steve roberts

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!

I've never really understood the concept of showing a 'live' league match on the TV. Edited highlights without all the waffle and replays in my opinion would be far better. A friend of mine would rather stay indoors and watch a live broadcast than walk half a mile to see the same meeting live (Oxford). No wonder attendances started a downward spiral! Much preferred the days of Screensport when one enjoyed 'Match of the Week' and Rob Mac's weekly news programme.

A full British Team! How times have changed and not for the better. One of my main gripes regarding modern speedway is the number of foreigners that now fill team places. When my team (Oxford) won the league in 1985 we started the season with four Englishman, two Danes and an Australian (with the occasional help of a West German) In 1986 five Englishman and two Danes. In 1989 five Englishman, a Dane and an Australian. However in 2001 we had one Englishman, three Australians, one Dane and two Czechs. How times had changed and a reflection in the direction that British Speedway was heading.

I would be interested in reading an interview with Jimmy Nilsen (Swindon, Oxford & Belle Vue etc) I think that he emigrated to the States? He appeared to be a very talented rider but, personally, I felt he didn't achieve all that he could have although his international record made for impressive reading.

Harlan Bast Sr and Bart Bast & Harlan Bast Jr. Can't remember exactly but I think that brothers Mike & Steve Bast were also related...Bart was a nephew?

I'll give it a go! 1. Middlesborough 2. Newcastle 3. Edinburgh 4. Rye House 5. Canterbury 6. Stoke 7. Peterborough 8. Scunthorpe 9. Berwick 10. Milton Keynes 11. Oxford 12. Crayford Not confident!

All very formal Mr.Peasley! Yes forgot about Frederick and Spencer! I assume that Spencer still runs his car business in Sandford?