TonyMac

Agreed. Even with the glossy, full colour cover that was added in May 1987, it couldn't hide the poor quality of newsprint and iffy lay-out inside. Having said that, had we tried to compete with the Star with glossy magazine-style pages inside, we would have gone bust even quicker that we did in 1990. Thanks for the update.

This is the first mention I've heard of Tony Moyse. Presumably, he covered match reports for one of the tracks before being appointed Ed? Can you please confirm the name of the track(s), where he comes from and the time period he spent as editor of the Mail? My last contribution to the Mail was writing the report for the '92 World Final at Wroclaw, won by Havvy.

Bryn, can you (or anyone else) please recall the chronological chain of editors who succeeded me after 1991? I understand that you had a stint? Philip Lanning and Tony Barnard also held the poisoned chalice before Alex Alexander took over in 1993. By the way, Alex is now in touch from Texas and is putting together his account of the latter stages in the history of the Mail for the feature that will appear in the next Backtrack.

Presumably you've not heard of Retro Speedway, because we can obviously help you with publicity for your event? Having interviewed Peter Thorogood and Terry Russell, plus a number of ex-Kestrels riders for Backtrack magazine in the past nine years, we have useful contact details that I'd be happy to pass on. You can email us at editorial@retro-speedway.com Tony Mac

Beats re-writing a weekly press release from a club, which is what quite a few lazy 'scribes' tended to do in days gone by. He must be playing hard to get because he is not responding so far. Yes, Peter was a very reliable and credible source for Aussie news and reports.

Yep, think he moved to the USA. We're trying to contact him for his account of his time with the Mail via Facebook and Twitter but we've yet to make contact.

Even Anders Michanek, when interviewed for Backtrack back in '05, said how he remembered Alf's daughter, Brenda. She kept in touch with Mich long after his brief spell with the Heathens in '77.

Tony Barnard was particularly adept at strong editorials and most of what he wrote in the mid to late 80s would still be very valid if published today, if not more so. He would tie them up in knots over their own rules and regs. But for his age (he had just retired when he joined the Mail part-time), he could have been the ideal independent administrator the sport needed then and now. He was articulate, efficient, very knowledgeable about all aspects of the sport and had a firmness about him that commanded respect. He was also very likeable, so had the whole package really. He was a thorn in the side of the FIM, as well as SCB manager Dick Bracher (though DB did respect him) and also the BSPA chairmen of the day, Maurice Ducker, etc. Not that any of them ever took any notice of what we printed. Tony deserved great credit for his commitment to the Mail. Likewise, the Star also ran hard-hitting editorials in the late 70s and early 80s, predicting many of the problems that have plagued the sport before and since that time, but no-one who mattered in authority listened to them either. Our facilities and publishing methods were quaintly prehistoric. A belated 'well done' but this would have been after my time, Grachan, otherwise your name would have been in lights! The Fax machine. I remember thinking how much it revolutionised our working lives at the time.

Yes, remember your dedicated efforts very well, Bryn . . . as well as your distinctive long-hand copy, neatly set out on double lined A4 paper, which you supplied, that the typesetters had to type. Well, we obviously couldn't run to a PC for anyone in those days. If we weren't slaving away in the office, then it would have been in the 'boardroom' (aka The Grove Tavern . . . just 10 paces away, or 18 coming back after a few!)

Martyn Green, who compiled all the figures each week, was an Arena-Essex fan and very keen for his endeavours to appear in print. I used to joke with him that he should cover the averages right down to the 1.00 men but it would have taken up so much more space than it already did and would have taken over his life! The trouble was, he would include so many riders and figures that we simply didn't have the manpower to re-type his computer print-outs (which he posted to us in the pre-email age) in a proper newspaper font, so the charts always looked unsightly in the Mail. Sad to say, poor presentation on our part didn't do Martyn's efforts full justice.

Yes, Ken C is a great photographer - he actually taught photography at a college near Sheffield, where he lived. He is now enjoying retirement in Crete. Wish we had stayed with the newspaper format. Adding the glossy, full colour covers contributed to the Mai's downfall due to substantially increased production costs that didn't translate to improved sales. It must be acknowledged, though, that the Star was always superior in most respects. Fair point but, then again, if you bought the Mail at a Friday or weekend track, it included reports from the Monday night meetings at Reading, Exeter and Newcastle, which the Star didn't used to carry at that time. That would have been Alf Ferkins, who also sold the Mail at Wolverhampton. Marketing 'experts' would say it's always bad to use the term 'cheapest' but I like the catchline Alf used - it had a certain ring to it. Good to hear from a loyal Mail mainstay, Bryn. To end many years of mystery, 'Big Arthur's' usual bellow was: "Aw yer week's results 'n' pictures . . . SPEEDWAY MAL!'

