steve roberts

Also recall attending a double header at Wolves in 1984 when Oxford were on second to Halifax and travelling back at the dead of night one cold and misty late October night...but that's the memories I carry when remembering my times travelling about the country and what made it so special.

I've just sent Martin another question. I'll await with keen interest regarding his views in the next edition...great column and I hope that others feel inclined putting questions to him.

Never a fan of Pedersen even before he turned out during an ill-fated move to Cowley where on his very first meeting for Oxford deliberately rode thru' Lee Richardson at Coventry. Only lasted half a season at Oxford after an infamous row in the pits at Peterborough with then promoter Nigel Wagstaff. Personally I was glad to see the back of him as I grew tired watching his 'niggling' style of riding.

Super DVD...have it in my collection!

Remember it well...at least it gave me a free run thru' Western Avenue and the M40 back home to Oxford.

He was a poor rider when he signed for 'The Cheetahs' and even with the help and assistance of Hans Nielsen never adapted to Cowley and didn't last very long.

Typical Pedersen manoeuvre. Never known him to be anything different.

I attended two 'Live' American Football games at Wembley back during the eighties and talk about drawn out. All the 'off pitch' shenanigans I found distracting and prefered watching edited highlights when I used to follow the sport but no longer do.

My ideal scenario would be a meeting that consisted of 20 heats. Now whether that would be a match consisting of 13, 14, 15 or 16 heats and a second half so be it. Value for money is my main criteria and that may make me a 'dinosuar' but dinosaurs were pretty succesful within the grand scheme of things.

At the risk of repeating my personal scenario I was a regular at Cowley for over thirty years and the track was within walking distance of my various homes at the time. However since I moved to York (2004) that criteria seriously altered. The reality would now require driving to either Sheffield, Scunthorpe and/or Redcar which would result in having to fork out serious petrol money (plus wear & tear) to attend a meeting that consists of 15 (?) races with admission prices at £15 (?). The sums just don't add up as far as I'm concerned. I've given up talking about speedway to locals as York being a non-speedway town nobody has ever heard of it so even sharing expensives is out of the question. I'm sure that now the depressing regularity of track closures around the country has also influenced whether 'fans' choose to travel distances to follow their once favoured sport?

Remember the late Rob Woffenden placing Castrol 'R' in his petrol driven lawn mower so that he could enjoy the whiff when cutting the lawn!

Interesting and thought provoking article.

Ron How rode for the all-conquering 'Cheetahs' of 1964 but unfortunately a bad injury in 1965 curtailed his more than worthy contributions over the years. Ran a pub in Great Missenden(?) and died not so many years ago. Still thought of with great admiration within Oxford circles. Apparently he and Ove Fundin had some great 'ding-dongs' over the years!

Yes Garry often had the better of Briggo when a 'Rebel' but often came unstuck when up against Martin Ashby. Thankfully my memories of speedway go beyond averages and heat wins or indeed the number of World titles achieved but the characters and memories that many riders evoked...great times!

...oh but what a character! Garry certainly left his mark on the sport with his 'misadvenetures' and people still talk about him after all this time.

Gordon Kennett is apparently due to attend. Nice to see Gordon showing an interest in speedway because he was somewhat a reluctant hero.

Looks to be a great reference source for 'Diamonds' fans and those with an interest in the history of the sport.

I think that was during 1976 (when we lost again!) and if I remember Brian picked up a knee injury that night (clashed with Bob Kilby?) which caused him problems for the rest of his career. A real shame because he wa really developing into a very useful rider and may well have ended up a full-time 'Rebel' although he was a 'Panther' thru' and thru'. We eventually broke our 'duck' and won at Blunsdon in 1978!

Yes, Sid, and with risk of going over old ground 'The Rebels' released Richard Greer to a struggling Birmingham before it was known that Dag wasn't available for the '77 season which left them two heat leaders short. Marek was inspirational (especially around Wood Lane) and it has to be remembered that Paul Gachet picked up an early season injury (broken ankle) which kept him out of the side for the entire season. Mike Sampson (who was a match winner on more than one occasion) and Dave Kennett filled in but it was the ovearll team spirit and ethic that got them thru' in the end (and a little help from Barry Thomas!) despite intense pressure from Exeter and Reading in particular. A great season and one that I cherish personally...great days! Didn't manage to beat you 'blighters' at Blunsdon that year however...

White City 'Rebels' Gordon Kennett, Dag Lovaas (await the usual comment), Marek Cieslak, Kai Niemi, Steve Weatherley, Trevor Geer, Richard Greer and Mike Sampson (Number Eight).

I never had an issue with the old T/S ruling and I, too, recall when a 'lesser' rider went out and beat tactical moves made by the opposition Team Manager. Used to bring the house down and added an element to the procedings and highlighted the sometimes unpredictabilty of the sport. We were fortunate at Cowley in watching many of the Eastbourne lads during second halves (which I used to enjoy) and, of course, both Gordon and Malcolm ended up riding for Oxford. I recall that there was some animosity between Ballard and the Kennett brothers and remember when in 1974 during a 4TT held at Eastbourne which involved Oxford (Gordon), Hackney (Dave), Poole (Malcolm) and the home team Ballard got upto all sorts of mischief picking fights with all and sundry! Whatever became of 'Mad Malc'?

Sad news indeed. Used to enjoy reading John's comments (occasionally controversial but thought provoking) and will be sorely missed.

During the 1972 World Final at Wembley when Ole Olsen was pushed out at the first bend by John Louis and ended up at the back but managed to pass him and Bernie Persson before giving chase to leader Christer Lofqvist when he lost it and slid off which effectively ended his chances of retaining his crown. Pure drama. Pure Theatre...and pleased me having never been a fan of him!

I visited Somerset once but saw no action as the meeting was postponed due to a water logged track! Did looked good however.

Blunsdon used to produce some great racing when I used to attend but even in my time I do recall the track deteriorating and becoming rough and uneven although it was occasionally put right. I would be concerned as a 'Budgie' fan that it appears from the photos that the track may be significantly shorter but perhaps that may be for the better...time will only tell.