steve roberts

I also read the first book and can't imagine that there is much more to say really to justify a second book?

Definately Mike Bessent...I recognised him from the photo and when he rode for Eastbourne.

...or Arthur Browning!

...or Neil Middleditch!

Yes it's a bit close to home!

Just finished the book. Some of it I wasn't particularly interested in as I have no interest in other forms of motorcycling however the chapter regarding trialling Honda engines was interesting...apparently it was never going to succeed due to hostility towards the inovation from certain quarters. Shame that Andrew quoted BBC showing "Time Team" when in fact it was Channel 4!

He'd be a good subject in the "Backtrack" magazine?

Just started reading the book having received it as a present. Showing potential as a light read...hoping that it gets more controversial as I delve deeper!

I last read that he was living in the States but I would be interested in any news regarding Jimmy? A great servant to British Speedway but injuries held him back and he never truly reached the heights his initial potential promised in my opinion.

I maybe wrong but I think that Denzil was from Zimbabwe?

Blimey! I forgot the Czechs as well!

Trouble was Nigel Wagstaff was signing riders "left, right & centre" after I re-located and I lost count of the number of riders and nationalities!

I also missed out the USA - Hancock

During one of my quieter moments I began thinking which team over the years has been represented by the most Nations/Countries? Oxford must be up there with them? Using one example from each Nation/Country I've come up with the following: England - Gordon Kennett Scotland - Ken McKinlay Wales - Bryan Woodward Australia - Garry Middleton New Zealand - Rick Timmo Zimbabwe - David Steen Sweden - Hasse Holmqvist Norway - Dag Lovaas Denmark - Hans Nielsen Finland - Kaj Laukhanen Slovenia - Jernej Kolenko Poland - Seb Ulamek Germany - Klaus Lausch Italy - Armando Castagna France - Phillipe Berge Hungary - "Mark Frost" Russia - Roman Povazhny I make that seventeen? PS Eighteen if you count Yorkshire (John Dews) knowing how pedantic some Yorkshire folk are!!

...he was never that good when he rode for the "Cheetahs" Junior Team I recall!

Glad to say that Belle Vue "only" managed a draw at Cowley that year which one could argue effectively meant that "lost" point cost them the championship! The twice rained-off meeting at Hyde Road against Swindon would have undoubtedly taken place if the championship depended upon the result but having dropped a point at Oxford earlier in the season put it out of reach of the "Aces".

Good post!

Sad news indeed. RIP

If I recall he rather excelled on Indoor Circuits and won a few Telford events?

I've just re-read the book on Tommy Jansson. An excellent, if somewhat poignant, read with many references from different sources. It's clear that many of his rivals held him in high esteem. The likes of Briggs, Mauger, Michanek, Persson, Nordin and Collins all thought that he could have reached the very top. Ivan summed it up perfectly when he was quoted as saying "...that Tommy had everything but luck!" How true.

Unfortunately I have no knowledge of the present heat formula and pairings just basing my observation on the old 13/15 heat formula and I'm guessing that things are very different now which is what I guess this particular narrative is about? Under the previous system having a "Star" rider programmed at Number Four gave you a potentially strong pairing in the last heat away from home during the 13 heat formula. Ivan Mauger occasionally rode at Number Two at the County Ground to off-set any potential tactical move by the away team.

Personally I think that you should be able to place your top five averaged riders in what order you wish and six and seventh at reserve (based on a seven man team) as it always used to be. Allow the Team Manager flexibilty allowing tactics to play a part.

Having watched Martin develop as a rider at Cowley he showed great potential. Personally I thought moving back to Eastbourne was a mistake and as Gordon Kennett was once quoted he should had taken himself off to "Aussie" during the British close season to help his development both as a rider and a person.

...good old Oxfordshire lad!

Just reading the book on Tommy Jansson and Neil Cameron told the story that when he returned to Britain prior to the start of the 1973 season found his car (which he had garaged in Wolverhampton?) totally wrecked by Liverpool fans who had been on the rampage after their team had lost to Wolves!