steve roberts

I always felt it a shame that Ronnie Moore wasn't given a ride during the 1972 World Team Cup Final which was, in essence, his last ever World Final appearance.

The Second Halves at Arlington used to be typically eventful with the abundance of talent on display. We were fortunate at Cowley whereby we saw many of the Eastbourne and Peterborough hopefuls take to the track due to our promotional tie-ups. If I recall Dave Lanning christened 'The Eagles' the 'Kamikaze Kids' during the early seventies.

...and there was I thinking it was Daffy Duck!

Does anyone have any information as regards what 'Mad' Malc is now doing? He was an overnight sensation at Eastbourne and showed promise on his move to Cowley but a move to Poole followed quickly to Leicester forced him to retire from the sport. He was a temperamental rider as I recall he had major issues with the Kennett Brothers. An interview in 'Backtrack' would prove very enlightening!

...which puts them on a higher plane than the average human being.

I remember asking for Hasse Holmqvist's autograph when he was leaning out of the window of the showers at Cowley.

Unfortunately I don't have a copy of the Tom Farndon book but I have several written by John Chaplin.

Without checking my collection of 'Vintage' & 'Classic' magazines, Sid, I'm sure there have been references made about her and I'm guesiing that the author would heve been John Chaplin.

One track I would have enjoyed visiting however they closed during my first year following speedway.

I'm assuming it's some sort of documentary based upon the Nielsen/Olsen feud during the middle eighties?

He used to try and initiate it at Cowley but I found his commentary somewhat patronising on occasions.

Dave Lanning used to do live commentary at Plough Lane I recall.

I think you're right (Thursday) as Oxford were racing at home the following night (Friday) and Hans Nielsen was recoverig from an ankle injury picked up on the continent hence his less than usual dominant performance at Plough Lane.

I seem to remember it being a Wednesday afternooon?

...and apparently, if I recall, the announcer was giving out mis-information as regards some of the competing/non competing riders to add confusion to the proceedings. Ken Tozer?

Ronnie Genz rode under the name of Reg Neal when he appeared at Exeter during 1963/4 (?) when the old Provincial League was 'black' .

Charlie Brown aka Guiseppi Marzotto (Excuse spelling)

Tony Brooklister (alias Colin Meredith) whilst having second half (remember those?) trials at Cowley back in the seventies.

Remember Bill Barrett at Cowley...never knew that!

Always worth a view.

Just re-read the interview that he gave in an edition of 'Backtrack' some years ago. Yes, Ron, was very upset by what happened to Denny as were many of the Americans at the time. On his return to the States he began to promote a yearly Denny Pyeatt Memorial Meeting at a track that Ron had opened at El Centro. He admits however that although he should have continued to race for a further two years he felt that he was "burned out after ten years of racing" although he had no regrets. At the time of the interview (2004) he was in the process of developing a 2.5 mile paved track, speedway track, motorcross, drag strips, trails, campground, water-park on an 1100-acres huge piece of property in Imperial County. I saw him ride many times for "the Eagles" and was a class act.

Yes I was following 'falcace's ' lead whereby Alan Grahame was listed who also rode twice as a reserve during the 1984 World Final.

Great idea! 1. Bobby Schwartz 2. Bob Kilby 3. Garry Middleton 4. Ron Preston 5. Vaclav Verner 6. Arne Pander 7. Charlie Monk 8. Jim McMillan 9. Roy Trigg 10. George Hunter 11. Dave Younghusband 12. Sandor Levai 13. Phil Herne 14. Reg Wilson 15. Norman Hunter 16. Andy Grahame ...different list tomorrow probably!

Hans Nielsen was/is always a gentleman.

It was very disappointing for Eastbourne that neither Gordon, Kelly or Ron turned out for 'The Eagles' in 1983 having all putting in superlative performances the previous season. There was a very interesting interview with Ron in an edition of 'Backtrack' some years ago (I'll hunt it out) but if memory serves he decided not to return to the UK because he was involved in setting up his own speedway in the States. He rode with a knee injury picked up while at Poole which, if I recall, always caused him some issues. A great talent and lost too early in the UK.