TonyMac

It's 'on hold' at the moment. We'd planned to launch it at the Crayford reunion last year but when that was cancelled . . .

I can feel an article about this in the next issue of Backtrack coming on... Whatever we can do to help keep Iwade going.

Sincerely hope Iwade overcome all obstacles and keep going - British speedway can't afford to lose any venues, especially ones such as this, where youngsters can learn to ride on the junior track and then develop their skills on the larger track. It's very important that what Ivor and Barry Thomas created from nothing in the early 70s, and the facilities built up and maintained by Graham Arnold and all the other many volunteers and unsung heroes since then and up to the present day, does not go to waste. Good luck. Tony Mac

For those who enjoy looking back at once great speedway venues who are, sadly, no longer staging the sport, have a peek at our latest two trailers in our 'Memories of' DVD series. WIMBLEDON DONS http://www.retro-speedway.com/extras/ytm_gallery/ytm.php?view=W5C3fdqGCjs&p=1 WEMBLEY LIONS http://www.retro-speedway.com/extras/ytm_gallery/ytm.php?view=u_c8RLb3qKY&p=1 Enjoy!

Issue 24 is out now and includes: PAIN IT BLACK – THE BIG SPLIT Turning the clock back half a century, Doug Nicolson and Tony McDonald conduct an in-depth review of the first major watershed in British speedway history – the acrimonious split between the National league and Provincial League that saw second division tracks run ‘black’ outside the SCB’s jurisdiction in 1964 and ultimately led to the formation of the British League a year later. We focus on the main men behind the long-running saga and what they said, the disputes and legal threats that defined this turbulent era, and reflect on the repercussions of the warring factions. LEGEND: ERIC CHITTY Eric Chitty, Canada’s Captain Fantastic, won three unofficial world championships during the war years and, as John Chaplin recalls, he became a big favourite at West Ham on and off the track. CYRIL ROGER INTERVIEW Not that he would admit it, but Cyril Roger was one of England’s great post-war discoveries who became a big star and won league titles with three different clubs, Exeter, New Cross and his last club, Southampton, before retiring in 1963. Tony McDonald ventured into rural Kent to catch up with the 92-year-old, oldest living World Finalist and his family. LEN READ INTERVIEW At 96, Len Read is one of the sport’s oldest living ex-riders. Here, the late starter in speedway, recalls his long-distance travels that took him from Norwich to Singapore, Plymouth to Liverpool. Q&A WITH DAVE GIFFORD The New Zealand international made his UK debut for Newcastle at the start of the British League era in 1965 and had six seasons with the Diamonds. When speedway closed at Brough Park at the end of 1970, ‘Giffy’ spent a season racing in California, before returning to Britain for spells with Wolverhampton, Coatbridge (he was Tigers’ No.1 at second division level in 1974) and Berwick, where he had four seasons and then decided to quit in 1978 at the age of 34. WHITE ROSE HOTSPOT The sport has known good times and bad at a host of Yorkshire tracks. Here Philip Dalling highlights to two less documented venues in the county, at Wombwell and Lundwood. PETER CRAVEN by BARRY BRIGGS Our last issue commemorating the 50th anniversary of Peter Craven’s death went to press just as Barry Briggs was en route to New Zealand, but the four times World Champion was keen to pay tribute to his former friend and rival. We also report on the recent Craven plaque unveiling at Paradise Wildlife Park. ALF WEEDON Tribute to a man who has probably photographed more speedway riders and races than any other – Alf Weedon, who died on January 19, 2014, aged 93. To order this single issue or to subscribe for a year for £16 in the UK, please visit http://www.retro-speedway.com

And good night from me, too. Thanks, Bruiser, for your enlightened contribution. As James was saying...

Sadly, with neither Billy nor JB able to confirm the finer details of the financials sums involved in this debate, none of us will ever know. Interestingly, in the same Backtrack interview, James Easter does also add that he thought Billy should have moved much sooner than he did to escape the shadow of John Louis at Foxhall and become a No.1 in his own right.

Sorry Dave, I still believe you are missing the point. Of course, what JB was asking of his fellow promoters was not in Billy's best interests. But it WAS in the best interests of the sport as a whole, by effectively putting a maximum ceiling on what riders could demand from their clubs. He was attempting to draw a line in the sand with the co-operation of all the other clubs. And from JB's actions in this instance, it's probably safe to assume that Billy was demanding quite a lot, even for a No.1.

