steve roberts

Makes one wonder why there is a Colour Marshall on duty or is there no longer such an official in the pits?

Saw Colin as a 15 year old riding during the interval at Cowley in 1974. A match/exhibition race was put on between him and another 15 year old a certain Michael Lee and Colin was the victor. 1977 was Colin's year and he was another who didn't fulfill his undoubted potential (in my opinion) in the higher sphere of racing although he had a couple of initial useful seasons at Plough Lane before injury slowed him down and after moving to King's Lynn he eventually ended up back at Arlington.

I would have thought, and I'm no expert, that getting the base right was the most important factor. We all remember the nonsense that was Bristol and I recall that when Peterborough's track was first laid they dug down a number of feet to lay a decent foundation so as the track wouldn't cut up and also drain satisfactorily.

I seem to recall that Romford's track was laid within a week (?) however the Swindon debacle seems to go and on!

I viewed his grave a couple of years ago.

...I recall that there was talk that he may have have joined Halifax prior to Cradley stepping in. Can you imagine a team tracking Penhall & Carter together in the same team!

Rosco was always a bit of a scatterbrain as a rider!

Another very good read...especially enjoyed the article on Dag Lovaas and his recent visit to Oxford (photos supplied by my uncle, one time Oxford track photographer, Keith Lawson).

Very touching story.

I saw Christer on a few occasions...last time riding for Hackney against 'The Rebels' in 1975 when he registered 13 points. He was one ride away from being World Champion in 1972 at Wembley when he ran a last in one of his rides.

The whole situation at Swindon has been a farce and a badly handled Public Relations exercise...but what do you expect when Clark Osborne is involved.

I'm certainly glad that I enjoyed three years watching 'The Rebels' at Wood Lane and visits to Hackney and Wimbledon.

Thanks for that Rob! You would have met my uncle, Keith Lawson, at Dag's recent reunion.

It was rumoured that Harrfeldt was to sign for 'The Rebels' in 1974 but it never materialised. Would have enjoyed watching him but it was not to be.

Not sure if Reg ever rode for 'The Cheetahs'? I recall that they both rode at New Cross some years earlier?

That quite surprises me...didn't know that. Can you recall who was riding for Denmark? I remember Kurt Bogh and Bent Norgaard(?) but am struggling with names. Norway, on the other hand, had many useful riders during that era.

Sadly I think that you are correct despite all the good intentions and that pains me having been a regular at Cowley for 30 plus years and my father from 1949.

However I do remember Preben Rosenkilde who rode for a short while at Oxford in 1972 (as a replacement for the ill-fated Svein Kaasa) on the recommendation of Garry Middleton. He had also ridden for Halifax and West Ham and later turned up at Newport in 1976 but didn't remain long. Was more accomplished on longtracks I seem to recall.

There's an article about Dag Lovaas' recent visit to Cowley in the latest 'Backtrack' magazine and the pictures show Cowley to be in quite a desperate state. I last callled in last year and the stadium was in a bad way...it will require someone with no little money to turn the place around and in the current climate I just can't see that as a possibilty sad to say.

However he did post a couple of strong averages (10+) during his last years spent riding in England.

Remember Neil well. Looked useful at Wimbledon and then allocated to Poole in 1975 and was never the same rider. Rode at Newport briefly in 1976 before signing foe White City and lasted one match and promptly retired.

Yes I well remember the combined Norway/Denmark team of 1972 & 73...formulated to include Denmark's one classy rider at the time Ole Olsen.

...and three plus years when I raised this particular thread!

Excellent article!

Yes the late John Berry was always less than complimentary regarding Stewkesbury and his self driven agenda.