steve roberts

Great stuff! I sold my collection when I re-located and I've regretted it ever since.

I always thought highly purchasing a programme...not one of these that thinks that they are outdated and/or unneccessary....just wish that I hung on to mine!

As the speedway scribe John Chaplin once said if you don't want your illusions spoilt remain your side of the fence! My uncle saw money change hands in the pits during a World Championship meeting (a story confirmed by John Berry) and I'm sure it's been going on since the introduction of the sport. I never quite understood all the furore surrounding the Sunday People allegations except the riders in question were foolish/naive to get cosy with, as it turned, investigatory journalists.

I've just re-read Reg Fearman's excellent book and that's something he highlighted when he broached the subject of stadium ownership.

Maybe the "speedway researcher" site might be a good place to start?

A very good read...good luck in attempting to secure a copy.

Still remember like it was yesterday. I only saw him ride on too few occasions but was a supreme stylist and a very accomplished rider. Who knows how far he would have gone in the sport? Personally I felt that he was destined for the top but sadly we were never to know. I've often read that Wimbledon never really recovered from his loss and certainly Sweden took a long time re-establishing itself as a major force after his untimely death. I have his book and it is a very poignant read.

If I recall Peter's time was achieved during the Golden Helmet (Sash?) match race at Cowley where his opponent was Ove Fundin. Peter won 2-1 and all three races were around the 63 seconds mark.

...I'll second that!

Personally I think that online sales and booking in advance will slowly kill off many attractions if not addressed when things get back to some sort of normality. I know it's off topic but I won't be renewing my English Heritage membership until I'm able to visit when it suits me and on a whim and not to have to book a time slot and/or date in advance.

When I spoke to a represenative of the GRA via email some years ago explaining how shocked I was regarding the state of the stadium and that their intention was just to let it deteriorate I was assured by her that this wasn't the case which of course was a nonsense as time has proved. They had no intention of keeping the stadium as a going concern and were only looking at what it would be worth to a developer.

The last time I popped to Cowley Stadium to have a look it was in a desperate state...would need a considerable amount of money thrown at it.

Didn't John's father, Harry, once own Weymouth who was later 'mugged' into signing over his assets?

...and all the while Cowley Stadium is laying dormant. A travesty for a once such great facilty.

I remember when I popped into the Shay c2009 I couldn't imagine how the track once fitted around the pitch. All evidence of a once speedway track had disappeared.

Thanks for this! Visited Michael Rennie's final resting place in Harrogate some years ago.

Having just re-read Bert Harkins' book I was reminded that one time actor Billy Gray who appeared in one of my all-time favourite movies "Day the Earth Stood Still" later in life became a collector of speedway bikes and also rode in the States.

Sad news indeed. RIP

...I gave up years ago when I re-located to York mentioning speedway. Very few people were aware of it!

Interesting article!

...Odsal that "big hole in the ground" as John Berry once described it! Been to the old Wembley three times (never for football) and even did the tour which was a magical experience! Went to Cardiff once...found it underwhelming if I'm honest.

Having decided to buy the book I can honestly say that I'm enjoying reading it. There are even listed what riders were earning per ride during the World Championship Meetings early 1980's.

Just checked the 1985 Speedway Year Book and they are listed as follows: Perth 26/12/84, Tom Price 30/12/84, Tom Price 1/1/85, Port Hedland 4/1/85, Mount Newman 5/1/85, Broken Hill 12/1/85, Newcastle 18/1/85, Brisbane 19/1/85, Mildura 27/1/85, Melbourne 2/2/85, Shepperton 9/2/85 (Australia), Neuenknick 7/4/85, Landshut 4/5/85 (West Germany), Gniezno 24/8/85, Leszno 25/8/85 (Poland), Edinburgh 20/9/85 (Scotland), Bremen 28/9/85 (West Germany), Belle Vue 3/11/85 (England) No trace of the NZ rounds I'm afraid.

I've just skimmed thru' Ivan's autobiography and it appears a Farewell to Australia tour kicked started Ivan's retirement from speedway taking in places like Mildura, Liverpool and Melbourne. He did two farewell meetings in Poland, three in Germany, one in Scotland, one in England before heading back for the 1985-86 New Zealand series. Apparently there were 16 meetings in total.

...that's why I think that it was "Blue Peter" as I rarely watched "Magpie"!