TonyMac

How many of today's riders would manage to convince WH Smith's that they were worthy of a high street book shop signing? John Louis did and sales of A Lifetime in Speedway at the WHS Ipswich branch a few days ago were on a par with figures achieved by Ipswich Town footballers.

Great rider, Mr Personality and the kind of charismatic character speedway is so badly lacking today. Some would argue the sport has never recovered from his abrupt departure in 1982. You can enjoy more than 100 of his races on our DVD - here's a taster: http://www.retro-speedway.com/extras/ytm_gallery/ytm.php?view=Cy_qtTbJDP4&p=1

Within days of launching John Louis: A Lifetime in Speedway, Retro Speedway is again leading the way when it comes to speedway book publishing. Next week they will publish Dave Morton's autobiography titled Tapes, Breaks and Heartaches. FROM a youthful member of Crewe's historic double-winning team, a listing in The Guinness Book of Records as the world’s fastest speedway rider, to Hackney No.1 and England Test star, the fast-starting DAVE MORTON was going places in the mid-70s . . . until serious injuries wrecked his progress to the very top. The fast-starting Mort fought back to enjoy good years in the top flight with Wolverhampton and Sheffield, returned to the second tier with Ellesmere Port, where he won another league championship medal, followed by spells with Newcastle and, very briefly, Long Eaton. In Tapes, Breaks and Heartaches he revisits the controversial night, in 1988, when he refused to risk his neck in dangerous conditions anymore, was fined for his actions, suspended from racing and decided to quit after more than 16 years in the saddle. Dave shines an insightful light on his various team-mates and promoters and explains why he moved from track to track, often against his wishes. He was a member of victorious British Lions and England tours to Australia, New Zealand (where he became national champion) and Sweden. He reveals what went on there, on and off the track, and also reflects on the groundbreaking Middle East adventure which saw speedway introduced to Cairo, Kuwait City and Abu Dhabi. But this is not just the turbulent story of how a Belle Vue-supporting former apprentice fitter earning £25 a week at Shell Chemicals became an international speedway star. It also delves deeply into personal matters. He reflects on a couple of marriage break-ups and the heartbreaking, tragic loss of his first son, Jamie. The foreword to Mort's entertaining story is written by his lifelong friend, former World Champion Peter Collins. You can order your copy of this book for £16 (post-free in the UK) direct from www.retro-speedway.com

Louis book soars SALES of the new John Louis book continue to soar and within a few days of the launch, publishers Retro Speedway were already anticipating a re-print. The Ipswich Witches legend launched A Life in Speedway at Foxhall Community Centre in his home-town last Thursday, when several hundred fans turned out to chat to him and get his 288-page book signed in person. Louis said: "It was great to see how many people turned up and I was amazed to find that some had travelled from as far away as Newcastle and the Midlands. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting to everyone and to hear that my racing days had brought so much enjoyment to them." 'Tiger' John, who retains a promoting interest in Ipswich with his son Chris, has another book signing scheduled for WH Smith's in Ipswich town centre this Thursday (December 10), from 5.00-8.00pm. "The response to JL's book has been incredible and it looks like we'll need to order a re-print," said Retro Speedway's Tony McDonald. "The launch night went extremely well. As well as spending three hours patiently chatting to fans and signing books, like the fine ambassador he is, John was also interviewed by Donovan Blake for ITV, who broadcast it to millions of viewers in the Anglia region. It wasn't just great publicity for the book itself, it was also excellent PR for Ipswich Speedway and the sport in general." If it works, you can view the ITV footage by following the link below: https://www.facebook...86170671477053/ If it doesn't work for some reason, simply visit the dedicated group Facebook page called John Louis: A Life in Speedway. You may like to visit the page anyway, to view many comments posted by group members. You can order the Louis book (£16, post-free) from us at Retro Speedway by phoning 01708 734 502 or visit www.retro-speedway.com

