steve roberts

Good question.

Ah the usual suspects!

I've been sort of dipping in and out of this particular thread and to be honest much of the content and/or comments are lost on me. When I was Union Rep I attended many training seminars and the instructor always emphasised that every one present had an equal voice and when asking a question should be treated with respect and not to be interrupted until they had finished and then debated upon. Many a time over the years certain posters on the BSF (some who no longer contribute for whatever reason) have treated others with little respect and I have been called all sorts of things (water off a duck's back personally) on oocasions.

I guess that list highlights how out of touch I am with speedway today...I've only seen Scott Nicholls, Ben Barker and. I think, Sam Masters ride?

As full face helmets became popular and most riders adopted them there were a few who continued wearing traditional helmets and the Grahame brothers come immediately to mind. I remember Simon Wigg wearing one for one season (1984) before reverting back to the full face option.

Peter Oakes's 1977 Speedway Yearbook has a list of Track Records up until that season if that helps?

I remember when he first started out at Peterborough/ipswich as a sixteen year old and his longevity is a credit to him.

Colin Gooddy was another cosistantly fast starter as was Ken McKinlay...long careers for both and I was fortunate to witness both as "Rebels" during my first season.

...yes there were/are a few like that! I'd much rather see someone miss the gate and work their way thru'. Gordon Kennett was never the best of gaters but one of the best when it came to passing in my opinion. He used to catch out John Davis many a time!

George Hunter was definately a quick starter but he also measured up well with his team-riding abilities certainly when he was a "Cheetah".

When he rode for the "Cheetahs" his gating was usually good but not as dominant as it once was.

Finn was an enigma...world beater one minute and novice another. A remember when I went to Perry Barr and Eastbourne beat the "Brummies" and Finn scored 17 points (?) that night!

Certainly during my era Bob Kilby took some beating when on form. Obviously when tape touching became an offence (1984?) it tended to catch many riders out (took Erik Gundersen a good season to properly adjust) but my guess is that the likes of Ivan Mauger would make most of his starts whatever the rules in place...he just had this natural ability to make fast starts.

Yep! We used to race Reading home and away on Bank Holiday Mondays.

...1 in 4 between the ages of 18 and 38 didn't bother to vote. Should have got off their arses!

I was never sure if the reference was to father Phil as I never knew him referred to by that nickname?

With John his reasons were for the way that, in his opinion, Mervyn "manipulated" the direction speedway was heading to suit his personal agenda. If I recall it was the time that promotion and relegation was introduced during Stewkesbury's tenure which was never going to succeed and the rift began to surface between the two leagues?

Certainly was the case with the late John Berry when reading his book.

You're right but I never connected the two!

Marvyn Cox had a lolling tongue emblem I recall!

Many Happy Returns Ove...a speedway legend!

Preben Rosenkilde replaced the ill-fated Svein Kaasa at Cowley on the recommendation of Garry Middleton if I recall. He didn't last that long and re-appeared briefly for Newport in 1976 if I remember?

Is it really 47 years since Tommy lost his life (20th May 1976)? May he be forever remembered. RIP

...problem is it's a viscous circle. Back during the middle eighties when crowds were still generally decent promoters ditched the traditional second halves and introduced Junior Matches in an attempt to "reinvigorate" fresh British talent but as we all know the real reason was an attempt to cut costs. However promoters didn't/couldn't/wish to help stem the rise of running costs by paying riders money they didn't have to help pay for escalating bike/maintenance costs and speedway began to slide eventually producing a product that to many was unacceptable and fans began to turn their back on the sport. There were many reasons (and boy it's been debated enough on the forum over the years!) why speedway has taken the route it has in this country but promoter and/or BSPA mis-management in my opinion has been the main reason why this has been the case. One time Oxford promoter Chris Shears took the initiative in once running an "old fashioned" second half (at no extra cost) and it proved popular in that many fans stayed on but his wrist was "slapped" by the BSPA because they thought it set a dangerous precedent never mind what the fans thought?

Great stuff!