steve roberts

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!

Keep on posting! Enjoy reading your comments...which is more than I can say for some!

Remember the shop well!

Thanks for that! It's just that previous posters were giving the impression that reserves no longer get to meet heat leaders which evidently they do if circumstances decry.

Beg my ignorance but is it now therefore the case in speedway that the reserves no longer get to meet heat leaders (or just in the Elite League)? I am no longer familiar with the various formulae (having not been to a speedway for many years) Are there circumstances when heat leaders are placed in heats against reserves thru' the tactical substitute (if it still exists?) or rider replacement ruling or have these rulings also changed in recent years?

I'm of the same opinion personally. Having watched from the centre green on one occasion I found it difficult to keep track of the racing. I admit that it appeared faster but I also prefer the view from high up. I have some DVDs that were filmed from the centre green and I find them confusing and not pleasing to the eye with the constant need to focus close in on the action...thus losing the bigger picture.

Pete Wigley was a postman during his racing days (1970s)

Why is it an incorrect observation? Do you have any statistics to prove your opinion that the difference is less now? For example, how many Reserves beat Heat Leaders in, say, 1976, compared to 2016? Until you can prove an opinion with stats, it remains an opinion and not a fact, as you well know. Do you really believe that if you shout louder than the other person, you are right and they will give in and agree with you? Stoke Potter has as much right to his opinion as you do. Yes I'd also like to to know what factual evidence supports that claim?

Rather than just write off the post it may be worth considering that perhaps there may be some credence with the observation and perhaps one of the reasons why the sport is now so desperate for new fans?

And of course the introduction music...'Sussex by the Sea!'

Having the same promotion (Bob Dugard - Eastbourne & Danny Dunton - Peterborough) running Oxford we got to see most of these riders performing at Cowley (either in the team or during the second half). Plus the likes of Laurie Sims, Timmy Ballard and from Peterborough John Davis, Brian Clark, Richard Greer, Ken Matthews and Chris Drewitt (who used to service my motor!) Great days...the second halves were sometimes more entertaining than the main event!

Trips to Arlington watching the Kennett brothers, "Mad' Malc Ballard, Bobby McNeil, Roger Johns, Paul Gachet, Trevor Geer, Eric Dugard, Neil Middledith, Steve Weatherley and one of my favourites...Mike Sampson!

Used to enjoy some rare 'ding dongs' with 'The Witches' at Foxhall Heath when my team Oxford visited! John Berry was a promoter I admired immensely and I did correspond with him on a couple of occasions via email after he emigrated. We, as a family, used to visit Arlington regularly back in the seventies and eighties. Used to like the atmosphere but when they changed the track shape...! Visited Arena Essex just the once (in its fenceless days)...didn't like it!

Where have you been Sidney 'old bean?' I agree! I used to travel all around the country visiting tracks and one I regret never visiting was The Shay! I called in a couple of years ago to have a look but couldn't picture what it must have looked like as they had squared it off! Favourite tracks (not including Oxford)? Hackney, Wimbledon, White City, Swindon to name a few. Least favourite? Hmm...need to think about that one!

Always thought that Hackney produced super racing (okay it may have been dangerous) but I have many good memories visiting Waterden Road...despite travelling round the North Circular Road on a Friday evening!!

I always thought that Bo Petersen was a very under-rated rider. Saw him during one of his very early meetings riding for Hackney (1978) at Wood Lane and also the return fixture later that same day and thought that he had something special. He didn't always have to rely on his gating either and had a super style for someone who was rather on the tall side. I think that I am correct in saying that he was the rider who inspired Andrew Silver the most? He retired far too early in my opinion but I felt that he had lost interest and decided to develop business interests back home in Denmark.

My answer was a guess based on Newcastle.....under Lyme! How long you going to let the quiz (excellent by the way) run for as I'm dying to know the answers!

Never heard that one but if true good old Jimmy I say!

For reasons I've given elsewhere on the forum.

Not an option for me...as I don't subscribe to Sky TV!