steve roberts

Bit of a generalisation?

Sad news...a true promoter. RIP

Just re-reading the excellent "Tears and Glory" and Hans Nielsen's winning time of 58.4 was never acknowledged by the Reading Management as it was clocked when the the tapes had failed and they resorted to the green light? I would have thought that what the management thought was irrelevant because surely the official match report would have been submitted and noted? I was at that meeting and Hans' winning time will always be the record time in my opinion.

Ipswich from their 1972 squad no longer with us are John Louis, Sandor Levai, Billy Sanders and Olle Nygren.

Used to like Chris French on Screensport.

Of course we are all advancing down a particular road which is unavoidable but I've quickly glanced at the year 1972 and starting line ups of teams appear to have a few that are still with us...my team Oxford have so few now with us? If I'm mistaken nearest rivals Swindon all of their 1972 team are still with us for example?

I was checking thru team members of my team Oxford who rode for the "Rebels" during my first two years following the sport. Those no longer with us are Garry Middleton, Oyvind S. Berg, Colin Gooddy, Ken McKinlay, Svein Kaasa and later additions and regulars in 1973 Gordon Kennett, Bob Kilby, John Dews and Malcolm Ballard. Those surviving are stalwart Rick Timmo, Norman Strachan and Preben Rosenkilde from the 1972 squad. Certainly made me realise how the passing years have taken many of my "heroes" from that era.

I'm a member of the Karl Fiala Group page but no longer receive notifications and haven't for a while now?

I used to get notifications but no longer?

Is he on Facebook now?

Bit like those who never thought/believed that points were bought and favours handed out and were shocked by the Sunday People "revelations"...been going on for years since the birth of the sport judging by accounts down the years.

Seem to recall Ivan used a long track short engine during one world final?

Personally I find the modern style of riding unattractive and they all look the same...very little individualism.

A real character...sad news. RIP

I remember many years ago Len Silver had instructed one of his riders to "fake" an engine failure if he found himself in a certain position during a race because if allowed to finish it would have meant the opposition going sixx points down and therefore in a position to nominate a T/S in the next race. Cheating or tactics? Sure it must have happened on numerous occasions.

Was that at Cradley with Roy Trigg?

Mike was a favourite of mine...remember reading he attempted to run Ian Thomas down on the centre green on one occasion!

Chris Blewitt was apparently somewhat questionable both on and off the track

Scott was one of three who came over in 1973. The other two were Sumner McNight and Rick Woods but neither stayed very long. If I recall Woods returned home after he learned that he wasn't eligible to take part in the World Championship?

Very sad news...may he RIP.

We had Rod Fox at Oxford.

Glasgow White City now has a motorway running thru it?

Sad news indeed. Remember him as a "Rebel" and often created a talking point with his no nonsense approach to his racing. Recently met someone who was in the same class as him at school. RIP

I recall that a rider could be excluded for "boring" (I'll ignore some of the comments this may raise!) meaning a rider didn't actually have to make contact but a move that causes another rider to fall. I remember Malcolm Ballard once being excluded under the rule when in a race with Howard Cole causing him to fall when closing him down but without making physical contact