steve roberts

Yes supporters often get somewhat engrossed with the 'star' riders but it's often the bread and butter riders who made the sport what it was/is. RIP

Yes we got Gledhill at Oxford soon after (as Cradley's sister track) and he proved to be a big disappointment after once being somewhat of a Cowley track expert...he may well have got the track record when riding for Mildenhall?

My first 'hero' Garry Middleton always used to make a great deal digging his heels into the track as he prepared himself for each race. His favourite trick was once the green light came on was to roll into the tapes and often the rider next to him would charge thru' the tapes and being excluded for his troubles!

With my very limited experience riding a speedway bike (Olle Nygren Training School) I always remember the deep grooves presumeably made by the spinning back wheel "biting" the track on the start line. It certainly created wheel wobble as I rode over that part of the track each time I passed over it...not at any great speed I have to add!

I've watched most of these (haven't bothered with the Havelock one) and am looking forward to the Marvyn Cox interview hoping that he may give some insights to his career spent at Cowley in particular.

I'm not really sure but can only assume that the sudden grip generated when passing over the concrete section when riders were circumnavigating the track caused handling issues?

What I miss are genuine speedway related themes that some posters regularly took the trouble to post.

I certainly don't recall such a rule personally?

Has anybody bought the recently published book on Dave Jessup and, if so, is it a good read?

...or indeed the benefit of hindsight. He saw problems during the last "Golden Era" whereas others just chose to ignore it.

...he forsee the difficulties and problems that speedway in the UK was facing and many of his observations unfortunately became the reality.

Just re-reading John Berry's book and although written some years ago many of his observations and/or thoughts are still relevant.

Happy days!

He's been in touch with me via email just recently.

I've checked the comprehensive list that appeared in "Backtrack" some years ago and it appears that was the only occasion that Ronnie held the helmet during the period 1970-72.

Ronnie defeated Pete Smith in 1971 before losing it to Ray Wilson?

Reminds me many years ago I had visions of becoming a Driving Instructor and passed the inital test but I backed out at the last moment...don't think my patience would have sufficed!

Thanks for that!

I know that Bryn was closely associated with Hackney and Crayford so travelling within London was somewhat easier but to think he used to announce (?) at the Isle of Wight and covered meetings at both King's Lynn and Oxford was quite a feat considering he was based, I believe, in Kent (?)

If I remember speedway journalist and all round enthusiast Bryn Willliams used to travel around the country via public transport or lifts from colleagues because he never could drive. That's dedication for you but there's no way I would have relied upon public transport to get to matches personally...how he managed it is beyond me?

Absolutely agree! Passing a driving test is just the beginning...the real test is the expertise one accumulates thru' driving in varying circumstances/situations and is a forever ongoing exercise. Some people seem to think that by passing a test they suddenly become fully competent at driving. Personally I think that people who pass their test should be made to place a provisional "P" plate on their car (voluntary as things stand I believe) during the first year (?) and if they fail to comply with the basic skills required (exceeding the speed limit for example) should be made to sit another test. There's too many idiots out there of all ages...male and female.

Just received the latest issue...superb editorial on Olle Nygren. However the "Up for the Cup" article fails to mention that Oxford also managed the Double in 1964 (Treble if one counts the Britannia Shield) as well as Wimbledon (1956, 59 & 60)

Yes back when I used to travel all over the country folllowing speedway it would often require travelling back in the dark. Thought nothing of it in those days but no way would I consider it now!

Regular eye tests should be the criteria regardless of age.

Having read the excellent book by Tony MacDonald I can only arrive at the same comclusion...a nasty piece of work. Ivan Mauger was annoyed, to say the least, with his bullying involvement during the 1982 World Final.