steve roberts

I guess that Ronnie Moore must be up there somewhere?

Personally I tire of yet another thread asking what the fans want as nobody in 'authority' apparently listens! I've commented elsewhere on numerous threads regarding this subject and really can't be bothered raising them all again. Speedway will continuously plod along on its merry self destructive way (the domestic programme trying to run alongside the GPs, teams full of unpronounceable foreign riders, forever changing rules, lack of tactical awareness, emphasis on bikes, lack of continuity etc etc)

Brilliant programme!

I think that Tony Lomas was later involved with antiques?

Good to read comments by White Knight and Gustix....welcome back!

Happened to pass Sunderland Stadium by chance today on my way back to York from Tynemouth. Couldn't resist calling in although everything was locked up and there wasn't a sole in sight. Couldn't help thinking of 'Crazy' Jack Millen when taking photos of the exterior!

Just updated my post!

Remember well Larry's warming up exercises flexing his shoulders as he rode round to the tapes! He was the only rider (other than Alf Busk) who succeeded in riding around White City very close to the fence picking up plenty of drive (scoring 17 points in the process during a league encounter between 'The Rebels' and Wimbledon in 1977).

Interesting article regarding the Peter Craven crash in the latest edition of 'Classic Magazine' (another superb magazine) where one time Edinburgh and Berwick rider Ian Paterson quotes: "There had been a bit of needle before they (Craven & Hunter) went out for the race. Hoskins was saying that Craven had to start off a 20 yard handicap but George didn't want any advantage handed to him, so he wanted to start level with Peter" "I'm not sure if those two started behind the other two in the race or whether all four started from the line, but Hunter and Craven definitely started alongside each other. Those two were so far ahead of the others when the crash happened. They say that Hunter's bike seized but I didn't think so...and I think that George just overdid it going into the corner" "His bike went down but then it started spinning around. Peter definitely had enough time to lay his bike down but he must have thought that he could go through the gap (between Hunter's bike and the wooden board safety fence). Trouble was, the gap shut on him at the wrong bloody time. It looked bad. But not horrendous." Personally never a fan of 'handicap' racing. During the early sixties it was decided that the 'Big Four' (Fundin, Briggs, Craven and Knutson) would be handicapped to add 'excitement' to the proceedings before 'Briggo' threatened to retire if the system wasn't dropped.

Sorry didn't read the question properly!

Has to be Scunthorpe?

Many thanks for that! Chance of another?

Dave any chance putting me out of my misery?

When I first went to speedway the behaviour of bikes were very different to when I stopped going (thirty year gap) To begin with riders would rev the engines whilst waiting for the tapes to rise. Now it's a case of turning the throttle full on. Riders would use the throttle to adjust the speed when entering the bend and cornering...constantly tweaking. Now it's just full on with perhaps a slight tweak when entering a bend. Riders starting to adjust their styles tending to leg trail rather than the old fashion foot forward style which makes altering direction when cornering more difficult. When I tried riding a two valve Jawa you could sense how heavy the bike was and required much throttle control to keep the bike going in the direction you so wished. Apparently the JAP was a real difficult ride and without the proper respect would only want to take you out to the fence!

I always found Larry Ross' analogy regarding travelling around the country to various tracks interesting when he first came to Britain. Apparently he would always have to start his journey from Plough Lane to travel across London and beyond. 'I knew may way across London but I had to start from Wimbledon. If I was starting from, say Kingston, I couldn't go across London to the M1 unless I went to Wimbledon first, and then I'd be able to find my way!'

Absolutely brilliant post! Set me up for work this morning! These stories would make a great book...or at least make it into the 'Backtrack' magazine! 'Speedway Travellers Tails!' I'm sure that I've told this story before but my first trip to Cradley on a Sunday (an England vs. USA Test Match) Could I find the track? I spent what seemed like hours driving around Dudley getting more and more frustrated. Then I happened to notice a car with a speedway sticker in his rear window and I'm thinking 'great'. So I follow him around what was apparently a housing estate ('no problems' I think) until he pulls up outside his drive with me behind. 'Thought that you were following me' he said! He was only going home for some lunch before going on to the speedway! He did, at least, explain to me how to get to the track which I was obviously grateful for. Never had a problem from that day on finding the track...with the leaning house opposite the entrance!

Another very entertaining and thought provoking post. I have read, within the last hour or so, some very well written posts (especially within the Hackney thread) and found it to be an enjoyable experience. It's so much better reading posts that are constructive (whether you agree with them or not) and devoid of abuse and unjust criticism. Keep it up lads and lassies!

Terry Betts used to run a garage in Essex during the sixties.

Terrific post! I really enjoyed reading that little lot! Good grief forgotten about the Vauxhall Firenza...cars had character in those days! (another thread here possibly?) Yes it was certainly quite challenging getting to meetings back in the seventies and eighties when I travelled extensively following my chosen sport. Seemed to spend my time continually driving back and forwards to Wolves and Cradley Heath (there's another story there!) during the eighties. Often involved working Monday. Picking up my brother from his place of work and straight onto Wolves often with him passing sandwiches to me whilst I was driving and only making it in time for the start...and then finding that, on at least one occasion, the meeting had been cancelled! I recall a visit to King's Lynn (WTC Qualifier) and going on to Boston arriving just in time for the start of heat eight. Then having to crawl back to Oxford at about 30mph as I was low on fuel (no 24 hour petrol garages in those days) having forgotten to fill up earlier! My I could go on...!

I agree! Superb well thought out post! That's why I deleted my earlier post as I was about to make a comment based on the 'like this' option but thought better of it! Personally I had no issue with the title of your thread. As we know too well threads do tend to meander...that's the beauty of the beast and the natural way of things.

I deleted my last post as I was going to place a sarcastic comment...but thought better of it!

Strewth! Some adventures there! Don't laugh but my first motor was a Morris Marina 1.8 TC (GOJ 926L...even remember the number plate!) But boy! Having those Twin Carbs helped get me out of some tricky situations...especially around Marble Arch before they spoilt the fun by putting traffic lights there! We and the family went everywhere in that car. Certainly served me well...except the king pins needed constant attention!

The family used to plan our holidays around speedway with trips to Eastbourne, Poole, Weymouth and Exeter. When I learnt to drive (1978) I used to drive all round the country (White City every week) generally following Oxford but as a neutral observer also. The sport was different during the seventies and eighties and, without repeating why I eventually stopped going, gave tremendous satisfaction and camaraderie. Wouldn't have missed it for the world. Would I do it now? No.

I agree with your sentiments. It's difficult, sometimes, trying to contain one's composure on this forum but a great deal of humility wouldn't go amiss on occasions.

Remember visiting Hackney in 1973 and the third and fourth (no fifth in those days) gears packing up on the hired car! Managed to crawl to Waterden Road and after the meeting phoned the hire company to explain our dilemma. We had collected around a phone box somewhere around the East End waiting for a call back. Next a police car arrived...apparently we had been reported as acting suspiciously (this was during the height of the IRA bombings) After explaining our situation we eventually got back to Oxford using just the first and second gears...imagine that around the North Circular and the A40! But what memories!