PS. Hi Pete, first of all
how are you and what are you up to these days?
P.S.
I’m very well at the moment and working for myself mainly in the finance
industry but I also spend a couple of days running a book and gift club
delivering to around 60 calls a week and all in all keeps me very busy.
PS. You had 2 and a
half seasons as a Stoke Potter which season did you enjoy the most?
P.S. All my time spent with the Potters was enjoyable we had a great
bunch of lads and on the whole got on very well both on and off the
track, but unfortunately you move on and lose contact which is a pity.
The whole time I spent there the track was always in tip top condition
and a pleasure to race on.
PS. What prompted you to request a transfer in
1984?
P.S.
There were a number of reasons for the transfer request all of which are
now best left alone but the move back to Middlesbrough was a bad move
for me.
PS. What year did you retire
from the sport?
P.S. I retired from the sport in the early part of 1988 through a
injury.
PS. Do you keep up to
date with the sport these days?
P.S. The only contact that i have had with the sport up until
recently has been through Sky TV coverage and i rarely miss a meeting. I
have just started to visit Sheffield with my partner and her
grandchildren and we are enjoying every bit and maybe we might make a
visit to Stoke one Saturday night.
PS. What do you think
was your best ever meeting for the Potters?
P.S. There is’nt one meeting that really stands out above the rest but
being there from the start of the season to the end and scoring well
especially when the rest of the team were hit by injuries was satisfying
but the way we all got on made every meeting a good one despite what
fate threw at us.
PS. How did all the injuries
in 1982 affect the team spirit?
P.S. As I said earlier the spirit between us all both riders and
management kept us going and giving 100% in every race we rode in.
PS. You were an ever
present member that year, quite an achievement considering all that
years bad luck do you think?
P.S. It was an achievement but I did get my share of knocks but its all
part of the job and you have to bounce back and carry on to your best
ability.
PS. What affect did Tom Owen joining the
club in 1983 have?
P.S. Tom Owen joining us was a big boost and helped share the burden of
collecting the points when some of us would have an off night.
PS. You rode for Kings
Lynn, Leicester and Middlesbrough among others in your career, what
period of your career was the happiest?
P.S.I suppose the first full season with Kings Lynn in the British
league was one but as a whole I enjoyed the majority of my career in
speedway but I must admit that my Stoke days were very good ones.
PS. How did you rate the
Loomer Rd track?
P.S. The track at Loomer road was mostly very well prepared and a fare
race track and a pleasure to race on, and probably one of the best in
the country.
PS. Any regrets over
your time in speedway?
P.S. The only regret I have is that I never attracted the amount of
sponsorship that other riders did to enable me to have the very best
equipment at all times which could have given me better results and
maybe a longer career.
PS. Have you ever been back
to Loomer Rd since you retired?
P.S. No I have’nt been to Loomer Road since I retired but I am
considering a visit now my interest in watching live speedway has
resurfaced.
PS. Who was your
favourite race partner whilst riding for Stoke?
P.S. I never had a real favourite partner but as a heat leader its your
job to try to help the younger riders and gain the maximum points you
can as a pairing and when your with a more experienced rider it all
falls into place and you dont have to worry about helping him home just
enjoy the racing.
PS. Who do you
consider the best rider ever?
P.S. The best rider in my eyes would be Ivan Mauger multiple world champ
and a league average of over 11 points year after year Mr Consistent and
always the best equipment, spotless and well turned out.
