steve roberts

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."

I've just recently re-viewed this meeting and Jerzy did get some amazing 'flyers' (and escaped exclusion on one occasion!) but he was one of many taking advantage of a weak referee on that particular afternoon!

Images of Cowley Stadium that I took, back in 2011, appear on that most excellent Web-Site 'Speedway Plus'. They make for depressing viewing even back then. Hate to imagine what the stadium must look like now?

Great list! I wouldn't disagree with your choices (certainly during the period that I attended speedway 1972-2003) Interesting that there is no Olsen or Gundersen but I felt that both Mauger and Nielsen were the more dominate during those eras chosen as the statistics suggest (not only on the world stage but also domestically)...my thoughts anyway.

I was enjoying a bacon and sausage sandwich at a cafe in Thirsk the other day and with the pot of tea was included milk served in a school milk bootle inscribed on the outside ' School Milk 1/3 Pint!' It was tiny...they seemed much larger in my youth! Apparently they had sourced some bottles and you could purchase them...I was tempted!! To keep the speedway thread (to keep certain parties happy!) I recall that Keith Booth (Oxford Junior) was a milkman whilst a rider.

Just received my copy! Full of stats and interviews and/or reports. Looks excellent and good value for money! Here's hoping that a similar publication covering the 80s is on the agenda?

Gemini...sorry but what I meant was that me saying that I was once a milkman was 'totally irrelevant' to your thread. I agree with what you say!

Remember the days of 'World of Sport' when speedway was shown on a prime slot on a Saturday afternoon around other sports...if you call wrestling a sport? Totally irrelevant but I used to be a milk man for co-op dairies!

I don't think that speedway 'will be dead in 10-15 years time' but in what format that is the question? As long as there are motorbikes there will always be those wishing to compete at different levels of competition. Whether people will still wish to spectate is a very different matter which is why this particular thread was initiated?

I was a huge Jens Rasmussen fan and was more than disappointed when he was 'forced' to leave the 'Cheetahs' just prior to the 1986 season. He ended up at Ipswich, ironically, where prior to that season he and Jeremy Doncaster didn't get on. However they ended up as friends and Jeremy named one of his children Jens! I was at Ipswich for the 1985 Cup Final and remember the incident well. If I recall 'Raz' entered the third (?) bend at a very acute angle and took Richard off and was rightly excluded (although I disagreed at the time!). Jens was a rider who could be hard but could take it as well. A great rider to have in the last heat as often he would produce the goods and secure the match (as he did at Ipswich earlier that year in the League Cup Semi-Final) He was one of those riders that if he rode for your team was looked upon as a hero but as an opponent...? Of course when he joined Rye House (1988) that was the start of the incoming of foreigners at National League level (although in his case it was legitimate as he was married to an English girl) and, as they say, the rest is history!

Just finished reading Dave Morton's most excellent book. His insight and observations are most enlightening and is well worth the read. Highly recommended!

Interesting that people often say that the tracks are now generally slick and void of shale but I have just finished reading Dave Morton's book where he discusses the fact that certain tracks, during the seventies and eighties, often had a 'strip of dirt' laid on a particular racing line which was only known to the home team. Despite what we may think most tracks (unless it was Hyde Road) generally only had two, or at best, three racing lines. Therefore the 'strip of dirt' was put down to create an advantage to the home team during, presumably, the early heats before the dirt disappeared. Dave quotes that during an important meeting at Hull in 1972 Colin Tucker (track manager) prepared parts of the surface that only the home riders knew about, where extra grip and momentum could be gained. He prepared three 15 foot-long strips about a foot wide. After the track had been watered, these strips received an extra dousing, so instead of around two inches of wet shale, these doctored areas were around four inches deep. Before the meeting he walked his riders around the track and secretly pointed out theses strips thereby giving the home team an advantage. Chris Morton has gone on record to say that he, on occasions, requested a 'strip of dirt' to be laid at Belle Vue on the inside close to the white line entering the third bend to which he would utilise as a last resort to pass an opponent.

Worth obtaining the Ivan Mauger DVD where he talks about his relationship with Carter leading up the 1982 World Final. Ivan was less than impressed with Kenny's father's, Malcolm, 'involvement' behind the scenes!

A true character! Features in the thread 'Are There Any Characters In The Sport Anymore?'

Thoroughly enjoying reading Dave Morton's book and he is less that complimentary when discussing Alan Grahame!

Just ordered mine...thankfully p&p is included!

I like much of what you suggest! Good article!

Thanks for that! I don't subscribe to 'The Star' but will certainly check it out!