TonyMac

Can anyone please help us out with scans (minimum 250 dpi please) of any of the following programme front covers, which are needed for the next issue of Backtrack magazine: Final meeting at Coatbridge v Eastbourne (June 17, 1977). First ever meeting at Blantyre 1 - Gkasgow v Crayford (July 1, 1977). Final meeting at Blantyre 1 - Glasgow v Beaton's Buccaneers (Oct 18, 1981) Would be very grateful to receive all or any of those three in our inbox at editorial@retro-speedway.com before next Tuesday. Many thanks!

We ran in-depth interviews with Maurice in recent issues of both Classic Speedway and Backtrack magazines, in which he talks about his gardening as well as his 50-plus years working in speedway. http://www.retro-speedway.com

ISSUE 52 of the retro magazine for speedway lovers of the 70s and 80s is out now. This 48-page issues features: JOHN BERRY TRIBUTES In our first edition of the magazine since the sad death of our lead columnist on August 3, this issue is dominated by tributes to the former Ipswich and England boss, widely regarded as one of the greatest promoters of his era. Among those paying their respects here are JB’s former Ipswich riders, including Ron Bagley, John Louis, Tony Davey, Ted Howgego, Stan Pepper, Olle Nygren and Preben Eriksen, plus other friends and associates from Foxhall: James Easter, Pat Doncaster, Ray Walters, Fred Cotton and Ray Chinnery. Past world champions Ivan Mauger, Barry Briggs, Anders Michanek and Michael Lee also remember Berry, along with former promoters Reg Fearman and Martin Rogers and scribes John Chaplin and Bob Radford. There are pictures from the recent memorial meeting at Ipswich, where we also recorded the personal thoughts of June Wright, John’s middle sister, who recalls the other side to her brother. SIMMO’S COLUMN Our star columnist Malcolm Simmons returns with his own memories of John Berry, his Engand team manager and the man who appointed him captain when the Lions roared as speedway’s No.1 power in the 70s. Simmo also continues his British track review and this time he takes a look back at Poole, a venue very familiar to him from his halcyon days as the Pirates’ superstar No.1. IVAN: A fan’s view American-based supporter John Davidson explains his lifelong admiration for the six times World Champion and why he was the only fan in Manchester gutted by Peter Collins’ world title victory. Quote from John: “Frequently, there was more drama between his leaving the pit gate and arriving at the starting tapes than most riders provided in a month of actual racing.” 1982 WORLD FINAL – Brue’s final act, but don’t forget Les Thirty years on . . . Richard Bott, who was a member of the British press corps in Los Angeles, covering the 1982 World Final for the Sunday Express, BBC Radio Manchester and Speedway Star, looks back on a drama-filled night that had the hallmark of a Hollywood script. BARRY THOMAS Few riders seem to spend more than one or two seasons with the same club these days, which makes the fact that Barry Thomas gave almost 20 years’ loyal service to Hackney an even more incredible achievement. We caught up with the spectacular Thommo, the only rider to be awarded TWO testimonial meetings by the same track and a top bloke who liked to mingle with the fans. Quote from Thommo: “I would like to try it all over again and have a second chance to live and breathe speedway. But whether I’d have lasted 20 years, I don’t know. I was speaking to Paul Woods earlier and he thinks the same way as me. He said he wouldn’t have enjoyed his time in speedway as much if he’d been more professional and I know exactly what he means.” COLLECTING . . . STICKERS In our last issue we looked at all the weird and wonderful designs of programme boards lovingly preserved by our readers – from the basic home-made wooden and Perspex versions to the colourful art paintings of individual riders that helped to illuminate the terraces and stands on the darkest of race nights. Likewise, speedway supporters are known for hoarding collections of stickers, be they for their car or programme board, as our recent appeal to Backtrack readers confirmed! The response was a deluge of designs spanning the 60s, 70s and 80s from all over the country, which we reproduce for your pleasure over the next three pages. You’ll no doubt recognise some while others will stimulate happy memories of past tracks visited. DEREK HARRISON Becoming a speedway rider was a dream come true for this King’s Lynn fan but as we reveal, not even multiple injuries could force Derek Harrison to quit before he was finally ready to. Quote from Derek: “The National League was supposed to be a training ground for the British League but it had become a league in its own right, with its own fan base. A lot of people preferred NL racing, because it was more exciting to watch and races weren’t a foregone conclusion.” THE BIG YIN Recalling what is widely regarded as the biggest speedway meeting ever staged in Scotland, including a controversial scrap involving the local hero and the Englishman who became Public Enemy No.1 north of the border. Plus . . . Q&As with RICK TIMMO, LARRY KOSTA, TONY SWALES and your letters. To order this issue, please follow this link: http://www.retro-speedway.com

