steve roberts

Some good stats there. Olsen joined Wolves from Newcastle as their number one so was already established. Nielsen was a raw 17 year old when he joined Wolves but hit the ground running...remember seeing him the first time at White City in 1977 and one could tell then that he was going to be a bit special. Ermolenko arrived after a year away from Britain (after a year spent at Poole in 1984 when he sometimes appeared unpredictable falling when unchallenged) on the back of a successful 1985 World Final appearance. He quickly became the undisputed number one at Monmore Green. Difficult comparing eras but by time Ermolenko rode for Wolves the likes of Carter, Sanders, Sigalos, Penhall, Lee (effectively) amongst others had left the scene. Both Nielsen and Olsen rode during the era of Mauger, Collins and in Olsen's case, Michanek and Briggs to name a few.

Personally I narrow it down to three...Ole Olsen, Hans Nielsen and Sam Ermolenko which can't surprise many considering their great achievements. Both Olsen and Nielsen carried past Wolverhampton sides whereas Ermolenko enjoyed team success unknown before at Monmore Green as captain. All three won World Championships although Nielsen's achievements were after he had left Wolves. All three were great exponents of the lost art of team riding and achieved high avearges over many years. Ole Olsen although winning two World Championships gained team success and influence after he left Wolves. Nielsen achieved greater success after leaving Monmore Green when he became frustrated by the attitude of the Wolves promotion when success wasn't high on the agenda. Ermolenko spent his best years at Monmore Green but by then the promotion had moved on and winning became all important so I guess that he must be classed as the best Wolves rider during that era but was he a better rider than the other two overal? If one is to take all three riders achievements over their entire careers I would place them as Nielsen, Olsen and Ermolenko in that order...what do others think?

Remember Phil Morris getting angry in the pits at Reading after Andre Compton had given him a hard time on the track.

Just down the road from where I used to live! Spencer Timmo's Car Sales nearby also.

I recall that there was a bit of an issue between Jeremy and Jens Rasmussen but got on great when "Razza" rode for the "Witches" in 1986 and Jeremy named his child Jens if I remember?

Wolverhampton were always reliant on Foreign riders during my time following the sport. Were never really known for their British rider reliabilty.

Gordon Kennett?

Certainly do...can you guide me how one formulates the required maps?

A tall order but the location of the Sandford-on-Thames (Grass)track would be great?

Any chance Weymouth?

Sounds like Graham Drury when riding for Oxford!

Nikki Pedersen when he signed for Oxford but didn't last long! Ole Olsen who didn't sign for Oxford and we got the majestic Dag Lovaas instead...thank goodness!

I think that the record holder was Chris Morton? Did Erik Gundersen share the record?

...also during the glory years when Nielsen and Wigg ruled Cowley.

Any chance Cradley Heath?

Seems a strange time?

I visited Meadowbank a few years back to view the Peter Craven plaque thinking that the speedway track was on the site of the athletics track but judging by the the map overlay its location was to the side of that.

Any chance someone posting up Middlesbrough? I often travel the A19 and look down from the flyover trying to trace its exact whereabouts? Also King's Lynn. I stopped off in King's Lynn a couple of years ago and saw a sign for Saddlebow and it looked nothing like I remember it?

Have a feeling that Martin Yeates used to practice there?

This is a fabulous thread!

We had Dave Lanning for one year at Cowley and he certainly livened up proceedings!

Believe me it was better than having to endure Peter Yorks's constant ramblings at Cowley!

Fabulous and some great music!

Yes I believe it was also something to do with the Hackney British League licence that they acquired? They did revert back to Thursdays for a couple of seasons (87 & 88?) before going back to Fridays during the Nielsen and beyond eras.

Saturday was always a popular night until, of course, the Grand Prix's came a long!