steve roberts

I enjoyed visiting Eastbourne back in the seventies when it was operating as a Second Division/National League team. Of course the White City team moved there in 1979 and I felt that it lost something...and I didn't like it when the first and second bends were altered during the early 2000s (?) Check out my comment on the Ole Olsen DVD thread regarding 1975!

If the building runs into problems there's a ready made stadium 30 miles from Swindon...at Cowley, Oxford!

Colin, I'm afraid that it's referred to as 'Last Word Syndrome!' Just read your comment (I assume it's you?) in the recently published John Louis book! Received my copy only today...looks to be a good read. I had great admiration for the late John Berry (I communicated with him on a couple of occasions) and I only hope that John Louis isn't too critical about him in his book.

Just received my copy today! Looks superb and can't wait to read it!

Remember the story when said Berry and Ron Bagley visited Hull...and proceeded to measure the width of the track (it was always 'suggested' that the width didn't conform) to the annoyance of the home fans and Ian Thomas! Did I read somewhere that Soldier Boy won the lottery or some such thing?

I nearly gave Scunthorpe a go last season but decided not to bother...something to consider!

Pleased as punch when Dag Lovaas joined Oxford...a real favourite of mine! Shame that it didn't work out for him at White City.

One of my great memories was my weekly trips to Wood Lane (White City) The first time I went on the occasion of the very first meeting I remember being blown away by the stadium! I know people often refer to the fact that there was no atmosphere but I used to sit near the starting gate and it generally was quite noisy and atmospheric. One second half I decided to sit right up under the roof on the first bend...no atmosphere there however! The 1976 Grand Prix Final (televised) was the first big meeting held there and I lost my usual seat having, instead, to re-locate to the third bend and remember the event attracting something like 37,000? The racing wasn't as bad as people have since commented upon. Saw some great racing there and Marek Cieslak was a master of the very flat outside passing numerous riders during his debut season (1977) Great Memories!

I shall certainly check it out!

I wasn't a great fan of Olsen but I recognised his achievements. Remember seeing him throw his title hopes away when he fell whilst trying to pass Christer Lofqvist during the 1972 World Final. Best World Champion in my time? I would have to say Ivan Mauger (although Nielsen was a close second...but I would say that!)

Sid, I did some research and placed comments on the thread entitled Ole Olsen DVD in the 'Years Gone By' section!

You've obviously read my post elsewhere regarding Olsen's rare appearances at Cowley!!

What about the antics of some of the promoters and/or team managers? I used to enjoy the spectacle of team managers engaging with the referee on the phone at the start line and gesticulating over a decision! I remember a conversation I had with the late Bernard Crapper asking him what he used to say to the referee. He stated that he often was just passing the time of the day with the referee but wished to wind up the crowd and install some 'atmosphere' to the proceedings! The likes of Ian Thomas would also create 'mischief' to help along proceedings! Sadly no longer with us. I remember when he 'engaged' in conversation with Soldier Boy (another character) over a decision with fingers pointing adding to the entertainment!

Sounding more positive!

I agree to an extent however I do remember when Ole Olsen (as reigning 1971 World Champion) visited Oxford during my first year (1972) the interest that generated. During the middle/late eighties, because of the lack of teams competing in the British League, you would see the same riders on a regular basis and perhaps fans got a bit blase...I certainly used to! But I can see that some fans enjoyed the regularity.

Yes Ipswich were very fortunate in being able to declare Tomasz Gollob in their line up on a ridiculously low assessed average (7.5 if I recall) considering that he was an established 'star' at the time (something that even sadly missed John Berry questioned in one of his books and/or columns) The dreaded assessed average...always manipulated to suit. I guess that most teams have been guilty over the years and it was a loop hole many promoters took advantage of. However there was downsides also. I remember that both Lukas and Ales Dryml being saddled with 7 point averages when still relatively inexperienced.

Remember it well! Martin Dugard was a very skilful rider but had a temper to go with it (took after Bob I suppose!) That would be the Champions Trophy I would imagine. Shame these meetings are no longer popular. Always attracted the star riders. Remember the Silver Plume at Swindon. It was always an attraction to see the star men (they would only visit perhaps once or maybe twice a year) and you mention Hans and Erik. We saw so much of Erik at Cowley due to the shortage and rearrangement of the league it no longer became a treat to see the World Champion as it once used to be.

Peter Craven held the track record at Cowley (63 seconds) for eleven years before the track was shortened prior to the 1974 season when Phil Crump set a new record (63.2) When I first went to Cowley in 1972 the winning times fluctuated between the middle to late 60 seconds...often into the early 70s. His time of 63 seconds obviously demonstrated his very superior talent. Would have loved to have seen that race! Dave Perks eventually beat that time (62.8, if I recall, in 1980) but as mentioned the track length had been altered.

I guess it begs the question which riders I would have wanted to have see in action but didn't for obvious reasons... Peter Craven Tommy Farndon Jack Parker Jack Young Lionel Van Praag Sprouts Elder Come immediately to mind but there would be countless others...

Many thanks for the update!

Or the occasion he kicked the start line phone over the tapes when a decision went against him! He should have joined Oxford when the Stoke promotion took up residence prior to the 1976 season but he wasn't part of the deal apparently. I would have enjoyed his exploits as a 'Cheetah!' Despite his on-track demeanour apparently he was a nice guy off the track. PS White Knight...are you a Macam? I am on my mother's side!!

My thoughts exactly!

I wish that I had seen Fundin in his prime (saw him compete in 1988 Golden Greats Meeting at Brandon) One of the true greats. To have seen Fundin, Craven, Briiggs, Moore and Knuttsson when they were all competing at the same time would have been something very special!

Having not followed the sport closely for the last ten years or so I was aware that it was becoming increasingly difficult for riders and/or officials to trade insults and/or actions due to legislation within the sport (as well as outside influences). I would be interested to know if there are any true characters today (I'm not advocating Nikki Pedersen!!)? I recall Jack 'The Villan' Millen being a real character. The occasion that he dressed as Batman when the riders were being introduced to the crowd or when he wore a race jacket with the Roman numerical 'V' in place of the number 5 and turning his back to the crowd and jumping up and down thereby giving the 'V' sign! As you can imagine it got the crowd going and, it must be remembered, speedway is not just a sport but an entertainment at the end of the day. The Teesside promoter (Ron Wilson?) would book Jack into Open meetings realising that he would bring people in and increase the attendance. I do think that the sport has become somewhat sterile and could do with the likes of the sadly missed Jack, Garry Middleton etc but I guess that the PC brigade would forbid such a return to those days or do fellow contributors think differently?

If I allowed my heart to rule my head I would advocate tape touching as it created tension and the likes of Garry Middleton, I remember, used to con people into breaking the tapes when he would drop his clutch momentarily nudging the tapes! Malcolm Simmons did a similar thing to Kenny Carter. Middleton used to get up to all sorts of tricks and it really got the opposition riders and fans in a state! But I have to agree, it used to become a right pain with riders constantly rolling into the tapes, and it's one of the better rules that have been implemented.