Of course it makes good sense. And if British promoters would stand up to riders who demand the earth (not just points money, but guarantees and extra cash for mechanics and transport), then it would now be in a much healthier state. When run of the mill riders, who don't put 'bums on seats' but just bleed their club dry, are getting £200 per point in the Elite League, it can only end in tears. If riders are not earning what they think they are worth, then they are free to go and seek employment elsewhere, like any other working man or woman. That doesn't mean it would be wrong of promoters to try and impose a wage ceiling across the board. The trouble is, there is always someone prepared to break ranks in their foolish pursuit of glory. Promoters who lack John Berry's business acumen don't have the balls or the nous, or both, to call the riders' bluff in this way, which is one of the main reasons the sport is in such a mess. How can anyone be 'earning' £100-£200 per point when there are less than 1,000 people in the stadium paying to watch them? Bewildering.

Well said, Oldace - you clearly get it.

Think you're missing the point here. The fact that promoters don't stick to a rigid and sensible maximum pay agreement across the board (history tells us they very rarely have) is one of the main reasons why many promoters are losing money and tracks are unsustainable at current attendance levels. What John Berry was effectively saying to his fellow promoters at the time was, 'if you give in to Billy's demands, then it will open the floodgates for other top riders to demand more and more each season', and then we'll all be up s*** creek without a paddle. Which is exactly what has continued to happen year on year, even though attendances have gone the other way. In fact, it's not only the top riders who are demanding far more than they will ever be worth in a commercial sense. With respect, no-one has done more to protect and preserve Billy's reputation since his tragic death than James and JB combined. You, and others who were not that close to the situation, will never know how much they did, and, indeed, continue to do. It appears that too many individuals have taken James' comments out of context and, in many cases, too personally. Of course, he would never deny any supporter the right to voice his or her opinion. But the tone of much venomous and personal criticism of promoters and other officials on here has been OTT.

Very wise. I don't think he was aiming his barb at you, Iris, nor the others deeper thinkers on here who genuinely care and put forward strong, honest and heartfelt opinions in the best interests of the sport and its future well being.

The point is, James DID put his money on the line. Not that there is anything wrong in anyone making a critical opinion of something they care about.

Although we at Retro Speedway obviously focus mainly on the past, the people we interview often convey interesting thoughts and opinions on how the sport has changed over the years, for better or worse. For instance, in the latest (issue 60) of Backtrack magazine, former Australia, England and USA team manager James Easter - the Travel Plus Tours supremo - has some forthright things to say about the current state of speedway with a reference to the 70s and 80s, which may well resonate with modern promoters and supporters. He has also made some typically robust comments about users of this forum. Here's a tiny sample of what Jimbo has to say in Backtrack. If you want to read the full, in-depth interview (including the men James believes would be most suited to the independent figurehead role he advocates to replace the BSPA), then you'll have to buy the issue for yourself from http://www.retro-speedway.com. JAMES EASTER INTERVIEW In part two of his in-depth interview with Tony McDonald, Travel Plus Tours boss James Easter recalls the highs and lows of managing three of the worlds top nations, Australia, England and USA, and his time as co-promoter at Peterborough. The outspoken Jimbo also explains why British speedway needs an independent leader. Quotes from James: Jimbo on managing Australia "It didnt matter that I've never ridden a speedway bike. I used to say to them: I cant ride your bike for you. When you go through the pit gate, you are the person riding the bike. Ill just get you in the right frame of mind and organised before you go out there. Its up to you. If you dont want to do it, dont go in for it. But dont p*** me about." Jimbo on trying to open speedway at Blackpool "The stadium was right in the middle of town and although we could have put in a track, it would have taken two years to do it. There was also a noise issue that might have been a problem, so we decided over fish and chips to go into Peterborough instead. We called our new promoting company Ramsden Sports Promotions Ltd on account of where we were eating at the time." Jimbo on co-promoting at Peterborough "When you add up what I got back by selling my shares, I came out of it OK financially. I was probably one of the last people to make money out of speedway. This is what slices me off with the internet forums and all the people who go on there and tell promoters what they should be doing. Lets see if they are prepared to put their arse on the line, pay their money upfront and see if their mouth is as big as their money. Dont criticise people who are losing money hand over fist." Jimbo on managing England "We had a deal with the riders pay which was agreed between the riders and the BSPA. But when their pay slips came through, the BSPA had reverted to the old rates. They ostensibly blamed me but it wasnt my fault. In my opinion I was lied to in front of other people. It just degenerated from there and Id had enough of it." Jimbo on past promoters "It's not right to keep looking back but in the old days you had proper promoters the Reg Fearmans, Wally Mawdsleys, the wonderfully magical Ian Thomas, Mike Parker, who nobody liked but, by god, he was good, and Charles Ochiltree, who was the best there was, and then there was Lennie Silver, who is still around now. Were talking about real promoters. But today weve got a lot of people running tracks who are fans with a few bob and they idolise riders. Dont idolise them make them work and do things to promote tracks." In the interview, James sets out his radical, thought-provoking proposal for a new two-tiered top flight structure: an Elite League and a British League combined He says: "Some of these Polish riders who come over here have had more clubs than Tiger Woods and they are mercenaries. Its got to stop. Whether its the great British island factor, I dont know but, generally speaking, people will not support riders from other countries. I think thats one of the things Sky have been looking at. "In what other business does the employee come in to work and tell the employer what he or she can or cannot do? Thats b******s. But its happening in speedway. "I remember being with John Berry at one of the winter conferences at a time when he was having a lot of trouble trying to do a deal with Billy Sanders, who wanted a lot more money than Ipswich were offering him. So during one meeting of the general council, JB told them all exactly what was going on with Sanders and asked for everyones agreement not to approach his star rider or offer him more money under any circumstances. If they did, he warned them that he would never deal with them or do them any favours ever again. And they all stuck by that verbal agreement, it worked. No-one else came in for Billy and so he stayed with Ipswich on the same money as before. Promoters have got to stick together in this way." I like James Easter. He calls a spade a shovel, and it's a pity more people involved in the world of sport don't. (Sorry, for some reason most of the apostrophes have been erased by the formatting)

