steve roberts

I know when I first starting going to speedway in the early seventies averages listed in some programmes generally used to be listed as per ride.

Just reading a White City programme dated 28th April 1976 (vs. Reading) stating that 'Hawkwind' would be appearing that very night!

Remember reading in John Berry's 'Confessions' book that Sandor and Olle Nygren often 'put themselves about' to protect the younger and more inexperienced members of the recently 'promoted' Ipswich team of 1972. I recall that during a meeting at Sheffield (1972) certain Sheffield riders were giving some of the 'Witches' a rough time and that Olle stepped in and rode in a rather 'boisterous fashion' thus allowing a rare Ipswich win at Sheffield.

Apparently John bought a supply of what he thought to be pure methanol but during the British Final it was found to contain an additive - propylene oxide. He was cleared but whilst warming up prior to the European Final the FIM over-turned the verdict and he was withdrawn from the meeting at the 11th hour! After the 1971 World Final the Russian rider, Vladimir Gordeev, had his points deducted (he managed to score 11) because, by then, nitro had been banned at FIM meetings and his fuel was found to contain the additive. Riders still continued to use nitro (highly volatile mixture) at domestic level and I recall that Garry Middleton once accused Ivan Mauger of using nitro at the 1972 (?) Will Internationale after it had been eventually banned. Referring back to Vladimir it became somewhat of a speedway mystery that when he was banned (12 months) his brother, Valeri, suddenly appeared on the international scene. Western observers became somewhat suspicious assuming that it was the same person as they never appeared in a meeting together at the same time...hence the suspicion. I think that it wasn't until 1974 when they eventually appeared together that observers realised that they were indeed not the same person!

Remember the days when riders added nitro to the fuel to enhance engine performance before it was banned.

I'm intrigued?

I recall reading an article that the late Rob Woffinden placed some Castrol R into his petrol driven lawn mower so as to enjoy the evocative fumes whilst cutting the grass!

Yes he certainly didn't come across as the most articulate of characters!

Would have enjoyed watching Sandor in his prime...only saw him towards the back end of his career but apparently was a real character!

I understand that but the comparison was made between a live, presumably, one-off concert and speedway. I'm the first to question whether speedway now offers true value for money. My local football team York City (who compete in Division Two) charges between £18 - & £21 for adults. Despite all the problems within speedway (well documented on other threads) it compares favourably with other sports. Depends where your interest lays?

Can't possibly compare speedway with a 'one-off' concert. Totally different scenario!

Thanks for the explanation!

Haven't a clue what you good people are talking about but, then again, could never understand what Steve Shovlar was commenting on in the good old days of the Oxford Speedway Forum!

...or Swedish club side Indianerna 'Indians!'

I'm using, as I type, my White City 'Rebels' coaster to place my early morning cup of coffee!

If I recall a conservation order was placed on the totalizer structure on the first /second bend. I can see this becoming quite a battle in trying to keep the stadium in a reasonable condition with a view of the council passing it on to prospective interested parties (if the compulsory purchase has indeed gone thru'?)

I agree entirely. Musical taste varies considerably and there's always a danger alienating a percentage of people if the music played is much of the same and from a certain era whether it be modern or past. Striking a balance is the important thing (easier said than done!)

Thanks that's them! My uncle is Keith Lawson (ex-Oxford Track Photographer) whose photos also appear on that link.

Unfortunately I no longer have my programmes so don't know the exact date except that it was in 1976!

Where did Ivan end up? I remember the whole family voting for him and I thought that he finished quite high up in the standings? Memories play funny tricks!!

I recall the same applied in 1972 whereby fans were encouraged to vote for Ivan Mauger. I think he came second or third?

I've tried to re-locate them myself only the other day! They are there somewhere...I posted them back in 2011 not long after I took them. If you have no luck I would be more than happy to send them to you privately?

My uncle managed to get some images thru' the iron railings at the tote end! It looked to be in a sad state.

Agree with most of those observations although I always get a bit 'nervous' when discussing the amount of actual 'action' time. Okay one could argue that actual track time only amounts to about 15-16 minutes (bring back second-halves?) but, personally, I always valued the build up to a race and time spent having a discussion between racing (discussing tactical ploys etc) as part of the overall entertainment. For example, although a football match is supposed to take place over 90 minutes how much of that is taken up with time wasting and dead ball situations? Same with American Football. Four quarters of 15 minutes each but, unless a 'time out' is called, how much of that allotted time is down to play? However with Ice Hockey there are three sessions (each of 20 minutes) of play whereby the clock is stopped when the puck is deemed 'dead 'and one could therefore justifiably claim that you get your full 60 minutes of action. I'm sure that there are other examples within sport (cricket?) where the actual time spent in 'play' doesn't often reflect the full picture. In other words where do you draw the line as regards where the 'entertainment' value starts and finishes in spectator sports? Would be interested in other people's views?