Post by PLUSTAR on Jun 5, 2010 17:14:05 GMT 1
« on: December 18, 2009, 08:28:12 PM »
QUESTIONS FROM GRASSCUTTER
Q YOUR FIRST MEETING FOR WORKINGTON V BRADFORD DID YOU NOT WIN
THAT RACE
SL No I was so nervous I could hardly let the clutch out, tho I did win the reserves race in
the second half.
Q BEST CLUB YOU RACED FOR IN YOUR CAREER
SL Tigers without question.
Q TIGERS MOVE TO WORINGTON FIRST NIGHT STADIUM PACKED NEXT FEW WEEKS CROWDS DROPPED WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR HEAD, THIS PLACE WILL CLOSE.
SL It soon became apparent that you just cant turn up on the afternoon of race day ,prepare
the track, water track ,etc. To much work for to few workers ,it was a gallant effort but
doomed from the start.
Q BEST PREPARED TRACK YOU RACED FOR IN YOUR TIGERS DAYS
SL Exeter! joking Eastbourne used to be good back in the day.
Q HOWS THE DUFFALCOAT HAVE YOU STILL GOT IT OR IS IT ON THE TRANSFER LIST
SL Alas the Duffel is no more. secret there was more than one.
Q ALL TIME FAVOURITE TEAM-PARTNER YOU RACED WITH
SL There were so many all with their own qualities.
Q YOUR BIGGEST ACHIVEMENT IN YOUR RACING DAYS
SL Top of averages 1982 Silver helmet holder for full season.
Q YOU RACED IN A FEW BAD TIGERS TEAM’S WHAT YEAR WAS YOUR WORST
SL They were all good lads but yes we took some beatings.
Q YOU TRAVELLED ON AWAY COACHES WITH THE RIDERS -FANS WHAT WAS YOUR BEST TIGERS SONG
SL Number one in the national league la la la......
Q BEST TEAM-MANAGER YOU RACED UNDER
SL DLT.
Q WHICH 7 RIDERS WOULD YOU LOVED TO HAVE RACED WITH
SL
Q WHAT WAS YOU BEST YEARS AT THE TIGERS
SL 1981 &1982 I was at my peak.
Q HOW’S RICHARD DOING RIDING FOR THE COMETS
SL I think he has decent first season in the premier league ,with a five plus
average. Dislocating his shoulder three weeks before the season [we kept that one
quiet] then a further three times during the season can’t of done his confidence much
good. The opportunity of early operation became available so he cut short his season
and had the shoulder repaired, his arm had to be totally immobilised for six weeks, he
has just started training, then after Christmas its back on the bike, we have some work to
do on technique. I am happy with his gating which is pleasantly surprising, in moto x he
often had to charge through from behind. We have work to do but looking forward to
2010.
Q DID YOU GET ANYBAD INJURY DURING YOUR CAREER
SL I was lucky not to sustain any serious injury. [broken arm, collar bone ]that's it.
Q WHAT MADE YOU SIGN FOR THE TIGERS
SL Dave Thompson and Jimmy Beaton came to my house and gave me no choice.
QUESTIONS FROM MERV JANKE FAN CLUB
Q How did your move to Glasgow come about, I believe the enemy were also in
for you at the time?
SL I was looking for a smaller track after Workington and Belle Vue. The Glasgow promotion
wasted no time getting down to Cumbria.
Q I don’t think you had appeared at Blantyre One until you joined the Tigers,
what were your first impressions of the track?
SL My first impressions were If I had a blank canvas this would be my blue print. You could
see more passing in one race at Blantyre one, than you see at some tracks all night . In
the words of Bruce Forsyth it was my favourite,
Q What was the knack to riding Blantyre One?
SL The straights were actually to long for the corners so it gave the impression as you
entered the bends that you were turning back in the opposite direction. I used to turn the
bike early [just past the starting gate on the home straight] which allowed me to keep the
throttle wide open .
Q Can you recall your first heat defeat of the much hyped Bruce Penhall when
Cradley came to town?
SL Like it was yesterday.
Q The wettest meeting I have ever seen in my life took place in 1982 against
Weymouth at Craighead Park, the Silver Helmet as well against Wiggy,
remember it?
SL Yes Weymouth is a long way from Craighead Park and they didn't want to come back! It’s
refreshing when the visiting team don't moan about conditions and get on with the job
they are paid to do. I don't think speedway is any more dangerous in wet conditions
compared to a dry slick track.