Issue 60 (our 10th anniversary edition) is out now and is packed with lots more nostalgia from the 70s & 80s, including: WORLD TEAM CUPS OF THE 70s Remember when Great Britain/England ruled the international speedway waves, when Peter Collins became a household name and the likes of Ray Wilson, John Louis, Malcolm Simmons, Terry Betts, Dave Jessup, Michael Lee and co. just couldnt stop winning? Rob Peasley looks back at a decade of Rule Britannia and a couple of major shocks from Australia and New Zealand on the biggest stage. SIMMOS COLUMN Having won four World Team Cup FIM gold medals in his glittering career, Super Simmo happily recalls that glorious period and why perhaps he shouldnt have been there for Englands last victory of the 70s. JAMES EASTER INTERVIEW In part two of his in-depth interview with Tony McDonald, Travel Plus Tours boss James Easter recalls the highs and lows of managing three of the worlds top nations, Australia, England and USA, and his time as co-promoter at Peterborough. The outspoken Jimbo also explains why British speedway needs an independent leader. Quotes from James: Jimbo on managing Australia It didnt matter that Ive never ridden a speedway bike. I used to say to them: I cant ride your bike for you. When you go through the pit gate, you are the person riding the bike. Ill just get you in the right frame of mind and organised before you go out there. Its up to you. If you dont want to do it, dont go in for it. But dont p*** me about. Jimbo on trying to open speedway at Blackpool The stadium was right in the middle of town and although we could have put in a track, it would have taken two years to do it. There was also a noise issue that might have been a problem, so we decided over fish and chips to go into Peterborough instead. We called our new promoting company Ramsden Sports Promotions Ltd on account of where we were eating at the time. Jimbo on co-promoting at Peterborough When you add up what I got back by selling my shares, I came out of it OK financially. I was probably one of the last people to make money out of speedway. This is what slices me off with the internet forums and all the people who go on there and tell promoters what they should be doing. Lets see if they are prepared to put their arse on the line, pay their money upfront and see if their mouth is as big as their money. Dont criticise people who are losing money hand over fist. Jimbo on managing England We had a deal with the riders pay which was agreed between the riders and the BSPA. But when their pay slips came through, the BSPA had reverted to the old rates. They ostensibly blamed me but it wasnt my fault. In my opinion I was lied to in front of other people. It just degenerated from there and Id had enough of it. Jimbo on past promoters Its not right to keep looking back but in the old days you had proper promoters the Reg Fearmans, Wally Mawdsleys, the wonderfully magical Ian Thomas, Mike Parker, who nobody liked but, by god, he was good, and Charles Ochiltree, who was the best there was, and then there was Lennie Silver, who is still around now. Were talking about real promoters. But today weve got a lot of people running tracks who are fans with a few bob and they idolise riders. Dont idolise them make them work and do things to promote tracks. BERWICK: 50 MEMORABLES MOMENTS Shining the spotlight on a founder member club of BL2 who are still going strong in the second tier some 47 years later. Since their formation in 1968 the Bandits in Border Country have reached a string of KO Cup Finals, provided two winners of the NLRC and had an expensive dabble in the top flight led by international stars. MARK LEWISOHN INTERVIEW Years before he became a best-selling author and the worlds only professional Beatles historian, Mark Lewisohn was passionate about speedway. He spoke to us about his passion for Wembley Lions, White City and Eastbourne, and his friendship with boyhood hero Bert Harkins. OPENING TIMES Speedway returned to Sunderland in 1971 after a gap of seven years. Here we look back at the reopening meeting against North-East rivals Teesside and events surrounding it with Stars skipper and No.1 Russ Dent, who played a key role as track manager at the East Boldon venue. ALF WEEDON REMEMBERED Alf Weedon, who photographed more riders and races than anyone in his 50 years experience in the sport since 1947, gave Tony McDonald his first job in speedway as boss of Speedway Mail. Here our editor pays tribute to one of the sports great characters, who died in January, 2014, aged 93. We also reflect on the late MIKE LETCH, who overcame tragedy very early in his speedway career to become an inspirational figure in his native Australia. Plus . . . Martin Neals Q&As with STEVE PAYNE and BARRY KING, as well as your letters, a keen collector of Halifax and Castleford memorabilia and news that two roads in Bradford are to be named after former Odsal favourites. To subscribe or order this single issue, go to http://www.retro-speedway.com or phone 01708 734 502. Cheers, Tony Mac

