steve roberts

Good luck in your quest. I was at the meeting but unfortunately sold off my programmes (regrettably) when re-locating.

If I recall Tony the R/R regulation during the years under discussion (it only lasted two years?) stipulated that the rider immediately above the missing rider's average could indeed take upto two of his rides as Gordon often did during the early part of the 1977 season. However if another team member's average rose sufficiently to then become the next rider immediately above the missing rider (Marek Cieslak in this case) then the number one (Gordon Kennett) was no longer able to take any rides whilst the Green Averages dictated same...something like that. It was mightingly confusing at the time and I'm sure somebody else may be able to claify the ruling better than me! Over to Rob to investigate further perhaps?

I think that he rode for Birmingham in 1976 and Cradley, his last season, in 1977? Sure that Sid is right...he was injured hand gliding of all things! Again there was an interesting interview with him in "Backtrack" a few years back now.

I always remember Sheffield fielding a strong 1-7 during the early middle seventies but not necessarily an out an out number one. I recall Doug Wyer at reserve! Arnold Haley proved a trump card at Ipswich in 1974 when "The Tigers" won the first leg of the Final of the Knock Out Cup...super competition in my view and left many memories to look back on!

Remember Rick riding for Halifax in 1975 (his last season?) and he was still a class act averaging over eight points a meeting.

Recall the complicated R/R scheme that operated during 1976 & 1977. There was always much made of White City's use of the facility during 1977 but what is often conveniently forgotten was that during the last two months of the season Gordon Kennett was unable to take any replacement rides and it was "The Rebels" strength in depth and team spirit that saw them emerge as champions.

Owns a Country Club and Golf Course if I recall?

Unlike today Sid when the makeup of teams often change from season to season. One reason my brother stopped attending.

There was a great feature on Tony Lomas when he was interviewed in 'Backtrack' a couple of years ago. Apparently he lives in Reeth which is a lovely village I visit regularly in the Yorkshire Dales...yet to bump into him but I have enquired when in the area. Unfortunately my speedway memories of Tony are not particularly good. He was forced to join Oxford and the moved proved unsuccessful and he quickly joined Exeter in a swap involving Bob Kilby. Both riders benefitted from the move. Tony joining a track that he was more adapted for and for Bob to get away from Ivan Mauger! Great days!

Yes, Sid, the 'Stars' are all very well but speedway wouldn't have exisited without the middle order men. Classic example at Cowley was Rick Timmo...a good servant to Oxford.

I think it was in 1973 involving John Harrhy?

Was always remembered at Cowley when involved in a crash with Arne Pander. However thta's part of speedway and a character lost tragically when stepping in front of a train if I recall? RIP

Great posts! Wish that I'd been there at the start of something big and which caught the imagination at the time.

We survived his 'aspirations' at Cowley during the winter of 1975/76 and was glad to see the back of him.

Interesting that a recent edition of the "Great British Railway Journeys" the presenter Michael Portillo paid a visit to Brough Park (Newcastle) to view the Greyhound Racing.

We, at Cowley, were subjected to him during the seventies when Oxford Stadium was under threat before the SOS committee stepped in.

Looking thru' my Peter Oakes Yearbook (1990) quoted is that "The 1969 World Pairs Final is no longer recognised by the FIM even though official FIM medals were issued to the top three nations." Mystery to me!

Interesting article in 'Backtrack' some years agp with Czech International Zdenek Majstr who in his capacity as advisor was quoted: "One of the blokes I had under my wing was Roman. He was a gifted rider but a complete nutcase! I couldn't handle that brat and left. AK Slany couldn't handle him either, so they sent him to Prague. And they couldn't handle him either!" RIP Roman for all the memories you left.

1969 World Pairs Final which was initially a non FIM endorsed event, if I recall, but has long since been recognised as the first staging of the World Pairs competition.

RIP Roman. Sad news indeed.

Interesting John and having looked at some old programmes from the seventies the test match at Oxford (which was unfortunately postponed) the contest was to be held between England and Russia. The 1973 Daily Mirror Tournament had programmes listed as either USSR, Soviet Union or Russia! Such was the ambiguity and apparent inter-changeabilty of the title within the British speedway authorities at the time. Certainly used to confuse me as a teenager growing up during that period!

The Speedway Archive (History of Edinburgh Monarchs and Beyond) interestingly lists that "Rene became the first rider of the old Soviet Union to ride for a British Club".

Something that Peter Collins is passionate about as regards the correct usage of labelling regarding differentiating between England and Great Britain certainly within the current climate.

...or Charlie Monk who rode for Scotland on at least one occasion as did Oyvind Berg (I think?)

I recall that riders from the old USSR rode under various titles as a representative team over the years. Either as the USSR, Soviet Union or Russia depending on convenience and/or interpretation if not totally accuate. Indeed the Gordeev brothers are both from Georgia which was then part of the old USSR administration.