TonyMac 720 Posted September 28, 2004 I'm taking the opportunity to meet up with Dag Lovaas when he pays a brief return visit to England next week, so I'd be very interested to read on here your own personal memories of him - maybe some questions you would like me to put to Dag? Just to jog your memory, Dag was a star heat leader in the 70s for Newcastle (1970) before registering a 10-point average in three consecutive seasons for Reading (1973, when they won the BL title), Hackney (74) and Oxford (75). An injury while riding for White City in 1976 ruled Dag out of the '77 season, when the Rebels made excellent use of rider replacement to win the championship. He was a very stylish rider, one of the best-ever from Norway, and I'm looking forward to hearing his story...and to receiving your views. Cheers, Tony Mac Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grachan 7,314 Posted September 29, 2004 (edited) I remember Dag at Oxford, where he went following Ole Olsen's refusal to join the World Championships unfortunately. If a track was wet he was virtually unbeatable. Didn't he practice on frozen lakes in Norway or something like that? My main memory, oddly enough, is watching him going round Cowley in the snow in a farce of a match against Cradley United, when the Cradley team all went home due to the conditions and Oxford rode unchallenged to win 58-14. (PS - I've just read this again and it would seem that a whole section of my first paragraph has gone astray. I originally wrote - honest! - that Olsen refused to join the Rebels and Dag was a great rider but had little success in the World Championships.) Edited September 30, 2004 by Grachan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyMac 720 Posted September 30, 2004 The snow story is an interesting one, given the way many riders of today are so reluctant to ride on tracks that are less than 100 per cent. I'll definitely put that one to Dag and see what he remembers of it. Anybody else out there with any memories of Dag...come on, don't be shy! Tony Mac Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Richard Tyrrell 16 Posted September 30, 2004 It will be interesting to read an interview with Dag Lovaas. When he rode at Oxford, albeit for just one season only, he became very popular very quickly. If he missed the gate he seemed to have the knack of making a very quick move round the outside of the third and fourth turns (the pits bend) and not, as most riders seem to do, out of the second bend which fits in with the comment above about riding on the lakes at home. He came across as a very quiet, unassuming type of rider who just got on with his business. He was a member of a team that was gathering momentum but events at Cowley meant the team would move on to White City for the next season and win there the League Chamionship that should have been Oxford's. In that close season there was a threat of closure at Cowley (does that sound familiar?) as the City Council wanted to build houses on the site. Bernard Crapper, the future Promoter, was one who was prominent in an SOS Committee that lead protests and demonstrations against this. Eventually they won the day and saved the stadium. But it was too late for Dag's Rebels. The former Promoters (Dugard and Dunton) had to state their intention of running by a certain date and, by the time the news that the stadium was saved came through, that date had passed by just a few days. The Promoters had upped and gone and we were left with 'The Friendly Promoters', Harry Bastable and Tony Allsop) who ran in the New National League. There was a bitter feeling amongst some who had campaigned hard, who felt that just a little leeway would have kept the Rebels at Cowley. Actually the Friendly Promoters did well and were well appreciated by most Oxford supporters, who supported the team instead of catching the laid on buses to London to watch the Rebels. Some did that, of course, but I didn't. I prefer to think that Dugard and Dunton caught a cold at White City when, with just a little less haste, things could have been great at Cowley! Sorry to go on, but you did ask for replies! My question (at last) to Dag would be: Did his move with the Rebels to White City hasten the premature end to his career? OR Had the Rebels stayed at Cowley, where he was obviously quite happy, would he have prolonged his career in an attempt to achieve more than he did? Please tell Dag that he is fondly remembered by many at Oxford. Regards Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tsunami 10,219 Posted September 30, 2004 tmc He struck up a great friendship with Mike Watkin who he rode with at Newcastle and maintained their friendship afterwards. Mike of course was nicknamed "Mudlark" Watkin for also being unbeatable in the wet conditions. Must have been the only team that used to look forward to s**t conditions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevehone 3,425 Posted September 30, 2004 i remember Dag Lovaas... he had that '70s porn star' look about him... don't remember much about his riding though unfortunately Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyMac 720 Posted September 30, 2004 tmc He struck up a great friendship with Mike Watkin who he rode with at Newcastle and maintained their friendship afterwards. Mike of course was nicknamed "Mudlark" Watkin for also being unbeatable in the wet conditions. Must have been the only team that used to look forward to s**t conditions. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yeah, you're right, because Dag was/is hoping to meet up with Mike when he flies over next week, so they must still be good friends, which is nice. Tony Mac Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
847084 99 Posted September 30, 2004 He was fantastic around Monmore Green. Remember him riding for Reading, who usually gave is a sound beating. Remember wishing he rode for us! Please give Dag a big thank you, it was a long time ago but I am glad I saw him race, a real class act. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miro 9 Posted September 30, 2004 Dag Lovass was a great favourite of mine at Oxford. We had several Norwegians, all well remembered - Oyvind Berg, the Lovass brothers, poor Svein Kassa and Helge Langli, I rememeber Norwegian television filming Dag and Helge Langli at Cowley, they obliged with a 5-1 as I recall. You could ask him: About the Norwegian riders of his time and of speedway in Norway in those days. I saw a touring team from Norway in the UK in 1969, why have so few progressed in recent years? Why did he quit at the top? was there a reason not disclosed at the time? In my memory he rode a JAP motor against the 4 valve tide, and was the last man to ride a JAP in a World Final - is this true and if so why? also was he connected with a prototype JAP 4 valve that was seen around in Oxford second half races? could you check this? What are his thoughts on the merits of the different engines available in the early 1970s? About his brother Ulf Lovass - what became of him and what have both of them done since speedway? Let him know he's still well rememberd and respected, and thanks for an excellent magazine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave the Mic 258 Posted October 1, 2004 Don't have too many specific memories, but just recall that he was always immaculately turned out & one of the most stylish riders around. It was such a shame (from a speedway perspective) that he retired too early. Be great to see an item on him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
salty 2,200 Posted October 2, 2004 I remember Dag being one of the top riders in the mid 70's. I think his 1st year at Newcastle was a tough one, but he battled through and then really blossomed when that promotion moved to Reading. Never really was able to transfer his brilliant League form onto the World stage, wonder why? Seemed to retire to early?? Ulf came to Cradleys rescue in 1973, but never seemed able to commit to a full season, how is he now? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
arnieg 3,627 Posted November 14, 2004 26 June 1976 Cradley v Reading - rained off (the one brief break in that long hot summer). The Reading coach turns round and heads for Swindon in the hope that speedway is still on there. On the wettest track I have ever seen racing take place the Mike Keen testimonial goes ahead. Dag Lovaas scores a maximum winning most of his rides by a straight. Boy could he ride a wet track Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shazzybird 10 Posted November 14, 2004 i remember Dag Lovaas... he had that '70s porn star' look about him... don't remember much about his riding though unfortunately <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Oddly enough they all had that look in the 70's Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iris123 20,940 Posted November 14, 2004 (edited) i remember Dag Lovaas... he had that '70s porn star' look about him... don't remember much about his riding though unfortunately <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Oddly enough they all had that look in the 70's <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You must have seen some dodgy films Shazzy if you have seen a Ken McKinlay and a Dave Gifford lookalike in them :wink:Somehow get the picture of that Holsten add,Bert Harkins siding up to some babe with his thick glasses saying "This could be your lucky day!" Edited November 14, 2004 by iris123 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shazzybird 10 Posted November 14, 2004 Think I spotted a shim or two though Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
