steve roberts

Hans was another who used to touch the tapes prior to the ruling but managed to adapt his technique acordingly however I do remember the inconsistances during the first season of its introduction and referees were allowed to use discretion and a race featuring both Hans and Peter Collins at Cowley whereby Hans remained still and Peter nuudged the tapes but the ref allowed the race to start and Peter got a flier beating Hans in the process!

I remember seeing images (1973?) when as an experiment placing boards between riders (akin to horse racing) so they couldn't distract each other. Never took off and I'm not surprised!

I recall that Eric Gundersen in particular having difficulty adjusting primarily.

May have been if the rear spindle went over the line?

Garry Middleton would lead riders into the tapes and get them excluding much to the jeers of the opposition but cheers from the rest!

An interview with Martin Ashby would prove interesting. A true Swindon legend. Shame that Bob Kilby is no longer with us...always one who spoke his mind!

As Peter Adams once said if barbed wire was introduced it would soon stop riders fidgeting about at the start when some riders moaned aout the tape touching rule and dragging clutches.

...or Barry Briggs in the days of Dave Lanning.

My top five differs constantly but Nielsen would always make it in my top five. The ultimate rider and team player. I would put only Ivan above him. 1. Hans Nielsen - The complete package. 2. Jens Rasmussen - would venture where othere feared to tread. 3. Garry Middleton - There'll never be another. 4. Gordon Kennett - The best white line rider during my era and vastly underated. 5. Dag Lovaas - Super smooth stylist and rode the pits bend at Cowley like no other during "The Rebels" days.

Wasn't Barry Meeks once credited as achieving the fastest (mph) when he broke the Crewe Track Record?

Obviously the Dugard and Allott Families apply (Eastbourne and Sheffield respectively) but how about Bob, Michael and Connor Coles at Mildenhall. There's obviously Jason Crump (Grandson), Phil, (Father) and Neil Street (Grandfather) - Swindon

The Blackbird Brothers...some sort of record?

...beat me to it!

Some good answers on here. I enjoy delving the old brain cells in trying to come up with conundrums.

Peter, Les and Neil....would have been something if both Phil and Stephen had also ridden for the "Aces"?

There were the three French Brothers who rode for the IOW?

Roger was one who frequently rode in second halves at Cowley during the promotional tie up between Oxford and Eastbourne (as well as Peterborough) and many of us naturally thought that he would eventually move up full time with the "Rebels" but it was never to be.

I'm sure that there are many examples but having just re-read "The Story of Oxford Speedway" I was reminded that John Grahame rode for "The Cheetahs". Together with brothers Andy and the late Alan that makes it three who rode for the same team. I can think of the Kennett Brothers who rode for Eastbourne (Barney appeared briefly I recall).

Hans was a real ambassador and visited several tracks. If I recall a visit to Berwick was postponed due to rain after he had made the journey only to return at a later date.

Just ordered the book ready for Xmas!

Must add this title to my collection.

I've done the same and have no problems.

There will never be another Ivan...the greatest rider of all time who raised the profile of the sport.

Another great issue...especially re-living those titanic tussles with the "Bees".

...it's a shame that speedway didn't take some sort of initiative when the sport was thriving however those running the sport chose instead to put their collective heads in the sand.