steve roberts

Forgot Mitch Shirra!

Trevor Charley comes to mind (no idea what happened to him?) but I guess one of the higher profile under-aged riders was Neil Evitts...before he got found out. Remember watching Colin Richardson and Michael Lee as fifteen year olds riding in exhibition races at Cowley and of course school boy grass tracking gave youngsters an early induction into riding motor bikes before progressing to the rigours of speedway. I don't subscribe to the view that it was common for riders during the seventies to turn up with no experience and within weeks progressing to a team slot...if it happened it was a rare occurrence. By the way I have a DVD of Briggo jogging dressed in a track suit...not sure if it was for the benefit of the camera but I do recall reading that he had to exercise to keep his weight down to a reasonable level.

Of course Doncaster, Screen, Loram and Tatum were all accomplished motor cyclists when they turned their hand to speedway but one had to admire them in forfeiting the traditional route and joining the big boys! I did some checking on the 'Mad Wellie' and although he appeared for Oxford (NL) and Swindon (BL) in 1977 he had in fact commenced riding down at Weymouth in 1973 but turned to grass track before taking up the sport again in 1976 during second halves at Swindon. Pip Lamb made his debut for Oxford during May 1976 after having trials at the Pete Jarman Training School (to which I attended) at Cowley during the previous Winter but he was another accomplished grass track exponent before turning his hand to speedway. By the way Sid...thoroughly enjoyed the Bob Kilby book!

I don't recall it being common practice and don't remember specific examples at Oxford (other than the example I earlier gave) during 1972 -75, Swindon (perhaps Sid could confirm?) White City 1976 - 78 and Eastbourne (both NL and BL eras) during the seventies. It obviously must have happened on occasion as the old British League Division Two/National League required fresh new developing talent as was the remit within the lower league back then. Of course that's no longer the case, as has been the case for many years now, what with the shift in emphasise utilising foreign riders which has obviously squeezed out potential home base talent. It would make for an interesting survey?

Good point...when I first attended speedway white line riding was common place but as time moved on riders began to adopt a different technique due to differing styles and/or bike development.

I recall exceptional sixteen year old talents...Chris Morton, Michael Lee & Kenny Carter to name three...but I don't recall that it was as common a practice back then...certainly not in the upper league although the lower league's criteria was somewhat different as quoted in a previous post having personally closely followed Eastbourne & Peterborough whose riders often took part in second halves at Cowley due to the promotional tie up during that period. Certain promotions (Belle Vue & Ellesmere Port come easily to mind) ran dedicated Training Schools in an attempt to speed up development and give aspiring riders an opportunity to ride. Eastbourne (Thru' Arthur Nutley) would scour the Kent Grasstrack scene and give second half opportunities to promising talent. I shall re-read some of the back numbers of said magazine as well as the 'Classic' magazine to re-jog the memory cells as it was a period that I was very familiar with having attended many tracks during that era.

...that may have been true during the early sixties with the formation of the Provincial League and the later old Second Division (1968) when there was a shortage of riders to fill the teams and the second tier of racing was basically a development league before the criteria began to change during the middle seventies. However during my formative "Rebel' years (1972 - 75) I can only recall one rider who fitted that criteria and that was Julian Wigg (Simon's brother) who first appeared in second halves (1972) riding his grass track bike and late in the season putting in an appearance for the team at, if I remember correctly, Sheffield.

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!