steve roberts

I remember family holidays on the south coast during the seventies and it was always an issue visiting Poole where they wouldn't open the gates until quite late much to our frustration.

...reminds one of the days when some riders added nitro to their fuel and was quite common apparently before it was made illegal.

I'd agree...I grew up during that period and never felt intimidated walking or playing in my locality or the woods/cycle rides etc.

...how I miss those names! Sandy Lane, Watlington and Garsingtion Roads where I grew up!

...or change them to suit!

Same at Cowley in the middle seventies!

May have been a "Farewell Meeting" but Todd Wiltshire?

Yes that sounds familiar! Going back many years I'm sure that the Italian Touring Team got in some pre-match practice at Cowley?

Just caught up with this one...that's how I remember it when I visited back in the nineties.

I'm sure I recall this initiative was once tried sometime during the nineties or did I just imagine it?

It's New Cross (famously featured in the film "Once a Jolly Swagman" starring Dirk Bogarde and Bill Owen amongst others) with Millwall's ground in the background. I visited some years ago and saw the new "Den" while the old stadium had just been demolished and there was some evidence of the old New Cross if you looked hard enough but it's just now a recreation ground.

I would agree in principle with your thoughts but that's how threads tend to develop on a public forum. However it doesn't help when one individual in particular felt the need to trawl thru' another thread to post a comment to try and score a point having misinterpreted the comments made to suit their own agenda. It's great to see that the meeting has been rescheduled for April 19th.

...Exeter had similar problems although both Martin Ashby and Bob Kilby complained bitterly about the "forced" move to Devon however one could argue that it made them better riders. I recall long after Rider Control ceased that when Exeter obtained Leicester's licence both Les and Neil Collins made it plain that neither would ride for Exeter!

I'd agree Steve but was the list based upon a maximum points limit?

Yes and of course Oxford with Hans Nielsen although Leigh Adams did move around a bit but that was more to do with Swindon dropping a Division. One of my favourites at Oxford was Jens Rasmussen but he twice became a victim of the points limit.

What no Phil Crump or Bob Kilby?

Trouble is the various points limits put in place made it more difficult for a rider to stay at any one track.

...I would add Reading to that. A poor loss to the sport and again clouded in "rumours" and "stories" regarding promises of another site but, as yet, has come to nought!

...thanks for that. Personally I haven't a clue sometimes what he/she is going on about or the point being made but, hey. that's forums for you!

...yes I did 32 years of it (I'll leave that for "toady" to work out as he obviously has a fixation?)

...oh to be a speedway fan!

...well if you wish to be pedantic I did quote "17 plus years ago". Last meeting I went to was the very first meeting at Cowley in 2004 (Lakeside).

Although I didn't have to get in the car as I lived within walking distance of Cowley the conclusion of that fabulous 1986 season left a very sour taste in the mouth. The home league matches against Wolves and Sheffield were postponed thus denying the "Cheetahs" a clean sweep in the league but also the KO and League Cup Finals were "lost" to the weather although I personally feel that Oxford gained the "moral" victories in both having done the hard work at Dudley Wood but the record books show that the trophies were shared! What was all the more galling Oxford were involved in a pointless "Challenge Cup" which took up valuable fixture congestion and could have been avoided...never mind the awfull 3TT Easter meetings! A very sad and frustrating end to a glorious season where Oxford ruled supreme and even featured in a two page pull out in one of the dailys!

I visited Wolves on a couple of occasions and Cradley the once when they were called off...particularly galling as neither were that easy to get to or indeed find! Took three attempts to see some racing at Boston and then only half a meeting as an earlier meeting at King's Lynn finished late.

...ah that rules me out then!