steve roberts

Personally I find it difficult attempting to compare riders from different eras but any outstanding rider from any era, I'm sure, would excel whatever the criteria as they were/are all accomplished motor cyclists.

I guess that there are comparisons with past and modern professional footballers...times and expectations have altered although drug taking appears to be the modern demon within some sports if reports are to be believed. However what's not undeniable is that some riders who rode during the sixties, seventies & eighties regard it as having been a more fun period in which to have competed when they often mixed with the fans after the meeting without having to rush off to another country in which to earn their living.

Having never seen Peter Craven (unfortunately) his record time achieved at Oxford during 1963 (63 seconds) was never bettered until a new record was created (1974?) when the track was shortened.

...makes my model railway look insignificant in comparison!

I would agree...speedway isn't always about the 'star' riders and World Champions but those who entertained the fans in their own resplendent way!

...sadly we will never know.

Agree 100%. He had vision and intelligence in abundance and, yes, he did upset a few along the way but that's because he didn't suffer fools gladly...of which there were/are a few!

Perhaps not but the blame laid at the feet of the FIM who obviously instigated the misguided piece of legislation which enabled riders to juggle their rides to give themselves the best opportunities in the subsequent round...to which I would have done same if I'm honest! I've been aware of money changing hands for many years and my uncle actually saw for himself deals being struck in the pits during one important World Championship qualifier...and I was happy to confirm an article written by John Berry regarding the same incident with John himself which he acknowledged in one of his books. I think that supporters are naive if they think that nothing goes on 'behind the scenes' but I would guess that it's no better or worse than many sports as regards corruption and/or drugs etc?

...personally I never took the Sunday People's allegations particularly seriously at the time...a newspaper (is it still around?) known for it's sleazy editorials and/or content and sensational story lines who in an attempt to justify it's editorial then print an alleged investigatory journalistic report. John Louis in his autobiography goes at length in explaining the way in which the 'reporters' went about their business in an attempt to 'get a story'. As Ivan Mauger was quoted as saying "Who reads your f**king paper anyway!"

The problem was that the FIM in their infinite wisdom making it known the riding order for the next qualifying stage based on placings at the previous. Personally can't blame Mauger (and others) using that to their advantage in which to gain a better starting number thus avoiding two races on the trot or evenly spaced races. Races have been thrown, bought etc since the commencement of speedway racing and was/is nothing new.

Definitely a must buy!

Chris Louis must be some sort of a rarity considering the influence of points limits and other factors that have been common place within British Speedway over the last twenty years or so?

...unfortunately wouldn't apply within the 'modern' era.

Yes that's correct...1978 at Hackney. If I recall Len Silver had a quiet word with Simmo to let Parker win the race.

Yes a long time now Richard...I guess that one of the service stations on the M1? Leicester Forest East?

I'd be more than happy having them Richard...it's just that I live 150 miles away!!

Welcome back Sidney!

I was very proud of my entire 1977 programme collection that included every meeting 'The Rebels' took part in during that season (BL, KOC, 4TT etc)...and then gave it away at a very small cost!

According to Peter Oakes' 'Who's Who of World Speedway' "Jimmy originally wrote for a trial at Hackney in 1939 but war broke out and he added to his age to join up. On the resumption of speedway in 1947 after the war he rode in the first meeting at Southampton"

...remember the 2002 season when Oxford were denied the opportunity in taking part in the play-offs (as reigning champions) because Peterborough were unable to run the match against Oxford before the designated cut off date. Now that was farcical! Call me old fashioned but I do think it important that ALL matches be run so that the final league table looks complete and orderly. Nothing worse than a final table showing an incomplete picture.

I've checked on Tony Atkin...he rode at Newport in 2010, Stoke (2011 & 2012) and Buxton (2013 & 2014) Thanks to Alan Robertson's wonderful publication 'British Speedway Leagues 1991 - 2014'

...that's impressive. From memory my oldest programme(s) dated from the late forties and I had many World Finals and firsts of various tracks and from abroad...sigh!

...and I have my Oxford 'Cheetahs' badge. I'm sure I have a White City 'Rebels' badge somewhere?

...I had the complete collection of Speedway Stars (1972 - 2004ish) and Express and Mail. Such a shame as I have to rely on the old grey matter...easier said than done sometimes!! Thank goodness for the 'Backtrack' and 'Classic' magazines which give the old memory cells a nudge!

Had a chat with David Mason many years ago at Cowley. He came across as a very pleasant young man and had nothing but praise for Len Silver who had offered him a prolonged opportunity in 'The Rockets' team at the time.