steve roberts

According to an article in the 'Classic' Magazine published recently that "...in 2003 the Ochiltrees sold the stadium to businessman Avtar Sandhu". Perhaps some sort of clarification would be welcome?

...but aren't we discussing the closure of Blackbird Road in 1983 when Midland Sports Stadiums were the owners and the Managing Director then was Charles Ochiltree?

Unfortunately I never got to see Sunderland ride (although my family on my mother's side is from that area). I've checked out the stadium as I passed by a couple of years ago however.

But wasn't he Managing Director of Midland Sports Stadiums and therefore ultimately responsible?

Martin has talked extensively about this episode in recent editions of the 'Backtrack' magazine. Bob Dugard for what he achieved at Eastbourne bringing on English talent together with Arthur Nutley.

I remember when Nigel Wagstaff acquired the rights of Oxford Speedway he wasn't able to use the moniker "Cheetahs" by the outgoing promotion...which I thought very odd at the time! We ended up with that awful "Silver Machine" nickname!

John Berry was someone I admired greatly and how speedway could do with someone like him now.

...those were the days!

Steady on old chap...that's my ancestral home!

Ah! Good old rider control...Oxford never really benefited from it during my days following the sport!

Again, I remember, the BSPA Cup or some such tournament that ran towards the back end of myself attending speedway and Oxford were pitted against Swindon, the Isle of Wight and Reading (?) without their heat leaders and it led to confusion and I think only lasted the one year, Having not been to speedway for many a year I'm not familiar with the comparative strengths within either league but I'm sure that something could be done to even things up a bit. Of course back in the seventies there was the Inter League Cup which threw up the odd surprise like Workington beating both Ipswich and King's Lynn but generally faltered thru' lack of interest and/or commitment.

Yes I now recall that being the case however Oxford competed, if I remember, during the 1979 competition with George Hunter, Les Rumsey (two of the highest placed riders in the averages at the time), Pip Lamb and Carl Askew...but were seriously over turned during the away legs but as you suggest it was very different then.

..again I recall this was the case in 1979/80 when a team from the lower league would take on three teams from the upper league. It didn't prove successful, if I recall, and Oxford riding in the National League in those days with a strong top four were generally hammered!

Seem to recall that in 1979 (?) Cup matches were run over 16 or even 18 heats without the use of guests or the R/R facility? I actually rode a 250cc Honda bike at one of Olle Nygren's Training Schools in between riding the standard 2 valve JAWA 500cc.

Used to enjoy attending Test Matches (Denmark/USA/ Sweden etc) but not sure if fans, or even some riders, have the desire to ride for their National Team any longer but certainly worthy of debate if speedway is to try and raise it's profile certainly within the media.

Used to dislike the 4TT formula which relied on riders of other teams to help either increase your team's overall lead or close the gap depending on the scenario...but with the ever increasing threat of track closures in the recent past and/or present there may be only four teams contesting a particular league anyway! However my particular dislike of the 3TT beats the aforementioned whereby your team didn't compete, if I recall, in a third of the meeting!

Not whilst Clark Osborne is in charge!

...yes he was one of speedway's true inspirations and lesser sung heroes.

...the 'experts' said the same about vinyl but I do tend to agree with newspapers (but not necessarily specialised magazines) as I don't buy one anyway!

John Davis who comes over as very articulate...although was never a fan of his when a rider despite seeing him blossom at Oxford.

Thanks for that although it does seem somewhat ambiguous regarding the compulsory purchase order...fingers crossed but I have concerns.

Great photo!

Towards the back end of my attending speedway (2003) I was finding it more and more difficult trying to identify riders with their matching kevlars and full face helmets I have to say.

Couldn't agree more...my uncle who was track photographer at Oxford during the middle seventies and once passed on to me hundreds of his images for identification purposes...and I got every one bar a couple. Styles, leathers, helmets, boots and masks were distinctive back then!

...Forgotten the Pusey link! Great one! And good old Kingston 'Bagpipes'!