steve roberts

Yes I gave away many of my speedway books when I re-located but have slowly replaced them purchasing off ebay. As for my programmes...a sad loss.

If I remember Ivan took an impromptu break during the 1977 season at the resort privately owned by Ricard and Exeter used a facility in his absence which was somewhat ironic considering Ivan's stance regarding the facility White City had been granted that season (among others less publicised since)?

I had a quick flick thru' my Yearbooks edited by Peter Oakes.

Formula One seemed to attract cigarette manufacturers...there was, from memory, "Gold Leaf" Lotus and of course Marlboro (also big sponsors of speedway) and probably the most pleasing looking car was the JPS. Even Brooke Bond got into the act I remember.

Wolves had "Beacon Radio" and Crayford "Ladbrokes" both in 1978.

Pleases me to read that the Cowley track still encourages good racing...was always one of the better tracks in my opinion even though the present one is of a different shape and length. I've been sent some footage of action at Cowley and am looking forward in viewing same.

It was always great when a team declared a 'star rider' in heat 8 expecting to get "guaranteed" points only to get beaten much to the delight of usually the home crowd!

I wish that I had witnessed speedway at the Shay. Visited a few years back but there was no trace of the track despite attempting to use my imagination but the ends had been squared off. I have spoken to Ian Cartwright a number of times in Kilburn and he gave a fascinating insight.

Reminds me of the story that Ivan Mauger told that when he wore his Duckhams personalised race jacket during a second half at Coventry promoter Charles Ochiltree attemped to stop him from racing? Ivan being ivan just ignored him...how times have changed as regards sponsors and apparently they would laugh about that episode years later.

I always thought back in the days of T/S placing a "star man" in heat eight a waste (especially a double T/S) although on occasions it was the only option by studying the programme and later options. Looks to be another interesting meeting in prospect at Cowley?

Ah I remember that now...always thought the name "Happy Faces" a strange if unusual name if I'm honest.

That must make the "Rockets" the first team (1976) to incorporate their sponsors name on the jacket then? LADA appeared in 1979 (?) on both Hull's and Newcastle's team jackets.

I think you are right...emblazoned across the chest but I think that they wore team jackets over the top?

I think that was the late eighties?

I remember being all excited during my first year of speedway knowing that the reigning World Champion Ole Olsen would be riding that evening at Cowley. I recall getting off the bus from a day at school and couldn't get round to the stadium quickly enough. I obviously got to hear/read of his appearance beforehand.

As a matter of interest when did TSB first sponsor the "Lions?"

I know that team jackets are a thing of the past but I remember when team jackets were simple affairs with just the nickname featured more often than not. Not sure which team featured their first team sponsor but White City has to be one of the first in 1977? Initially it was to be "Capital Radio" (the riders wore them at the team practice I recall?) but they pulled out just before the season started and "LBC Radio" stepped in. Were there any teams prior to that season (not including the "Gulf" logo)?

Afraid not...first time I wentt to the speedway at Hyde Road was in 1984 and the surrounding area was rather depressing I recall.

Wish I'd seen the fairground and zoo...had all gone by the time I got up to Hyde Road in the middle eighties.

Quite so!

Yes that's right but I think TSB didn't sponsor the "Lions" until c1974 where the leathers had the TSB logo on the upper arm if I recall?

Fascinating stuff...just goes to demonstrate what's involved today and questions whether it's sustainable under the current climate?

That's the crux...highly tuned engines that are costing more to maintain and the only people making any money are the tuners? Riders then expect to be paid more to off-set the rising costs of maintenance which is then reflected in admission prices when attendances are falling dramatically...it's a vicious circle. Recall Terry Betts commenting that his two valve Jawa required very little attention between meetings and he only stripped the engine down after a good number of meetings. Now bikes are stripped down after every meeting.

Oxford had team suits in 1973 but from what I remember Hasse Holmqvist's were too small and only Bob Kilby, Gordon Kennett, John Dews and Rick Timmo wore them? Malcolm Ballard didn't wear his but "Mad Malc" as was his want wore them when he moved to Poole in 1974 before them moving to Leicester and then retiring (there has to be a story there somewhere?) Ulf Lovaas wore them in 1974 and Kelvin Mullarkey acquired a set (from whom?) when he rode for Weymouth in 1974.

I think that the TSB Team Leathers were worn c1974?