As the 40th anniversary of the launch of Speedway Mail is looming in early April, just wondered if any of you have any particular memories of this publication (good or bad!) in either its original newspaper or (post-1987) A4 magazine format? A selection of the best, most interesting comments may be included in our feature that will appear in the next issue of Backtrack magazine. Look forward to reading your views. Cheers, Tony McDonald (Speedway Mail, 1978-1991)

Issue 20 of Classic Speedway is out now and includes . . . FREDDIE WILLIAMS RIP When we visited Freddie Williams at his Berkshire home for the in-depth interview that appeared in our last issue (No.19), none of us could have imagined that they would be his last recorded public words. Just eight weeks later the speedway world was shocked by the news that the double World Champion had suffered a fatal stroke and died at the age of 86. We make no apology for the fact that the Welsh wizard dominates this magazine for a second consecutive edition. The tributes that appear – from family, friends, former rivals, team-mates and others who knew him well – say everything about Freddie Williams, the speedway star and the person. TADEUSZ ‘TEO’ TEODOROWICZ We reveal the full, remarkable story of the former Swindon favourite called ‘Teo’ who made a daring escape from East to West for what turned out to be a short-lived freedom before tragedy struck one night at West Ham. BILL POWELL INTERVIEW He was in the same race in which team-mate Peter Craven was killed and was close to others who lost their lives in motorcycle accidents. But there were highlights, too, for former Belle Vue and Wolves rider Bill Powell. NORWICH TRACK SPARE No.1 The bikes Ove Fundin rode during his greatest years with Norwich have become part of speedway folklore. We shed more light on an ongoing mystery. DAVE YOUNGHUSBAND Q&A The former Middlesbrough, Halifax and Cradley Heath rider looks back at the highs and lows of his career. LEGEND: ALEC STATHAM In a tribute to the supreme stylist, John Chaplin wonders what became of the Harringay, Bradford and Wimbledon star who attracted a record transfer fee and was on the brink of speedway greatness. Ian Hoskins recalls two of his Glasgow discoveries, Tommy Miller and Ken McKinlay and what links them. John Hyam on Walthamstow’s three-year post-war period, plus the New Cross revival in 1959. 1970 Bradford Northern full colour team group. If you would like to buy this issue or subscribe for as little as £14 per year in the UK, please go to http://www.retro-speedway.com

In the words of Donnie Brasco, 'Fargetttaboutit!'

So sad to report the death earlier today of Freddie Williams. We received this email message from Bert Harkins: Hello, Tony, Some sad news I'm afraid. Freddie Williams' daughter, Sarah phoned me this morning (Sunday) to say that her dad was seriously ill in Swindon Hospital. (I believe he had a stroke) and then about 11am Sarah sent me a text to say that Fred had passed away. So sad as he always looked so fit and well but it was nice to see the main story in Classic Speedway mag was about Fred and his family. Regards, Bert Freddie was on such fine form when I had the privilege and honour of interviewing at his Berkshire home for Classic Speedway magazine very recently. RIP, Fred, you will be fondly remembered by so many.

Can anyone please help with scans of the programme covers for the three British Finals staged at Coventry, in 1988, '89 & 90? They are needed to go with our British Finals of the 80s feature by Rob Peasley in the next issue of Backtrack, which we are working on this week. If anyone can help, can you please scan them to a minimum 250 dpi and email to editorial@retro-speedway.com sometime during this weekend, so that we have them before Monday morning. Many thanks for your help. Tony Mac

Ivan wasn't much cop in 1957 and nor was I, cos I wasn't even born! These type of threads really need to be subtitled 'the best riders I've seen for Wimbledon' to avoid the inevitable conflicts that arise from seeing different riders from different eras. It's really ridiculous to try and argue for and against riders you have never seen, because there is no definitive best 1-to-7. It's all just opinions.

The best I've seen in Wimbledon colours: 1. Ronnie Moore 2. Dave Jessup 3. Trevor Hedge 4. Malcolm Simmons 5. Tommy Jansson 6. Barry Briggs 7. Edward Jancarz

The best of the Backtrack era... 1. Bob Garrad 2. Karl Fiala 3. Marvyn Cox 4. Andrew Silver 5. Kelvin Mullarkey 6. Jens Rasmussen 7. Paul Woods T/M Colin Pratt

Bryn, I'm amazed that you even need to ask what is on our DVD. No, must admit, we didn't interview the legend that is Terry Heath or indeed your goodself, and of course we were unable to interview Snowy, but we did manage to get hold of some other blokes called Thomas, Plech, Morton, Hubbard, Loram, Silver, Pratt, Russell, etc, etc, etc, whom you might also have heard of. Oh, and Terry Heath phoned us to say how much he enjoyed our version of Hackney past.

