steve roberts

I'd be very interested in reading anecdotes regarding Ipswich & King's Lynn encounters knowing how important local derbies were once thought of amongst rival fans. We had our fair share at Cowley with derby matches between Oxford, Swindon and Reading...alas no longer.

Bit of a 'brat' apparently when an ex-rider cum trainer (can't recall his name) was interviewed in an edtion of 'Backtrack' some years ago.

Seem to recall that Eastbourne's Bobby McNeil wearing a spotted scarf to protect his face?

Certainly not!

This is the only forum that I now follow I'm afraid...although I seem to recall that it was closed down many years ago now?

The old Oxford 'Cheetahs' forum was pretty good except that rogue Shovlar used to come on attempting to wind people up but was often rebuked and sent packing with his tail between his legs!

According to the publication "Homes of British Speedway" there were a few tracks at Matchams Park (Ringwood) varying in years of operation and track lengths. There was a track at Fernwood located in St.Ives Road (1958-61) which ran as training school (New Forest Training School) listed in the same publication.

Was it near or at Ringwood?

Some good names listed.

They were certainly widely used when I first went to speedway (1972) which is why riders like Michanek, Hellsen and, one of my favourites, Holmqvist (although he had adopted a 'monkey mask' by the time he rode at Cowley in 1973) made an impression on me as they were different to the norm.

Garry Middleton.

Rickard Hellsen also wore one whilst a 'Rebel' in 1975...similar to Michanek.

I used to be able to recognise many riders by their masks and recall Anders Michanek just wearing a scarf covering his mouth. Once the full face helmets came in it became less easy.

The mind boggles really!

Something I never achieved...plenty of examples of two meetings in one day. My brother managed Ipswich in the morning, Rye House afternoon and Hackney in the evening however.

...and then upto London White City, Hackney and Wimbledon!

The days of local derbies between Oxford, Reading and Swindon...and then Coventry for good measure!

Having been a staunch fan for over thirty years if a track was to open local to me (York) would I attend? I would probably pop along and have a look see but whether I would be re-converted I can't honestly say.

Ah! The days of 'World of Sport'...personally I feel that when ITV cancelled the programme it was one of many issues that started the decline of speedway in this country and was no longer regarded as a high profile sport that it once enjoyed during it's last "Golden Era' of the 1970's early 80's.

I recall eavesdropping on a discussion between John and a group of Oxford fans at Cowley and he seemed to be quite happy engaging with them and they all shook hands when they went their seperate ways.

Thanks for clarifying Rob!

...which is what I would personally be interested in. I've also read Ian Thomas' book and it would be fair to say that neither regarded each other with much warmth to say the least!

That's interesting...never managed to find anyone who has heard of speedway in York so I gave up bringing the subject up!

I certainly don't bother mentioning speedway where I live (York) but I have to say working within the tourist industry I do meet people from around the country and the number of times people say that they used to go.

I also recall Ole Olsen's 'Master of Speedway' Grand Prix version which, if I remember, was over four rounds although there was no round held in Britain.