Where can we buy a copy, please, and were there any other similar yearbooks produced? Cheers, TMc.

There are 20 pictures from last night's meeting now available to view in the Gallery section of our Retro Speedway website at: http://www.retro-speedway.com/extras/autogallery/autogallery.php?show=Promoters%20%26%20Officials%2FJOHN%20BERRY Thanks to the Louis family, organisers James Easter and Ray Walters and all the ex-riders, officials and track staff who turned out to honour one of the all-time promoting greats.

IVAN The MAUGER Interview ON DVD £16 Officially authorised "I set out as a little kid to become World Champion. I never, ever set out to be popular." Ivan Mauger OBE MBE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ONE of the most revealing and insightful interviews ever given by the six times World Champion whose professionalism changed the sport forever. Recorded in audio format at the White Lion pub in Wimbledon (a stone's throw from where his UK career began in 1957) in 2005, the New Zealand maestro looks back over his illustrious career in a compelling conversation with Retro Speedway's Tony McDonald. Some of the topics discussed include: World Finals won and lost, the agony and ecstasy. His toughest ever meeting and why it was an achievement to savour. In defence of Jerzy and Egon, two much-maligned former world champions. Where the BSPA went wrong with England's world champions. Trailblazing with sponsors and equipment. Attitudes and regrets. Making a difference and the 'clear out' effect he had at Newcastle, Belle Vue, Exeter and Hull. World Team Cup glory with New Zealand and how he enjoyed sweet revenge on the British selectors who dumped him. Managing the explosive Kenny Carter and the inside story on why it all went horribly wrong in his infamous LA showdown with Bruce Penhall. Helping Hans Nielsen to reach the top and the time he ignored Ivan's advice in a costly World Final run-off. Who is Ivan's all-time greatest rider? Which promoters did he respect most? Ivan on what it was like to be unpopular with the fans. Which riders does he rate the most talented of his era? World Final versus Grand Prix and why the GP doesn't stack up. Ivan's revealing and insightful words are complemented by video clips, including some rare colour footage, plus many still images illustrating the career of speedway's greatest ever rider. A unique double-disc set lasting approx. four hours. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOW TO ORDER Only available direct from Retro Speedway for £16 (post-free in the UK). Go online and pay using the secure PayPal method at http://www.retro-speedway.com Phone the Credit/Debit Card Hotline on 01708 734 502. Or post a cheque for £16 (payable to Retro Speedway) to: Retro Speedway (Ivan DVD), 103 Douglas Road, Hornchurch, RM11 1AW. Add £2.50 per copy when ordering from overseas.

