steve roberts

I'm the first to admit that speedway riders deserve to be rewarded but the money just isn't there anymore...as I've commented elsewhere. There needs to be some sort of ceiling otherwise the sport will just die in this country. 'Extreme Wage'? Footballers for starters!

At the end of the day less people are attending speedway meetings therefore less revenue is being collected which ultimately will mean less money to pay the riders...and the cloth, therefore, needs to be cut accordingly to take into account the economic realities. Riders need to accept that speedway, in this country certainly, no longer offers full-time employment (in the past most riders rode despite holding down regular jobs anyway) and the sooner this scenario is accepted the better for the saviour of the sport. If it means the 'Star' riders looking abroad for employment then so be it and then, perhaps, the sport can be managed at a more sustainable level based on the current economic circumstances. Should the sport, therefore, be run on a purely amateur basis? That's another question.

Hi Rob, Granted and he's obviously mellowed a lot since his racing days and I never doubted his undoubted intelligence (I did communicate with him once regarding what I thought was some sort of feud between himself and Gordon Kennett). There is no getting away from the fact that he could be volatile (Bob Radford has been quoted same regarding Steve's influence in the pits for example) and others who knew him commented same (Didn't he once kick Ian Thomas in his privates?) His reputation, however misunderstood, did go before him! However good luck to him and I wish him well...and how we could do with characters like him in the sport now!

I don't pretend to know much about the mechanics of an engine but surely a standardisation of engines would allow the skill of the rider to come thru' rather than a 'quick bike' to dominate...hence better racing?

Received my latest edition on Friday (No.72)

If I recall 'The Mad Wellie' was the only one happy to ride with him?

Remember the 1986 World Final in Katowice when Evitts managed to 'distract' Erik Gundersen when the tapes lifted during their second race together. It basically finished Erik's assault on the title that afternoon and left the door open for Hans much to my delight!

FAO Shale Searcher Located my comment for your information! Regards

Have just read the interview with Steve in the latest 'Backtrack' edition. Proved interesting but I was left wanting to know more about him.

I agree regarding 'Cocker's' early career with Oxford but by 1988/89 his form around Cowley had become stale and a move elsewhere seemed to propel him forward again...but, in my opinion, he was never the same rider we witnessed during that wonderful 1986 season when his riding prowess proved inspirational.

Maybe worth getting in touch with the Speedway Museum as they have an extensive display of race jackets?

What a promoter and/or team manager 'manipulating' the rule book to his/their advantage? What ever next..!

I know that Paul Gachet test rode a bike that ran on petrol back in 1976! Also wasn't there an initiative to use Honda engines some years back but the BSPA (?) showed little enthusiasm for the idea? Eric Boocock was involved in some capacity I seem to recall.

It's only what I've read from different sources ('Backtrack' magazine) Even Kelly Moran found it so much different to handle compared to what he had been used to when he once gave it a trial.

The art of team riding didn't always require riders looking behind them for their partner. Hans Nielsen would dictate a race from the inside allowing his partner to sweep around the first two bends, glancing across, but then filling any gaps on the inside allowing his partner to ride the outside line. It was down to understanding and didn't require checking out what the other was doing. Watching Nielsen and Wigg team riding, for example, was always a joy to behold as each instinctively knew where the other was. The Moran brothers relied on self belief as they had complete trust in each others ability. Trouble is the art of team riding nowadays doesn't involve riders riding side by side (the upright engines prove difficult, apparently, to allow such close proximity) but often riders of the same team following each other on the racing line!

John Davis used to make a habit of looking behind him (as Simmo often commented upon) whilst racing. I recall on at least one occasion when John was leading a race and kept looking over his left shoulder to see where Gordon Kennett was (rather than riding his own race) and drifted wider and wider on each bend eventually allowing Gordon to pass him on the inside! Andrew Silver was another who constantly looked for his opponents whilst racing. I guess that there is a fine line between looking out for one's partner and not taking due care...hence the confusion.

Worth reading the article on Colin Meredith entitled 'Shale Tales' in the 'Backtrack' magazine (issue 44) dated May-June 2011.

There's a photo of Frank on the 'Exeter Memories' Web-Site.

If Brandon Stadium was sold for re-development what would the situation be regarding the ashes of the late Nigel Boocock which were placed there recently?

Crumbs! It was some time ago that I posted it! Can't remember where now bit I'll have a look see!

Dave Morton's book gave a good example of how to prepare a track with dirt (I discussed it in detail on another thread!)

Or even England?

Hi Sidney, I don't know why but I never took a shine to Rickardsson. I admit his individual record is there for all to see but I tend to look more into a rider's ability when it comes to team ethic hence I will never quite see him in the same league of riders as the Maugers, Olsens, Nielsens, Ermolenkos (all World Champions) etc etc. One of my all time favourite riders was Gordon Kennett but he wasn't the greatest of team riders (although he and Steve Weatherley had an understanding on track)

Certainly a shame to lose Coventry. With the demise (?) of Blunsdon and, some years back, Cowley as speedway venues I'm left wondering what is the oldest original stadium to host speedway?

Remember the story when John Davis and Neil Middleditch poured, I believe, petrol on areas of a very wet Weymouth track before lighting it so as to help dry it out before attempting to put in a few practice laps!