steve roberts

In an interview with Colin in the 'Classic Speedway' magazine he mentions he did about a dozen private laps at Dudley Wood a year after the accident but after a trip to the re-nowned speedway medico, Dr Carlo Biagi, was warned that if he broke his vertebra again he would end up paralysed. Terry Betts (they were good mates) has always acknowledged how helpful Colin was during Terry's career after Colin's enforced retirement.

He was a solid team man and number one for both Hackney and at Cradley until cruelly injured in the Lokeren disaster...however he did survive unlike some who perished.

Good grief when I saw the heading I thought that Colin had died!

Yes I shall be adding them to my already vast library of DVDs!

Yes...terrific news! Apparently there's due some Oxford 'Rebels' footage as well!

Same with Cowley Stadium...constructed just before the war and no houses in sight.

There's a character from the past!

Trouble was Rob Martin could sometimes dish it out but found it hard to accept the situation when reversed...left me with some great memories however!

Simmons, Louis, Wilson, Ashby and Boocock.

Unfortunately I think that Cowley Stadium has issues despite the recent proposals put forward into saving the complex...all very sad,

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.