As usual, Retro Speedway will be in attendance at the CoS. We'll have all our ever-expanding range of products for sale, including the new British Speedway Memories book and the launch of our brand new MEMORIES OF WEMBLEY LIONS DVD, featuring the last ever filmed interviews with Lions legends Tommy Price and Freddie Williams. Plus new interviews with another former Wembley No.1 Bert Harkins, as well as avid Wembley fan and Beatles historian and author Mark Lewisohn. Also, Tony Clarke, Dave Jessup and Lionel Van Praag. Usual price of £16 for a double-disc DVD lasting approx. 4 hours. See you there! Or if you can't make it to PWP on Sunday, the Wembley DVD can be purchased from our website from this Wednesday at http://www.retro-speedway.com Cheers, Tony Mac & Susie

Can anyone please help with cine footage from Wembley Lions' last era (1970-71)? We would obviously pay to have the footage converted to DVD format and provide a complimentary copy of our forthcoming Memories of Wembley Lions DVD. If you have any footage, or can put us in touch with someone who does, please email me at editorial@retro-speedway.com. I was amazed to recently discover lots of good quality colour footage taken at Wimbledon in the 60s, much of which is featured on our new Memories of Wimbledon Speedway DVD. There must be something of the Lions in action gathering dust in someone's loft or garage? Many thanks. Tony Mac

A very intriguing post. I'm sorry I can't help you with a definitive answer at this stage (but I'm working on it), but can I please ask why you are even asking this question? Just out of interest.

Issue 58 of the retro mag for fans who loved speedway in the 70s & 80s includes... DENNIS SIGALOS INTERVIEW Triumph over Tragedy One of the greatest Americans of his generation, DENNIS SIGALOS overcame family tragedy and heartache before becoming a big star at Hull and Ipswich. The former World Pairs champion talked candidly to Tony McDonald on his recent brief return to England. If not for a fateful snap decision he took at the age of 14, Siggy would have been killed along with his mother Joyce in the 1974 plane crash that also claimed the lives of Bruce Penhalls parents. I should have been on that plane, he says. Also, Siggy on . . . *Why injury forced him to quit racing at 26. *His British League career with Hull, Ipswich and Wolves. *John Berry and John Cook. *Riding for the USA and his Dad's role in America's World Pairs glory. *Kenny Carter and why he'll never forget his comments on TV. *World Final disappointments. *The family business in California. *Includes never-before-seen photos from the family album. EXETER: 50 Falcons Memorable Moments They were crowned league champions at three levels and no other track provided faster top flight racing than Exeters unique County Ground. Rob Peasley looks back at the cream of Devon speedway, including Ivan Mauger, Scott Autrey, Vaclav Verner, Michael Coles, etc. JOHN LANGFIELD in profile His British League career with West Ham and Poole was brief, eventful and typified all-round motorcyclist John Langfields gutsy approach to racing. Australias top speedway writer Peter White looks back in crazy capers with his old mate Langy. SID SHELDRICK INTERVIEW In his trademark white top and boots, Sid Sheldrick stood out at Bradford. Richard Bott caught up with one of the second divisions most distinctive characters who, as well as discussing his racing career, revealed his brushes with Sir Alex Ferguson and Leo the lion and his friendship with actor Sean Bean. SIMMOS COLUMN Our star columnist pays tribute to the bravery and achievements of Tai Woffinden and takes a look back at Sheffield, explaining why he never got the hang of Owlertons D-shaped track. BRAVE NEW WORLD In our last issue we examined the impact of scrapping second halves in National League. This time Ron Peasley weighs up the damage caused by the British Leagues decision to abandon junior leagues. PICTURE THE SCENE Belle Vue track photographer Eddie Garvey puts us in the picture about his memorabilia collection and his favourite images. LIFE IN A BOX Doug Nicolson reveals more inner-secrets from the officials' box at Glasgow, including the real strength of an extra-strong mint. Plus . . . Martin Neal's Q&As with Keith Evans, Tony Primmer and John Bostin. And lots more pictures to bring those nostalgic memories flooding back. To order this issue for £4 or to subscribe for one year in the UK for £20, please visit http://www.retro-speedway.com

