steve roberts

Goes to show that when speedway gets it right it's second to none in sporting terms!

Having spent many happy evenings at Blunsden I think that it's an absolute disgrace the way Swindon fans have been toed along...and that's from an Oxford fan the enemy down the road!

Probably a lot of truth in that!

I know that it was mentioned some years ago now that it was proving difficult obtaining good quality shale. When Oxford had problems they mixed granite to help bond the track surface but I, too, wonder why clay is used. Surely it creates a claggy surface?

Unfortunately I never got to Custom House as they closed during my first year going to speedway but I do have "History of West Ham Speedway" DVD which makes for fascinating viewing!

Ashley used to live just down the road from me...a right tearaway apparently! Andersson was a real white line rider...rarely ventured into the dirt.

Terrific rider but could have achieved so much more if had contained his off track addictions which eventually caught up with him...but that was Kelly!

I watched the interview at the time...great bloke!

Remember Bob Coles appearing on Antiques Roadshow many years ago!

Sad news indeed. May he RIP.

He would stand at the start line at Cowley shaking his head at another Hans lightening reaction start!

I do sometimes watch the programme but missed this particular episode. I did appear fleetingly on one occasion when a member of the audience at a local auction.

Sad news indeed. Another icon lost who gave his all to to speedway both as a rider and later Team Manager/Promoter. RIP

...always "shoot the bum" during my times at Cowley!

I know that Alan and brother Andy used to ride as a combination with Andy in the sidecar. I assume that Andy wasn't involved? Initial reports appear bad...let's hope that Alan pulls thru'.

Apparently Alan Grahame has been seriuosly injured in a motorcycle accident?

I started this thread back in 2015 but I've lost track as to why there was a need to re-locate the stadium?

Always in my thoughts although a "Rebel" for too short a time. RIP

Interesting article about Brian in the latest edition of the "Classic Speedway" magazine.

It's often been said but until speedway takes on an idependant body to run the sport (although signs are now it is far too late) it won't survice under its present remit. I don't go along with the view that individual promoters who have a financial stake in their own club would veto such a proposal. Other sports run perfectly well whereby individual clubs/teams have an input but overal responsibilty/decisions are made/approved at a higher level.

Yes there is but as others have mentioned the fence has been removed and presumeably will be re-instated somewhere in its original position thereby conforming with the regs?

I helped secure the safety fence prior to Nigel Wagstaff becoming promoter and based upon the picture the track is much wider than it once was and one can just make out where the line of the safety fence once was.

...over to Clark Osbourne but don't hold your breath!

I watched the interview many years ago and hardly recognised Ken?

Ken was one of my first heroes when I first went to speedway in 1972 at Cowley. Tony joined Oxford in 1973 as a replacement for Garry Middleton (as if you could?) and failed miserably before moving down to Exeter. Now lives at Reeth in the Yorkshire Dales...may well bump into him one day as I visit that area quite often!