steve roberts

Actually I was thinking the same although I'm guessing that it was Cradley but intigued by the terminology?

Although he spent most of his career riding for the enemy down the road Martin achieved consistantly high averages and was one of England's best during that period but very underrated. He gained two Gold Team Medals but who's to say that he could have been a much bigger threat during the 1968 Individual Final when carrying a very healthy career best average at the time? If I recall he missed the practice due to the non-cooperation of his promoter and had only the one bike which he used whilst on duty with "The Falcons"...didn't have the chance to prepare a special one. Afteral fellow Brits Gordon Kennett and Les Collins came within a whisker of becoming champion during their only appearances at that level so it wouldn't have been inconceivable if Martin had achieved the same. A tremendous rider and "Briggo" was often quoted as saying that if Martin could gate he could very well have challenged those on the World stage. Great memories of him riding at Blunsdon and Cowley and I know that Cyril Maidment was very keen on him becoming a "Don" when Martin often deputised for the late Tommy Jansson. That may well have been the impetus for Martin to step up his game but I guess that he felt comfortable at Swindon. A true great!

Hasse was a favourite of mine but he was a bit of an enigma as regards his UK appearances. He appeared for both Wolves and Oxford (both for two seasons each) and was programmed to ride for "The Rebels" during 1975 but only made one official appearance (plus a couple of Challenge matches) before returning home again and was never seen again that season. Oxford operated the R/R facility for him on and off during the season to cover for his absence but incredibly he was allocated to Wolves for the 1976 season and never made an appearance for them during the whole season. They used the R/R ruling and choice guests instead but Wolves were generally operating a "horses for courses" policy that year anyway! Recall the occasion that Hasse drew up outside my house with his caravan in tow and proceeded to make a cup of tea! I last saw him ride at Crayford in 1983 for his Swedish club side but he was past his best by then and only managed a couple of points on a very wet track. He rode in the race that claimed the life of Tommy Jansson and there is an often published photo of Tommy on the outside of him during that tragic race...the last photo ever taken of Tommy. I believe that Hasse is now, or was, the mechanic of Per Oluf Serenius the ice racer?

...I've hung on to mine. A DVD/Video combination and still in good working order. Use it all the time.

I was on holiday in Cornwall many years ago and forgo the opportunity to visit much to my regret!

Just sent you a PM.

Hans was another who used to touch the tapes prior to the ruling but managed to adapt his technique acordingly however I do remember the inconsistances during the first season of its introduction and referees were allowed to use discretion and a race featuring both Hans and Peter Collins at Cowley whereby Hans remained still and Peter nuudged the tapes but the ref allowed the race to start and Peter got a flier beating Hans in the process!

I remember seeing images (1973?) when as an experiment placing boards between riders (akin to horse racing) so they couldn't distract each other. Never took off and I'm not surprised!

I recall that Eric Gundersen in particular having difficulty adjusting primarily.

May have been if the rear spindle went over the line?

Garry Middleton would lead riders into the tapes and get them excluding much to the jeers of the opposition but cheers from the rest!

An interview with Martin Ashby would prove interesting. A true Swindon legend. Shame that Bob Kilby is no longer with us...always one who spoke his mind!

As Peter Adams once said if barbed wire was introduced it would soon stop riders fidgeting about at the start when some riders moaned aout the tape touching rule and dragging clutches.

...or Barry Briggs in the days of Dave Lanning.

My top five differs constantly but Nielsen would always make it in my top five. The ultimate rider and team player. I would put only Ivan above him. 1. Hans Nielsen - The complete package. 2. Jens Rasmussen - would venture where othere feared to tread. 3. Garry Middleton - There'll never be another. 4. Gordon Kennett - The best white line rider during my era and vastly underated. 5. Dag Lovaas - Super smooth stylist and rode the pits bend at Cowley like no other during "The Rebels" days.

Wasn't Barry Meeks once credited as achieving the fastest (mph) when he broke the Crewe Track Record?

Obviously the Dugard and Allott Families apply (Eastbourne and Sheffield respectively) but how about Bob, Michael and Connor Coles at Mildenhall. There's obviously Jason Crump (Grandson), Phil, (Father) and Neil Street (Grandfather) - Swindon

The Blackbird Brothers...some sort of record?

...beat me to it!

Some good answers on here. I enjoy delving the old brain cells in trying to come up with conundrums.

Peter, Les and Neil....would have been something if both Phil and Stephen had also ridden for the "Aces"?

There were the three French Brothers who rode for the IOW?

Roger was one who frequently rode in second halves at Cowley during the promotional tie up between Oxford and Eastbourne (as well as Peterborough) and many of us naturally thought that he would eventually move up full time with the "Rebels" but it was never to be.

I'm sure that there are many examples but having just re-read "The Story of Oxford Speedway" I was reminded that John Grahame rode for "The Cheetahs". Together with brothers Andy and the late Alan that makes it three who rode for the same team. I can think of the Kennett Brothers who rode for Eastbourne (Barney appeared briefly I recall).

Hans was a real ambassador and visited several tracks. If I recall a visit to Berwick was postponed due to rain after he had made the journey only to return at a later date.