Issue 18 of our quarterly mag is out now and includes . . . OVE FUNDIN INTERVIEW With five world titles and 11 rostrum placings from 15 World Final appearances, Ove Fundin is a living legend. But as the Swedish superstar tells Classic Speedway’s Tony McDonald, he had his faults too. Quotes from Ove: “I never rode on the outside, I was always too scared to go out there. I don’t think I ever passed anyone on the outside.” “I wish I could go back to the 1957 World Final and change the outcome of the run-off for the world title in my favour. I thought I was robbed that night because I still believe that Barry knocked me off, although he will give you a different version.” “Some people say that it was easier to win the world title in our day because we only had to do the one meeting. But it’s the other way around – we had to qualify.” SEEING STARS Ove Fundin, Olle Nygren Terry Betts and Trevor Hedge, four former Norwich favourites, are all backing the latest bid to revive speedway in the Norfolk city. Read their views on next year’s proposed launch at the Norfolk Showground. LEGEND: GRAHAM WARREN The first new superstar of the post-war boom and an overnight sensation with Birmingham, John Chaplin was awestruck when he first met Graham Warren and remains a huge admirer of the one and only Blond Bombshell. GUY ALLOTT INTERVIEW The Allotts are steeped in speedway, with five different family members spanning three generations having ridden. The best known to our readers will be Guy Allott who, as Philip Dalling recalls, also enjoys a fine reputation as one of the sport’s leading engine tuners. COLIN McKEE Q&A New Zealand-born Colin recalls the highs and lows of his career, which included spells with Hackney (1963 & 1967), Oxford (1964), Sunderland (1964), Wolverhampton (1964), Edinburgh (1965), Poole (1966) and Halifax (1970). JOHN BERRY Tribute to the greatest promoter of his generation, who died at his home in Perth, Western Australia, on August 3, 2012. With his friend Joe Thurley, Berry moved in at Ipswich in 1969 and transformed a club with a chequered past into one of the finest British League teams of the 70s and 80s. CHRIS BAILEY He won league titles in both of his first two seasons with Belle Vue Colts and did the double at Hyde Road in the second year. He is in the speedway history books, too, but times soon got tougher for Chris Bailey, talking here to Tracy Holmes. PETER CRAVEN POSTER Half a century after winning his second world title, the late, great Peter Craven is still having a positive effect on the sport. Long-time supporter Keith Thompson with his memories of the ‘Wizard of Balance’ and how to obtain a replica poster from the 1962 World Final. FREE GLOSSY 6x4 INCH PRINT OF BARRY BRIGGS Every subscriber received a quality, glossy photo of the mighty Briggo with this issue, so why don’t you sign up to Classic Speedway mag today! To order this issue or to subscribe for one year in the UK for just £14, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com