Louis book soars SALES of the new John Louis book continue to soar and within a few days of the launch, publishers Retro Speedway were already anticipating a re-print. The Ipswich Witches legend launched A Life in Speedway at Foxhall Community Centre in his home-town last Thursday, when several hundred fans turned out to chat to him and get his 288-page book signed in person. Louis said: "It was great to see how many people turned up and I was amazed to find that some had travelled from as far away as Newcastle and the Midlands. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting to everyone and to hear that my racing days had brought so much enjoyment to them." 'Tiger' John, who retains a promoting interest in Ipswich with his son Chris, has another book signing scheduled for WH Smith's in Ipswich town centre this Thursday (December 10), from 5.00-8.00pm. "The response to JL's book has been incredible and it looks like we'll need to order a re-print," said Retro Speedway's Tony McDonald. "The launch night went extremely well. As well as spending three hours patiently chatting to fans and signing books, like the fine ambassador he is, John was also interviewed by Donovan Blake for ITV, who broadcast it to millions of viewers in the Anglia region. It wasn't just great publicity for the book itself, it was also excellent PR for Ipswich Speedway and the sport in general." If it works, you can view the ITV footage by following the link below: https://www.facebook.com/groups/886170671477053/ If it doesn't work for some reason, simply visit the dedicated group Facebook page called John Louis: A Life in Speedway. You may like to visit the page anyway, to view many comments posted by group members. You can order the Louis book (£16, post-free) from us at Retro Speedway by phoning 01708 734 502 or visit www.retro-speedway.com

Not long to wait now, Steve. We're just in the final stages of production and the book will go to press early next week. Thanks for your pre-order.

You mean the way he 'manipulated' his (often far inferior) Coventry race partner into a 5-1 position! Don't think Alan Molyneux - for one - would agree with you, Steve. Didn't Ole break his shoulder at Cowley in '73 or 74?

Many thanks for your response and for helping to spread the word about Backtrack and speedway in general. You and Humphrey are both right - I overreacted and know I am often too sensitive to perceived criticism of our products. I apologise for that. It was the somewhat alarmist thread title that made me choke on my Weetabix! In this instance, I am certain your concern about the printing was genuine and you meant no harm by posting what you did . . . but it's amazing how many people read something that most of us would consider innocuous and the next thing you know, it's: "I see Backtrack can't even get their printing right", and people who don't have minds of their own can be so judgemental. They don't think it must be an isolated problem, they assume it's widespread, when it isn't. It's like those who read some rubbish speculation in a tabloid and assume it to be fact. If your comment about the printing had been tagged on the end of a more general comment about the content of the mag, even a criticism of something you had read, I would hardly have batted an eyelid and just asked you to contact us so that we can send you a replacement. And that offer still stands, by the way. If anyone receives a badly printed issue in the future, just please call us and we'll sort it immediately.

What are your most memorable and/or favourite races from British Finals of the 70s, 80s and 90s? The run-off between Ray Wilson and Martin Ashby - won by 'Willie' on the line - to decide the last qualifier from the 1975 meeting at Coventry will take some beating. And then there was the classic between Mark Loram and Chris Louis in, was it, 1997? Which others stand out for you...?

BRAND NEW FROM RETRO SPEEDWAY . . . THE 2015 SPEEDWAY BOOK OF THE YEAR Ipswich & England legend JOHN LOUIS: A Life in Speedway From local part-time scrambles rookie to international speedway superstar, read the compelling story of John 'Tiger' Louis and his meteoric rise that catapulted him to the status of World No.3, British Champion, winner of three World Team Cups, a World Pairs title and every major domestic honour with his beloved Witches as rider and promoter. If you have ever stood on the terraces at Foxhall Heath, The Shay or Saddlebow Road and watched in awe as he used his exceptional skill to win matches and successfully help lesser team-mates, or you have admired JL from afar as one of British speedway's all-time greats, then this book is a must. * 256 pages (inc 32 in full colour), softback * Lavishly illustrated with approx. 200 photos spanning John's illustrious career, including many previously unseen pictures from his personal collection. * Tributes section, with contributions from former team-mates, rivals, supporters and media. ORDER YOUR COPY OF JL'S NEW BOOK HERE FOR £16 - POST-FREE IN THE UK On sale late November 2015 Guaranteed delivery for Xmas Phone: Call Retro Speedway on 01708 734 502. Online: Visit www.retro-speedway.com and pay using the secure PayPal facility. Post: Send cheque/postal order (payable to Retro Speedway) for £16 to: Retro Speedway (Louis Book), 103 Douglas Road, Hornchurch, Essex, RM11 1AW Add £6.00 per book when ordering from outside the UK.

Sad to hear that Violet Littlechild, former co-promoter and owner of King's Lynn Speedway, has passed away in a nursing home, aged 97. After her husband Maurice died in 1972, Vi continued (with Cyril Crane) to keep the Stars shining brightly in Norfolk for many seasons. Full respect to the 'First Lady of King's Lynn' and sincere condolences to her family and friends.

