steve roberts

I seem to recall that Oxford during the 1976 season adopted a very different approach in that whoever was top of the averages at the end of every month rode at number one and as captain and had a special race jacket dedicated to same.

I knew Matt...gave him my Oxford "Cheetahs" Skol sponsored jacket!

We had Cowley "Crusaders"!

One time Oxford junior, Keith Snelling, used to ride for Horspath "Hammers".

I recall that Wednesfield has/had a particularly strong history...known as the "Aces"?

Oxford had two cycle speeday clubs. The Horspath "Hammers" and Headley "Hawks" but I believe that the latter closed some years ago now.

Thanks for that! I'm sure that Hughie then became skipper of the "Rockets" when he dropped dowm a league?

Yes I'm sure that's right...continued during the "Simmo" years I recall but Pete eventually passed on the captaincy when he was suffering with continual bike problems?

You know I was just thinking who skippered the "Diamonds" in 1975...thought it was Tom Owen but you are correct in Brian Havelock. Didn't he move on to Workington later that season or was it during the 1976 season?

Am I correct to think that Hugh Saunders was skipper at Hackney or am I barking up the wrong tree in 1974? Don't recall it being Dag Lovaas?

Some great examples there...I remember Reg Trott being made captain of a young "Eagles" side during the formative years of the British League Divison Two when its role was to produce young British talent. I'm sure that he wasn't the only case during that period? Ross Gilbertson at Canterbury?

I have a feeling that Geoff Mudge was captain of Reading in 1972?

None at all I would have thought.

In Ivan's book he mentions that during 1965 he had to wear a special boot and had to adopt something of a different style. He had been riding with the screws still in place which caused him problems and during the winter of 1965/6 when he aggrevated the bone thru' excessive training he had them eventually taken out. When he got back to England at the start of the 1966 season he felt much fitter and ready to tackle the new season without the worries of 1965. He mentions, also, that during 1964 he had ridden in less meetings as was usual and dropped far more points than he had the season previous.

I've mentioned it before, I'm sure, but the late Rob Woffinden used to place a solution of Castrol 'R' mixed with petrol so when he used his lawn mower he could re-live the aroma given off!

Despicable individual.

In Ivan's book "Triple Crown Plus" he says that he had a collision with Gordon Guasco and his left leg ended up in Gordon's engine as they turned into the corner. He smashed up his left ankle very badly and was subsequently rushed to hospital for surgery whereby he had a couple of screws inserted into the ankle to hold it together. That saviour of many speedway riders Dr. Biagi came to his assitance and decided to plaster Ivan's foot placing his foot in an upward position so that a steel shoe could be fitted round the plaster so that he could continue riding...which reminds me of the time that Jack Millen rode with a plaster cast on his left foot without, I believe, a steel shoe!

I remember talking to a resident a couple of years ago and mentioned that sometime in the past a tunnel had been discussed connecting the Island..."No way we would want that" was his reply. I would agree. The Island would become over-congested just like what has happened on Skye since the bridge was opened. At least ferries keep the numbers at a reasonable level and control the number of vehicles.

Best I could come up for Richard was four rides within five heats at Belle Vue in 1975.

I vaguely remember Richard Greer taking four on the trot and I'm desperately scanning to see if I can come up with anything...can't recall if it was when he was at Oxford or White City?

I remember he broke an ankle during his time at Newcastle prior to the British Final (?) one season. Seem to recall he broke both wrists after crashing during the 1972 World Pairs Final which didn't apparently hinder him too much. Other than that a pretty injury free career.

No "shouting hysterical" commentary that is common place on sports broadcasts nowadays...one reason I don't watch sport on TV.

Was never really a fan of Longtrack racing...too much emphasis on the bike. Interesting archive film all the same and another example of how speedway has missed the attention of "World of Sport" which, personally, I feel was a big reason why speedway began to slide down the popularity polls.

Sad news indeed. He was recently featured in the "Classic Speedway" magazine. RIP

Mitch Shirra tells the story that Coventry riders were told to drop points with a view of being able to fit them in the following season.