steve roberts

Preben Rosenkilde replaced the ill-fated Svein Kaasa at Cowley on the recommendation of Garry Middleton if I recall. He didn't last that long and re-appeared briefly for Newport in 1976 if I remember?

Is it really 47 years since Tommy lost his life (20th May 1976)? May he be forever remembered. RIP

...problem is it's a viscous circle. Back during the middle eighties when crowds were still generally decent promoters ditched the traditional second halves and introduced Junior Matches in an attempt to "reinvigorate" fresh British talent but as we all know the real reason was an attempt to cut costs. However promoters didn't/couldn't/wish to help stem the rise of running costs by paying riders money they didn't have to help pay for escalating bike/maintenance costs and speedway began to slide eventually producing a product that to many was unacceptable and fans began to turn their back on the sport. There were many reasons (and boy it's been debated enough on the forum over the years!) why speedway has taken the route it has in this country but promoter and/or BSPA mis-management in my opinion has been the main reason why this has been the case. One time Oxford promoter Chris Shears took the initiative in once running an "old fashioned" second half (at no extra cost) and it proved popular in that many fans stayed on but his wrist was "slapped" by the BSPA because they thought it set a dangerous precedent never mind what the fans thought?

Great stuff!

...yes whatever but an extended meeting involving more races whether it be included in the main event or a seperate contest.

...a meaningful second half would help. Fifteen races doesn't present good value for money in my opinion. Those that don't wish to stay after the main event is their prerogative but re-introducing a junior meeting would help redress the balance in my view but I wouldn't expect many to agree with that particular scenario?

Niss Nielsen (not sure if I've spelt his name correctly?) who had trials with Oxford in 1974. If I recall he went on tour with the "Rebels" to the Netherlands?

If I remember one time "Robin" Edgar Stangeland explained to him the best way to ride the track?

...I was at Swindon the afternoon he registered a full 15 point maximum for King's Lynn!

...I was being facetious! Einar Kyllingstad proceeded him and was equally unsuccessful but at least looked classy on a bike!

...not a bad average for a second string! Couldn't cope with the Cowley bends and considering he used to ride at Monmore Green defies any logic!

Was it a "coming together" with Les Owen as Owen was one who was never that well received at Cowley from what I remember in the latter years.

Lars Munkedal...signed by Oxford with a hope of bolstering the tail end. Simply awful!

The great Arne Pander...unfortunatley neve saw him ride but mum recalls him visiting the local Health Centre where she worked after one of his many injuries.

Sad news indeed...stirred up the hierarchy within speedway at the time but certainly left his mark. RIP

As a matter of interest what is the smallest track currently in the UK?

Makes for depressing reading...spent many happy, and not so happy, times at Brandon.

Always an interest comparison to "proper" speedway...I guess the nearest we had here in the UK were the indoor meetings of the late sevnties/early eighties which I went to a few.

I know that the Tourist Attraction that I used to work at in the centre of York often had issues with a signal which occasionally affected the ability to operate the computer/booking etc systems.

...oh the days of just handing over cash (although there are at least two cafe vendors on the sea front of Bridlington who only accept cash) Yes I guess it's something we now have to live with. When our local Arboretum only allowed visitors who had booked in advance to visit during one of the less serious "lockdowns" I was then to be charged 50p on top booking fee. I decided not to book in principle especially as one can not always rely upon the weather.

...personally I think "booking fees" are a travesty and needs to be addressed.

Great team rider when with Oxford...used to ride "shot gun" covering Todd Wiltshire.

Jens Rasmussen who twice suffered under the points limit at Cowley and then proceeded to change the course of speedway history by signing for Rye House. He never gave up on the track and unfortunately held back by injuries when he promised so much. Per Sorensen who was a master-stroke signing by the "Cheetahs" and who helped turn a good side into a great one when Oxford reigned supreme in 1986. Who could forget his wonderful paid maximum when he returned to Blunsden as a "Cheetah" when Oxford hammered the "Robins"...Per must have been so delighted with that particular performance! A great shame that he didn't return the following season.

Rune Holta was another I've never seen...perhaps one of the better riders in recent times not to have ridden in the UK regularly?

...the price of fuel is what largely dictates my not travelling and to be fair I did limit my trips to other tracks during my last years attending speedway keeping very much to my local track at Cowley where I lived within walking distance.