steve roberts

Ridiculous!

Some sort of record I would think?

Conny Samuelsson could have become the next big star when he joined the "Cheetahs" in 1969 however he just couldn't get on with the Cowley circuit but registerd useful points at Swindon, Coventry and I believe Cradley?. Shame that he wasn't perservered with because he could have made it in the UK with the right track but I guess it was his own decision that he never re-appeared but he did go on to excell at Ice Racing finishing on the rostrum twice (?) and had a long shale career riding for his club team in Sweden.

The old British League Division Two was introduced to generate riders and worked well for a number of years under the retitled New and then National League. However the two leagues moved apart when mis-trust and egostical promoters became prominent and then the intoduction of foreigners only added to the slump.

...athough his nemisis Professor Moriarty may have something to say about that!

....that sounds great! Unfortunately Hasse only put in three appearances for the "Rebels" that season...at home to Hull, at Swindon and the meeting that you mention which incidently the "Rebels" won being the first team to beat Reading at Smallmead albeit in a challenge!

I attended one of Olle's Training Schools at King's Lynn back in the early 80's...a real character but I think that he soon realised he was going to get nowhere with me!

Quite an impressive line up however there was Uno Johansson? Not one of the Reading "Berks" better Swedish acquisitions!

Hasse Holmqvist was my all-time favourite Swedish rider. He rode as a "Cheetah" before my time but the excitment generated when it was known he was to become a "Rebel" in 1973...his signing certainly caught the Cowley faithfull's imagination. His first meeting at Oxford that year he registered a maximum against Coventry and although he never continued in that vein his point scoring however was invaluable. My abiding memory was when he rode up to the tapes he always had this habit of kicking his clutch plate with his right heel. He used to ride some terrific tight bends and I remember on one occasion that he "closed down" Cowley specialist Terry Betts by leaning all over him with that very distinctive style. The "Rebels" that year were issued with team leathers (long before team suits became the norm) and Hasse's were too short...don't think he ever did wear them that year relying on his custom blue and white leathers. Last saw him when I made the trip to Crayford in the most awful weather in 1983 when he was touring with his club team...wish I could say that he signed off with a maximum but alas no.

That's fair comment.

...yes I've followed the thread (and been actively involved) but unfortunately during that time I had loaned out my book and have only just got it back and have re-read the relevant chapter. I guess it's "words" against "words". I guess the truth is somewhere in between but I have always been intrigued by the statement of "100s of passess" and where that figure and stipulation came from? In the book PC made a list of ex-Belle Vue riders from memory but it was not the intention to issue or "demand" passes as "others have claimed" as he recognised many would not attend for one reason or another?

...I can only go on what I've read in the book (I'm assuming that you've read the book?) and in "Backtrack" where PC explained at length his views and recollections regarding his version of events and the term "demands" is something he flatly refutes. I've no personal recollection of "ex-sponsors" and/or "friends" and/or "nobodies" or have direct contact with "BV promoters past and present". If the "dialogue" was somewhat different to what was in the book perhaps you can enlighten me as regards the source as I would be interested to know so as to clear up any misunderstandings and/or observations on my part? If the information was highlighted via "Facebook" and/or "Twitter" I wouldn't know as I don't do either.

Not wishing to go over old ground but having just had my book returned I have re-read the relevant chapter and it's not true that PC "demanded" free passes for hundreds of ex-riders or that anyone issued with a pass would automatically attend. The whole thing has been taken out of context. The business over Steve Casey is a different matter however...

Just never recognised it as speedway I'm afraid?

...Tony's now based in Reeth apparently. Somewhere I used to visit regularly hoping to bump into him.

...I have a feeling that Jim also went into partnership with ex-Bee Tony Lomas in the antique business?

I remember that now...I think that Brighton was also considered but never got off the ground? It was a shame that the uncertainty at Cowley forced the "Rebels" to move because the 1975 team was really developing into a fine outfit. However I enjoyed my weekly trips to London and got to see the best of both worlds...British League speedway at Wood Lane and National League at Cowley. Great days!

I attended the first meeting at "The Wheels" and it was certainly an experience!

I'm sure I'm right in saying that QPR did play one season (?) at Wood Lane but failed to make it pay? The "Rebels" had relatively decent crowds but not near enough to cover the costs that such a large stadium demanded...more's the pity. I followed the "Rebels" for those three years and have great memories of that time.

I remember that a tape was lowered behind the rear wheel as a trial but came to nought?

...I remember when Peter Adams, rather tongue in cheek, suggested that the starting tapes be made of barbed wire when the touching tapes rule was first muted... he stated that would soon deter riders from nudging the tapes!

Another one gone...sad indeed. Saw his son Robert ride but if I recall retired due to a back injury? RIP

...which was deaf if I remember?

Just reading thru' some Oxford programmes (1986) and it mentions the less than friendly "cabbage patch kids" from Dudley who apparenetly threw objects at the victorious "Cheetahs" after one of many wins Oxford enjoyed at Cradley. Yes we made it a habit winning there...great days!

Latest DVD release from the Retro Label is "Swedish Riders"...will be worth having a look at. So many greats to choose from. My particular favourite was the elusive Hasse Holmqvist who rode for the "Cheetahs" and "Rebels" (previously for Wolves) and I remember the occasion that he parked his caravan outside my house for a brew up!