Q Do you remember much about you undefeated defence of the Silver Helmet
during 1982, only to forfeit it at the first meeting of 1983 through illness?
SL I have fond memories of the1982 season, but for the life of me I cannot remember why I
missed the 1983 challenge
Q You gave Glasgow 15 years of unswerving loyalty, was there ever a time
when you thought enough was enough and fancied a move away?
SL Not once. Even if the Tigers had gone first division I would have been happy to stay.
Q How did it feel to find yourself dropped during the 1990 season?
SL Betrayed
Q The Tigers eventually won a National "Trophy" in 1990, did you ever think it
was ever going to happen?
SL We had to win something at Shawfield, the stadium the crowd the promotion demanded it.
Q What should have been your final meeting in 1992 was cancelled, how
disappointing was it not getting a proper chance to say farewell to the fans?
SL It didn't sink in at first until mid week when I was working on the bike, I suddenly thought
that's its over I have so many people to thank.
Q You said in your tribute video that if Glasgow won the league next season you
would throw yourself in Maryport dock, did you?
SL How could I spoil the party.
Q In a late 1970s programme you say that you hated being called Stevie, did
that chant ever get on your nerves?
SL Stevie with a Scottish accent is fine.
Q During 15 seasons in the Stripes you saw loads of riders come and go, what
would be your perfect seven from your old Tigers team mates?
SL This the hard one .......in no particular order.....Shane Bowes Jason Lyons ,Merv
Janke. Kenny Mac, Andy Reid. Mick Powell Geoff Powell, No8 Jacko Irving to entertain
on away trips, Colin Caff and Jim Beaton, to drive the bus and be back up riders if we
lose any of the above on the southern tour.
Q Was there ever a time when you seriously considered joing the British League full-time?
SL Yes when I was eighteen riding for Workington doubling up with Belle Vue and riding for
young England.
Q Might be a silly question, but what was your all-time favourite track?
SL Blantyre 1.
Q Did you enjoy riding at Craighead Park?
SL At first it was OK then the shape became square which puts more pressure on making
the gate, at Blantyre 1 it didn't seem to matter so much I always believed I could get to
the front in four laps.
Q When the tape touching rule came in during the mid-80s did you find it hard to adjust and
do you think it was a change for the better?
SL I think it made me a better gater, I often got caught pulling back. Some of the starts back
then were a farce.
Q You had your well deserved Testimonial at the more appropiate Shawfield Stadium, did
you enjoy it at the time or more when it was all over?
SL Looking back I think I did enjoy it.
Q There was a period during the 80s when more often than not the Tigers
got hammered with you usually scoring half the teams points, how did you
keep yourself motivated?
SL I was hired to score points for the Tigers and I loved doing my job.
Q Was there any of your old Glasgow team-mates who thought may have
went onto bigger things and achieved more in their career at a higher
level?
SL Shane Bowes.
Q Did you have a boyhood speedway hero?
SL Bob Valentine.
Q Speedway riders biographies seem to be cropping up on a regular basis
these days, have you ever considered a book on your speedway career?
SL No who would read it.
Q More of a topical question, but did the recent terrible floods in Cumbria
affect you in any way?
SL Not personally but in Workington the town is becoming isolated all the bridges are being
washed away.
Q Are you still in the farming industry?
SL We live on the farm don't farm the land
QUESTIONS FROM MD
Q When you rode during the bad years you must have had much better offers to go
elsewhere. Which clubs were after your signature and was one of them ever the dark
side (Edinburgh)?
SL Edinburgh were interested when I left Workington to join Glasgow, other clubs would ask
if I was happy at Glasgow over the years and the answer was always the same.
Q The 1980’s were pretty decent for British speedway by comparison to now. Did you ever
consider moving up to the British League?
SL 1981 if the promotion had said to me we are thinking of moving up to the British League
my answer would have been YES lets go for it, then again in 1988 at Shawfield I would
have given it a go but by then I was past my best.
Q At Craighead Park Jimmy Beaton used to crouch on the grass at the first bend giving you
instructions. Did you ever have any idea what he was on about?
SL That’s who it was.
QUESTIONS FROM HEATHER
Q WHICH NO 1 RIDER DID YOU LOVE RIDING AGAINST
SL Les Collins, his track craft could make you look silly.
Q DID YOU ENJOY THE LOCAL DERBIES AGAINST THE MONARCHS
SL Yes they were the big ones, don't know what the statistics are now but I think we had the
upper hand back then.
