steve roberts

I was there! Armando Castagna and Armando de Chele...think I got the spelling correct?

Perhaps Terry Betts?

In Ivan's first biography 'Triple Crown Plus' he refers to a rider he hated but not by name. When Ivor Brown died Mauger did then quote his name as the rider he was referring to...he also kept a little black book apparently with name listed if I recall. Apparently Carter hated Hans Nielsen for an incident that happened at the Shay...but then didn't Carter make a habit of making enemies generally. I admired, of sorts, his on track prowess but as a person disliked him. Visited his grave recently and I didn't feel any emotion other than numbness.

....my mother!

I remember that...I was there!

Ole Olsen (Wolves) and John Louis (Newport) scored maximums whilst riding in opposition I seem to recall...1971?

Difficult to know where to start really!

There was talk of Oxford doing a deal with Jeff Sexton in, if I recall, 1974 but it came to nought...happened regularly at Cowley with supposed interest in signing riders that never materialised thru' one reason or another. Harfeldt and Harrysson are two who immediately come to mind.

Peter (Full) and Les (Paid) Colllins riding for Belle Vue at Home to Leicester in 1977.

At a guess maybe the Kennett brothers when they both rode for Eastbourne during their championship winning year in 1971?

Unfortunately the fun fair and zoo had closed down by the time I visited Hyde Road!

I never really enjoyed Bank Holiday morning starts at Cowley as meetings often used to drag on..at least in the evening it was clear to all if a meeting was running behind time. I used to prefer speedway under lights anyway but that's a different matter.

I wasn't having a go at you personally but just making a general observation so I hope that no offence was taken. PS That's the trouble with the written word...wish I could activate those smiley faces! Same with the old Hyde Road Belle Vue...7pm on the dot!

...thank the lord they don't request gift aid donations like where I work! That's a nightmare and really causes issues with long queues!

...don't complain about 'old folk' because apparently without them there wouldn't be any speedway considering the problems the sport has attracted youngsters.

Personally I think that those in charge, whoever they may be, have been guilty of bull rubbishting since the news of a new stadium was first announced...whenever that was!

When I used to go to the speedway someone I went with always left it to the last minute arriving just as the meeting was about to start...and then used to complain that he missed the first race!

Guilty as charged...that's me! If I see a copy on the shelf at Smith's I tend to have a flick (and it is a flick!) thru'.

...yes and he's smug with it! Remember his time at Cowley when he enjoyed his self publicity and self importance!

Had an interesting day touring thru' the middle of West Yorkshire and called in on the final resting places of Eric Langton and Kenny Carter. I was proud standing next to Eric's grave but unfortunately that same feeling didn't materialise when next to Kenny's. Despite his on track endeavours (although I was never a fan) what haunted me was his final act in murdering his wife thus leaving his children without a mother before turning the gun on himself. Such a waste of life.

He was the landlord at Cowley way back in the seventies and sold the Oxford faithful down the river...until the 'Save Our Stadium' committee got involved and saved the speedway and greyhounds for future generations to enjoy. Unfortunately 'deja vu' now exists at Cowley in the continual fight to save the complex.

...a big if! Certainly can Rob! The crowds were very good during 'The Rebel' years. Tailed off significantly when the promotion moved to White City and it took time to build up interest again before things really took off during the Nielsen era! Great days!

I would agree if you one can be guaranteed 7 or 8 heats of good racing! From personal experience following the sport for over thirty years that was often lacking...and depended on any particular track on whether it encouraged good racing or not. During my days of following the sport the second half often proved more entertaining sometimes than the main match (I was fortunate in following Oxford when we had the kids of Eastbourne & Peterborough riding in the second half)

Blimey! Is that what they're on?

...and so the ongoing saga goes on!