DONT MISS THE 2013 BOOK OF THE YEAR! BRITISH SPEEDWAY MEMORIES Edited by Retro Speedway's Tony McDonald Re-live great times from speedways past with this new 256-page collection of personal contributions from supporters, promoters, team managers, ex-riders, journalists, PROs, announcers and other media representatives. *Your first time at speedway *Favourite teams and tracks *Favourite riders *Most memorable meetings *Classic races *Moments to treasure *What you miss most *Why speedway is special to you Packed with superb pictures, including 32 pages in full colour - from Peter Craven to Tai Woffinden. £18 (post-free in UK) Dont forget to pre-order your book of memories and make someone happy this Christmas! Order by phoning Retro Speedway Hotline number on 01708 734 502 Or go online at http://www.retro-speedway.com Or send cheque/postal order for £18 (payable to Retro Speedway) to: Retro Speedway (Memories book), 103 Douglas Road, Hornchurch, Essex, RM11 1AW. Add £5 per book when ordering from overseas.

Agreed, there are very few plausible options. But James Easter puts forward the name of one genuine candidate for the role in his in-depth interview to appear in the next issue of Backtrack magazine. Oh, and it's not him!

Much as I love to reminisce and get all nostalgic about Speedway Mail, it really has had its day and we should leave it to rest in peace. Given the state of British speedway, there is no way in the world that a good quality weekly publication could survive in today's economic climate alongside Speedway Star. As for inserting copies of old issues or offering PDF versions online, the time, effort and cost involved couldn't be justified business-wise and, for us anyway, would be better spent elsewhere. For those who really do want to re-read old copies of the Mail, eBay is probably the best route. Besides, Alex Alexander (SMI's last editor/owner), tells me that he owns the copyright to Speedway Mail, so a re-launch in any guise would be down to him. And I don't think he's quite that mad!