Q WHO HAD THE BEST STYLE RIDER YOU WATCHED
SL Hans Nielsen
Q YOU RACED UNDER A LOT OFF GOOD TEAM-MANAGERS WHO WAS THE BEST
SL Glasgow apart. I would say Eric Boocock.
Q HOW THAT DES WILSON GETTING ON I REMEMBER ONE SUNDAY AFTERNOON
AT WORKINGTON HE CLIMB THE FENCE AND TOLD TIGERS FANS TO STOP
CHATTING UP THE WORKINGTON WOMAN GOOD LOOKING WOMAN AS WELL.
SL Was that you! chatting up Des's Mrs ha. I have grown up with Des, we raced cycle
Speedway together, he was best man at my wedding, my best mate.
QUESTIONS FROM JIM NEIL
Q When was the closest you ever came to moving to another side in your years with the
Tigers?
SL Not once ,not even when Neil Macfarlane dropped me from my team.
Q Was it a sort of natural progression for big Geoff Powell to become a speedway rider
when he was spannering for you? Did he look to you for advice or did you have to
encourage him to try his hand?
SL Geoff wanted to be a speedway rider when he was at school, but his parents were
against it, he would sneak out the house to travel to away meetings with me. Geoff used
to help me wash and prep the bikes. He could not afford to buy a bike so we built
a bike made up of scrap parts that were laying around the farm work shop. I remember
one occasion I was down on the beach coaching Geoff urging him to go faster until down
he want down in a heap, he eventually stood up holding his arm I told him not to be such
a wimp and get back on. I made him do another four laps. The next time I saw Geoff his
arm was in a plaster cast up to his elbow , you made me do four laps with broken
arm!. oops.
Q I had heard stories that you were not exactly a fan of representative individual meetings
and much preferred team racing. Is that true and if so, why?
SL When I was young and full of ambition I rode in every meeting that was on offer but I
found it hard to work full time on the farm and race in every open meeting that came
along so I decided to concentrate on team races.
Q As the song goes "Number 1 in the National League ----- Stevie Lawson". How much
pleasure does that achievement give you?
SL The first pages of the Speedway Star I would read were the results and rider averages
when I came home from school on Friday's. So yes it was a bit special to see my name at
top of the list.
Q Have you ridden abroad and if so, where, and what was the experience like?
SL Yes Switzerland, Germany, France. It was the indoor ice speedway organised by Ian
Thomas and Graham Drury it was good fun but costly.
Q What would you say was your proudest moment in your illustrious career in the stripes?
SL Topping the league averages at the season end.
Q You seemed to always have a tremendous affinity with the support. What do you put this
down to?
SL Mutual respect I guess.
Lastly, Steve, a confession and humble apology.
When I heard that you had signed, I was staying with long time Glasgow supporters Tom and Betty Marshall who had been kind enough to put me and my new wife, Liz, up for a couple of weeks while our flat was being readied. Also staying with Tom and Betty was one Merve Janke. I wasn't very impressed with you as our new signing, describing you to Merve as simply "a gater" and dismissing you out of hand. Merve completely disagreed and, of course, history goes on to show you as The Tigers all time number 1. What a pudding I was shown to be! Sorreeeee! Absolutely delighted to be proven completely and utterly wrong in my "assessment" of you. Thanks for the memories Steve.
QUESTIONS FROM GARY SLOSS
Q HOW DID YOU FEEL WHEN YOU WERE DROPPED IN 1980, AND DID YOU APPRECIATE THE RECEPTION FROM THE FANS WHEN YOU WHERE REINSTATED.
SL When Macfarlane told me I was dropped he seemed to enjoy it .That angered me
because he didn't know how much it meant to me how could he. The fans restored my
faith that night.
Q THE YEAR AFTER YOU RETIRED WE WON THE LEAGUE HOW DID YOU FEEL
SL Pleased for the fans and the club.
Q YOUR BEST MEMORY RIDING FOR THE TIGERS
SL I can’t single one moment.
Q WHY DID YOU DECICE TO STAY IN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE
SL I was happy riding for the Tigers and it suited my life style.
Q WHAT MADE YOU SIGN FOR TIGERS AND HOW DID YOU STAY SO LONG WHEN YOU COULD HAVE PICKED UP BY ANOTHER CLUB
SL As above.
