steve roberts

Before 'Lockdown' was implemented (but we were being advised the importance of washing hands) I was using the public urinal on Yotk station when out of the corner of my eye I noticed someone exit one of the cubicles and straight out avoiding the hand basins.

Unfortunately I never got to see Dag at Wolves...but I know it used to irritate Olsen when he beat him! My first visit to Monmore was in 1974 and it always struck me as having too long straights for the tight bends...very much hairpin in shape. I believe that the track was altered at some point but it was never a favourite of mine although Oxford had a good record there during the Nielsen years. Happy to say I was there on the afternoon White City won the league and there were so many "Rebel" fans it was unbelievable! Great days!

Second that!

Dag Lovaas was another.

Difficult one Sid. Mine would be - Ray Wilson, Terry Betts, Malcolm Simmons, John Louis, Martin Ashby, Eric Boocock & Nigel Boocock...but then again!

I remember Morten riding for Oxford and one could see he had potential (although he sometimes had trouble negotiating the bends at Cowley) but he was plagued with injuries after being forced to move from Oxford (due to them losing BL status) and eventually disappeared from the scene which I thought was a great shame.

Sad news indeed. I remember Garry Middleton being annoyed that Eric once spelt his name with one 'R' to which Garry retorted "Just remember Rolls Royce" RIP

I remember trying to get Hasse Holmqvist's autograph as he was hanging out of the changing room window at Cowely after one particular meeting!

Yes I also remember presenting Dag Lovaas with a bottle of champagne at the final meeting of 1975 on the centre green at Cowley. Funny but both Finn and George were riding in that meeting as was Gary Petersen which I guess may well have been his last meeting before he was tragically killed. I was hooked form the very first meeting I attended...probably the smell but I do recall being absolutely thrilled seeing these mad blokes riding bikes with no brakes and without a care it seemed. Great memories!

Sorry my mistake...yes he left for Canada on the 3rd October 1936.

Again some great names there Sid...Mike Sampson one of my favourites and Dave Perks was so stylish when he rode for Oxford and was almost unbeatable in 1980 before injury interupted his season.

I remember as a kid being allowed access to the pits after the racing collecting autographs and being in awe of the riders...and of course during the interval one lucky kid got the chance to ride pillion on a bike but, of course, Health & Safety put a stop to that.

I'm trying to locate Barry's book...I have all the others you've mentioned including a few others.

...don't worry we'll get coronavirus on here at some time as it worms its way thru' the various threads.

Thanks for that...beats continually having to read posts about coronavirus. I'm looking for distractions during this period personally.

On the Ancestry.co.uk web-site of which I'm a member under "Search" and then "Immigration and Travel" where there is a passenger lists option...good fun. I've also checked out movements of the Hollywood stars of that era.

During a break from my family tree research I decided to check out passenger lists of ships and found the following iconic entries Lionel Van Pragg - Listed as Professional Motor Cyclist. Arrival date as 3/4/1936 via New York on the "Aquitania" bound for Wembley Stadium. He departed from Southampton on the 3/10/1936 on board the "Empress of Britain" for Cananda. Of course during that period he became the first Speedway World Champion. Ronald (Ronnie) Moore - Arrival date as 13/5/52 via Sydney arriving at London on board the "Ranchi" Ivan Mauger - Listed as presser. Arrival date as 16/3/1957 via Wellington arriving at Southampton on board the "Rangitoto". Also date of departure as 23/10/1958 from London on the same ship. Barry Briggs - Listed as student. Arrival date as 13/5/1952 via Sydney arriving at London on board the "Ranchi". Same trip as Ronnoe Moore. Ove Fundin - Listed as mechanic (Address Strand Palace Hotel, London) Departure date as 13/10/1954 from Lodon and destination Sydney on board the "Oronsay" Peter Craven - Listed as speedway rider. Arrival date as 5/4/1957 at Southampton via Durban, South Africa on board the "Pretoria Castle' His wife Brenda was with him...may well have been on his honeymoon whilst riding?

I've only seen three but remember Dick Bradley as Team Manager of Swindon.

Good race...Scunthorpe looks a bit like a trick track or am I being too harsh?

Very impressed with the Belle Vue track I have to say!

Words can't describe really...great stuff again!

Ditto!

Well perhaps when you have a moment you can clear up a long standing question when you were confusing 'facts' with 'opinions' regarding a speedway related topic which you've not addressed?

Fabulous racing...but the commentary drives me mad!

Brilliant stuff again.