Issue 51 is out now and includes . . . ZENON PLECH He was the greatest Polish rider of the Backtrack era and in terms of popularity Zenon Plech is still the one many of his countrymen and fans from all over the speedway world remember with most affection. Tony McDonald witnessed Plechy’s heart-stopping antics at Hackney and recently visited Gdansk to get the most in-depth interview ever given by one of his old heroes. Quote from Zenon: “I was living in a communist country and I was lucky enough to be able to go to England and many other countries. Speedway changed my life.” Poland is now a powerful force in world speedway but, as JOHN BERRY explained, this was far from the case in the 70s and 80s when their riders were largely denied entry to the West. JENS RASMUSSEN Danish international Jens Rasmussen made history and caused a stir when he joined National League Rye House. Rob Peasley catches up with a no-nonsense rider who also enjoyed a trophy-winning spell with British League giants Oxford but put team success before personal glory. Quote from Jens: “The BSPA and Speedway Control Board could have been clever. They could have said: ‘Look, Jens is all right, because he lives here, he has an English wife and daughter, but anyone who doesn’t meet those things, can’t ride in the National League’. It would have stopped the National League being bombarded with foreign riders, which is eventually what happened.” COLIN COOK Small but big on bravery and with the heart of a lion, Colin Cook never knew when to give up. Martin Neal spoke to the spectacular former Ipswich, Scunthorpe, Boston, Leicester and Exeter rider to find out what made him tick. Quote from Colin: “I was a bit disappointed not to stay in the British League but I got stuck in. Some riders went for you because you’d been in the top division. But if they can’t take it, they shouldn’t be riding. If someone wanted to shove me, then I’d shove them back.” TERRY RUSSELL He famously brokered the Sky TV deal, introduced air fences, paved the way for the Cardiff GP and has secured the future of more tracks than anyone else in recent history, so no wonder former BSPA president Terry Russell is regarded by many as the most powerful man in speedway. Tony McDonald visited a fellow Cockney who has come a long way since he rescued Crayford and kept Hackney going in the early 80s. Quote from Terry: “The gangster bit probably came from the shooting of George Rolls when he was part of the Hackney promotion in 1991. I’ve heard about the so-called connection to gangsters and ‘the underworld’ before but I think it just goes with having me having an East End accent. I’m from East London and the fact is that’s where the Krays happen to come from, too. And then there’s also the fact that I have a brother called Ronnie. There can’t be anything more to it than that, because I’ve never been to prison and I don’t think I can be termed a gangster! It’s a myth.” CARL STONEHEWER He made history as the first second division rider to compete in the GP series but, as Richard Bott recalls, it was as a 17-yearold rookie at Belle Vue in the late 80s where Carl Stonehewer’s remarkable story began. Quote from Carl: “I got on really well with Joe Screen. I had grown up with him in schoolboy grass-track and when we were in the Belle Vue team we used to travel together to away meetings. At the time he lived about half-a-mile from our house in Denton and we did loads of stuff together. We went to the gym, rode mountain bikes, travelled to meetings . . . but always ended up in a pub.” VIKTOR KUZNETSOV Russia’s recent renaissance is far removed from the struggles of the 80s. Vitek Formanek spoke to the rider who did most to keep the Soviet flag flying high during that barren period. Quote from Viktor: “We had two or three engines for all the riders in the national team. I am sure that had I been born 10 years later and was able to earn money in Poland or England and afford engine tuners, I could have been a better rider at the highest level.” AND ANOTHER THING . . . Cleared in court, but Darcy Ward was clearly guilty of bringing speedway’s family image into disrepute. JOHN BERRY asks why the sport’s authorities have not taken action against the Australia and Poole star in the same way several top riders were charged following the Sunday People ‘sting’ back in 1984. This was John’s last contribution to Backtrack before his sad death on August 3, 2012. SPEEDWAY ART Programme boards have been such an important personal accessory for the fan on the terraces that many diehard supporters would feel naked without them. We take a peek at some of the more colourful and artistic designs that caught our eye. SCOTTISH OPEN LICENCE TRACKS Open licences were very much part of the speedway scene in the 60s and 70s but just like rosettes and car stickers, they have long faded from sight. Doug Nicolson re-visits two Scottish venues, Newtongrange and Motherwell, that didn’t make league status. Plus . . . Q&As with Sam Nikolajsen, Peter Tarrant and Steve Crockett and your letters. To order this issue or subscribe for £20 for one year in the UK, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com

Polish superstar of the 70s Zenon Plech will be our cover man and main interviewee for our next issue. Zenon was the perfect host when we visited him recently in his home city of Gdansk, where he gave us his most in-depth interview to a British publication. Most of us first saw ZP when he appeared in Britain for Poland in the Daily Mirror International tournament and, later, during his time with Hackney (1975, 76, 79-81) and Sheffield (82). Anyone got any special or interesting memories of this spectacular, wholehearted racer who was always good to watch? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you would like to order a personally SIGNED copy of Zenon's book, plse send a cheque for £15 (payable to Zenon Plech) to: Zenon Plech (Book), ul. Bydgoska 6/9, 80-394 Gdansk, Poland. We're not making anything from this - just trying to do Plechy a favour by helping him to shift the few dozen copies he has left in stock. Please note, the hardback book is written in POLISH. Titled In The Shadow of Gold, it was published in Poland last year. However, it contains 32 pages of pictures on glossy paper, many of them in full colour. Bit of a collectors' item for speedway connoisseurs who like to have everything ever published.

