steve roberts

...however it could have gone down as one of the best if Ivan hadn't made a fundamental error and clipped Jerzy's rear wheel. He would have past him with ease but lost it due to a miscalculation but that's racing and in hindsight has left us with memories of what, to me anyway, was a World Final full of drama and twists.

...I grew tired when it seemed that most winters rules were changed and altered...points limits, number of heats per meeting varying between 13. 14. 15. 16 and even 18. It even got to the ridiculous stage where both leagues adopted different heat formula, number of riders per team (varying from six to eight), six lap races, numerous nominated heats during at least one season I recall, doubling up and down, constant changes to the T/S and R/R regulations etc etc.I even seem to recall that when fixed gates were introduced prior to the 1988 season a team that went behind six or more points were allowed to choose gates...the rule being quickly changed again after it was realised that it went against why the ruling had been first introduced. It's basically four bikes circumnavigating an oval track over four laps with a three, two, one scoring system.

...and looked oddly out of place as he was the only rider I remember who still rode with his foot forward rather than the 'lazy' leg that had become the norm!

As a matter of interest, and not aimed as a criticism, but which current clubs are deemed wealthier (presumably breaking even) compared to the rest based on whatever information is available?

I went to a couple of Banger meetings yonks ago and it didn't do anything for me...each to their own I suppose.

...was a rumour, and I stress a rumour, that a one time Oxford promotion was looking to re-locate there many years ago. I seem to remember a Faringdon raceway many, many years ago.

...blimey! Theres a few like that on here!

...that's right! Oxford were riding in the second meeting. If I recall both teams were to use a facility to replace the missing Phil Crump and Simon Wigg (they had been on international duty the day before) but Crumpie made it back and rode thus denying 'The Cheetahs' a facility for the absent Wigg (they had ridden i the same meeting)...Oxford still won however!

...especially when recently you gave an insight regarding the period when you worked for Screensport. I found it to be most enlightening. Merry Christmas.

...that's fine because I'm still awaiting examples based upon your claim that riders with no experience gained team places within weeks of first sitting on a bike during the seventies.

It's yonks since I've seen that race but what I remember is that Hans basically took the wrong line down the back (?) straight after exiting the bend and before he had a chance to correct himself Rickardsson zipped thru'.

I'm thankful that I saw all three race...albeit Ronnie during his last season but he was still a class act. I'd agree with you regarding Briggo's rather blustering style whereas Ivan's was very smooth and technically perfect.

I think that I am only the one at my place of work who isn't interested in the 'Star Wars' franchise...same goes for the 'Harry Potter' films...and I find it bizarre that there's not one but three Harry Potter shops in the ;Shambles' in York!

...one of the rules that caused confusion was when in 1976 it was decided to change the ruling as regards which riders were eligible to take a Rider Replacement Ride based on averages above and below the missing rider. If I recall it ran for two seasons and then reverted to its usual format. I remember Henny Kroeze recording a 21 ride maximum (the first ever to do in the modern era) I recall many a team manager checking and re-checking a rider's eligibility and then being countered by a protest. It caused confusion amongst some referees I also remember at the time!

...or indeed Ronnie Moore who was the first world star to emerge from NZ.

...Olsen developed a style of riding in straight lines as much as possible without too much going sidewards. Bit like Dave Jessup I suppose.

It's true that Nielsen lost three run-offs but the fact that he was that close to achieving three more wins to add to his four tells me how dominant he was. If the GPs had been run during the 80's in my view (as well as John Berry's) he would have dominated. Rickardssom obviously won five of his championships under the GP system which required quite a different approach but would he have been as successful under the old system? We can only conjecture...comparisons are difficult to evaluate in my view especially within different eras.

That's fair enough Sid if based upon the number of World Championships wins it's just my personal criteria is somewhat different.

Hi Sid...no Nielsen? I'd have him above Rickardsson personally. Based on your chosen list however it would be Mauger (the greatest rider ever in my opinion whatever the criteria chosen), Briggs (longevity), Fundin (winning titles during the era of the 'Big Five'), Olsen (despite a personal dislike of him but he had great leadership qualities) and Rickardsson (despite his six individual world titles but I was never convinced/impressed by his team ethic) I tend to base my views on overall achievements including their impact based on league achievements and individual input thereof.

Brilliant image!

...good question!

Yes recall the Midland Riders Final...always a big occasion but by the time that Oxford held the event (1986) it had diminished to an extent. Went to Smallmead to witness the 1976 Southern Riders Final and there was a big crowd present and of course the London Riders Final had historical prestige once upon a time.

I bought the Reg Fearman book a couple of years ago and it was a good read. A book I would highly recommend is the Bob Kilby book written by his son Lee.

Recall Henryk Zyto riding in Britain (1960) for Coventry and Pawel Walosek (1961) for Leicester.

Remember the days of the Midland/Southern/Northern Riders Championships and were relatively well supported during the seventies. Trouble is that what was becoming evident during the eighties fans became very more selective in attending non league fixtures... more's the pity in my view.