Either Bobby or Alan Emerson? Newcastle also operated R/R in a crucial match at Mildenhall (I was there) when, if I recall, both Owen and Hunter again took seven rides a piece.
Basically he was using R/R for Robbie Gardner who had retired! Tony Coupland (Team Manager of Middlesbrough) refused him the facility on one memorable occasion plus the fact that Robbie was fourth in the averages so Thomas was pulling a fast one!
Fabulous collection! Recall Gordon wearing a strange variation of the 'Rebels' jacket in 1974 (he posed in it for publicity purposes) which was silver and a cross that was red and blue with stars if I recall. Not sure if he ever wore it competition however.
Nice to hear Gordon again..one of my heroes! Watched him progress from Eastbourne to Oxford and then to White City where he rose to stardom! Followed him back at Eastbourne before he eventually left for King's Lynn and ultimately 'The Dons'. A great servant!
Oxford had a good team on paper but were struck with injuries during the 1983 season. Yes I recall that match...Newcastle utilising the R/R regulation for the umpteen time and sometimes not even in a legitimate way (Robbie Gardner for example!) but that was Ian Thomas for you...always trying to find a loophole in the rulebook!
Barry Meeks was accredited as the fastest but, if I recall, Scott Autrey (and possibly Tony Olssen?) were the fastest based on track records achieved at Exeter's County Ground.
I got my 'Rebels' jacket from Peter Rout (Classic Race Jackets) and was very pleased with it!
As a youngster I couldn't understand the elephant emblem until I was told it was based upon the local regiment (The Dukes) in Halifax.