steve roberts

Hi Tony, I thought that the business with the gun happened in the pits and not on the track in full view of the spectators as Roy mentioned in the interview?

I'd never seen Darcy Ward ride (even on film) so can not make a comparison...I'm only aware of his off-track exploits more's the pity.

I remember watching him as a fifteen year old at Cowley (1974) doing demonstration races with Colin Richardson. Colin was the victor I recall!

I recall a Golden Helmet Challenge at Eastbourne against Gordon Kennett and Michael failed to put in an appearance and Gordon won by default. Massive talent as Lee was he was also his own worse enemy.

Didn't Dave Lanning refer to him as Victor "Knockimov" during his commentary at the same meeting?

Now that I'm back at work I'm expected to wear a mask all day as I talk to and instruct members of the public at the tourist attraction I work at...and it's bloody annoying I have to say having to contantly breath in air that I have expelled thru' constant jabbering and makes the whole business of going about my working day uncomfortable and sweaty.

Brilliant ride...inside and out!

One of the best one-off World Finals (1973) in my opinion full of drama and good racing...the complete package. Saw Jerzy ride at Cowley in 1973 prior to his championship win. May he RIP

That's right and if I recall Joe Owen failed to make it to Swindon (I was present) and where another match point was lost. Ivan never forgot and always reminded Ian Thomas whenever they met up years after apparently!

It's a shame that Ian Thomas wasn't able to install some sort of discipline into the Hull team of 1979 which resulted in Ivan not achieving a clean sweep of championship wins as he had done so with his other British clubs...wasn't so much Coventry winning the league that year but Hull losing it!

...or indeed Aunt Sally! Always remember Dave Clinkard (whatever happened to him?) who took an Aunt Sally set on a trip to Denmark and proceeded to play the game totally bemusing the Danes (and a few Britishers!) present!

I did some talks at schools during the Wagstaff years at Cowley but didn't feel that I got any real backing from the promotion...no tickets and, if I recall, there was talk of a bike being supplied but nothing came of it. All I had was a pair of kevlars which hardly was ever going to catch their imagination!

...what would have been good was a group of kids spending an afternoon/evening behind the scenes watching riders go about their business preparing their bikes and all that entails and watching the racing from the inside etc, But, of course, H&S wouldn't allow any of that now...imagine doing a work experience at the speedway?

I grew up on Blackbird Leys (and proud of it!) and the stadium was but a stone's throw away and the noise generated by the bikes really caught my imagination and on going I dropped football like a stone (I was an ardent football fan) as it had nothing compared to speedway...great days!

...and I had that programme before selling them off much to my regret!

What drew me to the sport was hearing the bikes on a Thursday night where we lived and being curious I just had to go...and was hooked from then on!

I think I'm right in saying that Ipswich withdrew during the early sixties as well as Sunderland?

Yes I was at school during that period and there were very few class mates who were aware of speedway or even went which made me somewhat of a celebrity the fact that Dad was taking us up to London every Wednesday to watch the "Rebels"..."What you're going to London tonight? I've never been" was the question I was often asked!

I think that Oxford's side of 1986 was pretty special especially when the vastly under-rated Per Sorensen joined the side. One has to remember that this was during an era when a team had to declare a junior in the side therefore it's difficult comparing teams over any particular era when points limits/restrictions dictated the make-up of teams. Personally I would put Oxford top of the list as regards the team of the eighties winning three championships and many cups during seasons 1984 - 1989. One shouldn't forget the Newcastle side of 1976. it's funny that Division Two/National League sides tend to get forgotten about in these comparisons?

...or time of the month.

Same with Oxford when we had Reading, Coventry, Swindon and Milton Keynes all within easy reach.

Toto the troll or is it Dopey Debbs?

I was the same at Cowley...it was the group that I stood with who made the evening.

I guess a bit like the Cradley scenario?

Sorry I did mean the A19...confused or what!