Vincent, Yes, I too have the ReRun Productions history DVD. So you're not interested in our four-hour double disc DVD on Hackney, featuring lots of NEW (and, in many cases, more in-depth) interviews and angles on the history of the club, plus previously unseen footage?

If we're picking an all-time Hackney team based on the riders we've seen and what they did DURING their time with Hackney (and not what they did before or afterwards), then this would be mine from the period 1971-1991 inc: HEAT LEADERS 1. Bengt Jansson The talisman and supreme stylist to lead the way in Heat 1. 3. Dave Morton Mort lines up at No.3 because I'd want the dirt to have moved out a little more by the time he appears for his first ride in Heat 3. And how he would be able to use that grip out by the fence to his advantage come Heat 13. Mind you, there might not be a lot of room left out there when partnered with either of my two reserves! 5. Bo Petersen Speed and style, a force to be reckoned with at any time. SECOND STRINGS Not really second strings, but stars in their own right. 2. Dag Lovaas Would form a formidable opening race all-Scandinavian pairing with Banger. And if the track was wet, who better to go out in Heat 1 and show them how it's done. A smart gater, he would be good for 3 points in Heat 1 and virtually guaranteed the win in Heat 8. 4. Garry Middleton A controversial choice, but then we need a showman who will put 'bums on seats' and liven up the less entertaining meetings. Always a crowd-puller who would be capable of double figures. RESERVES A pair of mercurial reserves who could come in to any race for an extra ride and have the capability of beating anyone on their night. Regardless of points contributions, they like, 'Cass', would excite the crowd and guarantee good attendances week in, week out. They would also ensure most fans stayed behind after home meetings to have a beer and a chat with them in the bar (remember when riders used to do that?). 6. Barry Thomas Mr Hackney. Enough said. 7. Zenon Plech A personal favourite who edges out one or two others with better scoring records (notably Finn Thomsen) but deserves his place for his determination and entertainment value alone. Imagine these two in the reserves' race together! ------------------------------- 8. Mark Loram What an exciting talent to bring in to cover for injuries and other absences. I know he was only competing at second division level in 1988, but by then he was already effectively a quality top flight class rider. With apologies to Dusty Haigh and Colin Pratt, who I did not have the pleasure of watching race at The Wick. PROMOTER/TEAM MANAGER Len Silver Leapin' Len in his vintage early 70s prime, when he was the ultimate showman and his nicely banked track was always very well prepared for RACING and, regardless of the result, the Hawks fans went home mainly happy in the knowledge that they had been thoroughly entertained. May I please suggest you add this to your Xmas stocking.... MEMORIES OF HACKNEY SPEEDWAY - £16 for almost 4 hours of pure Hackney heaven on double-disc DVD... www.retro-speedway.com

