steve roberts

Interesting observation and suggests that nothing can be taken for granted...even football with all the media hype that exists!

...I read this book back in the seventies and recently bought a copy off ebay. A fabulous read and compliments his much later book 'Will to Win".

...the difference, of course. being is that I only engage with areas of new technology that I find useful rather than allowing technology to dictate which often involves having to spend hundreds of pounds on something that you may never use, or indeed, require but it's all about "Keeping up with the Jones" Thankfully I'm above all of that. It was interesting to see that books sales are up depite the advent of kindle which many 'experts' envisaged would bring about the demise of books....and I have hundreds of books which I consult.

...it's the same when you phone a utility company and all you want to do is talk to someone direct whilst the introductory waffling message gives you a hundred and one different options and messages it's cost a tidy sum before you've got to where you wish to be.

...I watch Laurel & Hardy and Chaplin movies and have a collection of Super 8 movies, Video and DVDs featuring both and others. Doesn't mean I don't accept modern technology as I have just re-found model railways and enjoy the new improvisations and as a very keen photographer I am about to upgrade my digital camera.

...Personally I've never totally gone along with the music played argument. In all my years going to speedway the music was often of the latest chart selection which is what the younger generation (those very people the sport needs to attract) tend to listen to anyway and, therefore, able to relate to same...which is more than I could half of the time!

...This is an area that the late John Berry used to raise. Whereas once upon a time the one-off World Final when staged in this country would provide a divided income for British tracks (as well as other FIM and shared BSPA events) when the GPs came along the whole scenario changed and with little interference from the BSPA who allowed the circus to dictate it's own terms.

...Can't wait to get my hands on the recently released London Speedway DVD.

...I seem to recall Oxford giving this a go when Steve Purchase was the promoter?

...not if I can help it! Getting thru' the World Cup was challenging enough!

...good point shale. Often overlooked. I recall conversations over the years that it was becoming increasingly difficult in obtaining a good quality shale. Inferior shale obtained too much clay and that used to reflect the quality of the racing. May have been a discussion that I once had with track curator Colin Meredith (?) when I helped out at Cowley prior to one particular season.

...or Oxford Team Manager Bernard Crapper who used to have a go at the ref on the start line phone and when I questioned Bernard many years later he said he was only passing the time of the day with the ref but felt that the meeting needed spicing up!

...some great images although I would question Wolves. Too much like a hairpin with long straights and tight bends (Kirky Lane similar) Recall John Berry saying that to get round Wolves a rider would have to put a high gearing on which would compromise circumnavigating the bends which caused the bikes to rev too hard. However it would sort out the serious contenders and one can't argue with the greats who excelled at Monmore Green...in particular Ole Olsen, Hans Nielsen and Sam Ermolenko. Not one of my personal favourites however although Oxford's record there was second to none.

...Oxford was a perfect shape (but I would say that) except I would say that the exits from the bends were a bit narrow and widening of same would have been advantageous.

...during Steve and Vanessa Purchase's tenure at Cowley we were very fortunate in that they were very pro-fan orientated. In fact I was once invited to a pre-seaon discussion with Steve and a number of others due to my contributions on the old Oxford Speedway Forum ( which incidentally Steve Shovlar used to frequent spouting his usual rubbish even back then and was invariably told to p**s off by many of us!)

...I admire your resilience!

...sorry the name Chris always comes to mind! Don't know why!

Just received the latest edition of Backtrack. As usual another super read! Interesting interview with Tony Lomas who is less than complimentary about Charles Ochiltree during his time at Coventry. Recall Tony's less than satisfactory enforced move to Cowley with Garry Middleton going the other way. Tony now resides in Reeth (James Herriot Country) and somewhere I visit regularly...if I bump into him will definitely have a chat. Also another good insight with another 'Rebel' Colin 'Joe' Gooddy....had an interesting slant about his one year spent at Cradley Heath. Chris Sear (SRA Secretary) discusses the eventual fall of the rider's union and how 'Gentleman' Hans Nielsen was always supportive of him and the cause. If you don't subscribe I couldn't recommend it enough for those interesting in reading about speedway's last 'Golden Age'...how I'm glad I followed the sport during that period.

...a rider who I would have enjoyed watching but sadly was never to be. Saw Ove ride in Barry Briggs' 1988 Golden Greats Meeting and he still showed class but to have watched him at his height would have been something else! Wished I had been around to see the 'big five' compete....Craven, Fundin, Briggs, Moore and Knutsson although Ronnie missed some seasons but I did see him during my first season (1972) which was Ronnie's last at Wimbledon.

Agree entirely.

Used to enjoy watching Ice Hockey live but it's another of those sports that doesn't come over very well on TV due to the speed of the puck!

...on another occasion Peter and Ove met at Cowley during a Golden Helmet decider and if I recall Peter won 2-1 and set the track record (63secs) that was to remain in place for 13 years!

...nice to see you back Sid! I agree entirely with the lost opportunity regarding John Berry.

I've said it before but I was never quite sure who the targeted market was in broadcasting live league matches? Was it to attract new people to the sport or to appeal to the already converted...or indeed to attract major sponsorship to which it has apparently failed on all counts.

...Tony Rikardsson was a case in point. One reason I would never put him in the same class as Ivan Mauger despite his six World Championship wins.