steve roberts

I recall a Cup Final between the sides in 1989?

I have a problem downloading images...given up trying if I'm honest!

Also like to add my best wishes.

That's a good question Sid? The track length was 354 yards, if I recall, when Peter achieved his never to be beaten track record of 63secs. It was shortened to 350 yards in 1973 (the reason I have no idea) and when Hans arrived in 1984 it was altered again when the entrances and exits of the bends were pulled in.

Great post Sid! I miss your speedway related subjects...something lacking on the BSF at the moment!

One rider I dearly would have liked to have seen was the late, great Peter Craven. To think that his track record at Cowley stood for nearly ten years and nobody got anywhere near it despite changes to bikes etc. Only a change in the track length warrented a new track record!

According to the 1982 Speedway Yearbook it was Hans Nielsen achieved on the 28th September 1981 in a time of 59.7 seconds.

Great stuff! I sold my collection when I re-located and I've regretted it ever since.

I always thought highly purchasing a programme...not one of these that thinks that they are outdated and/or unneccessary....just wish that I hung on to mine!

As the speedway scribe John Chaplin once said if you don't want your illusions spoilt remain your side of the fence! My uncle saw money change hands in the pits during a World Championship meeting (a story confirmed by John Berry) and I'm sure it's been going on since the introduction of the sport. I never quite understood all the furore surrounding the Sunday People allegations except the riders in question were foolish/naive to get cosy with, as it turned, investigatory journalists.

I've just re-read Reg Fearman's excellent book and that's something he highlighted when he broached the subject of stadium ownership.

Maybe the "speedway researcher" site might be a good place to start?

A very good read...good luck in attempting to secure a copy.

Still remember like it was yesterday. I only saw him ride on too few occasions but was a supreme stylist and a very accomplished rider. Who knows how far he would have gone in the sport? Personally I felt that he was destined for the top but sadly we were never to know. I've often read that Wimbledon never really recovered from his loss and certainly Sweden took a long time re-establishing itself as a major force after his untimely death. I have his book and it is a very poignant read.

If I recall Peter's time was achieved during the Golden Helmet (Sash?) match race at Cowley where his opponent was Ove Fundin. Peter won 2-1 and all three races were around the 63 seconds mark.

...I'll second that!

Personally I think that online sales and booking in advance will slowly kill off many attractions if not addressed when things get back to some sort of normality. I know it's off topic but I won't be renewing my English Heritage membership until I'm able to visit when it suits me and on a whim and not to have to book a time slot and/or date in advance.

When I spoke to a represenative of the GRA via email some years ago explaining how shocked I was regarding the state of the stadium and that their intention was just to let it deteriorate I was assured by her that this wasn't the case which of course was a nonsense as time has proved. They had no intention of keeping the stadium as a going concern and were only looking at what it would be worth to a developer.

The last time I popped to Cowley Stadium to have a look it was in a desperate state...would need a considerable amount of money thrown at it.

Didn't John's father, Harry, once own Weymouth who was later 'mugged' into signing over his assets?

...and all the while Cowley Stadium is laying dormant. A travesty for a once such great facilty.

I remember when I popped into the Shay c2009 I couldn't imagine how the track once fitted around the pitch. All evidence of a once speedway track had disappeared.

Thanks for this! Visited Michael Rennie's final resting place in Harrogate some years ago.

Having just re-read Bert Harkins' book I was reminded that one time actor Billy Gray who appeared in one of my all-time favourite movies "Day the Earth Stood Still" later in life became a collector of speedway bikes and also rode in the States.

Sad news indeed. RIP