Johns as a replacemant and we lost to those pesky "Budgies"...Radford resigned soon after and always maintained a chip on his shoulder as regards Oxford thereafter.

If I recall he was Team Manager at Oxford back in 1979 (?) after managing the British "Lions" down under. I wonder what happened to him?

Strewth almighty!

Ahem...that observation is open to all sorts of conjecture considering many others on here don't appear to have issues with many of my posts but, hey, that's the end of it as far as I'm concerned much to the delight of others on here I'm sure. Time to move on.

My comment was directed at both of us and to put an end to the constant petty squabbling...accept it graciously.

...time to draw a line under it and proceed in a civilised and respectful manner.

...bizarre analogy but at least you've given an answer which is a move in the right direction and his record speaks for itself however as I've indicated elsewhere he has/had good lieutenants in which to bounce his thoughts off which is always a bonus when planning strategies on and off the track.

...Okay I'll keep it simple but as you implied "usual supects" (which implies more than one) I'm sure the "usual suspects" would like to know your choice. As regards mine, that's easy, the Cheetahs Team Manager (Peter Schroeck) as they top the table at present!

...and your answer to the best current team manager would be? Enlighten us.

...which was half the fun between races and discussing what had just taken place. Personally I don't understand the need to rush thru' a meeting and have it all done and dusted in as little time as possible. Never agreed with the adage that a meeting consists of just fifteen minutes of action (although extra races would be beneficial) because personally what went on between heats only added to the entertainment value in my opinion.

Used to be the same on the old Oxford Cheetahs forum.

The best Team Managers also had good Lieutenants on track who acted as "go-betweens"...Ole Olsen at Coventry, Sam Ermolenko at Wolves, John Louis at Ipswich, Ivan Mauger at Exeter and Hans Nielsen at Oxford to name but a few.