steve roberts

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.

I never met him personally but knew well of his enthusiasm for the sport. May he RIP

I've traced a Glenn Ratcliffe (born 1961 in Manchester) who had regular second half outings at Ellesmere Port during 1985?

I particularly enjoyed the interview with Phil Woodcock. Romford is one track I would have liked to have visited!

Personally I would nominate Henny Kroeze. If I recall he was the first rider to score a 21 point maximum whist riding for Halifax.

Both!

Personally music never really bothered me as I was always too busy chatting to people between races. A good anthem prior to the meeting starting, however, I felt was important to get the enthusiasm going and helping build up an atmosphere but music between races didn't bother me. In my formative and later years as it was more often than not chart music that dominated but personally I didn't take much notice.

Dag and Ulf Lovaas at Oxford were two favourites of mine. Dag got his wish and eventually moved to Cowley in a complicated move which saw John Davis go to Reading after the 'allocated' Ole Olsen refused a move to Oxford in 1975. His outside sweeps riding the adverse camber on the pits bend were a joy to watch. Shame that he only spent the one year at Cowley and moved to White City with the rest of the team in 1976 and his career took a massive back step due to various circumstances. Ulf took a while to settle at Cowley (1974) after seeing out the end of the previous year at Cradley. I'm sure he would have built upon his success if he had returned the following year but family commitments kept him at home and he never appeared in Britain again. Saw briefly the tragic Svein Kaasa before being replaced by the Dane Preben Rosenkilde at Oxford and during my first season (1972) admired Oyvind S Berg who gave many solid performances supporting Garry Middleton during the first year of 'The Rebels'.

Easy one...Armando Castagna. Enjoyed watching him during his one season at Cowley (1995)

...although he failed to qualify from White City in 1977!

I'm intrigued...how come Horspath? Anything to do with the Horspath 'Hammers'?

Very sad news. Remember Cliff as a second halfer at Cowley before moving on to Milton Keynes and Swindon. He was once Ole Olsen's mechanic I recall. RIP

...I know that John Berry has been quoted as saying that British fans often never saw the best of Kai in that his exploits on the continent often excelled. I did raise this issue with John many years ago having not totally agreed with his assessment which I thought a tad unfair but in hindsight I now know where John was coming from.

Very apt!

...there was always one living in Sandy Lane who was always very anti despite moving there knowing that the stadium was there!

A rider with a great style was Einar Kyllingstad. Never really excelled in Britain but I was at Swindon the afternoon he rode to an immaculate 15 point maximum!

Yes they were both awesome that day. Personally I feel Gordon should have moved to Swindon when White City closed rather than returning to Eastbourne. Ari Kopenen (Kai's bother-in-law) was an enigma throughout his career. Recall him starting at Birmingham and finishing at Swindon if I remember. Could beat the best on his day but could be inconsistent. Veijo Touriniemi was simply awful when he signed for 'The Budgies' but he showed tremendous promise down at Eastbourne.

Good news as it's a travesty the way Cowley Stadium has been allowed to fall into disrepair.

...remember that being played at both Oxford and Cradley when Laurence Rogers was the announcer...got on my nerves too! Recall with fondness when the riders approached the tapes at White City and Ipswich 'William Tell' being played when John Earrey was the presenter at both.

Remember Kai Niemi scoring 19 points at the Abbey whilst riding for Eastbourne. Gordon Kennett scored 21 but Eastbourne still lost!

There was talk that he considered joining 'The Rebels' in 1972 but personally I felt it was a Dave Lanning inspired story!

Remember Matti Olin who rode for 'The Bees' in 1974 and Veijo Touriniemi who appeared to have something when he turned out for 'The Eagles' but lost his way eventually.

Has to be Kai Niemi. Saw his debut meeting at White City (1976) against Wolves and instantly thought he was going to make it. Ila Teromaa must also be considered...first Finn to make a World Final (1978) when despite putting in an average performance he did spoil Gordon Kennett's chance of possibly becoming World Champion by beating him when they met.