steve roberts

I live in York too but' thinking like an Oxonian'

When I went to speedway becoming British Champion was looked upon as an honour amongst the British/Australian/New Zealand contingent. The fact that it was part of the qualifying system back then also attached more significance to the meeting. Peter being the reigning World Champion was 'rewarded' a bye which he accepted knowing how the British Final often proved a difficult obstacle. Many good riders went by the way side at that stage of the proceedings. Unfortunately the British Final no longer has that same importance or significance and, as I've noted elsewhere, does it bare any relevance to the present GP qualifying system? Peter's case was a one off as far as I can recall but I do remember a case being put forward for Kenny Carter (1984?) to be given a 'bye' but it fell on death ears! In my opinion 'seeding' riders will always prove controversial. I recall the Danes getting 'bogged down' on more than one occasion when it elected to 'seed' riders which didn't meet with the approval of certain parties within the Danish contingent! I no longer go to speedway but I do know that I would be disappointed not to get the chance to see a British World Champion at the British Final...whether he was already in the GP series or not.

Apologies but I made an edit in between posts!

The British Final was once one step along a long qualifying system to reach the then World Final. Riders had to take part in it to stand any chance making the big night. The British authorities took the unprecedented decision to seed Peter thu' to the Inter-Continental Final. It wasn't Peter's decision but one he obviously was very happy to accept. Tai's decision not to compete is purely down to himself (whatever his personal reasons maybe) The circumstances regarding the World Championship are very different now to what it once was.

Peter Collins (1977) was seeded directly thru' to the inter-Continental Final (by-passing the British Final stage of the World Championship qualifying system) by the then authorities. A totally different scenario.

My brother was a Postman once and he couldn't believe my example when I explained it to him. He said that he would have noticed the incorrect parcel and would have returned it to his Sorting Office...all questions I put to the Post Office representative (whoever he/she was?) who appeared non too concerned about the wrong destination...'Oh it happens but generally we get it right!'

In my case neither the post code or street name fitted...or even the same Country! I posted the parcel from York to be delivered to an address in Kilburn (20 miles away) and it ended up in... Scotland! The parcel passed thru' four loops. The Sorting Office in Leeds. The relevant Sorting Office in Scotland. The Delivery Person and finally the recipient...and not one questioned, apparently, the correct destination!

Interesting regarding posting irregularities. I recently sent Ian Cartwright (Halifax and England) a DVD. I sent it special delivery to an address in Yorkshire and couldn't trace its whereabouts for over a week. Eventually I discovered that it had been sent to an address in Scotland! It begs the question why was it directed there by the local (Leeds) sorting office as it carried a Yorkshire post code? Why did the delivery postman deliver it and why was it received and accepted by someone in Scotland when it was clearly not for them? After going thru all the usual complaints procedure the Post Office eventually sent me a very patronising letter and a book of first class stamps as compensation...and the DVD is out there somewhere in limbo land! Mind boggles really!

All I know is that Ronnie Moore used to take part in a Wall of Death attraction (I think that his father owned such an attraction?) Not what you asked I know!

Would enjoy reading an interview with Eric Broadbelt (his version of the 'rake incident would prove interesting!) His fence scrapping antics were worth the admission money...especially whilst riding for Poole! Ken Eyre featured some years ago I seem to recall?

I always found it useful when I used to go to speedway that I would sometimes agree to meet someone on the 1st/2nd/3rd/4th bend. Made it easier locating them...of course there were more people then!

I can't believe what I am reading! Having read various other threads, and I'm sure that there are others better informed than myself, but was the meeting cancelled due to poor track preparation? If so what a complete farce and yet another example why speedway is in the state that it is. What should have been a showpiece event (presumably with all the media present) ends up with the sport, again, shooting itself in the foot! I await with more informed comments hoping that my comments are an over reaction to events in Manchester.

Yes I was reading only yesterday that once upon a time riders 'employed' mechanics based on beer and fish 'n' chip money (unless you were Ivan Mauger etc) and it's just not sustainable within the league structure here in Britain nowadays to employ full-time mechanics based on the economies now in place.

Apologies! That's the problem when one reads a thread out of context! I did once hear a rumour that a 'Star' rider was earning £500 a point...however rumours are one thing and fact another. At the end of the day we, the supporter, will not get to hear or read of the exact amounts riders specifically earn although it was common knowledge back in the distant past when points and start money were publicised and is often quoted when one reads editorials and/or books about riders.

I'm the first to admit that speedway riders deserve to be rewarded but the money just isn't there anymore...as I've commented elsewhere. There needs to be some sort of ceiling otherwise the sport will just die in this country. 'Extreme Wage'? Footballers for starters!

At the end of the day less people are attending speedway meetings therefore less revenue is being collected which ultimately will mean less money to pay the riders...and the cloth, therefore, needs to be cut accordingly to take into account the economic realities. Riders need to accept that speedway, in this country certainly, no longer offers full-time employment (in the past most riders rode despite holding down regular jobs anyway) and the sooner this scenario is accepted the better for the saviour of the sport. If it means the 'Star' riders looking abroad for employment then so be it and then, perhaps, the sport can be managed at a more sustainable level based on the current economic circumstances. Should the sport, therefore, be run on a purely amateur basis? That's another question.

Hi Rob, Granted and he's obviously mellowed a lot since his racing days and I never doubted his undoubted intelligence (I did communicate with him once regarding what I thought was some sort of feud between himself and Gordon Kennett). There is no getting away from the fact that he could be volatile (Bob Radford has been quoted same regarding Steve's influence in the pits for example) and others who knew him commented same (Didn't he once kick Ian Thomas in his privates?) His reputation, however misunderstood, did go before him! However good luck to him and I wish him well...and how we could do with characters like him in the sport now!

I don't pretend to know much about the mechanics of an engine but surely a standardisation of engines would allow the skill of the rider to come thru' rather than a 'quick bike' to dominate...hence better racing?

Received my latest edition on Friday (No.72)

If I recall 'The Mad Wellie' was the only one happy to ride with him?

Remember the 1986 World Final in Katowice when Evitts managed to 'distract' Erik Gundersen when the tapes lifted during their second race together. It basically finished Erik's assault on the title that afternoon and left the door open for Hans much to my delight!

FAO Shale Searcher Located my comment for your information! Regards

Have just read the interview with Steve in the latest 'Backtrack' edition. Proved interesting but I was left wanting to know more about him.

I agree regarding 'Cocker's' early career with Oxford but by 1988/89 his form around Cowley had become stale and a move elsewhere seemed to propel him forward again...but, in my opinion, he was never the same rider we witnessed during that wonderful 1986 season when his riding prowess proved inspirational.

Maybe worth getting in touch with the Speedway Museum as they have an extensive display of race jackets?