steve roberts

What a state speedway in this country has become what with two leagues back in the seventies compromising of 18 plus teams per league and all the world stars competing.

Just watched the interview and some interesting anecdotes...not surprised he wasn't a fan of Oxford's track as he was dropped during the 1994 season due to poor form! Neil Evitts wasn't one of his favourite opponents...now there's a surprise!

If I remember the sum paid for Lee Richardson was decided on the toss of a coin as Swindon and Coventry couldn't agree on a fee?

John Berry wrote an excellent article in his book "More Confessions" (far too comprehensive to quote here) but essentially he was against the 'asset' business and felt that the whole structure regarding rider's commitments to any one club should be re-examined. "Don't you think that there is something wrong with a system where a promoter can go and sign a foreign rider with the express intention, not of using him, but of renting him out until his value rises?" Of course the book was published in 2006 but has anything changed since then regarding the composition of team make ups and rider availability?

I've always thought that club 'assets' were somewhat questionable and open to abuse. I recall that Nikki Pedersen was a Wolves 'asset' but only rode for them the one season and was then 'loaned out' for successive seasons thereafter? There are examples of riders only appearing once for a club and was therefore deemed an 'asset' and subsequent clubs were required to pay a fee if they wished to use him. I recall Dallle Andersson riding a superlative season for Oxford in 1995 although being classed as a Cradley 'asset' despite' having never rode for them until the following season...a mistake in my opinion because he was never the same rider again. I seem to remember that Seb Ulamek was also a Wolves 'asset' but never rode for them certainly not during his formative years riding in the UK?

Ignoring the moronic posts that seem to have proliferated this thread as regards programmes I do seriously regret having sold all mine as they were a constant source of reference. I did some 'promotional' talks at some schools some years ago but got very little support from the promoter at the time and it all felt rather flat!

I do wonder sometimes what is the target audience with all these trashy 'celebrity' based shows aimed at? I've never heard of the majority of the so-called celebrities who are featured on these programmes! TV has been so dumbed down I watch very little 'live' programmes preferring to delve into my extemsive DVD collection.

I recently was talking to a stranger in a pub at Pickering whose friend knew Maurice Ducker...they were from Coventry.

Apparently volunteers are being asked to help clean up the stadium in anticipation of re-opening? If I was still local I would certainly make myself known at Sandy Lane having helped out during the rescue of the stadium back in 1976 and also when under the Wagstaff regime. I wish them well!

The old Second Division/National League produced a hot bed of British youngsters (and a few Anzacs!) and it's no accident that when the National League and British League went their seperate ways the talent began to dry up and the National Team lost its world dominance.

Couldn't agree more...speedway for me was meeting up with my mates. Putting the speedway world to rights between races and generally enjoying a night out.

..I certainly wouldn't entertain going to a football match either to be honest. For me to consider a speedway meeting there would have to be at least twenty heats (including a second half of sorts)

During my formative years attending speedway Oxford ran on a Thursday and White City on Wednesdays...didn't effect my schooling I have to say.

I certainly wouldn't be enticed back to speedway if £20 is the going rate...and add petrol on top of that?

The moment we are no longer required to wear a mask (although no doubt some will continue to do so) I will place mine on the drive and put a match to it!

The Leicester rider maybe Norman Storer and the Hackney one Eddie Reeves/Geoff Maloney?

Sad new indeed. Jack was a member of the all conquering "Cheetahs" of 1964 of which now only Eddie Reeves and John Bishop survive. RIP

All my years going to speedway Wolves always seemed to have a policy of fielding foreign riders...even using R/R for Hasse Holmqvist who had no intention of returning to the UK in 1976!

I remember when Trevor Geer's out of control bike mounted the white kerb and sped across the centre green near the start line and hit a marshall breaking his leg.

Personally I think that a speedway meeting promoted in the right way with good track preparation and priced accordingly is still a good night out. Trouble is that personally when I re-located I wasn't prepared to drive a goodly distance and paying £15 or so for fifteen heats of racing. Back during the seventies and eighties a meeting often had twenty heats including a second half which I used to enjoy!

Sid I think that the Ole/Hans thing went back many years. Infact Bobby Schwartz made a comment in the latest "Backtrack" issue during a World Pairs Final when Hans went against Ole's instructions. Trouble was that Ole was strong willed and would often impose that on other riders but Hans like Bo Petersen were their own men and didn't go along with it. Remember reading that when Ole and Ivan would share a plane together Ole would remark being 'done again' by Nielsen. Essentially I felt that Olsen felt that his position was being challenged as the 'Main Dane' and those he couldn't mind control upset his ego! And, yes, the fact that he turned a move down to Cowley upset a few but not me as it brought the majestic Dag Lovaas to Oxford instead!

Per was an inspirational signing for Oxford making a good side into a great one!

Personally I don't think it would get thru' noise restrictions? Cars tend to be much louder than bikes.

I recall seeing Hans as a seventeen year old riding for Wolves at White City (think he scored 7 or 8?) and it was obvious he was going to make it in the British League but who would imagine then how he would go on to dominate things as much as he did? Remember one classic race at Swindon when Hans was a "Brummie" and he and Phil Crump passed and re-passed each other many times over the four laps...great stuff! Personally I felt that Martin Dugard could have gone further in the sport and I think moving back to Eastbourne was a mistake. Similar with Gordon Kennett who I felt should have moved to Swindon after the closure of White City? Or "ifs and buts".

People ask me what did I find different working in a University Department for 17 years and how it evolved? Put simply when I first started the group that I worked with would swap ideas seeking advice amongst themselves as regards their particular line of work/research...lots of banter. At the end of my career (albeit working with different people) the emphasis had changed dramatically. Computers had really taken hold and although some conversations took place the office had become much more quiet with people staring into computers with much less interaction taking place.