steve roberts

Issue Number 74. May/June addition just out.

I'm sure that it was for Zenon Plech? But as I said both Hackney and Hull had a long season facility but came no where near winning the title that season so White City were not alone in that respect...they just adapted better! Trying to forget the Belly Dancers!

Just got me thinking what was the most bizarre product that a rider endorsed? Bostik, who used to sponsor Ray Wilson, would be up there somewhere!

True however I recall both Hackney and Hull having similar dispensations that season...'The Rebels' won having a better all round team and a shrewd use of their loanees (Mike Sampson and Dave Kennett) after the early unfortunate injury to Paul Gachet. It must also be remembered that White City released Richard Greer, who had put in a transfer request, to a weak Birmingham side (who had received very little assistance the season previously after their elevation to the British League) before it was known that Dag wouldn't re-appear.

My memories of Todd are team riding with Jan Staechmann. Todd up front and Jan covering the gaps using all of the track available to him. Have to admit I saw very little of Todd prior to his very bad injury but do recall seeing him at Plough Lane on the one occasion where he did look to be something special. Glad to read that his life is now back on a healthy path after personal problems affected him mentally.

Fascinating interview in the latest 'Backtrack' with Todd. He explains in detail how his bikes were set up to get him out of the gate quickly ('Fastest alive over the first twenty-five') but were not the fastest motors when once, hopefully, in front. I know that I'll probably upset Rob (author of the piece) but I was never personally that impressed with Todd although he gave great service to 'The Cheetahs' over the years. He was just too one paced for my liking (maybe explained by his motor set up?) and would be passed with ease on occasions. Now for the backlash! This thread should probably be better in 'The Years Gone By' option!

...and a fake profile picture!

Absolutely!

Interesting article in the latest 'Backtrack' magazine where Dag Lovaas has put his support to the saving of Oxford Stadium "When I came to England, Oxford soon became my favourite track. I always wanted to ride for Oxford and I worked hard to get a place with the Rebels. In 1975 my wish came true and I was more than happy, the fans were great, the place had a great atmosphere, and the location was perfect. I have such good memories from Oxford; I broke a long standing track record, Oxford won their first trophy in over 10 years, it was a definite high point in my career. I hope the stadium will be saved, I'll be there for sure at the first meeting - the stadium holds so many memories". Let's hope that his wish may become a reality!

I know it's been mentioned elsewhere but I remember the late Rob Woffenden placing Castrol 'R' in his petrol driven lawnmower so as to get a 'fix!'

Good post! I attended speedway for over thirty years (1972-2004) at my local track Oxford and ventured all over the country and Europe costing me no little money but I would not have changed anything for the world. Some great times. Due to re-location I stopped going but it doesn't mean that I no longer have a voice. I was involved at all sorts of levels (giving promotional talks at schools, helping out at the stadium etc) I follow the threads on here but don't get deeply involved with the day to day activities of modern speedway as I no longer have first hand knowledge of the sport and can't pass a concise comment on same. However if the opportunity arises that I am able to pass comment on subjects I feel qualified then I do so. At the end of the day people aren't forced to read a particular thread and/or comment and can just pass over it (as I do) if one so wishes.

Remember an article by Rod Haynes (one time Scunthorpe & Sheffield rider) saying that George Hunter (Edinburgh) would drive his articulated lorry from his Midland base to Immingham Docks (Humber Estuary) then drive back home to pick up his bike and then drive up to Edinburgh for the evening meeting all on the same day! That's dedication!

Got me thinking on another thread of riders who used to travel long distances to ride for their clubs in Britain. Chris Juiian must take some beating. Cornwall to Glasgow every week. Mike Sampson and Bob Coles - Exeter to Barrow. Michael Coles - Exeter to Edinburgh. Considering that the motorway system was very different back during the sixties and early seventies that's some achievement but of course there weren't the number of vehicles back then and speed restrictions were a bit more lapse but impressive all the same.

Yes that's very true. One of my favourite National League riders was Mike Sampson who doesn't really get the credit he deserves for helping White City win the championship in 1977. When 'The Rebels' relocated to Arlington in 1979 I remember that Mike turned down the opportunity in moving up and was transferred to Nottingham and became a Cradley asset. The mind boggles, however, to think that he, together with Bob Coles, used to travel up to Barrow from their home base in Exeter on a weekly basis back in the old Second Division days! Can't imagine many riders today considering to do that...and of course Michael Coles who used to travel from Exeter to Edinburgh weekly! What was it living in Exeter I wonder?

