steve roberts

Apparently Jason Crump is making a comeback with Plymouth?

Received my latest edition...superb as usual. Interesting analysis (although I couldn't grasp all the permutations) on the differing race formulas. Ordered (and since recieved) the Tatum book as featured in the latest edition. Nice article on the sadly recently deceased Zenon Plech...such an icon.

I checked it up. It was Dave Wills of West Ham who was sadly killed as described in Simmo's book.

From memory he was killed on his way to a meeting at Coventry whilst crossing a dual carriageway in his car during early 1974?

I seem to recall a fallen rider was killed by someone who was some way behind who failed to drop the bike?

Blimey! Just received mine today after ordering it only yesterday!

I've ordered my copy!

One lad bought his own bike and it was a bugger to start...remember three of us pushing it an entire lap before it kicked into life! My brother went to one of Olle's schools a couple of years before me and shared a bike with Chris Prime who was later to lose his life at Newcastle.

Funny but when I went to one of Olle Nygren's Training Schools at King's Lynn many, many years ago it was never discussed...and we certainly never laid any bikes down intentionally I recall.

I always remember when at Ipswich when Oxford were the visitors Kai Niemi got into trouble directly in front of Hans Nielsen and Hans immediately shut the throttle off all within a split second whilst remaining sat on his bike and not having to lay it down...very impressive.

Many thanks! The link wouldn't initially open on my computer but I've now got there!

Recall that Len Silver wouldn't allow someone to take to the track during his Training Schools until they had satisfied him that they were able to lay the bike down...I did read that he used to jump in front of a rider forcing them to drop the bike but I'm not sure if I actually believe that? Just read in the latest "Backtrack" magazine that it was also a requirement insisting upon by Ken Marshall who used to run Training Schools at Felton under the instruction of John Robson "...if they couldn't lay a bike down, they couldn't go out on the track."

I used to have the programme!

Looking forward to the next edition...great read!

Kelvin Tatum and Neil Evitts had issues with each other I recall?

That was part of a conversation I had with Ian Cartwright (one time "Duke") on one of my visits to "Mouseman" at Kilburn of which he is a director...a very nice, humble man by the way.

Interesting...never heard that one!

Chris did put in a decent performance at Cowley when he rode for Weymouth but beyond that he tended to struggle.

Yes I can equate with much of that but I did find it sad seeing riders like Martin Ashby, Chris Pusey, Arnold Haley etc etc struggling to find anything like their former form having seen them in their prime but that's a personal view. I did however enjoy watching past riders competing in Barry Briggs' "Golden Greats Meetings" but that was a whole different scenario.

I saw Ivan once that season at the County Ground and he ran a last in his first race if I recall. Personally I was sad to see that he was only a shadow of his former self having seen him at his best.

I think that's a pretty fair assessment overal. I was never a fan of Simon Cross (who infamously walked out on Oxford when he was set upon by team mate Ashley Pullen in the pits!) but Cradley fans idolised him with that awful nickname of "Pyscho". His riding often went beyond reproach and I remember when, in the same meeting, he took both Simon Wigg and Andy Grahame out on the first bend in different races leaving them with no where to go. I would say quite openly that it was premeditated having been at the meeting and having the DVD also...Simon Wigg was less than complimentary about his actions.

Always difficult ones to call when there's an incident on the opposite side of the track to the referee. Lyons left plenty of room riding a wide line going into the bend which Tomicek took advantage of and, yes, there was evidence of a flick of the back wheel but was he, by then, in front? Who'd be a referee? As a matter of interest do referees now have access to instant replays? As a footnote I've recently acquired the DVD "Before Air Fences" which I haven't seen yet and when I do I will pause after each race and make a decision and see if it was any different to the one called? Give me something to view from an academic angle!

Sad news indeed. A name synonymous with speedway during the seventies.

I wouldn't put it past them knowing what some Yorkshire folk are like!

Good call by Ivan but I felt it was a mistake him riding for Exeter in 1984 when he was far from his best however he did it to help out a mate (Peter Oakes) who was desperate putting a team together on their elevation to Division One. Hans got it right but I felt that Sam Ermolenko went on too long personally.