steve roberts

I remember Phil when he was at Newport (1974) and he was almost unbeatable round there after a season out thru' injury and was superb...lowering the long existing Oxford track record in the process. Of course by 1975 he was riding the Street 4 Valve conversion which enable him to get a head start on many before the four valve revolution crept its way into speedway. He was a class act up until a very bad crash at Sheffield in 1977 and from then onwards remained a solid dependable number one for a number of seasons but lost out on the international stage in my opinion.

Yes I remember that incident (I used to stand on the third bend)...vaguely recall the choice of music being played and the furore it created. There used to be a number of crashes on that area of the track because of the notorious adverse camber which used to catch a few riders out (although not in Richard's case as I seem to remember that there was a coming together between two riders?) It became very obvious to me during one close season when I was helping with getting the track ready for the new season and becoming very aware of the track flattening out two thirds the way up to the fence. One rider who used it to his advantage, however, was Dag Lovaas who rode the line perfectly sweeping past opponents by sticking his rear wheel on the point of no return so to speak!

I just remember that in 2002 at Oxford he never looked the same rider having previously displayed great potential. Yes I seem to recall that he went on to ride with a certain amount of success in the GPs but after a somewhat disappointing year at Oxford he moved to pastures new.

Oxford signed the Dryml brothers in 2000 on very high assessed averages I recall at the time. They somewhat struggled that year but came back all the stronger the following championship winning year. Lukas in particular was a revelation until a very zealous coming together with Peter Karlsson at King's Lynn when both went clattering into the fence. Lukas picked up a damaged knee and it played havoc with him for the rest of the year (picking up some unwanted publicity also it has to be said) and in my opinion was never the same rider again although he did go on to compete at the highest level for a number of years it has to be said.

Where exactly?

Interesting to see Anders Michanek down at 37...his best efforts in 1974 & 75 and altough one of the favourites in 1973 he never got going after a first race tape exclusion if I recall?

Nasty!

Well spotted...I think that you are correct!

It's a difficult one Sid as Tommy was tragically kiiled before he was able to fully develop as a World Class rider but when the likes of Peter Collins and Ivan Mauger have gone on record to suggest that he would have become a major force in world speedway I think says something.

I'm guessing that it was 1988?

Bob Coles had a seriously impressive crash at Bristol and dusted himself down...have a feeling that it was featured on "World of Sport"?

...which is why I think that he would have dominated a GP series if it had been held during the eighties.

May have been Mike Lanham? I think Tony Davey's career ended at Leicester after suffering a particularly bad broken leg after not long coming back from injury.

One of the worse crashes I saw at Cowley was when 'Joe' Gooddy's bike stalled down the back straight. Bobby Beaton was following closely and couldn't avoid him and went over the fence. We were fearing the worse but Bobby was up and riding at Glasgow's next meeting. Tough breed these speedway riders!

I'm not sure Sid...although I think I'm right in saying that Hans had a perfect away average of 12 during "The Cheetahs" all conquering year of 1986 when only the weather managed to beat us!

Being smuggled into Britain after the 1975 World Team Cup Final to ride in a few fixtures for Hackney.

There was an article about Bryan in an edition of "Backtrack" some years back.

Astonishing!

Many thanks...fascinating stats!

Any chance Michael Lee and Simon Wigg please?

Blimey! Obviously the cut-out didn't cut-out!

I missed that match as I was on holiday taking in a meeting at Eastbourne.

Forgotten how narrow the Poole track once was.

I can only assume Sid that Bob Dugard was a good promoter to ride for and he did treat his riders with respect. When Gordon eventually moved on in 1983 to King's Lynn I think he regretted it and the following year when riding for Wimbledon his form tailed off (despite a superb 13 points taken at Cowley and beating Hans in the process). It was therefore no surprise that he then dropped down a league and returned to his spiritual home. A great servant.

Mine arrived this morning and interesting, if a little devoid in content, but full marks to all those involved.