steve roberts

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!

Remember watching him at Poole on one occsaion and after doing all the hard work by coming thru' from the back inexplicably proceeded to fall off when well clear.

It was the commentary I was referring too.

Reminds me of the story years ago when Chris Pusey was leaning over the fence laughing at the wild antics of a novice only for Ivan Mauger to comment that's how you look when out on the track but only much faster!

I put him in the same mould as Simon Cross another who tended to ride 'over the top' and sometimes gave the impression that he wasn't totally in control on occasions.

I remember attending an Entomolgical Show there on a couple of occasions.

Didn't Wilson have something to do with ending Jan Stechmann's career?

Gawd almighty!

Great stuff!

Brilliant analysis on one of the best riders never to have won the Individual World Championship.

...ah but it attracted crowds back then.

I recall on one of my "History of Speedway" DVD's a rider having fallen got up and started to adjust his goggles and a back marker ploughed straight into him!

I think he lived in Felixstowe?

Something that John Berry used to refer to whereby he made it very difficult for opponents attempting to pass seemingly covering both the white line and fence!