steve roberts

Unfortunately I never saw Ron ride...often a forgotten rider but certainly up there with the best in my view based upon statistics and was part of the successful "Cheetahs" side of '64.

Reminds me of the story that "Simmo" quoted when in Norden (1975) he and Peter Collins were riding long-track style only for Martin Ashby to pass them both riding bolt upright cool as you would wish...wouldn't have looked amiss with a pipe in his mouth!

Yes I guess that cinders and the deeper tracks made it possible? I remember a rider saying (Briggo?) that all the J.A.P. wanted to do was to take you to the fence and therefore required more brute force to keep it in check. Some riders obviously preferred to continue using the J.A.P. long after it became less popular. Ken McKinlay and Dag Lovaas (was he the last to ride a J.A.P. at a World Final?) spring to mind.

When I "rode" at one of Olle's Schools this was emphasised but we are talking the early eighties. In fact the idea was to place the left foot in line with the front wheel to help steer the bike thru' the bend. Not sure when the modern "leg trailing" kicked in but you wouldn't have got away with that on the J.A.P.

I remember reading that Norman Parker (?) instructed a fresh Bob Kilby to have a peg fitted on the frame of the bike because he used to sit almost on the fuel tank rather than the seat! I guess that different bikes ie J.A.P. and the Jawa (ESO) would require different techniques also?

I've purposely placed this is the "Years Gone By" section as riders styles nowadays tend to look all the same but in the past they varied greatly and it has always intrigued me how that was so? A rider's height obviously had a massive influence but when you study a riders particular style the position of the right forearm would vary. Some would place it over the right handlebar whereas others perpendicular to aid throttle control. Some would stand hign on the footrest and some remain seated when cornering. There were the "armchair" stylists (Anders Michanek) and the "tank slappers" (Gordon and David Kennett for example). In the Kennett's case the size of Arlington and its tight bends may have influenced them however the likes of Roger Johns and Malcolm Ballard (who had a style all of his own) had different approaches around Eastbourne. The "Briggos" rode with their heads very much over the left handlebar and some riders tended to trail their leg before it came the norm (Richard Greer). Leigh Adams had an armchair, almost crab, style. Of course there were the "harum-scarum" brigade (Kelly Moran and John Cook) who took what appeared impossible odds when on a bike...in fact John Cook once slid off and at the same time climbed back on his bike to continue the race in one swift movement. I guess that these riders had a natural ability that many others didn't poccess or the nerve to ride "on the edge"? Some riders would sit high up on the tank and others well back on the seat obviously to get the maximum grip. I sometimes wonder if I had passed thru' one of Olle Nygren Training Schools what style I would have adopted or come naturally to me?

I recall Hans Nielsen commenting that it was long overdue that random drug testing was introduced to the sport and was in full favour of the practice back in the late eighties early nineties when it was well known that many riders were taking drugs.

...remember the days of "Simmo" who carried the team when they were very much also-rans.

Another of our heroes gone. Former "Cheetah" amongst other teams. RIP

Always liked the aggregate Bonus Point system...nice and simple and easy to establish league table potential placing.

Sad news indeed. Rode for the "Cheetahs" amongst others and a well respected promoter. RIP

Unfortunately that does appear to be the scenario today...wasn't always the case.

Couldn't agree more! You should be able to place any rider in any order between one to five with only the reserves (those with the lowest averages at six and seven). I would also do away with fixed gates.

I was hooked form the very first meeting that I attended...everything about it! Standing on the terraces with fellow enthusiats and chewing the fact/arguing made it a great night out! Never bothered me personally the gaps between races...that's when we all became an 'expert' Team Manager! Don't go along with gimmicks which is what the general public with their short attention span now seem to expect. I attended two American Football matches at Wembley and I found all the razzmatazz all a bit tedious and it struck me that was what the fans were more interested in. The Mexican Wave was in vogue then and the spectators appeared to take more notice of that rather than what taking place on the pitch. Speedway when presented right takes some beating but, alas, those in control thru' years of mismanagement have allowed it become a pale shadow of its former glorious self!

Hi Tony! Any news as regards the magazines please?

...something that Dave Lanning once commented. If a race was bad just admit it and say that something better will come along shortly (hopefully!)

There was also the occasion when team used R/R although the rider was in the starting line up and took part in the meeting? Have a feeling that it was Bob Valentine when he rode for Birmingham?

It was while the whole Ole Olsen saga was being sorted out who was initially allocated to Oxford but who turned the move down (thank goodness!) and we eventually got the sublime Dag Lovaas and a swap was initiated with Reading Lovaas for Davis (not sure if any money was involved?).

Blimey is that the same Tim Curnock who used to ride for the "Cheetahs" junior team back in the early eighties together with a certain "Buster Chapman" ? I know that he was still riding on the grass up until recently.

Enjoy!

I'm envious now living so far away that I can't make Cowley. Both my brothers have attended and thoroughly enjoyed the experience!

Apparently he's been found guilty?

I particularly enjoyed the interview with John Davis but felt that some of the questions and ultimate answers could have been expanded upon...just my opinion!

Great to see that these are still going strong...just wish that Lee would ask some leading questions however?

...of course both Hackney and Hull operated similar facilities that season but nobody ever raises that one? As regards White City it was the Control Board who masterminded the facility as Richard Greer was wantig a move to Birmingham who had been woefully weak the season before and the "Rebels" were initially reluctant to release him due to a shortage of proven heat leaders. Wolverhampton, of course, adopted a a "horses for courses' policy in 1976 again using R/R for a rider (Hasse Holmqvist) who never turned a wheel in anger for them and fully utilise the Guest Rider system for 'missing" riders. Ivan Mauger was a perculiar one but as riders were reluctant to ride at Exeter on their "promotion" to the First Division that was one option that enabled them to run that season. Of course Guest riders hadve been with us for many a year (have a feeling it was first introduced during fifties?) but it was never the nonsense that appears tp prevail nowadays.