Post by speedway_history on Feb 9, 2009 17:20:09 GMT 1
1..First of all, how did you get into speedway?
Went to the East of England show when they used to have Speedway on during the show and got hooked.
2..You started your career with Mildenhall, but then moved to Middlesbrough, which was considered a long way in those days. What was the reasoning behind that decision?
They came up with the best deal!
3..During the winter of 1984-85 it was said that you wanted to leave Middlesbrough, and eventually came to Canterbury. Was it a problem with the club that made you want to leave, or the location?
It was more that the track was not very well prepared and I did not enjoy racing on it.
4..You were born in Peterborough, yet never rode for them. Didn't you consider it, or did the opportunity never arise?
The opportunity never arose and I was happy where I was.
5..You rode at Canterbury for three seasons, and seemed to have a good relationship with the then manager, Dick Searle. Do you still keep in contact with him, or any of your old team mates?
Yes we had a good relationship but the most contact we have now is the usual Christmas card exchange with Dick Searle and Ted Hubbard.
6..What are your fondest memories of your time with the Crusaders?
Having a good laugh with the other riders and the supporters especially people like Mrs Moon!
7..How did you feel about the closure of Canterbury, and how did you hear the news?
Sad to hear of the closure and probably heard of it from Dick Searle.
8..To follow on from that, you only rode in one more season after the closure at Kingsmead, for Long Eaton. Why was that? Did you achieve everything you wanted to?
I had come to the stage where I was not prepared to risk it any more so it was time to stop, and no, of course not, as everyone wants to be world champion, but I realized that it was not to be.
9..You also made a few appearances for various Division One clubs. Which were your favourite and least favourite tracks, and why?
Favorite first division tracks were Coventry and Kings Lynn but I didn’t ride at many so I didn’t have any tracks that I didn’t like. In the second division my favorite tracks were Berwick, Rye House, Ellesmere Port and Stoke.
10..Back in those days, teams went on Northern Tours for a few days at a time, meaning you'd spend a lot of time bonding with team-mates. You must have some funny moments you can recall. Can you share any with us?
The funniest moment was at Bagwell Farm Campsite in Weymouth when Tony Coupland set fire to Martin Dixon’s tent and his own tent by accident whilst cooking breakfast on the fire and it made the local newspaper - we could not stop laughing for ages.
11..Did you ever get fed up with being confused with Mike Spinks?
No it was never a problem.
12..To put Subedei's mind at rest, did you hold the first track record at Berrington Lough when it opened in 1982?
Yes, I had a great race with Bruce Cribb - we were almost side by side for four laps - it was a hard but fair race.
13..Do you still have an interest in speedway now, and if so, in what capacity?
I have not had much to do with Speedway for 5 years since I finished helping Sam Tesar as a mechanic, but we go over to Czech Republic regularly to see him and his family.
14..If you had your time over again, would you still ride speedway, and if so, what would you do differently?
I believe that if you want to do something then you should do it because if you don’t you will always regret it, so yes I would do it again but I think that I would try to be more professional.
15..Finally, change is inevitable, but do you think the sport has got better or worse, and why?
I think that British Speedway needs to get its act together and not allow as many foreign riders in both leagues as it does at the moment because we will never have another British World Champion if it continues like it is. Also there are too many prima donas in the sport.
Went to the East of England show when they used to have Speedway on during the show and got hooked.
2..You started your career with Mildenhall, but then moved to Middlesbrough, which was considered a long way in those days. What was the reasoning behind that decision?
They came up with the best deal!
3..During the winter of 1984-85 it was said that you wanted to leave Middlesbrough, and eventually came to Canterbury. Was it a problem with the club that made you want to leave, or the location?
It was more that the track was not very well prepared and I did not enjoy racing on it.
4..You were born in Peterborough, yet never rode for them. Didn't you consider it, or did the opportunity never arise?
The opportunity never arose and I was happy where I was.
5..You rode at Canterbury for three seasons, and seemed to have a good relationship with the then manager, Dick Searle. Do you still keep in contact with him, or any of your old team mates?
Yes we had a good relationship but the most contact we have now is the usual Christmas card exchange with Dick Searle and Ted Hubbard.
6..What are your fondest memories of your time with the Crusaders?
Having a good laugh with the other riders and the supporters especially people like Mrs Moon!
7..How did you feel about the closure of Canterbury, and how did you hear the news?
Sad to hear of the closure and probably heard of it from Dick Searle.
8..To follow on from that, you only rode in one more season after the closure at Kingsmead, for Long Eaton. Why was that? Did you achieve everything you wanted to?
I had come to the stage where I was not prepared to risk it any more so it was time to stop, and no, of course not, as everyone wants to be world champion, but I realized that it was not to be.
9..You also made a few appearances for various Division One clubs. Which were your favourite and least favourite tracks, and why?
Favorite first division tracks were Coventry and Kings Lynn but I didn’t ride at many so I didn’t have any tracks that I didn’t like. In the second division my favorite tracks were Berwick, Rye House, Ellesmere Port and Stoke.
10..Back in those days, teams went on Northern Tours for a few days at a time, meaning you'd spend a lot of time bonding with team-mates. You must have some funny moments you can recall. Can you share any with us?
The funniest moment was at Bagwell Farm Campsite in Weymouth when Tony Coupland set fire to Martin Dixon’s tent and his own tent by accident whilst cooking breakfast on the fire and it made the local newspaper - we could not stop laughing for ages.
11..Did you ever get fed up with being confused with Mike Spinks?
No it was never a problem.
12..To put Subedei's mind at rest, did you hold the first track record at Berrington Lough when it opened in 1982?
Yes, I had a great race with Bruce Cribb - we were almost side by side for four laps - it was a hard but fair race.
13..Do you still have an interest in speedway now, and if so, in what capacity?
I have not had much to do with Speedway for 5 years since I finished helping Sam Tesar as a mechanic, but we go over to Czech Republic regularly to see him and his family.
14..If you had your time over again, would you still ride speedway, and if so, what would you do differently?
I believe that if you want to do something then you should do it because if you don’t you will always regret it, so yes I would do it again but I think that I would try to be more professional.
15..Finally, change is inevitable, but do you think the sport has got better or worse, and why?
I think that British Speedway needs to get its act together and not allow as many foreign riders in both leagues as it does at the moment because we will never have another British World Champion if it continues like it is. Also there are too many prima donas in the sport.