steve roberts

Football attracts/receives grants and/or loans (in response to the Taylor Report?) to the best of my knowledge but I'm happy to be put right?

Yes and has often been said that speedway more often than not takes place in stadiums that are not owned by the relevant promotion whereas as in football the scenario is very different.

I seem to recall that he suffered a heart attack a couple or so years back and was in hospital?

Always enjoy reading articles about an era that I know very little about but keen to be educated on same. Keep it coming!

Great stuff!

Just caught up with this one. Keith was the photographer during the season 1974/75 & 76 and, yes has published three books with many of his photos included. Some of his photos appeared in the track shop at Oxford during that time but I think that Mike soon took over? He drifted away from the sport and moved to Weymouth and then Poole many years ago but has become pro-active again on various facebook sites and was at Cowley last year when Dag Lovaas returned to Oxford on a short visit.

I know that I'm being very simplistic with my view but it may present an opportunity for speedway to get back to some sort of basics?

Fabulous image...I was there. He was withdrawn form the rest of the meeting so only saw him complete one race where I think he finished second?

That strikes a devastating chord...so sad.

Very sad news...always an entertainer and will be sorely missed. Remember watching him for the first time at Cowley in 1973 on a hot Sunday afternoon. RIP

Yes he didn't do himself any favours by turning out for Oxford.

Yes it's a fair distance across the road where Sandy Lane meets the Watlington Road.

I seem to remember reading that the 'new' Wembley stadium was re-positioned as previuosly half the pitch was often in shadow causing problems on occasions?

I've checked my copy of "Homes of British Speedway" and unfortunately can only find a reference to the early seventies.

Unfortunately I have to agree...thankfully I witnessed the last "Golden Era" and have many memories to look back on.

All seems very ambiguous to me.

I remember tha late Peter Seaton once suggesting that the pits should be on the centre green but I'm not sure how practical that would be?

I'm sure you are correct...I recall an article in "Backtrack" some years ago where he had stables with some horses.

I recall that White City moved the pits from within the stand structure unseen to the third and fourth bend which made better sense all round.

A very underated rider in my opinion. I think (withiut checking) that 1979 was his best year and I'm sure he qualified for the Commonwealth Final that year?

Remember seeing Scott ride in his first year in the UK (together with Rick Woods - who I didn't see I think? - and Sumner McNight). You could tell he was something special even then.

I think it's fair to say that Garry peaked at Oxford but unfortunately fell out with the promotion and moved on in a very complicated deal. Was never the same rider again. Dag was another favourite...always an Oxford track specialist even during his Reading days when he was overshadowed by Mich. Personally I think that he was equally good for both Hackney and Oxford (his dream move) but the move to White City seemed to effect him quite badly (he was an advocate of the JAP engine which wasn't suited to Wood Lane) and a bad crash played on his mind. He was a superb exponent of the notorious adverse camber on the pits turn at Cowley using it to his advantage. I remember presenting him with a bottle of bubbly after the last meeting at Cowley in 1975. A great rider!

Thanks Sid. I always smile when driving in the Wetherby area when I see a company of skip lorries painted in day-glo orange livery...reminds me of Garry and the full face helmet he used to wear during that year.

That would have been some feat! Remember Roger competing in second halves at Cowley during 1972 in his bright green leathers...always thought that he would end up at Oxford due to the then promotional tie up but like Bobby McNeil ended up elsewhere.

Thanks Sid for that...I guess I was only going on the time that Garry was a "Rebel' in 1972? Are you able to give stats for that season alone?