steve roberts

It was s night of great 'ifs'. Briggo having beaten Mauger...Olsen dropping it after doing all the hard work coming from last to nearly first...Olsen passing Mauger after Ivan had left a great hole after taking the Russian out...Lofqvist running a last and was only one ride away from being a potential champion...Michanek (one of the favourites) falling off in his first ride....John Louis almost grabbing a rostrum place during his first year in the top league...great 'shoulder to shoulder' race involving the two Eastern Bloc (of which there was still some mystery and/or suspicion attached) riders (Waloszek - Poland & Chlynovski - USSR)...Persson running into Briggo and the Russian high riding it...Persson being 'mugged' twice by Mauger...and, of course, the strange disappearance of some of the Russian bikes prior to the meeting to which it was later found that rider Tony Clarke had a part to play...a great night of drama and I'm glad I have the highlights on DVD (although the Briggo - Mauger race was never televised?) and I every so often dip into it. Great memories!

Remember watching it on ITV (National TV) later that same evening and being totally captivated by it all! Wish I had seen it live...pure theatre!

I still think that the 1972 and 1973 Finals took some beating for pure drama.

I saw Wayne Muddle's name appear recently on another thread. I remember him riding in second halves at Cowley but wondered what happened to him?

B*******S!

Must say...some great stuff on here! Keep it coming!

Great Stuff! Tremendous racing!

I went to Norden in 1983 and was sworn to secrecy regarding Oxford's contractural negotiations with Hans Nielsen and had to refrain from cheering him on (although I couldn't resist giving him a cheer, however, when he was the only rider to lead Egon Muller before dropping a chain). I was kind of hoping for an English Champion but Kenny Carter flattered to decieve again instead of which Michael Lee became the highest place Englishman gaining a rostrum place.

Boiled and chewy sweets I'm afraid...not a chocolate bar in sight!

Quite bizzare! My brother works at a sweet packing factory in York and a similar scenario exists apparently.

Agreed. I did attend the 2003 Grand Prix at Cardiff but left feeling rather empty...just didn't give me the same buzz.

Yes...a proper speedway bike!

I had my issue delivered some weeks ago now? Main feature was on Jeremy Doncaster's career who also featured on the front cover.

I have the Bert Harkins book and the one on Bob Kilby written by son Lee...both good reads.

I have a couple of his "History of London" & "East Anglia" as well as "South - East" & "Thames Valley" from other authers as well as the Daily Mirror Year Books etc.

Apparently Barry Briggs took issue with John Chaplin over this book...I don't quite know why? I have a copy of Ivan's "Triple Crown Plus" which I enjoy reading.

I'm not questioning the standard of racing (I went to Ullevi in 1984 and it was pretty dire racing wise) but the build up to the Final was often my personal highlight during the twilight of each season.

Great occasions and I'm sure people get great pleasure from the Grand Prix's but there was nothing quite like attending a World Final in my opinion.

...tell me about it!

Remember travelling to the 1986 World Final (Katowice) and what could go wrong went wrong...starting with the coach breaking down in London!

Got those as well as well as "Wiggy's" book, John Louis and Dave Morton.

Sean Wilson to blame in my view!

Yes and it always made me wonder why Lance King after riding a wide line then adopted a different approach allowing Erik a clear run around the outside...something, incidently, Sam Ermolenko referred to in his autobiography.

"The History of Oxford Speedway"...evokes all sorts of memories when I pick it up for a read.

Yes I go looking for solitude personally...went on a ramble some years ago with about 15 people. Can't say I enjoyed it very much. Prefer just me, the other half and the dog!