steve roberts

Who?

Ah! Wally Loak. I have some of his videos. He always used to use the phrase "Chase, Chase, Chase" Ted Sear was clear and to the point. Have some with our friend Rob Mc commentating (could be biased sometimes) and also John Chaplin. Acquired some Hull tapes recently (less said about the commentary the better). I have loads of tapes and DVDs and they vary considerably with the quality of commentary. I personally prefer my commentary to be constructive and informative. Can't stand over the top commentary which seems to be the norm with televised sports now...which is a major reason that I don't watch them!

Terry Betts used to get a percentage of the gate money when he rode for King's Lynn in a deal struck with Maurice Littlechild (Promoter).

Colin whathismname (I think that he was also a courier on speedway coach tours?)...simply awful! I have many JSD videos and he just rabbits on without stopping for breath. JSD also covered Oxford meetings during the early nineties. I cringe when I have to listen to his mouth babbling away and wishing that he'd just slow down or just simply shut up! Best commentator? Dave Lanning from the ITV days but I did like Chris French who used to commentate on Screensport back in the 1980s.

Agreed!

Remember him well! Didn't he win the lottery or something?

E

Great source of entertainment! 'Cass the Gas' always good value.

Two, Four, Six. Eight who do we appreciate.......

Yes my friend's father was one of them!

...or Kojak at Cowley!

Don't see a problem with riders who are members of the World Speedway Riders Association getting in for free.

We had great second halves at Cowley during the early seventies with the Eastbourne and Peterborough kids taking part due to Oxford's promotional tie up. Hence why Oxford and White City built up a good pool of riders unlike some other teams who relied on hand-outs (Kennett, Ballard, Davis, Geer, Gachet, Clark, Weatherley, Greer etc) enabling them to mix it with the main team during the second half. Oxford didn't lose many fans significantly after the main match...stayed behind to watch the kids! In fact just recently re-read an interview with James Easter (Businessman and one time promoter and Team Manager) who agreed. Joe Screen also acknowledges his success to initially riding in second halves.

Thirteen heat matches with a full blown second half.

I was talking to a Wolves fan only this last week who told me that Dudley Wood hadn't been developed. I thought that it had been built upon (Barrett's Homes?) years ago?

Super list! I miss most of all the collection of people I used to stand with on the third bend at Cowley.

Fascinating site! Brought back memories of Brands Hatch!

I think it was John Berry, amongst others, who thought that eventually this would be the direction the GP may/would go.

I just find this whole scenario quite extraordinary! Swindon fans were subjected to a lot of claims and promises and still no definite news.

Have to disagree, lads, regarding Gordon Kennett. A genuine number one for both White City (1976-78) and Eastbourne (1979-82) recording very impressive averages. Very under rated rider often ignored by the selectors. Finishing second in the 1978 Final was a deserving achievement for his consistency but no, l agree, wouldn't have achieved that honour under the GP formula...but that would also have applied to many other riders over the years who achieved same!

Greetings Richard! Yes indeed it's been a while now since I left the 'Dreaming Spires of Oxford!' I sincerely hope that Cowley Stadium can be saved and prosper. The good people of Oxford deserve that! Haven't been to a meeting since I left but have taken in a couple of Grasstrack events since I emigrated 'Up North!' Best wishes.

Yes it was a shame that Todd's Oxford career ended the way it did with the episode at Poole. After the service he gave to Oxford the actions of both Horton and Lanney seemed to be very disrespectful and unprofessional (not knowing the full facts of course but based on Todd's version of events) Apparently bikes that had been promised to Todd (based on performance and points scored over the season) were quickly removed after the last meeting by said two and in Todd's words "Lanney had reneged on the deal". Todd took off his Oxford race suit and left it on the floor in the pits and hasn't spoken to either since.

I seem to recall that Proch ended up at Leicester and Doug Underwood went to Reading?

Hackney were able to book guests at Morton's higher 1976 average which enabled them to book in guests such as Peter Collins as a replacement. His 1977 average was somewhat lower (he hadn't ridden the required qualifying matches) prior to his injury than his previous season's average. Hull operated R/R for the 'declared' Egon Muller who rode in a few matches for 'The Vikings' in 1976 but didn't put in an appearance during the whole of the 1977 season and they were, therefore, granted a facility in his absence. I do feel that 'The Rebels' achievements that year are somewhat overlooked considering that other teams had a fair crack of the compensation pie as mentioned above. White City had a very competent team lead by Gordon Kennett with Marek Cieslak, Kai Niemi, Steve Weatherley and Trevor Geer. The unfortunate Paul Gachet picked up a severely broken ankle and never rode again that season which is often overlooked when analysing their achievements however the use, as cover, of Mike Sampson and Dave Kennett proved inspirational.

Hans Nielsen would have dominated much of the eighties in my opinion. Winning in 1983 thru' to 1989 and perhaps beyond!