QUESTIONS FROM MAGGIE MAE
Q THAT WORKINGTON TEAM OF THE 70 TAFFY OWEN-LOU SAMSON-MITCH ROLLER GRAHAM -HA-HA DID YOU GET MUCH ADVISE FROM THEY BOYS.
SL Mitch Graham was a big influence on my early career, with the best advice you can give
really "screw it on"
Q I HEARD A STORY AT DERWENT PARK COMETS HAD A RIDER WHO RACED WITH
NE EYE IS THIS TRUE
SL This is true Stevie Watson, it was funny the way he used just half a tear off over his good
eye.
Q TERRY KELLY COMET -EX TIGER HE WAS A SHOWMAN ROUND DERWENT PARK
SL Ned Kelly was a fine rider but his bikes would brake down every week.
Q YOU HAD A GOOD MECHANIC ON YOUR DAYS AT GLASGOW IS IT TRUE A REFEREE STOPPED HIM FROM CLEARING YOUR GOOGLES AT THE STARTING GATE
SL Geoff Powell was my mechanic when I first came to Glasgow. When Geoff started riding
himself, Ian Proctor stepped in and did a fantastic job until the day I retired I am for ever
in his debt, as for the goggle incident I think you are right, have to check with Ian on that one.
Q WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE 13 HEATS AND THE SECOND-HALF BACK
SL I like the format we have now, if we could some how involve the juniors in the meeting to
give them some encouragement .
Q WHAT CHANGES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN THE SPORT
SL Air safety fences at all league tracks . All tracks to be owned by their speedway
club, it would be nice but won’t happen.
Q THE CUMBRIAN TIGERS LAWSON-POWELL-REID WILSON- IRVING - IRVING
WHOS LAST TO THE BAR ON A NIGHT OUT
SL Big Andy.
QUESTIONS FROM LEX
Q DID YOU ENJOY THE TIMES WHEN RIDERS AND SUPPOURTERS
TRAVELLED ON THE BUSES TO AWAY TRIPS.
SL Yes and no. I was embarrassed getting back on the bus after we got our arses handed to
us on a plate at places like Wimbledon.
Q ARE YOU STILL A PIPE SMOKER OR HAVE YOU GIVEN IT UP
SL Nope gave it up years ago, though it would be more appropriate now that I'm getting on a
bit.
Q HOW DOES IT FEEL WATCHING YOUR SON RACE SPEEDWAY.
SL I don't like it.
Q DO YOU PREFER RACING TO WATCHING.
SL Racing is good when you are winning, but the worst thing ever when you not. I do like
watching the top riders in action, I still like to study the different techniques
Q I KNOW YOU WERE AT GLASGOW FOR YEARS BUT HOW MANY TEAMS DID YOU RACE FOR.
SL Just two Workington and Tigers. I doubled up with Belle Vue, Cradley Heath, Birmingham
and Swindon.
Q WITH YOUR SON RACING TO-DAY, DO YOU SEE MUCH CHANGE
TO WHEN YOU WHERE RACING
SL Not as much as I expected, the bikes are better if a little temperamental, speedway
people are one of a kind they don't change.
Q HOW SIMON GETTING ON THESE DAYS STEVE
SL Simon's doing fine he enjoys watching his brother race. He is back on his Moto x bike
that we converted for him [pictures on his face book] so he can still go riding with his
mates. His main focus now is wheel chair racing which he trains every day for, he
competed in the Great North run finishing in the top fifteen,10k race at Middlesbrough
made the podium in third place, had his first win at Jedburgh 10k race. Simon wants to
travel and to compete in all the major races he also has his sights on the 2012 Olympics.
QUESTION FROM MICK
Q YOUR STILL THE REASON I GO TO SPEEDWAY, AFTER MY FIRST MEETING IN
1988 WHEN I WAS 7 YOU WERE A SUPERHERO TO ME THEN AND STILL ARE
NOW. HOW DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL THAT MY HAPPIEST MOMENTS OF MY
CHILDHOOD WERE WATCHING YOU WON EASILY FROM THE GATE AND GETTING
MY PHOTO TAKEN WITH YOU OVER 500 TIMES GOT THE PHOTOS TO PROVE IT
SL That’s a fantastic tribute Mick thank you for your kind words. I am glad that I left a good
Impression and that you still follow speedway today, you will have to show me some of
Those photos next time I’m up there with Rich.
A big thanks to Steve for taking the time to answer a big Q & A session