steve roberts

Remember Marek Cieslak's superlative outside sweeps on the relatively flat Wood Lane circuit at White City. Also Andrzej Jurcynski (also of White City and Polish club team mate of Marek) who on one memorable occasion beat Gordon Kennett from the back during one epic Second Half Final at White City. In fact he managed it twice because the race had to be re-run I recall!

After the very sad death of Tommy Jansson Sweden started to decline as a world power. It must be remembered that Jan Andersson kept the flag flying during those barren years until the likes of Henka Gustafsson, Jimmy Nilsen and Per Jonsson appeared on the scene.

Hasse was last known to be the mechanic to 'Posa' Serenius...the ice racer.

One of my favourites at Oxford (1973) but I guess the Swede who left me with an early impression was Anders Michanek...nigh unbeatable at Cowley when he used to visit at Cowley until Dag Lovaas lowered his colours in 1975.

I can understand, I think, why some people feel/felt that 'double points' improves the spectacle. Ipswich and Swindon used to run a handicap race with eight riders in a race...four at the front and four at the back over twelve (?) laps. However my views were/are when I used to go was the fact that a rider starting 15 metres back wasn't actually that big of a handicap because they were able to pick their line going into the first bend rather than having to jostle with three other riders. Often by the first lap they had caught up. Their team mate (if in front) would be attempting to slow the race down (which one could deem as dangerous riding forever looking behind which used to be an excludable offence) and then pull over to allow his team mate thru' for a double points win. Personally I never took to the rule and don't know now what the ruling is nowadays and whether it has changed or altered at all.

Okay not British but Rune Holt (?) Norway rode under a Polish Licence.

Are big tracks preferable to small? Personally I prefer relatively small tracks (not trick tracks) which requires a certain amount of skill rather than the throttle turned full on for the entire four laps. A decent amount of banking to allow different racing lines and preferably grippy (in the right places...but that's down more to track preparation) Overly wide tracks don't necessarily mean more racing lines as I recall at Bradford...go out too wide and you loose ground. Too narrow tracks obviously restrict racing lines and 'follow my leader' tends to be the way. Too long straights and tight bends (Wolves and the old Belle Vue spring to mind) in my opinion don't/didn't always produce good racing. Much to do about getting a good gearing for the long straights which often compromised negotiating the tight hairpin bends together with the too powerful highly tuned bikes drifting wide. Which begs the question which was my favourite track for racing entertainment? The old Belle Vue (Hyde Road), Swindon (when prepared correctly), Leicester (Blackbird Road), Oxford (well I would say that but that's based on following 'The Rebels' & "Cheetahs' for 32 years!), Hackney (albeit it did gain a reputation for being deemed dangerous...but that was more to do with the old lamp standards) and the old Eastbourne before it was spoilt with the first and second bend 'egg shape'. Least favourite? Wolves and Arena Essex based on the tracks that I visited.

He later joined 'The Cheetahs' but failed miserably despite having a very neat style.

I recall that Wiggy rode on a Dutch licence once.

Apparently Ian Thomas called the police in...and if I recall the incident was reported to the Control Board and Ian Thomas failed to put in an appearance at the hearing!

...as did the Boulevard apparently and John Berry and Ron Bagley took it upon themselves to measure said width much to the annoyance of Ian Thomas!

Like his DVDs which I have a collection of...nice style without any screaming down the microphone or repetitive hog wash some commentators subject one to!

Mildenhall was/is almost circular and apparently rode like a large one. Visited twice and it did seem very fast. Wolverhampton - long straights and tight bends with bikes screaming at the end of the straights due to the gear ratio employed. One of my least favourite tracks I have to say.

Great description of the German Flag!

Never thought that Oxford was particularly banked until viewed from the the inner kerb when I was helping out prior to the 2003 season. It had quite a gradient and for years the pits bend was notorious for having an adverse camber towards the top to which Dag Lovaas used to his advantage many times when passing opponents.

I think Ole Olsen got an honour...but can't remember what exactly.

One of speedway's often forgotten men...his memory deserves to be up there with the best!

Crayford 65 Workington 12 (?) It's featured on the England World Beaters recently released DVD!

I've just received by latest 'Classic Speedway' magazine and apparently there's a book about Bob Kilby...definitely a must buy for yours truly!

Your right Sid Robert rode in the Second Half and not in the Junior Team...Swindon had some very useful juniors in those days.

So did I Sid...if I recall he rode for Swindon 'Sprockets' on a number of occasions?

...You're forgetting Hans wasn't riding either!

Enjoyed it all of it but I guess the qualifying meeting at Reading (1978) where one of my all time favourites, Gordon Kennett, made an all to rare appearance. Superb stuff and can't wait for 'The Rebels' DVDs that you'll soon be releasing...great days!

Yes...I have most of the aforementioned books and many statistical ones like Peter Oakes Yearbooks and Alan Robertson's quite superb editions of 'The History of British League Speedway'. Dave Morton's a great read and I still read my copy of 'Speedway Walkabout' by Johnnie Hoskins and Ivan Mauger's "Tripe Crown Plus' plus many others. I also have a couple of magazine articles by Bob Ferry about the 'Great' Jack Millen! Books I'd like to see published? Gordon Kennett and a more comprehensive one by Hans Nielsen amongst many others I could name.

Super establishment...been there in the past!