steve roberts

Recall in Tommy Jansson's biography that Jan could be somewhat of a hothead? I only saw him ride the once at Cowley.

...I have to say that Soren Karlsson is an intriging one? Turned out for the "Bees" I remember before signing for Swindon? Remember Bob Kilby saying that on a non-riding visit to Birmingham when he shared a car with Soren that Soren was off his head drinking sherry!

...as an all-round accomplished motorcyclist I recall in his book when he mentioned the "wall of death" ride made by Tony Rickardsson that was just pure luck and no way could be looked upon as intentional despite claims to the contrary by Rickardsson.

That rings a bell? I remember my brother saying that when he went to the local fair where we lived there was a shooting gallery and Conny was a dead shot with the rifle! Apparently he had just completed his National Service.

It's a bit like my first year watching Oxford in 1972. From the starting line up only two survive...Rick Timmo and Norman Strachan. Those no longer with us include Garry Middleton, Oyvind S.Berg, Ken McKinlay, Colin Gooddy and Svein Kaasa. Thankfully Gordon Kennett and Malcolm Ballard who appeared later are still with us.

Yes it's often said that we are living longer but I have often questioned that generalisation.

One would have thought so...I've been to meetings whereby the result has been changed after the event because the ref had got it wrong when the wrong rider had been declared.

Sorry to hear that Chunky...no ages at all. Life can be cruel at times.

Another of our heroes gone. RIP

...and so the whole sorry saga continues.

..I may well have it tucked away somewhere unless it went the same way as my programme collection?

The Paisely memories made a fascinating read with Ivan Mauger making an appearance at a social gathering! Keep up the good work!

The last rule book I bought was during the late seventies/early eighties...and it was "gobbledegook" then!

I have to say that Anders was the Swede I most admired (although he rode for the "Berks" down the road!)...1973 he was just awesome. Nobody really has come close within Sweden in my estimation for sheer magnetism during my time following the sport although Tommy Jansson had class but to be honest I saw very little of him (clash of race nights with Oxford) but my abiding memory of him was two classic races with Gordon Kennett at White City's opening meeting in 1976 when Gordon had to pass him on both occasions.

Ridiculous!

Some sort of record I would think?

Conny Samuelsson could have become the next big star when he joined the "Cheetahs" in 1969 however he just couldn't get on with the Cowley circuit but registerd useful points at Swindon, Coventry and I believe Cradley?. Shame that he wasn't perservered with because he could have made it in the UK with the right track but I guess it was his own decision that he never re-appeared but he did go on to excell at Ice Racing finishing on the rostrum twice (?) and had a long shale career riding for his club team in Sweden.

The old British League Division Two was introduced to generate riders and worked well for a number of years under the retitled New and then National League. However the two leagues moved apart when mis-trust and egostical promoters became prominent and then the intoduction of foreigners only added to the slump.

...athough his nemisis Professor Moriarty may have something to say about that!

....that sounds great! Unfortunately Hasse only put in three appearances for the "Rebels" that season...at home to Hull, at Swindon and the meeting that you mention which incidently the "Rebels" won being the first team to beat Reading at Smallmead albeit in a challenge!

I attended one of Olle's Training Schools at King's Lynn back in the early 80's...a real character but I think that he soon realised he was going to get nowhere with me!

Quite an impressive line up however there was Uno Johansson? Not one of the Reading "Berks" better Swedish acquisitions!

Hasse Holmqvist was my all-time favourite Swedish rider. He rode as a "Cheetah" before my time but the excitment generated when it was known he was to become a "Rebel" in 1973...his signing certainly caught the Cowley faithfull's imagination. His first meeting at Oxford that year he registered a maximum against Coventry and although he never continued in that vein his point scoring however was invaluable. My abiding memory was when he rode up to the tapes he always had this habit of kicking his clutch plate with his right heel. He used to ride some terrific tight bends and I remember on one occasion that he "closed down" Cowley specialist Terry Betts by leaning all over him with that very distinctive style. The "Rebels" that year were issued with team leathers (long before team suits became the norm) and Hasse's were too short...don't think he ever did wear them that year relying on his custom blue and white leathers. Last saw him when I made the trip to Crayford in the most awful weather in 1983 when he was touring with his club team...wish I could say that he signed off with a maximum but alas no.

That's fair comment.

...yes I've followed the thread (and been actively involved) but unfortunately during that time I had loaned out my book and have only just got it back and have re-read the relevant chapter. I guess it's "words" against "words". I guess the truth is somewhere in between but I have always been intrigued by the statement of "100s of passess" and where that figure and stipulation came from? In the book PC made a list of ex-Belle Vue riders from memory but it was not the intention to issue or "demand" passes as "others have claimed" as he recognised many would not attend for one reason or another?