spiegal

Phil Crump was and remains one of the most genuine people one could ever wish to meet.I regard himas a friend and I hope that is reciprocated. I took over an ailing and very badly disorganised Australian Team in 1984 my intro coming from my big mate Billy Sanders. I did not know Phil and was slightly apprehensive with dealing with such an experienced and class performer. It must be said that every dealing, each meeting, every social event I have ever had with Phil remains a genuine pleasure. It mattered not the distances we had to travel, the almost hopeless task we were faced with such a decimated team, he was always a total delightful guy to deal with.Never a moan,never a whinge, always that relaxed grin. I am sure that Tony Mac will enjoy the interview and the article will be as interesting,amusing,striaghtforward,honest and deatailed as the recent superb interview with Anders. I was obviouslyd delighted that Jason won the World title, but even more happy that Phil was involved and recieved some of the plaudits. A lovely man,a truly great racer,hard as nails, but one of the very best. SPIEGAL

Norwich football have really no opinion either way about the speedway. the real problem does in fact eminate from the various "meetings" that dear old Cyril had with the various planning bodies. When Cyril thinks something is a great idea he naturally assumes everyone does as well. when they don't the rattle and the pram become immediately seperated. The names who have tried are endless...Wally Mawdsley/Colin barber/ Roonie Russell...plus assorted idiots who had no money,and no real plans, and they did immense harm. HEVENINGHAM was turned down not beacuse of the location but beacuse of the access onto a relatively main road. Frettenham pits have been mentioned...same applies. there are still people looking around...me being one...and we do have some hopes on a site not too far out...we will see. Nice poeple who ran the supporters club. I visited the Norfolk Showground and was told in an ever so polite way to "Go forth and multiply"...it was so nicely done I was almost charmed !! Believe me it is NOT dead

I have spoken with a vastly experienced Speedway Jouno who has read the drafts and told me the book is "superb, a marvellous read and amazingly frank and controversial" The man is a good judge and i for one have already ordered mine. John Berry was one of Britians very top Promoters/Managers with scant regard for reputations and I hear that many household names have had a good "working over" in the book. If you are fan who idolises the stars,then don't bother. If you want honesty,warts and all you will not by all accounts be able to put it down. A great Xmas gift, thos don't think certain household names will be too impressed !!

I always think that dear old SANDOR LEVAI was as hard as they come. Add to that VACLAV VERNER and his brother JAN. Nobody would mess with OLLE NYGREN and PHIL CRUMP was equallyas tough. One of the VERNERS actually completed a meeting with a severe case of the old "Farmer Giles". Once when ROMAN MATOUSEK got very much the worse for wear it took 3 of his team mates to tie him to a lampost to allow him to sober up. The rumours of what he is doing these days are indeed most worrying, but there again entirely probable

<{POST_SNAPBACK}> Apologies I am new to this and pushed the wrong button !! I can tell you that any hope of a Track at the YARMOUTH RACE TRACK is a 100% NONE RUNNER. The Horse Track is next to loads of housing on 2 sides. Add to that a golf course situated in teh centre of the complex. add to that a huge Caravan site on the East side....More chance of teh Ppe being Jewish. The Stock car track runs 3 nights a week with cars..3 nights a week with Dogs. They do NOT want Speedway...How come...I have tried 3 times. Similar to situation in norwich...not a prayer...Again I tried for about 8 years and the best I got was the bums rush outa the door. Sad, but true is that the last person who made noises did immense harm to the cause.... what a shame as it is still a hot bed of interest SPIEGAL