steve roberts

Oxford Speedway 1972 - 1992 would be my choice.

Never saw him ride but another gone. RIP

Great post...14 for me (clever little s*d!)

Apparently Frank and Jack had many 'coming togethers'. Frank has gone on record to say that Jack wouldn't compete in some races with him...which has been strongly refuted. Jack wasn't scared of anyone and it's a real shame that he was taken from us far too soon to be able to put his side of the story forward. 'Mad' Malcolm Ballard could also be a handful and didn't get along with the Kennett Brothers apparently. Vaclav Verner was a hard competitor and frightened many riders...but there was no malice as far as I am aware it was just his style of riding!

Carl Askew & Tim Nunan.

...as well as co-promoter at Barrow together with Ivan Mauger (1972?)

...forgot what my question was now!

Many thanks for that!

...may have been when Ove Fundin took him off?

Just a question (not knowing the merits of the Polish speedway domestic league) but has its fan base been maintained or is interest waining? I don't have access to speedway on whatever channel now broadcasts the sport. I recall that whilst Tony Rickardsson was winning championships that the Swedish League took an upsurge in interest.

I see a 'Memories of Coventry Speedway' DVD has just been released...I will catch up with it in time.

Have some of them on DVD...Alan Weeks commentating on the BBC! I've sent yo a PM Sid!

If I recall it was the usual stereo-typed leather clad motor cyclists image that was portrayed...about to read the article in the latest 'Backtrack' over breakfast...before painting the exterior door of the house!

Probably years before I had the good sense to come on here and doing more constructive things with my time...but it'a addictive and some threads prove most interesting...but not all!

John Berry I believe initially excepted the post but quickly renegaded as he soon realised that he wouldn't get the backing to carry his plans thru'...more's the pity in my view.

I see your reference to it now...in the latest 'Backtrack' edition awaiting my attention having just got in from work! So it did Peter Duncan...Didn't help John Noakes or Peter Purvis though! Never heard of this one?

Wasn't there a TV drama with that name that was filmed at Rye House starring Peter Duncan during the seventies?

...a great read!

...during the middle late eighties he was awesome and if the GP series had been in place then he would have been the man the beat. A view shared by John Berry.

Yes Lew Coffin...didn't Bob Kilby start there?

Olle Nygren would run 'Training Schools' at King's Lynn during the seventies and eighties but it was more for the benefit for people like me who wanted just to have a go...although I know that he would run schools for foreign riders which were somewhat more official. As I mentioned earlier 'Speedy' Pete Jarman ran winter schools during the winter of 75/76 at Cowley and Len Silver's schools at Hackney were well received (remember John Noakes and Peter Purvis of 'Blue Peter' fame having a go!) and Garry Middleton used to run schools (Michael Lee attended one such session I remember). Mildenhall, King's Lynn, Rye House and Eastbourne ran schools throughout the early seventies and were rewarded with a flow of riders...some 'schools' however were just an opportunity to test/run a bike with very little instruction.

...I was really looking forward to the meeting that was due to take place at Oxford but was cancelled due to the weather! Saw the Russians ride at Swindon during 1976 when they took on 'The Budgies' and lost heavily I seem to recall?

It's always educational on here...at varying levels of sustained interest! However when you've had a chance to check out back numbers of 'Backtrack' I'll be keen to see evidence of your claim that riders with no experience gaining team slots within a number of weeks during the seventies? Some examples would be beneficial.

...meaning I've moved on rather than read the same old analysis over and over again.

I'm afraid this thread is beginning to lose me...more riders, more teams, more 'stars'? Blimey think I\ll have a lie down somewhere in the dark.