Argue all you like over the effect of one dubious exclusion, a rerun and a mechanical failure, the inescapable fact is that the WORLD CUP FINAL of speedway – the sport’s ultimate team event – was decided by the Joker rule, from which the Poles benefited by six points over nearest rivals Denmark. Ironically, Denmark did sufficiently well throughout the meeting to be the only one of the four teams who did not get the opportunity to play their joker. How that must grate the Danes. People have already argued tonight that the joker rule is there in the name of ‘entertainment’, to keep a dull meeting ‘alive’, but has dumbing down now gone so far that even professional sport has to stoop to ‘Big Brother’ level to keep the punters satisfied and interested? What does it say about the kind of live or TV audience watching? Aren’t we allowed to be ‘bored’ for just a few races, or half an hour? Christ, the times I drove 400 miles in a day to see Hackney thumped 50-28 away – I don’t remember the world coming to an end the next day because of it. Shame if it has in speedway’s case. Why can’t we just all be adults and accept that there are inevitably winners and losers; the team with the most points is crowned champions and the side with the least points finishes bottom? A joker (offering double points) might be just about accepted in prolonging the interests of a league season, as it has in the Elite League for many years, and, as Sky will tell you, to great effect. After a hard slog through months of the league campaign, there’s no better finale than a last meeting/race decider to thrill a live TV audience and get the turnstiles clicking. Champions should be rewarded accordingly but let’s assume that EL clubs benefit financially from such a contrived finale and give the BSPA the benefit of the doubt on this one. But we’re talking here about the Speedway World Cup – not darts, stock car racing, nor WWE wrestling, where ‘entertainment’ is king and credibility is . . . well, let’s face it, none of them are sports. No, we’re talking about the World Cup Final of professional speedway – the so-called top four nations in the sport going at it hammer ‘n’ tongs. Except, they weren’t the best four countries. The Czechs were there just to make up the numbers and hopefully boost the attendance figure. Oh, that didn’t work either, though, and it’s another rule that needs to be re-written or dumped. So what we had, once again, during the SWC campaign were riders deliberately dropping points to try and manoeuvre an advantage for their teams when it came down to use of the joker – perhaps not so evident in tonight’s final, but in the two previous rounds, where gamesmanship was patently obvious. As it was last year. But don’t blame the riders or the team managers – they are just trying to manipulate the stupid rules presented to them by the FIM/BSI. Can it honestly be right for so-called competitors, in any sport, to DELIBERATELY ‘throw’ points away to others teams? For riders to be desperately looking behind them to see where they ideally need to finish in a race (which only adds to the danger element)? Of course not. As for using the rules to help contrive a closer result than might otherwise have been the case, the 2013 SWC final has plumbed new depths of farce. For a while, those involved and most of us watching on TV will be happy and content that the meeting produced a thrilling finale, in that the result was in doubt until the last race. But when the excitement and drama of Prague has worn off, let’s remember the facts: Without the ridiculous joker rule that offers double points, Denmark – whether they deserved it or not is not the argument here – would have been three points clear going into that last race, the title theirs. How ridiculous is the joker? An earlier poster on here was spot on when he/she compared it to the infamous and farcical It’s A Knockout TV nonsense, which may have entertained millions but not in a remotely serious way. Well, imagine the following scenarios happening in the mainstream sports that the media takes very seriously… TENNIS Theory: Murray goes two sets up and under LTA rules, they give the 3rd set to Djokovic in the interests of prolonging the Wimbledon final. No matter that Murray is dominant and deserving of a 3-0 sets victory. Reality: Murray goes on to stuff Djokovic 3-0 – GSM. CRICKET Theory: England have a 500-plus run second innings lead over Australia at the start of the 4th day at Lord’s, but because the ICC wants to keep the Ashes series ‘alive’, it has decided to DOUBLE every Australian run scored in their second innings, to enhance their chances of a fightback and to extend the game into a 5th day. Last thing the public wants is for the series to die a death and England to go into a 2-0 lead, with three tests remaining and lots of expensive corporate hospitality packages to sell. Reality: England will easily go 2-0 up at Lord’s, quite possibly before the end of day four (Sunday), and win the series comfortably anyway. FOOTBALL Theory: Spain take a 2-0 first half lead against Italy in the final of Euro 2012, but to avoid another ‘boring and predictable’ runaway victory for the world champions, FIFA introduces a rule that if Italy score the next goal, it will count double. (FIFA are mad enough to actually consider doing this, but not yet.) Reality: Spain went on to win 4-0, underlining their class and superiority as deserving Euro champs. GOLF Theory: Tiger Woods takes a 6-shot lead from Lee Westwood in the fourth round of The Open, but the cunning organisers at Muirfield have come up with a crafty way to keep this interesting for the Brits in the crowd and the BBC, who are covering it (badly) live. If Tiger drops a shot, that same shot is added to Lee’s score, and those of all the others in the chasing pack. That will keep it interesting until the 18th green of the last match tomorrow night. Reality: The man who keeps his nerve and cards the best score over the next 18 holes will be declared the 2013 Open champion. No gimmicks were needed to keep alive the fascinating contests or determine the winners of any of the above marquee events or matches, so why does the FIM/BSI persist in trying to conjure a contrived tight finish to its top level team speedway classic? When speedway, especially in Britain, is struggling to retain its credibility for all manner of reasons, this joke of a joker rule is a nonsense the sport should do without. Tony McDonald, Retro Speedway

Or to save your time/petrol/public transport fare you could simply pick up the phone, dial 01708 734 502 and order the copy (or subscription) you require direct from the publisher (who nets the full cover price, as explained previously) - POST-FREE!!!! Ditto with our online service at www.retro-speedway.com

Thanks, Colin. Good to hear that copies are on the shelves and out there . . . and that you've been tempted by a subscription.