steve roberts

...something that Malcolm Simmons commented upon. When he took John "under his wing" during their time at Wimbledon in 1984 it's something that he tried to correct suggesting that John ride his own race rather than continually looking behind him. Always brought great personal pleasure to me when Gordon Kennett (that name again) would often be out gated by aforementioned Davis only for Gordon to continually harass him as John rode wider and wider allowing Gordon to slip thru' winning the race!

Spot on with that analysis. It's fair to say that John used all of his limited ability to the maximum (whereas some with massive ability tended to under achieve allowing outside influences and distractions to effect their performances) and produced some great results on tracks not best suited to his style. He openly admits that he preferred the bigger tracks and hated the likes of Eastbourne. I often thought it odd that after requesting a move from Oxford he ended up at another small track down the road at Reading?

..and the Geoff Curtis Memorial Meeting when he beat both Dag Lovaas and Tommy Jansson in a run-off after they had all scored 14 points.

Funny that but on another thread I was comparing Gordon Kennett with John Davis (having seen them both develop at Oxford during the same period). Both eventually achieved high averages but Gordon eventually dropped a league when his achilles heel caught up with him (not the best of gaters) but John survived a fair few more years in the higher league because his knack of making the gate proved advantageous.

His period at Oxford was also the same time as Gordon Kennett so I was fortunate in witnessing the development of both during their early years in the British League. Gordon was a far better rider in my opinion but what held him back was his inability to gate during his formative years. He becme more consistant as his "Star" rose but he eventually returned to the National League when he began to struggle whereas John's career was somewhat longer in the top flight more down to his gating if anything else.

Agree with you entirely. I saw a lot of him at Oxford (1972, 73 & 74) and his strong point was his gating and he was never known to being the best exponent at passing riders. Very articulate and forthright in his views and was good at attracting sponsors but as a rider he was never up there with the best.

I'd agree Sid....remember "The Silver Machine"? Damn awful name but If I recall Nigel Wagstaff's hands were tied as regards using the name "Cheetahs". Remember one Ipswich programme that carried the name on the front cover as Oxford "Cheatahs"...most original!

Meet you half way Sid...the Oxford "Budgies" then!

The trouble was that Wood Lane was a vast stadium and it was never going to attract enough support like anything that was hoped for...although, by all accounts, the crowd wasn't that bad it just felt lost in the vastness of the place. Probably wouldn't have been so bad in a stadium akin to the usual run of the mill arenas.

Scottish Monarchs never worked or caught the imagination of either Glasgow or Edinburgh fans.

Good grief nooooo!

Agree 100%. I used to watch highlights of American Football when it was first transmitted on Channel 4 back in the eighties and enjoyed it. However having witnessed two live matches at Wembley it left me totally nonplussed...too much off the field "entertainment" and/or distractions and people complain about the length of time it takes to complete a speedway meeting! I agree that speedway when presented right is the most spectacular of sports but as I keep saying there has to be more than just fifteen heats of racing in my opinion.

How great it would be to stand on the third bend as of old however most of those I stood with are no longer with us including my much missed Dad.

I used to enjoy second halves whether it be those taking part within the main match or a junior meeting...whichever.

Steve Purchase was one promoter who frequented the old Oxford Forum and even invited me along to a pre-season discussion with others to pass comments and ideas on the forthcoming season. He would also walk amongst the crowd at Cowley and make himself available to the fans.

I may well buy a season ticket but unfortunately living so far away I won't be able to attend most, if any, meetings but at least I can support them financially.

I'm of the the same view as regards dirt deflectors. One of the arguments for introducing them was that less meetings would be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. Has that really been the case?

I have the Alan Robertson version...a great publication with many anecdotal references as does his follow up publication.

Are we discussing the same publication? My copy contains averages.

...for sure as it's the biggest domestic meeting in the UK now which attracts the crowds and all that it involves irrespective of the quality of the racing allowing fans the chance to enjoy the big occasion atmosphere but my personal preference is that I want to witness a Champion crowned at the end of the meeting and, yes, I well recognise all the arguments "for" and "against" the one-offs and GP Series World Championships. Hence personally feeling somewhat underwhelmed after the event. Wembley events had all the atmosphere also (and, yes, the quality of the racing varied greatly) but where it differed is that it satisfied my personal want and expectations in providing a Champion.

I have to say I attended one Cardiff GP and to say that I was underwhelmed is an understatement.

...I was there also but some of the "Vikings" unprofessionalism cost them dearly at crucial venues (Swindon also comes to mind). Ian Thomas may have been a good administrator but, in my view, 1979 blotted his copybook although one could say that it was out of his, or Ivan's, control. John Berry must have had a quiet smirk as regards the failure of Hull to collect the title considering that he was often at loggerheads with the aforementioned Thomas!

I find it almost impossible to compare riders from different eras where bikes and/or tracks were very different. It would be interesting seeing a young tearaway on a JAP bike where, by all accounts, they required severe control handling because all they wanted to do was drag you to the fence. Hanging off the back of a bike was almost unheard of although the likes of Peter Craven came closest.

...not one of my favourite tracks however Oxford had a good record there!

Travelled to Somerset who were due to race Poole but the meeting was called off due to rain...looked a nice stadium but never got the opportunity to go back again.