steve roberts

I recall that the 1975 British Final was shown on Sportsnight on BBC1.

They also showed both the 1988 & 1989 Finals and I always felt it odd that they dipped in and out broadcasting the sport. Perhaps the lose of "World of Sport" created a window of opportunity?

Yes It's a true story.

Thanks for adding the 'away' bib of the City "Rebels". A great compilation and the choice of music adds to the nostalgia!

The City "Rebels" one shown on the DVD was of course their 'home' bib...they wore the traditional Confederate Red desigh away from home...a great site and brings back so many memories! Any chance of a National League selection?

...or even the 'Budgie' Sid? We at Oxford used to refer to Swindon as the Swindon "Budgies" and Reading the Reading "Berks". We had Dave Lanning to thank for that...how we could do with another Dave Lanning now. He knew how to build up the atmosphere. After the introduction of the riders at Cowley he always used to finish off by announcing "Let battle commence!"

Always liked race bibs (never a fan of team suits) and the simpler ones were always the more effective in my view. Belle Vue's was always iconic and the Lion of Wembley.

Used to enjoy my visits to Arlington and due to the promotional tie-up got to see many of the lads competing in the second halves at Cowley...great days!

I would agree Sid but I got to see the best of both worlds...National League speedway at Oxford and British League at White City and Swindon with Eastbourne thrown in for good measure!

Martin Yeates and Derek Harrison were also exceptional exponents around Cowley however Graham Drury always looked awkward and couldn't team ride for toffee!

Indeed the British League Division Two/New National League and later National League ran for many years without having to resort to using guests. There were a few exceptions and if I recall riders on World Championship duties could be replaced but I can't remember the specifics?

If I recall the track was shortened from 354 yards (Peter's record) to 350 yards during the 1973 season.

Barry Briggs set a record of 64.8 during 1974 (although the track had been shortened tp 350 yards) and Dag Lovaas lowered it to 63.6 later during that same season and then Phil Crump lowered it further (63.2)

Which, apparently, speedway got hit with a massive 48% whereas other sports (including football) 'only' contributed 15% from gate receipts.

Yes that's correct...they once used to play at the old Oxford City ground. I think they were lnown as Oxford 'Saints'?

The Banger Racing caused all sorts of issues at Cowley and even prompted the speedway promoters to pull the plug if the Banger people didn't tidy up their act. The infield resembled a junk yard on occasions.

Super meeting and Gordon Kennett rode a blinder on his own track and, if I recall, finished second in the competition (Peter Collns being the victor) when all done and dusted...also remember Olsen getting into a flap when he grounded to a halt when his own dislodged helmet colour got caught up in his chain!

New Cross and West Ham were two tracks I wished I could have visited. Custom House closed during my first season and I did actually visit the site of where once New Cross was and recall seeing evidence of its presence. Like you I generally prefer the smaller tracks but one of my least favourites was Wolves with its too long straights and hairpin bends (similar to Kirky Lane). Oxford, of course, was one of the best...but I would say that!!

The last season of 'The Rebels' (1978) created some rather embarrassing heavy defeats for the home team. However they always throughout their three years of operation remained good visitors to other tracks and achieved results at all over that same period excepting Exeter, Ipswich and Newport/Bristol (although they should have won on their visits to Eastville). The 77 team were an exceptionally talented group of riders and fully deserved their title success and teams visiting Wood Lane that season were often sent away packing although 'The Rebels' were not invincible and lost twice at home during that campaign and others came close in succeeding which proved that if riders were willing to give it a go that success was within their grasp. I would agree that races were often strung out at Wood Lane but that was often the case at many of the larger tracks operating at the time, before and no doubt since but I saw many races involving the home team having to battle their way thru'...none more so spectacular than Kai Niemi riding around Terry Betts and inside Michael Lee within a lap.

Yes some people slag off White City but as a weekly regular during 'The Rebels' era and some of the big meetings held there it did produce some decent racing and Malcolm Simmons (Yes that man again) used to enjoy riding the many lines that it encouraged and likened it to Custom House.

Glasgow - Hampden Park.

I may be wrong but I think that he was injured during the practice session?

There was of course the occasion that John Berry produced a measuring tape during the interval at Hull and proceeded to measure the width much to the annoyance of the home promoter Ian Thomas.

I was there and although it was the league decider Hull were up against it and had lost it earlier in the season due to the unprofessionalism of certain riders.

Remember it well...all because Ole Olsen refused to come to Oxford (thank goodness) and we got Dag Lovaas instead. Perculiar in that Oxford very nearly always opened their account in a League tie at Coventry before any warm up fixtures which is how John rode in place of himself! I seem to recall a similar scenario surrounding Alan Mogridge also?