Sidney, don't tell me you missed issue 17 of Backtrack, including our in-depth feature on Billy Sanders, including the candid and informed views of John Berry. You can order that issue here... http://www.retro-speedway.com/page.php?13

It's one thing comparing Plech to Gollob, but quite another to, for example, compare Loram to Tommy Farndon and Jack Parker.

We interviewed Zenon in Gdansk last weekend and he wouldn't disagree with that order of selection. Why don't we just be done with it and post our top 20s or 50s, then everyone under the sun will get a mention! Totally futile to compare different riders from vastly different eras spanning almost the whole history of the sport. Tracks, bikes, quality of opposition, qualification procedures, world final/GP . . . so many variants to factor in that it becomes a nonsense. This needs breaking down into different sections: pre-war, then 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, Noughties to have any real meaning.

Sorry Steve, can't help with results or times. Wouldn't trust their accuracy anyway, as most of the starts were done by the drop of a flag after the tapes malfunctioned in the torrential rain. They would never ride in such conditions today.

Yes, we're on our 50th issue now, having launched the bi-monthly magazine in March 2004. In another nostalgia-packed edition, we present . . . GARRY MIDDLETON Talented speedway rider, self-publicist, pilot, born again Christian who was arrested for pushing his beliefs, property dealer and a most complex character who decided to end his own life . . . Garry Middleton is still a talking point whenever his name is mentioned. Tony Webb, who has researched the life and times of ‘Cass the Gas’, spoke to us about his fascinating revelations in a six-page profile of the nomadic former World Team Cup winner whose UK clubs between 1967-77 included King’s Lynn, Belle Vue, Wimbledon, Newcastle, Hackney, Oxford, Coventry, Birmingham and Leicester. Our top columnist JOHN BERRY also runs the rule over Middleton and explains why, despite Garry’s stated wish to join Ipswich from Hackney in 1972, he is adamant the outspoken Aussie would never have fitted in at Foxhall. 50 MAGICAL MOMENTS To commemorate our 50th issue we take a chronological look back at British speedway’s most magical moments of the Backtrack era . . . from Ivan Mauger securing his triple World Championship win in 1970 to the moment, in 1989, when Erik Gundersen knew he was not going to die of the terrible injuries he suffered at Bradford, there are many special memories that will come flooding back as we reflect over the 20-year period. PAUL ACKROYD England’s captain once described him in a national daily newspaper as a ‘plonker’ and a ‘wallie’ and the leading British League track of the day banned him from their stadium. But Paul Ackroyd went on to establish himself as one of the sport’s top referees in a career spanning 28 years and is now the driving force behind the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund. GREGORI CHLYNOVSKI Only a costly last race exclusion denied Gregori Chlynovski a run-off for the world title at Katowice in 1973. We look back with one of the top Russian stars of the pre-GP era, who made it to three individual World Finals and was a World Team Cup regular for the Soviets. We also present a full list (with appearances and scores) of all Russian World Finalists under the traditional World Championship formula – from the great Igor Plechanov in 1961 to Viktor Kuznetsov in 1986. COATBRIDGE 1973 We revisit 1973 and Glasgow’s final season as a top flight outfit, which had to be played out at Cliftonhill following Tigers’ move from Hampden Park. KEVIN TEAGER He first showed a talent for speedway in the late 70s and at the age of 53 Kevin Teager is still as enthusiastic as ever about racing motorcycles. We caught up with the former Ipswich, Scunthorpe, Crayford, Hackney and Wimbledon rider just before he left Suffolk to start afresh in Germany. VIC HARDING The recent death of Lee Richardson reminds us all of the risks riders take and the effect such tragedies can have on their families and loved ones. The family of the late Vic Harding know just what the Richardsons are now going through. We reflect on the once promising career of the former Sunderland, Weymouth, Crayford and Hackney prospect who was killed at Waterden Road in June 1979 . . . and reveal how Vic’s sister recently honoured the memory of her popular brother. SIMMO’S COLUMN Our star columnist Malcolm Simmons runs his critical eye over the controversial Eastville track at Bristol and weighs up the different seats used during his long and distinguished career. AND ANOTHER THING… Battling against the elements is nothing new for those who run British speedway, but the wettest April in 100 years has hit hard and led to renewed debate about how best to try and solve an age-old problem. JOHN BERRY re-examines the possibility of track covers and considers other factors. Plus our regulars . . . WHATEVER HAPPENED TO . . . PAUL BOSLEY ON TWO MINUTES WITH . . . MIKE CAROLINE BRIEF ENCOUNTERS WITH . . . KURT HANSEN To order this issue for £4 or to subscribe for six issue (£20 UK), go to http://www.retro-speedway.com