WINTER 2012-13 Welcome to issue 19 of Classic Speedway and another feast of nostalgia . . . FREDDIE WILLIAMS INTERVIEW He was the first Brit to win the World Championship twice and was also runner-up once in between those Wembley triumphs on his home track in the early 50s. But you would never have guessed it if you didn’t already know him as the greatest Welsh speedway rider ever and one of Britain’s finest. We visit the Berkshire home of Wembley Lions legend and humble hero Freddie Williams, who loaned us some pictures from his personal family archive to augment the editorial. Read about Fred’s schooldays in Port Talbot with Hollywood actor to be Richard Burton; his rapid rise from novice to World Champion; his views on Bill Kitchen and Tommy Price and why he hated riding with his younger brother Eric; the mechanical secrets of his Wembley success and the unrivalled professional set up at the Empire Stadium; the bizarre practice session that won him his second world title; what Sir Arthur Elvin was really like as a boss; his reasons for quitting speedway at 30; the Williams family’s sporting dynasty and much more. Freddie told Classic Speedway’s Tony McDonald: “I realise now that I went about things the wrong way all through my career. I used to sign autographs and go to functions but I regarded it as a bit of a nuisance. I didn’t appreciate it at the time – it felt strange to me that people could even think I was marvellous. I didn’t consider myself a great World Champion. A fortunate one, yes. All I thought about was myself and I do regret that aspect of my career.” WILL BABY BOOMERS SEE SPEEDWAY SURVIVE Philip Dalling reached a personal speedway milestone this year, along with many others first attracted to the sport during the 60s revival. Those baby boomer fans are hoping to still be around for the sport’s centenary in 2028. But will speedway survive to reward their loyalty? We also list all 57 of the defunct tracks that have closed down in the past 50 years. FIRST POLISH TOUR OF BRITAIN Roman Chyla recalls Poland’s first ever tour of British tracks in 1956 and the tempting offer one of their star riders found very difficult to resist. LEGEND: OLIVER HART One of three racing brothers, Oliver Hart was one of the greatest showmen of his time. John Chaplin recalls the career of the former Odsal favourite who put entertainment above all else. BOB ‘COWBOY’ SHARP Tony Webb pays tribute to the double Australian Champion, former Ipswich rider and colourful character who suffered more than 30 fractures in an eventful career. Also remembered in our Chequered Flag column this time: Jack White, Merv Neil and Joe Hughes. SPEEDWAY SUPERHEROES Extract from the lavish new book from John Chaplin and John Somerville. Plus . . . Stickers – how supporters showed their allegiance. How Ove Fundin’s hometown in Sweden has honoured him in bronze. John Hyam on how Bill Kitchen set Jack Winstanley on the right road, plus the night Canadian Jimmy Gibb won six out of 18 races for Wimbledon at New Cross. Ian Hoskins on how Edinburgh’s George Hunter proved his point. To order this issue and any back copies, please visit www.retro-speedway.com

We'll be interviewing Freddie Williams for the next issue of Classic Speedway magazine next week. Just wondered if you have any specific questions you would like to ask the former double World Champion and Wembley Lions legend if you had the chance . . . ? Maybe we could put them to Freddie...

Issue 53 is out now and includes: PETER COLLINS INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVE (Part one) A chance phone call from his wife Angela may well have saved former World Champion Peter Collins’ life. The Belle Vue and England legend suffered a brain haemorrhage when he was alone in his home in Cheshire on Thursday, September 9, 2010. Angela, a hair-dresser, was out, attending to a client, but phoned home because she had forgotten something. Immediately, she realised something was terribly wrong because Peter’s speech was slurred. In the first of a new two-part exclusive, Richard Bott catches up with his old pal PC and discovers just how fortunate the former World Champion is to be alive today . . . BRITISH FINALS OF THE 70s Beyond the mantle of World Champion, the title that holds most prestige to British speedway riders is that of national champion. We look back at the 10 finals of the 70s which brought victories for Ivan Mauger, Ray Wilson, Eric Boocock, John Louis, Malcolm Simmons, Michael Lee and Peter Collins. Relieve the drama and controversy of the most eagerly awaited meeting in the domestic calendar which drew five-figure crowds to Coventry. BEST OF BERRY John Berry sadly died on August 3 but his contribution to Backtrack lives on through a series of extracts from his first two acclaimed books. Here, from Confessions of a Speedway Promoter, JB recalls that momentous day when he introduced top flight speedway to Ipswich more than 40 years ago. TIGERS ON THE MOVE Glasgow are speedway’s most nomadic team, having had no fewer than eight ‘permanent’ homes in their history. Most of the moves were enforced, and the promotion had prior warning, but not always. We look back at the time when Tigers had to flit mid-season after being evicted from their Coatbridge home in the summer of 1977. KLAUS LAUSCH INTERVIEW He may not have been the greatest rider to come out of Germany but, as Klaus Lausch explains, the former Oxford youngster put his knowledge of engines to full use by becoming a leading tuner. We also recall the names of all the other Germans who rode for British teams in the Backtrack era, including Egon Muller, Georg Hack and Hans Wassermann. THE BOSS: MARTIN ROGERS INTERVIEW As a respected journalist, general manager, promoter and BSPA management committee member, Martin Rogers had an unrivalled insight into speedway throughout the Backtrack era. Here the articulate Australia-based former King’s Lynn, Leicester and Peterborough boss recalls the highs and lows and explains why he left it all behind for the Gold Coast sunshine. STUCK FOR CHOICE Following our appeal in the last issue for you to send in more of your stickers, we have been inundated with a multitude of colourful designs that once adorned car windows and programme boards in the 70s and 80s. So enjoy this second visual feast that will bring lots of memories flooding back. Plus . . . Q&As with American international Eddie Ingels, former Long Eaton No.1 Roger Mills and ex-Doncaster, Birmingham and Berwick rider Ian Wilson. To order this issue or subscribe, please go to www.retro-speedway.com