steve roberts

I'm of the the same view as regards dirt deflectors. One of the arguments for introducing them was that less meetings would be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. Has that really been the case?

I have the Alan Robertson version...a great publication with many anecdotal references as does his follow up publication.

Are we discussing the same publication? My copy contains averages.

...for sure as it's the biggest domestic meeting in the UK now which attracts the crowds and all that it involves irrespective of the quality of the racing allowing fans the chance to enjoy the big occasion atmosphere but my personal preference is that I want to witness a Champion crowned at the end of the meeting and, yes, I well recognise all the arguments "for" and "against" the one-offs and GP Series World Championships. Hence personally feeling somewhat underwhelmed after the event. Wembley events had all the atmosphere also (and, yes, the quality of the racing varied greatly) but where it differed is that it satisfied my personal want and expectations in providing a Champion.

I have to say I attended one Cardiff GP and to say that I was underwhelmed is an understatement.

...I was there also but some of the "Vikings" unprofessionalism cost them dearly at crucial venues (Swindon also comes to mind). Ian Thomas may have been a good administrator but, in my view, 1979 blotted his copybook although one could say that it was out of his, or Ivan's, control. John Berry must have had a quiet smirk as regards the failure of Hull to collect the title considering that he was often at loggerheads with the aforementioned Thomas!

I find it almost impossible to compare riders from different eras where bikes and/or tracks were very different. It would be interesting seeing a young tearaway on a JAP bike where, by all accounts, they required severe control handling because all they wanted to do was drag you to the fence. Hanging off the back of a bike was almost unheard of although the likes of Peter Craven came closest.

...not one of my favourite tracks however Oxford had a good record there!

Travelled to Somerset who were due to race Poole but the meeting was called off due to rain...looked a nice stadium but never got the opportunity to go back again.

I called in at Quibell Park when making my way to Scunthorpe's 'new' track in 1979 to have a look...must have been spectacular watching racing there inside a banked athletics track?

I went to a few one-off finals (Wembley, Norden, Amsterdam, Katowice, Gothenburg and Vojens) and they were all great experiences. I can see the attraction in a GP Series but from the beginning I could see the disruption it would cause to the UK domestic programme especially when the number of rounds were increased.

The two publications by Alan Robertson ("British Speedway Leagues 1991-2014" & The History of British League Speedway 1946-64") contain a wealth of statistice and information...fully recommended!

Visited Bristol twice and on both occasions White City should have recorded wins!

If I recall the tyres left rubber from the tyres on the concrete surface and caused problems for the riders?

I guess it was very much into the unknown and apparently there were doubts whether the meeting would take place because the morning practice session resembled something akin to "last one standing" and utter carnage!

Achieved a lot considering he didn't start competing until his late(?) twenties.

Never a real fan of Indoor meetings although I witnessed two at Wembley and one at the NEC. Telford didn't interest me in the slightest!

Just been informed by my brother. An interesting character and, if I recall, won the very first race in the old Second Division? RIP

I said at the time it would soon become a choice for riders to compete in either the British League or the GP's and for Promoters to best adjust to that scenario. There was the year when a rule was implemeted that decreed only one GP rider could ride for one particular team...it lasted the one year!

I basically stopped going to Swindon travelling from Oxford as a neutral once it moved to Thursdays as it was more difficult fitting it around work.

...that came as a surprise to me until I totalled them up!

...problem was/is the GP series creamed off the money that otherwise the BSPA got to see when they lost the one-off final and associate meetings and the money generated which proved invaluable to many promotions. The BSPA, as usual, were slow off the back foot and couldn't see the damage forthcoming and ignored the signs and only woke up when it came too late to do anything about it.

Both later figured at Oxford (1996) and of the two I thought that Bo Brhel was the better rider round Cowley who displayed some classy riding passing where others feared to tread!

The British scene was never going to sit comfortably with the Grand Prix which began to make demands domestically and weekend speedway at the higher level was hit when a Grand Prix was being held and the regularity increased as the GP series expanded. Losing Friday/Saturday night speedway proved decivise for many promotions with the non-availability of riders.

...I was fortunate, at least, being an Oxford fan as we entered our most productive period honours wise and was reflected in crowd levels at Cowley and generated interest at away venues. At least I have some great memorable moments to look back on!