steve roberts

Know it's not quite answering your query but there is a small company in Italy (Paolo?) who produce very finely detailed already painted riders. I have one of Hans Nielsen...quite superb!

A true promoting icon. Remember him well during his tenure at Hackney and Rye House. He even spent one season as Oxford Team Manager in 1984 when Oxford bought out Hackney's licence. Okay he pulled the occasional fast one but a promoter and character in the true sense.

One of the best posts that I have read on this forum. As Nick Robinson (Political Commentator) in his most excellent book says "public forums are often about people registering opinions and not necessarily facts". I guess that we are all guilty to an extent but a bit of humility wouldn't go amiss occasionally. A lesson for us all.

I haven't been to a speedway for twelve years now due to re-location. I wouldn't consider getting into my car to travel a distance to watch a meeting that didn'tt have at least twenty heats of action. Anything less is not value for money in my opinion. I was spoilt supporting Oxford and White City watching the Eastbourne and Peterborough kids in the second half plying their trade against the team members...or watching an emerging Michael Lee as a fifteen year old competing in demonstration races with Colin Richardson at Cowley...or the local Grass Trackers (including Julian Wigg) taking part in second half races...or the emergence of riders like Kevin Smart who started his career as a junior competing in second halves at Swindon before developing into a useful member of the Oxford team until injuries ultimately took its toll. I could go on! For those who say that many people didn't stay on to watch the second half that's fair enough. That was their prerogative. However some supporters preferred to get their 'fix' and indulge in a more relaxed atmosphere talking to their mates whilst watching the second half.

Agree! Marvyn Cox acknowledges how riding in second halves helped develop him as a rider.

Never looked in on this thread before and judging by the comments won't be bothering again!

Locally based riders who fans were able to identify with.

Johnnie Hoskins.

Obviously missed something there!

Who?

Ah! Wally Loak. I have some of his videos. He always used to use the phrase "Chase, Chase, Chase" Ted Sear was clear and to the point. Have some with our friend Rob Mc commentating (could be biased sometimes) and also John Chaplin. Acquired some Hull tapes recently (less said about the commentary the better). I have loads of tapes and DVDs and they vary considerably with the quality of commentary. I personally prefer my commentary to be constructive and informative. Can't stand over the top commentary which seems to be the norm with televised sports now...which is a major reason that I don't watch them!

Terry Betts used to get a percentage of the gate money when he rode for King's Lynn in a deal struck with Maurice Littlechild (Promoter).

Colin whathismname (I think that he was also a courier on speedway coach tours?)...simply awful! I have many JSD videos and he just rabbits on without stopping for breath. JSD also covered Oxford meetings during the early nineties. I cringe when I have to listen to his mouth babbling away and wishing that he'd just slow down or just simply shut up! Best commentator? Dave Lanning from the ITV days but I did like Chris French who used to commentate on Screensport back in the 1980s.

Agreed!

Remember him well! Didn't he win the lottery or something?

E

Great source of entertainment! 'Cass the Gas' always good value.

Two, Four, Six. Eight who do we appreciate.......

Yes my friend's father was one of them!

...or Kojak at Cowley!

Don't see a problem with riders who are members of the World Speedway Riders Association getting in for free.

We had great second halves at Cowley during the early seventies with the Eastbourne and Peterborough kids taking part due to Oxford's promotional tie up. Hence why Oxford and White City built up a good pool of riders unlike some other teams who relied on hand-outs (Kennett, Ballard, Davis, Geer, Gachet, Clark, Weatherley, Greer etc) enabling them to mix it with the main team during the second half. Oxford didn't lose many fans significantly after the main match...stayed behind to watch the kids! In fact just recently re-read an interview with James Easter (Businessman and one time promoter and Team Manager) who agreed. Joe Screen also acknowledges his success to initially riding in second halves.

Thirteen heat matches with a full blown second half.

I was talking to a Wolves fan only this last week who told me that Dudley Wood hadn't been developed. I thought that it had been built upon (Barrett's Homes?) years ago?

Super list! I miss most of all the collection of people I used to stand with on the third bend at Cowley.