We will be running extensive features, exclusive new pics and an interview with curator Ian Paterson in our next issues of both Backtrack and Classic Speedway, with the content obviously relevant to the eras covered by each respective magazine.

ISSUE 70 OUT NOW! JOHN LOUIS: My Life in Speedway - new book extracts IF you are thinking about buying the new John Louis autobiography, My Life in Speedway, to be published by Retro Speedway in November, then you might want to take a peek at the edited extracts presented here over six pages. JL talks about his transition from scrambling to speedway and his early years with the Ipswich Witches. He reflects on the bitter disappointment of being dropped by England manager Len Silver just moments before a showpiece Wembley occasion. His greatest individual achievement was winning the 1975 British Championship – and here John reveals the preparations and training it took for him to conquer all at Coventry 40 years ago. He talks, too, about his moves to Halifax and his relationship with Kenny Carter, and then his twilight seasons captaining the 'old enemy' at King's Lynn. After he quit as a rider in 1984, JL briefly went into a sales role and also rejoined Ipswich as team manager. He recalls how he struggled to produce a Foxhall track to the standard he'd been used to as the Witches' top rider. DAVE MORTON: Tapes, Breaks and Heartaches - new book extracts Our second bunch of extracts comes from Dave Morton's autobiography, Tapes, Breaks and Heartaches, to be published by Retro Speedway at the end of November. Here Dave remembers his schoolboy visits to his local track Belle Vue, where his big mate Peter Collins caused a commotion in the stadium bar. Mort recalls his early racing days with Crewe, where he wrote himself into the Guinness Book of Records, and the influence of Kings' double-winning skipper Dai Evans. He looks back on a sensational performance for Hackney when, as a virtual unknown outside the top flight, he twice beat Ole Olsen to notch his first senior league maximum. The 1975 New Zealand Champion explains his move from Hackney to Wolverhampton, then his delight at finally finding a track much nearer his Manchester home when he joined Sheffield. But Tapes, Breaks and Heartaches is not just the story of a former Shell fitter who became a speedway star. In these excepts, Dave touches on the break-up of his marriage to the woman who left him for Speedway Star photographer Mike Patrick . . . and then the heartbreak of losing their three-year-old son, Jamie. PLACES & FACES with Martin Rogers Our columnist has been in search of capital gains as his tour takes him to Wembley, West Ham, Wimbledon, Hackney and White City. HAVE BIKES, WILL TRAVEL While speedway bike technology has evolved through the years, the mode of road transport used by its participants has also changed. With reflections from former riders, Rob Peasley looks at how riders of yesteryear took to the road. He also interviews former Danish World Team Cup winner Preben Eriksen about THAT van and the trouble it caused. "The lady living across the road gave me a strange look and her husband wasn’t allowed to look out of the front door anymore," says the ex-Wolves star. ABBEY STADIUM MEMORIES The bikes have roared for the last time at Swindon's Abbey Stadium and the hope is that they will be back in a newly-built home on the same site next season. In the meantime, Tony McDonald does some Robins reminiscing, we've an interview with Swindon's greatest-ever rider Barry Briggs and Andrew Skeels talks to current promoter Terry Russell about future plans. MIDDLESBROUGH: 50 MEMORABLE MOMENTS Middlesbrough were crowned National League champions and NL Fours winners in the Backtrack era but as Rob Peasley recalls, the club that has also taken the name of Teesside and now Redcar has been around, on and off, from 1929 until the present day. OPENING TIMES - Paisley, 1975 Andrew Skeels talks to livewire former Paisley boss Neil Macfarlane and ex-Lions riders Mike Fullerton and Chris Roynon about the Scottish track's promising start in 1975, when Birmingham provided the first night opposition at Love Street, as well as problems that caused racing to cease at the Scottish venue after only two years . We’re No Awa' Tae Bide Awa’ As the start of the 70s dawned, Coatbridge riders went their separate ways following the closure of the Old Meadowbank. But as Doug Nicolson recalls, Scotland hadn't seen the last of their former favourites. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO . . .TONY MATTINGLEY? Martin Neal tracked down the former Exeter and Milton Keynes starlet, the son of former Glasgow star Maury Mattingley, who is now a national service manager in the machine tools industry and a professional photographer, too. ON TWO MINUTES WITH . . . STEVE WICKS We catch up with former Felton training track product and ex-Newcastle and Berwick rider who won the 1987 Stars of Tomorrow meeting at Shielfield Park. To order this single issue or to subscribe, please go to www.retro-speedway.com

