steve roberts

I understand that but the comparison was made between a live, presumably, one-off concert and speedway. I'm the first to question whether speedway now offers true value for money. My local football team York City (who compete in Division Two) charges between £18 - & £21 for adults. Despite all the problems within speedway (well documented on other threads) it compares favourably with other sports. Depends where your interest lays?

Can't possibly compare speedway with a 'one-off' concert. Totally different scenario!

Thanks for the explanation!

Haven't a clue what you good people are talking about but, then again, could never understand what Steve Shovlar was commenting on in the good old days of the Oxford Speedway Forum!

...or Swedish club side Indianerna 'Indians!'

I'm using, as I type, my White City 'Rebels' coaster to place my early morning cup of coffee!

If I recall a conservation order was placed on the totalizer structure on the first /second bend. I can see this becoming quite a battle in trying to keep the stadium in a reasonable condition with a view of the council passing it on to prospective interested parties (if the compulsory purchase has indeed gone thru'?)

I agree entirely. Musical taste varies considerably and there's always a danger alienating a percentage of people if the music played is much of the same and from a certain era whether it be modern or past. Striking a balance is the important thing (easier said than done!)

Thanks that's them! My uncle is Keith Lawson (ex-Oxford Track Photographer) whose photos also appear on that link.

Unfortunately I no longer have my programmes so don't know the exact date except that it was in 1976!

Where did Ivan end up? I remember the whole family voting for him and I thought that he finished quite high up in the standings? Memories play funny tricks!!

I recall the same applied in 1972 whereby fans were encouraged to vote for Ivan Mauger. I think he came second or third?

I've tried to re-locate them myself only the other day! They are there somewhere...I posted them back in 2011 not long after I took them. If you have no luck I would be more than happy to send them to you privately?

My uncle managed to get some images thru' the iron railings at the tote end! It looked to be in a sad state.

Agree with most of those observations although I always get a bit 'nervous' when discussing the amount of actual 'action' time. Okay one could argue that actual track time only amounts to about 15-16 minutes (bring back second-halves?) but, personally, I always valued the build up to a race and time spent having a discussion between racing (discussing tactical ploys etc) as part of the overall entertainment. For example, although a football match is supposed to take place over 90 minutes how much of that is taken up with time wasting and dead ball situations? Same with American Football. Four quarters of 15 minutes each but, unless a 'time out' is called, how much of that allotted time is down to play? However with Ice Hockey there are three sessions (each of 20 minutes) of play whereby the clock is stopped when the puck is deemed 'dead 'and one could therefore justifiably claim that you get your full 60 minutes of action. I'm sure that there are other examples within sport (cricket?) where the actual time spent in 'play' doesn't often reflect the full picture. In other words where do you draw the line as regards where the 'entertainment' value starts and finishes in spectator sports? Would be interested in other people's views?

'The Rivals' rings a bell! I remember reading an interview with John Davis in 'Backtrack' and he was somewhat embarrassed when the article got round to discussing his attempt at becoming a recording artist! Hawkwind were invited to perform at White City in a hope of increasing speedway awareness at Wood Lane...the promoters also had a belly dancer booked on another occasion...I know which I preferred! I recall that the group 'Mud' were speedway fans and would attend Wimbledon on a number of occasions. Don't know if they ever performed there however.

Slightly off thread but does anyone remember John Davis' record that he made some years ago? Or the record that was made by many of the riders (1974) that was entitled 'Speedway'? I had that particular 45 (collectors item now!!) and on the cover was a picture of all the participating riders dressed in their leathers! Also didn't Shawn Moran make a record? I'm cringing at the memories...!

Yes I corresponded with him on Facebook some years back and I know that he was keen to do an interview for 'Backtrack' (any thoughts Tony Mac?) I'm sure his comments and observations would be interesting to say the very least!

Unfortunately, if I recall, there was a problem with the noise that was generated at Wiggy's Final Bash and I believe a curfew was put in place as regards Cowley holding meetings on a Sunday in future? I can't remember the specifics (leave that to you Rob) but I remember that Steve Purchase (then Oxford Promoter) having some issues with the noise.

Hawkwind performed at a meeting at White City in 1976. Acker Bilk became a 'sleeping' partner at Oxford in 1972 (another Dave Lanning publicity stunt?) and it was hoped that his 'Jazzmen' would perform, occasionally, after meetings in the clubhouse.

Sad to hear of the death of Ed 'Stewpot' Stewart. He used to announce at Wembley during the days of 'The Lions' and even rode an exhibition race once against fellow DJ David 'Diddy' Hamilton (one time presenter at Reading) He was a genuine speedway fan and appreciated the friendly atmosphere that speedway meetings generated during the same period when football was having serious problems with hooliganism.

Yes he apparently 'taught' Steve McQueen to ride a speedway bike and would often have David Webb (Chelsea & Southampton) with him at meetings (who looked like a bouncer) On one occasion when Briggo was having problems with Anders Michanek having Webbie in the pits helped smooth over any 'misunderstandings!' Well worth reading the book...it's very different to Tina Moore's biography that appeared some years ago. I won't spoil it for you but I'm finding it quite revealing!

...just that speedway got a mention in a book about the England Football 'skipper' who won the World Cup in 1966?

Just reading the book 'Bobby Moore - The Man In Full' (proving a good read incidentally) where it quotes: "At the end of the year, he (Moore) was crowned BBC Sports Personality Of The Year...his victory was inevitable. What was truly extraordinary was, Geoff Hurst, the hat-trick hero of the World Cup Final, finishing in third place behind Barry Briggs, a speedway rider from New Zealand."