Hi Sid - (B)rough Park certainly produced enough stars (or should that be Diamonds?) over the years! I admired the fact that Rod Hunter came to Oxford in 1983 when Newcastle rode in the National League and scored a maximum and the following year when Newcastle rode in the British League he again scored a maximum...although both Nielsen and Wiggy weren't competing that night. Joe was a quality rider but he admitted himself that in hindsight he should never have joined Hull. Tom never committed to the British League but he did appear for both Newport and Hull on occasions and didn't disgrace himself. Little Geoff Curtis was another Newcastle rider who I admired and it was rumoured that he was to join Oxford (he lived not far from me) before he was tragically killed. But my point about the National League becoming independent seemed to stem the flow of British talent in later years. Eastbourne produced many would be stars who took the plunge but always managed to replace them from within their own ranks (Mike Sampson excepted) The England team of the successful 1970s had the likes of Betts, Wilson, Ashby and Simmons who didn't see service in the lower league but were soon joined by the likes of Collins, Louis, Jessup, Lee, Morton, Davis, Kennett, Lee etc and the success was spectacular to put it mildly. In fact England were that good that no other nation could compete with them hence why in 1977 a Rest of the World select side took on the mighty Lions. Later the likes of Carter and Wigg would go on and compete for England but the conveyor belt became less productive as speedway moved into the eighties.

All good riders in the National League but none showed the inclination to move up full time. The British League Division Two was introduced to develop new young talent but that concept seemed to have got forgotten once the League re-invented itself and became the New and then National League. I didn't begrudge riders wishing to remain as 'big fish in little pools' but personally I feel that when the league went independent England began to lose its way on the international front and the supply of riders began to dry up.

Not often I agree with Steve Shovlar!

We're not talking about a great influx of riders on mass surely wanting to access a speedway at any one time? As regards Olsen, I remember the occasion he wished to access the pits at Coventry whilst riding for Wolves and the 'job's worth' on the gate asked for his name to which Olsen replied "Ole" and the man then asked "Ole who?" And that's when he was riding! Chances anyone knowing him now!

Not sure if belonging to the SRA is/was compulsory but by showing a card I see no problem as proof of being a rider at some time. Same as other forms of employment. I have an Oxford University Retirement Employee's card which allows me access to colleges an/or Oxford University establishments. Or if a rider has signed up to the Veteran's club etc.

When the Newcastle Promotion went 'Pear Shaped' after their disastrous entry into the British League in 1984 the riders were sold off to rival promotions (Joe Owen to Ellesmere Port for example) to help pay off some of the outstanding debts so I guess you could say that riders are assets although a very unstable one.

In the book 'Tragedy - Kenny Carter' Eric Boothroyd (one time Halifax & Bradford Promoter) is quoted as agreeing to pay Kenny a big five-figure upfront sum before the 1984 season but when Carter broke his leg it backfired on the club financially as he never rode for Halifax again that season. They had to resort to using guests to replace him but had already paid thousands to Carter in the form of a big advance. In fact during both 1984 and 1985 Halifax suffered due to the injuries picked up by Carter. John Berry, amongst others, would talk about clubs now being run by speedway fans and/or enthusiasts with money to burn rather than the old days when professional promoters ran clubs for a living...often running more than one track. Allied Presentations, for example, that included a consortium of Reg Fearman, Len Silver, Danny Dunton, Maurice Littlechild and, I think, Ron Wilson as members who despite running their own tracks had a say in the other tracks within the group before eventually going their separate ways.

Brian Crutcher - Poole and Wembley. Finished second to Ronnie Moore in the 1954 Final and retired in 1959. Affectionally known as 'Nipper!'

Had a go myself as well. Total respect for those who ride speedway...at any level!

Remember in 1976 when John Jackson was doubling for a Wolves 'select' side as they were known that year at White City. He was constantly anticipating the start that night much to the annoyance of the home crowd and was eventually warned of his conduct. Of course in those days there was slack control of the starts but some of his actions that night were quite blatant. Biased view? Yes! Wolves beat 'The Rebels' with, as I mentioned, a 'select' side containing both Reg Wilson and Mike Lanham as guests from what I can remember.

Peter Purves and John Noakes!