steve roberts

Certain people wrote Ivan off as a major (no pun intended!) contender after the 1978 Final but he came back with a vengeance to win in Poland in 1979. He had a great year in 1979...not only lifting the Individual title but also winning the Team Cup leading New Zealand (which gave him great personal pleasure sticking two figures up to the authorities!) and of course almost leading Hull to the League Championship which they should have won if it hadn't been for the inexcusable absence of certain riders in key matches.

...during the days of 'Screensport' there was a highlights/news desk programme (fronted by Rob McCaffrey) which I used to enjoy and 'guest' riders would occasionally appear in the studio.

...I missed this final as I was in Jersey (as my brother constantly reminds me!). As an Oxford and White City fan obviously Gordon was my choice that year...and he got very close to becoming champion (strange that his potential 'easy' race he allowed Ila Teromaa to beat him) as he out shone more established candidates that day. Never liked Olsen and it would have been interested if they had met in a rub-off for the title? Ivan admitted that his bike was slowing and to his credit he never blamed Gordon for clipping him as he passed by.

Ivan put in a storming 1975 season and his league form was top notch...if I recall he lost some weight thru' a fitness regime and it played against him towards the end of the season and the World Final at Wembley when beaten by John Louis during a run-off for third (I think that he was suffering with exhaustion by then?)

...plus the likes of Reading and Wimbledon and highly likely Swindon it just doesn't bode well.

...blimey! Didn't realise that houses were now so close to the stadium having not been for very a long year!

I would agree the Belle Vue side of 1972 were exceptional and I well remember the time they came to Cowley and thumped us!

...nowt wrong with that!

...as usual, Sid, another good thread with lots of memories!

...imagine that happening now!

...yes I'd agree. PC was often the hero on ITV's "World of Sport' when winning key races and also featuring in the tabloids when they took a keen interest in the sport. How times have changed whereby speedway doesn't get a look in on terrestrial TV and coverage of other sports have dominated the schedules.

...a true champion and icon of the sport. Even people who weren't particularly aware or interested in the sport had heard of the likes of Mauger and Briggs unlike, I'm sure, the riders of today.

Totally agree Sid! 1972 was my first year and Ivan stood above all others...although Ole Olsen may lay a claim...and was the rider others tried to emulate and largely failed. A great rider (the best of all time in my view) and although not the most popular amongst fans what has become known in recent years he was well liked by his opponents (except a few no doubt) and together with Raye were thoroughly nice people. It's a shame that Ivan's illness has robbed him of his memory but he will never be forgotten as long as speedway exists.

...thru the actions of mankind. Evolution is one thing but the destruction of their natural habitat is quite another.

Unfortunately until the human race discontinues to decimate the natural world and ivory, for example (whatever the date it was exploited) is totally banned and deemed worthless, there will be a continual need for animals to be held within some sort of controlled environment...whether it zoos, wildlife parks and reservations otherwise we will continue to see the gradual (albeit increasing) extinction of many species. I grew up when zoos were less than satisfactory (concrete pens with bars) but things have moved on dramatically and there are some superb collections where conservation programmes are the norm.

..I'm most definitely a southerner!

...visited High Beech many years ago as I was passing by and got to see the plaque commemorating the very first meeting at the visitor centre next to the King's Oak. Wandered around trying to make out where the track would have been but was difficult to make out. Well worth the visit, however, in visiting the spiritual home of the sport...although there are some claims that it started elsewhere in the UK but High Beech seems to be the accepted birthplace.

He appeared in the aforementioned film 'The Blue Lamp' which featured White City Stadium but not aware of a speedway related film.

I would agree...both the museum and Wildlife Park are great attractions but to have some sort of commemoration at High Beech would have been good in my view.

Thai is a hard one... 3. Kelly Moran (?) 4. John Davis (?) 6. Craig Boyce 8. Jason Crump 10. Andrew Silver I remember 1 & 7 but can't put a name to them.

Ron was very instrumental in tutoring and nurturing 'Tiger' Louis and was paired with him in the early days when both rode for 'The Witches'. Apparently when John Berry was manager of England Ron was also involved but very much in the background. A great tactician when being Team Manager meant something.

Very sad news indeed. He and John Berry made a formidable pairing during the glory days of 'The Witches'. May he RIP and no doubt he and John will be meeting up again to relive past glories.

According to Reg Fearman in his book the lease was 're-negotiated' during the Bill Dore/Pat Bliss era if I remember off the top of my head...good read by the way!

...which was a shame because the original concept had great potential when first built back in 1974.