steve roberts

I agree. I remember voting for Ivan Mauger back in 1972 but as you say it's a BBC poll. Throughout the seventies when British/English speedway ruled the roost speedway only received fleeting references because, I guess, ITV covered the major events. Wasn't there a suggestion of a vote 'fix' when Briggo was nominated back in the sixties?

I remember the first meeting of the 1975 season at Oxford when Nigel was excluding in the first race and his wife, Cynthia, taking issue with the referee!

I agree...but it's rather obvious that this particular thread has been exhausted and what may have started as a 'discussion' has become rather heated and personal in some instances. A forum is about contributors sharing opinions which may not be agreed by all but whose comments should be respected all the same.

Can I suggest that a truce be drawn on this topic? It's getting very tiresome and it's obvious that nobody is going to win this particular discussion. Time to move in my opinion.

Thanks for sharing that memory!

Watched said DVD. Enjoyed listening to Eric as his delivery is so dry! Very different riders in their approach to their racing. Eric very nearly signed for Oxford prior to the 1975 season but decided to take up a managerial post at Belle Vue and retired from active racing. He did try a comeback in 1983 (?) but soon retired for good. Two great ambassadors and Eric, surely, is due an honour for services rendered over many years?

Ken McKinlay...arguably the best ever Scot! Saw him ride towards the back end of his career...wish I'd seen him at his peak.

Rob, Not sure if Jerzy Sczakiel was the best rider on that particular day just that he had the 'rub of the rubber' on that afternoon, Zenon Plech was well in for a chance of the title until un-ceremoniously 'knocked off' by the Russian, Gregori Chlynovski (apologies for the spelling) whilst leading. I'm convinced that Ivan would have passed Jerzy in the run-off but, as he has admitted many times since, he miscalculated his move and fell thus giving the race to the Pole. I take nothing away from Sczakiel. He took his chances (rolling starts) and won! That was the beauty and drama of one-off finals...which is why I prefer them to the Grand Prix! Steve

Just reading Simon Wigg's book 'Wiggy' and to quote... '...by starting off gates four and three, in my first two rides, it meant that one of the visiting heat leaders would be on the inside of me. I could usually just about gate on them but not always. Gate four was b****** of a start to go from early in the meeting at Oxford, although it was not that bad later on if there was a bit of dirt out wide' However Wiggy was often his own worst enemy in some cases.

Was Scotland's last appearance in the World Pairs in 1976?

Not sure about Ivan being lucky in 1979 but certainly 1977 one could argue (although I wouldn't personally) The race that was re-started after John Boulger fell whilst leading seemed to take forever with both Ivan and Ole Olsen 'ignoring' the two-minite warning.

When the World Team Cup was re-organised after 'Great Britain' won the 1973 Final (a team represented by Englishman for the first time) it was decided to run a Qualifying Round at Ipswich in 1974 consisting of teams representing England, Australia, New Zealand and Scotland. I think that Scotland were replaced by the USA in 1978 (?) Back to 'Booey', however, a great entertainer who never knew when he was beaten. He was also easily recognised in his blue leathers... well before the days of the introduction of kevlars and team suits.

Strewth!

One of the greats!

Groan! This one just goes on and on and on....zzzz!

I agree. I remember when Exeter occasionally programmed Ivan Mauger at number 2 for tactical purposes to counteract a tactical move in heat eight. He also rode at number 4 to give a strong pairing away from home under the old 13 heat formula. In the last race that is!

Fair comment. I preferred alternate gates as it allowed for greater flexibility and tactical awareness and I know that Nielsen often chose the inside gate but we saw some tremendous team-riding whereby he waited for his partner (Marvyn Cox and Jens Rasmussen come immediately to mind) to join him. Far more difficult to team-ride from the outside. For example I remember occasions that a strong pairing (under the fixed gate scenario) had gates 1 & 3 and the opposite team's 'star' man would be off 4 with a reserve on gate 2. It gave the strong team a distinct advantage (especially at Oxford where there was a short run to the first bend) as they could dominate the first bend (unless the outside rider achieved an immaculate gate enabling him to close them down) I would have preferred having my 'star' rider in between (gate 2) the riders so that he was in a better position to 'put himself about a bit' if you get my meaning!

I've just checked a programme from 2004 and a team had inside gates during heats 1, 3, 4 & 6 and the same team outside gates during heats 7, 8, 9 & 10. Much preferred alternate gates!

Would be interested in fellow contributors views regarding Fixed Gates. Personally I was always against the idea (I know the argument was that the best riders generally took the best gate) I haven't been for many years (as I keep quoting) and I'm guessing that the heat formula is the same, but one team always got an early advantage because they had successive inside gates when the dirt (I'm assuming tracks still have dirt!) was still on the inside. When the dirt moved out that same team had a further advantage as they then had a succession of outside gates. Also, I felt, it restricted team-riding (remember that?) possibilities as the inside rider could often dictate the first bend as Hans Nielsen often was able to do, allowing his partner to sweep around the outside. I used to find the Fixed Gate option too sterile and limited tactical awareness. I've read recently that John Berry had the same views when quoting the Best Pairs formula (when he was England Manager)

I think that was a reference to the run-off in which Ivan fell and although the race continued Jerzy was technically awarded the race?

Looking at it simplistically the Play-Offs are the 'icing' but with no 'cake' there can't be icing!

My Grandfather and father both went to speedway and we three sons followed suit. It was definitely in my family 'blood.' Dad went to Oxford's very first meeting in 1949 (not counting the few pre-war meetings that were held at Cowley) right up until 2003. I haven't been since 2003 but what I read and see it is obviously of very serious concern that youngsters are somewhat scarce on the terraces today.

Hmm?!

Interesting but I do recall John Berry quoting that 'Billy Sanders could claim to have been the best SPEEDWAY RIDER on view that afternoon and finished second - but nobody was going to stop Muller..." I was there and Muller was by far the quickest rider on view that afternoon although Hans Nielsen had the beating of him until he threw a chain (?)

Very good news! I used to like the old track at Hyde Road (never visited Kirky Lane) Let's hope that interest can be re-juvinated and speedway, as a whole, can benefit from this new resource.