Naturally, Barry Thomas will feature prominently on our forthcoming Memories of Hackney Speedway DVD. He is, after all, Mister Hackney. But first we thought we'd just share this brief trailer with the world, just so that those who didn't know Thommo or see him race will have a clearer idea of what a totally decent guy he is. Hackney fans who were there on the night he passed both Mauger & Autrey from the back to clinch the title for White City in 1977 will enjoy Barry's memories of it. Also, his explanation of why he had so much time for the supporters will strike a chord with not only Hawks/Kestrels fans, but speedway followers worldwide. There are a few modern day riders (footballers and sportsmen in general) who could learn a few things from listening to this man. Modest, full of humility - a proper bloke. Enjoy... http://www.retro-speedway.com/home.php

And not forgetting Dave Brewer, Ray Griffiths, Phil Vance...

Our new Memories of West Ham Speedway DVD is now available and if you haven't already bought a copy, you are welcome to view a 10-minute trailer on our website via the following link: http://www.retro-spe...sDpoHFZuVLM&p=1 The double-disc DVD runs to a total of four hours and includes filmed or audio interviews with: Norman Hunter Malcolm Simmons Bengt Jansson Olle Nygren Tony Clarke Stan Stevens Colin Pratt Reg Fearman Terry Stone Dingle Brown Len Silver Plus... Historian and author John Chaplin introduces the early West Ham pioneers and post-war heroes, while Hammers' supporter Robert Rogers provides a view from the terraces. Tony Bishop, son of the late Phil Bishop who, as most of you know, was one of the six killed in the Lokeren road disaster. Indeed, the Lokeren segment on disc 2 is a very moving part of the DVD. Colin Pratt, Stan Stevens and Tony Bishop are to be applauded for their candour in recalling those tragic events. There are very brief clips of action from the famous East London tracks and a multitude of photos, many of them previously unseen. Hopefully it will bring back many memories for those who ever went to Custom House and also provide an insight into West Ham Speedway from the opening in 1928 to its closure in 1972. It costs £16 (post-free in UK) and, of course, we'll also send by airmail to anywhere in the world. http://www.retro-speedway.com

Having published Eric's autobiography and a DVD on Nigel's career in recent years, it's probably fair to say that Eric rode with his head and Nigel rode with his heart, but they were both very good riders over a long period. Great servants to their clubs and British speedway in general and, fittingly, two of the first handful of riders to be awarded testimonial meetings in the mid-70s. Eric was the first recipient in 1974, when a crowd of 10,000-plus turned out to honour him at The Shay, and the attendance couldn't have been far off that when Little Boy Blue was given his day at Brandon the following year.

In the next issue of Backtrack we intend to run a mainly visual feature on programme boards, and all the weird and wonderful designs produced in the 70s and 80s. We're not talking boards bought from track shops, but the home-made variety. Many were a work of art and are still in use today. There are a few examples on our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000692754563 If you have one that you would like to photograph and share with us and our readers, please email a high-res image to: editorial@retro-speedway.com before May 1st. And if there is a story behind it, plse let us know. Thank you.

