steve roberts

I would very much like to read an interview with Coventry stalwart Tommy Knudsen...especially his view regarding the clash with Hans Nielsen during the 1986 World Final. Any chance Tony?

Yes I have to admit Sid having been present at Poland that year my heart was very much in my mouth. Trouble with Tommy Knudsen is that he used to be in the habit of riding 'square bends' and on trying to correct himself found that Hans had filled the gap. I had witnessed on numerous occasions both Tommy amd Hans riding each other up to the fence. Both hard competitors. Knudsen once attempted to ride Marvyn Cox wide but 'Cocker' was wise to it and cut up the inside of him and rode to magnificent 5-1 with Hans to register a last gasp Oxford win...much to the anguish of the Coventry fans preseent.

Yes I believe that's true!

All Cowley legends.

Same problems occured at Cowley during the early middle seventies.

Strewth! Yet another track closing down!

Yes that's correct.

Jon was our nominated junior in 1986 (first year of it's introduction). Paul rode as a reserve in 1989 and although showing some signs of potential basically wasted his talent. Per was one of the un-sung heroes but his signing proved crucial and turned "The Cheetahs' into a super team in 1986!

Sure that he was their nominated junior?

Oxford/White City had sister clubs Eastbourne & Peterborough. The system worked well.

Ivan no question...not sure where I would place Rickardsson personally?

A real enigma...but a great entertaimer as you say.

Good choice...watched him progress at Cowley and later at White City when he graduated to World Class.

Fondly remembered at Cowley as a member of the all-conquering 1964 team.

It involved Ole Olsen and an alleged illegal tyre.

I seem to recall she covered Channel Four's (?) edited version of the Grand Prix with expert Sam Ermolenko?

Mike's one of my favourites and was very much instrumental in helping White City win the league in 1977. Wasn't popular at Milton Keynes however if I recall but someone who once attempted to run down Ian Thomas gets my admiration!

Yes I would say he was Sid when he doubled up during 1973 and full time in 1974. His gating prowess saved the "Rebels"from a much worse defeat during an early season defeat at Newport. He also managed to beat none other than 'Briggo' both at Cowley and at Wimbledon during the same season...but he was very much a gater unlike Gordon Kennett who had a similar rise to fame at Oxford and overall was the better rider in my opinion. However John is a very articulate individual and how British speedway could do with someone like him now!

Apparently there was a general dislike for each other as was explained by Finn some years ago.

Ah yes! Billy Sanders' 'mate'!

Preben Eriksen also had issues with him during his early career. Basically riders who could stand up to Olsen and not be dominated by him grew to distrust him. Olsen enjoyed his dominance as the leading Dane and when Nielsen came along and began to beat him on a regular basis Olsen took a dislike to him...especially as Hans was very much his own man and didn't want to be dominated by Olsen's overbearing presense (Nielsen touches upon the subject in his autobiography "The Main Dane") Steve Bastable was another who didn't get on with him whilst team mates at Coventry..

...and, if I recall, beat Olsen in that same meeting thus denying Olsen outright victory much to his annoyance as Dag explained in an interview some years back.

I once presented him with a bottle of bubbly at the last meeting at Cowley. Came across as a shy person.

Vic White (Coventry Team Manager) felt that Olsen was one of the most difficult riders that he had ever dealt with. Often undermining his decisions.

I think that it was combination of things Sid. The JAP engine wasn't suited to the vast Wood Lane bowl and he was badly affecred when he had a bad crash with Trevor Hedge. However, personally, I feel that after getting his long desired wish to ride at Oxford he felt very disappointed that it only resulted in the one year and his enthusiasm was diminished...just my opinion.