Sorry to hear about that - you're the first, and so far only, reader to mention a printing error. An obvious glitch. As others on here have quite rightly and sensibly pointed out, if you had contacted us directly, either by phone or email (both printed in the mag on p2) to alert us to what seems an isolated problem, we would have resolved the matter IMMEDIATELY by posting you a good replacement copy. Contact details: Phone 01708 734 502 Email: subs@retro-speedway.com Why on earth would you want to post this matter on a public forum, highlight the issue by starting a new thread, and possibly cause needless negative publicity, when anyone who knows us will hopefully agree that Susie and I are responsive and always do our best to be helpful to all customers? I know I'm overly sensitive at times but when you work as hard as we do to try and get it right and provide a good service, it's a hit galling to log on and see that thread title staring me in the face. As you can see, I've posted our contact details above, so if you would like a correctly printed issue sent to you, please get in touch direct. Believe it or not, I don't have the time or inclination to spend 24/7 scouring the BSF to find out if any of our readers might have a rare, badly printed issue!

£1,000 for Ole's racejacket! He must have meant a lot to someone! I might have to have a rummage in the loft.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ole-Olsens-Wolverhampton-Wolves-1975-season-final-season-Race-Jacket-signed-/111780707182?hash=item1a06a63b6e

Ah, fingers and everything else crossed for Zenon - a really nice guy as well as breing a great entertainer in his prime.

Very well said, thanks. Lovely tribute. Would you mind pleasing confirming your full name by email to me at editorial@retro-speedway.com? Thanks.

I read so much bullrubbish on this forum from many people who don't have the first clue what they are talking about; and the same from others who are so far up themselves that they really believe they are truly important in speedway when, in reality, they are nonentities; and then others who have half a brain but really just want attention and can't be bothered to type a couple of sentences because it's not self-serving. So many words of drivel are posted almost every minute of every day, by those who need to get themselves a proper life, but try getting people to take a few minutes to momentarily put aside childish vendettas and petty jibes aimed at faceless keyboard warriors; to make a worthwhile contribution and let an English speedway legend know that he did some good in his career . . . nah, they can't be bothered. Rant over. To the precious few who have taken the trouble, thank you.

You can view a 14-minute preview of our Berwick DVD at our Retro Speedway website. Just click on the link below and see the mini screen at the top of our Home Page... www.retro-speedway.com 16 quid for SIX HOURS of entertainment.

There are NINE former individual speedway World Champions featured racing at Berwick on our new DVD, plus a 10th competing against the Bandits on his home track. For a bit of fun, who will be the first to name all nine (or 10) correctly...? It would be great to meet up with the 'Speedway Family' at Berwick this coming Saturday night for the launch of our brand new Memories of Berwick Speedway DVD. The triple disc, six-hour set costs just £16 and containing dramatic footage of countless races from the Bandits' two homes - at Berrington Lough and their current location of Shielfield Park. Anyone who buys a copy of the DVD from Susie and Tony Mac at Berwick on Saturday will receive a free copy of Backtrack magazine, PLUS automatic entry to a free raffle prize draw where you could win a framed copy of the first ever Berwick programme for the opening meeting on May 18, 1968. The winner and two runners-up in the draw will also receive Retro Speedway goodie bags containing DVDs, a book and magazines. So this is another good reason to visit Berwick for the Bandits' home Premier League match against Workington Comets on Saturday (Aug 29) at 7.00pm. Latest weather forecast for the Berwick region on Saturday is good!

Excellent! Thank you.

Thanks - good to see at least someone has taken the trouble. Can you please confirm your full name (either by private message, if you don't wish to divulge it here, or email to editorial@retro-speedway.com)

Having led Peter Collins for most of Heat 7 at Katowice in 1976 and then finished runner-up to him (just one point behind), he couldn't have gone much closer without winning it! Simmo was actually riding even better in 1977, until a shoulder injury wrecked his title chances, and would have been in with a strong shout had he remained injury-free and the GP series formula applied that year. He finished fourth in his two other individual World Finals (1975 and '78), so not a terrible record.

Top four 1st Simmo 2nd Dave Jessup 3rd Tommy Knudsen 4th Benga Jansson

Joe - just to let you know, we've just published Simmo: The Whole Truth as an updated e-book and it's available now to download from the Amazon Kindle Store for just £4.99. http://www.amazon.co.uk/SIMMO-Whole-Truth-Malcolm-Simmons-ebook/dp/B0149H2FSY/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8