steve roberts

Vic White (Coventry Team Manager) felt that Olsen was one of the most difficult riders that he had ever dealt with. Often undermining his decisions.

I think that it was combination of things Sid. The JAP engine wasn't suited to the vast Wood Lane bowl and he was badly affecred when he had a bad crash with Trevor Hedge. However, personally, I feel that after getting his long desired wish to ride at Oxford he felt very disappointed that it only resulted in the one year and his enthusiasm was diminished...just my opinion.

Obviously hindsight is a wonderful thing but Oxford had only the one remaining year in the British League (1975) before being forced to enter the National League when re-develoment was on the agenda and was saved at the last moment. I'm glad that during that last season I was able to enjoy the exploits of Dag for one season before his career stalled when the promotion re-located to Wood Lane.

Yes Dag was one of the last riders to ride a JAP. One of my favourite riders together with brother Ulf.

Very rarely made an appearance at Cowley (especially during the last year of "The Rebels'") giving feeble reasons for not doing so. He was often difficult and a control freak as has been highlighted by team mates and by at least one Team Manager and his handling of the Danish Team whilst still the personal manager of Erik Gundersen (who later agreed that it was wrong when interviewed in an edition of Backtrack some years ago) which caused friction amongst members of the National Team...especially with Hans Nielsen. No not my favourite rider or, indeed, personality within speedway it has to be said. Thank goodness he turned down a move to Oxford and we got the majestic Dag Lovaas instead...who had the beating of Olsen around Monmore Green much to his annoyance!

Both venues are listed in the publication 'Homes of British Speedway' Broxburn (1928-29) listed as Training & Trials. Kettering (!928-29) Open License.

No mention in the publication 'Homes of British Speedway' other than a reference to Wisbech Dirt-Track (1937-39 & 1946-48) but no specific location given.

Is Ellis Perks related to one-time 'Cheetah' Dave?

Neil Evitts. I know that he had a bit of a thing going with Jens Rasmussen (another hard rider) and apparently Evitts and Kelven Tatum had altercations (?). He was never really forgiven by 'Cheetah's fans' for putting in a poor guest performance for Oxford after only the previous week winning a World Championship Qualifying Meeting although rumours circulated at the time for the reasons why...whether true or not.

Yes I've spoken to Ian Cartwright on a number of occasions and he spoke of Chris being the absolute wrong guy to have been a pub landlord when he held such a postion. But yes people talk of the great Hyde Rode heroes (Collons and Morton) but Chris, who could be equally spectacular, is rarely mentioned.

Simon Cross. Remember when he walked out on Oxford after a 'disagreement' with the late Ashley Pullen. Although adored by Cradley fans I felt he rode erractically taking riders out...an example being at Dudley Wood when Oxford were the visitors in 1985 and he left both Simon Wigg and Andy Grahame nowhere to go (in seperate incidents) on the second bend. Personally I felt that he was a classic example of riding the man rather than the track and guilty of 'over-riding' on occasions.

Tim Hunt was as "mad as a hatter" but apparently a very nice bloke!

The very sad occasion of Gary Peterson's death.

I was never a fan of him.

'Wilkie' was an extremely tough competitor but I would like to think fair. I well recall the time at Cowley when he objected to some offence and came striding out of the pits and ripped the tapes from their sockets to the boos of the crowd. However he was well respected by his rider colleagues (John Davis amongst them) and was fiiercely loyal to his team mates. His great buddy, Chris Pusey, never really got over Wilkie's accident apparently.

Ole Olsen

I recall a Middlesbrough fan with a drum once or it may well have been Ellesmere Port!

I can see the pictures now...Alan Cowland and Alan Wilkinson being restrained. I think that Tom Leadbitter was somewhat useful with his fists on that occasion?

Who were the heart and sole of British Speedway and often under-rated and forgotten about.

Recall Wiggy pulling a wheelie when crossing the finishing line during a Test Match at Cowley thinking that he had just completed an unbeeten 18 point maximum...only to be excluded!

There was a ruling that stated if a rider wasn't making a bona fide attempt to race than the referee had the the right to exclude him...or some such wording. One of those curious and somewhat controversial rulings. I seem to remember two riders from the same team were excluded for the offence even though there was no opposition!

Peterborough 'beat' Oxford 40-0 in 1976 when 'The Cheetahs' refused to take to the track deeming it unfit for racing.

Have a feeling that a 0-0 was declared at White City (vs Swindon) back in 1978 but can't recall the details?

There was an interesting interview with him in a recent edition of 'Backtrack'.

I think that he was still wearing one when he turned out for 'The Cheetahs' in 1997?