steve roberts

I was there...part of a double header with Oxford if I recall? Didn't Einar Kyllingstad register a 15 Point maximum for 'The Stars'?

Remember when Mike made a comment on the mike after a race (on the instruction of Bernard Crapper apparently) regarding a racing incident which was directed at the referee and was fined for his efforts...but I think that Bernard paid the fine on his behalf. Certainly got the crowd going and added to the atmosphere! Agree that commentating during a race is all rather pointless in my view.

Obviously Peter York was the mainstay at Cowley during Oxford's successful period during the eighties and I found him personally to be okay in style. Recall that he was replaced by Mike Bennett for the one season (Peter took on an administrative role within the BSPA...that's another story!) but for some reason the Cowley faithful didn't take to him (Mike's version of events) but, again, I felt that he was okay.

He badly broke his ankle in 1979 (?) and the fact Dan McCormack (who he didn't get on with) became his promoter at Cradley and later Birmingham seemed to effect him.

Perhaps with the upsurge in cycling generally there may well be an interest in the development of cycle speedway raising it to a new level? One never knows but one can hope!

Anybody remember Arnold Haley who spent the best part of his career at Sheffield? Interesting that when I was visiting the NYMR during the week I got talking to a stranger (as you do) and found out that he used to mechanic for Arnie! Unfortunately he couldn't tell me much as he admitted that it was a very long time ago and his memory wasn't what it once used to be except that Arnie used to ride flat out and never knew how to shut off!

...personally never had a problem with the old T/S rule.

Bruce Penhalll 1981 Egon Muller 1983 Erik Gundersen 1984/85/88 Hans Nielsen 1986/87

'Favours' have always been asked and/or given and Penhall could/should have treated the fans' intelligence with a bit more respect that afternoon and been more discrete with his 'arguable' well intentioned actions.

...Palmer. Used to work with his Uncle. I was never a great fan of him...never knew when to shut up!

Used to like John Earrey (Ipswich & White City) and Dave Hammond (Oxford). Was never a great fan of those 'shouty shouty' types!

Saw both ride on a number of occasion. Great entertainers!

Saw Jerzy as far as entering the first bend at Cowley (1973) when he disappeared under the fence and took no further part in the meeting!

...would be difficult as apparently Tai Woffenden chooses not to ride in this country based on what I read on another thread...saw his Dad ride however!

Would be easier to list the World Champions I haven't seen... Lionel Van Pragg Bluey Wilkinson Jack Milne Freddie Williams Jack Young Peter Craven Tommy Price Bjorn Knutsson Chris Holder Tai Woffenden

Yes one of the most attractive aspects of having been a speedway fan for many years was the fact that you could mingle with the fans of opposing teams without, generally, any animosity (although I do recall some 'interesting' banter at Dudley Wood and Monmore Green in particular) I remember travelling by coach to World Finals abroad during the eighties with a real mixture of fans and a great time was had by all...with the usual leg pulling but fun at the same time.

Very difficult trying to come up with the best ever team what with different eras, points limits, compulsory junior regulation, assessed averages etc etc which determined team make-ups over a long period. However I still think that the Belle Vue team of 1972 would take some beating in my view when all things taken into consideration but it's always going to be subjective depending on the criteria involved as touched upon above.

Garry would beat Briggo occasionally but always had a problem beating 'Crash' I seem to recall!

Old 'Cassius' himself...Garry Middleton!

...thanks to 'The Witches' from Ipswich!

Oxford Cheetahs 1986 who rode undefeated in the League and would have achieved a clean sweep of trophies except only the weather managed to beat them!

Never saw him as a great team player...in fact can't recall him attempting to team ride whenever I saw him but I'm sure someone will put me right but then I did witness at close hand one of the best exponents of the lost art in Hans Nielsen!

Glad I didn't witness Rickardsson as a 'Cheetah' personally.

The Oxford 1982 team when we finished bottom...the team make up seemed to change every week!

Scunthorpe 1977 when Bob Dugard didn't deem them an attractive enough proposition at Eastbourne and charged half price admission!