steve roberts

Agree 100%...under the Grand Prix System Ivan would have reigned supreme during the seventies as Hans Nielsen would have done during the middle/late eighties.

Ivan's chosen records were Joseph Maori Girls Choir - Pokarekare Ana Herb Albert - Lonely Bull Jim Reeves - Distant Drums Dick Van Dyke - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Oliver - Consider Yourself Roger Whittaker - I Don't Believe In If Anymore Johnny Cash - Ring Of Fire Herb Albert - Tijuana Taxi Interesting selection and his luxury? Box of family photos. Speedway on Desert Island Discs? Wouldn't happen in a million years now...the roaring seventies speedway's last 'Golden Era!'

...another superb edition! To think that a speedway rider had a column in one of the dailies! The 1970's...speedway's last Golden Era! Glad that my formative years were spent following the sport during that time.

...hang on Sid! We're not talking Dave Younghusband here are we?

...or Cowley Stadium in 1975/76!

...now that doesn't surprise me! Wouldn't trust him as far as one could throw him.

Good post!

...thought I hadn't seen any publicity lately as I drive along the A59 towards Harrogate.

An obscure entry but Ivan won a meeting at York Stadium, Green Hammerton, near York in 1982. It was essentially a shale-surfaced trotting track and I recently visited to view Harness Racing which was quite interesting for a first visit!

...personally I rarely bother trawling thru' to see if there is a similar thread on any particular subject before starting one.

...I visited Brough Park three times in the distant past and was (B)rough to say the least!

...apparently it happened at Exeter when Ivan was riding for Newcastle and beat Jimmy Squibb during the Golden Sash match race.

...happened to a few riders who moved to Belle Vue during the Bamforth era when he used to throw money around hoping to buy success...Mark Courtenay, Andy Campbell and Carl Blackbird to name three who had shown varying degrees of success and/or potential prior to moving to 'The Aces' but moved on for various reasons when not truly fulfilling expectations...and not forgetting Mark Crang!

...have a feeling that was during the 50th Anniversary Meeting held at Kingsmead during the 1973 season? Was Briggo there also?

...seem to recall that he got married on the centre green at B(R)rough Park?

Sadly took his own life some years ago.

Purely the greatest...there'll never be another. RIP Ivan.

Very sad news indeed. Ivan was the best...the greatest rider of any generation. I was fortunate to watch him ride on many occasions and his dedication and professionalism was exceptional. Recall his visit to White City dressed in top hat and tails paraded whilst sat on the bonnet of Danny Dunton's Rolls Royce having earlier in the day been awarded his MBE. A great man and there'll never be another. RIP Ivan.

Another reminder of the days when speedway was shown on terrestrial TV...and Test matches (remember those?) between England and the USA. Great days!

...Jeff Sexton one rider Oxford were pursuing during 1974 (?) but it came to naught! One time 'Robin' Bart Bast had a try over here (think he was the son/nephew of Steve?) but soon departed...rather unfairly, I thought, as he showed some promise.

...died tragically some years ago living a life of a recluse I recall.

...I seem to recall that Sumner McKight's family owned or had something to do with the 'Greyhound' bus franchise in the States?

...I seem to recall that Len Silver at Hackney used to open and close the season...15th March and 31st October give or take.

...continuity was the key which unfortunately appears not to be the case nowadays.

..and no doubt some tracks won't be running during the 'high' season as has apparently happened in the recent past judging by comments made on the forum when one would hope/expect that the weather is more settled (!!) due to other factors.