steve roberts

Thanks for that...I can't recall the year or time. So long ago now!

Peter registered a time of 63 seconds at Cowley in 1963 and that held up until 1973 only because the track had been shortened by four yards during that season. If I recall Ole Olsen (?) ended the season as holder.

I recall that Hans broke the track record at Reading but was later withdrawn because it was achieved during a meeting that the tapes had failed and the starts were on the green light?

I'm guessing that Hans Nielsen's time of 56.2 achieved at Oxford in 1988 may well have been one of the longest?

Usual scumbags!

Alan Robertson has produced a fabulous in depth document covering those years entitled "British Speedway Leagues 1991 -2014".

Checking my 1978 Year Book Ole Olsen came out top with eight Track records to his name achieved during the 1977 season.

Interesting to see Martin Ashby listed with 18...vastly underrated rider.

I would imagine Hans Nielsen held many track records during his long and distinguished career.

Sad news...a very great lady who devoted her life into caring for Alan after his crippling accident. RIP

I think that it was during the parade and they were being pushed off and he passed the camera momentarily...approx. 2 minutes plus into the film?

Geoff used to live not far from me during his time at Reading at the home of the chap who used to drive the tractor at Cowley and he confirmed the story many years later to me...infact Rickard Hellsen stayed with him when he joined Oxford. Recall Rickard driving round in his black wagon that resembled a hearse!

Hi there! Terrific rider...was strongly rumoured to be joining Oxford before tragically killed at the Sidney Showground.

I recognised Laurie Etheridge and, I think, Geoff Curtis?

I've just read Kelly Moran's book 'Hell of a Life' and just to put the record straight after he had left the UK for good he decided to resurrect his career back in the States. He initially found the laydowns difficult to handle but managed to overcome them and got to enjoy riding them...fellow Statesman Mike Faria, however, hated them stating that they were somewhat unpredictable.

Just finished the book...a fascinaing read if somewhat sad. I saw quite a bit of Kelly during his Eastbourne days. A very talented individual but I have to admit away from the track he would have both irritated and annoyed me with his many antics but I guess I would have been in the minority?

I remember talking to Peter Collins at Oxford when he was supporting his son Chris and asking him what had changed most during his time since having left the sport. He told me that in his opinion the bikes had got too fast but the tracks had basically remained the same.

May have been the case...I recall Andy Smith having issues with them and some riders were quoted as saying that they were sometimes unpredictable with the low centre of gravity causing the bike to lift.

I'd be interested to know what percentage do if a study was to take place? White City struggled for local support in what was predominantly a West Indian neighbourhood in those days. I recall the promoters encouraging a West Indian to take up the sport so as to attract the ethnic population to attend but it came to nothing.

Of course...but my comment was based on the original transition during 1995/96 (?) when that was the exact scenario and the same discussion that took place then. Going back to uprights would only re-create the same issues and for whose benefit?

Remember Kelly Moran giving one a try and saying how much more difficult it was to handle...and this from one of the most naturally gifted riders! Personally I felt that it was yet another move that only resorting in making the sport more expensive with riders having to adapt and for what benefit?

Just received my copy...looking forward to reading it!

...Got a bit heated at times!

Just ordered a copy!

One book I must get my hands on!