Issue 49 is out now and includes.... SUPER SWEDES In this issue we turn the spotlight on the Swedish riders who made their mark in British speedway during the 70s and 80s, listing all of the Swedes who rode here during that period. This special feature includes in-depth profiles of two of the most watchable racers to emerge from the Scandinavian country . . . SOREN SJOSTEN, Sweden’s mighty atom, self-destructed and died from alcohol poisoning in his homeland in April 1999 at the age of 61. With quotes from his former team-mate Chris Morton and manager Eric Boocock, we recall the highs and the lows of the popular racer. CHRISTER LOFQVIST went from Hammers hero to prince of the Pirates, shooting to the top in spectacular style. But the career and life of the former West Ham and Poole idol ended all too soon when he died of a brain tumour, aged 33, in 1978. Christer’s son, Dennis, who rode for King’s Lynn in the late 80s and early 90s, talks about his father and we’ve also the memories of Olle Nygren, John Davis and Neil Middleditch. HAMPDEN HORRORS No-one knew it at the time, but 1972 would turn out to be Glasgow Tigers’ last season at Hampden Park. Doug Nicolson, a Tigers fan of the time, looks back 40 years and recalls how a truly dismal season in Scotland unfolded. Norman Hunter recalls the night he witnessed the death of Glasgow’s Norwegian Svein Kaasa. MAURICE MORLEY Maurice prepared tracks at Newport and Romford and was also closely associated with Exeter – three of the most feared and controversial circuits in the sport. Here he responds to the critics and tells Backtrack about his remarkable four decades in the sport via a multitude of roles. SCUNTHORPE League racing began in Scunthorpe 40 years ago and though the sport’s Cinderella club has known very tough times, it is now going strong at its third venue in the North Lincs town. As we report, winning isn’t everything. PAUL JOHNSON He was the best known and most flamboyant start marshall the sport has ever seen. John Berry pays tribute to a colourful character who became a close friend in Western Australia. WHATEVER HAPPENED TO . . . STEVE CLARKE Steve Clarke burst onto the scene in the early 70s and became an instant hit with Rockets fans at first Rayleigh, then Rye House and later Boston. He only ever had three injuries during his career – but, unfortunately, one of those was a fractured skull and the other one ended his racing days at the age of just 23. ON TWO MINUTES WITH . . . PHIL WHITE The life and times of the former Scunthorpe, Sheffield, Newcastle and Birmingham rider who is now an airline pilot. BRIEF ENCOUNTERS WITH . . . MARK MARTIN Tracking down the former Canterbury rider who became a drift car racer, taxi driver and stand-up comedian in his native Adelaide, Australia. To order this issue or subscribe, go to http://www.retro-speedway.com

Pretty sure it's not Reg Luckhurst. Those day-glo jackets were worn by the WH riders in 1966, so could it be Ray Wickett?

Search over. Tony has given us an excellent interview about his father, Phil Bishop, including a very candid account of the Lokeren disaster and its impact on his family.

Can anyone please help us to identify the West Ham riders pictured here on our website: http://www.retro-speedway.com/extras/autogallery/autogallery.php?show=West%20Ham%20Unknowns In Pic 6, we know the riders are Jack Young & Eric Chitty, but who is the gent in the wheelchair? Many thanks.

Can anyone please help us to identify the West Ham riders pictured here on our website: http://www.retro-speedway.com/extras/autogallery/autogallery.php?show=West%20Ham%20Unknowns In Pic 6, we know the riders are Jack Young & Eric Chitty, but who is the gent in the wheelchair? Many thanks.

Can anyone please help to put us in touch with Tony Bishop, son of the late Phil Bishop? Understand he lives in the Romford area and regularly attends Lakeside Hammers. We have already put out an appeal on the Lakeside forum. Several people we've interviewed for our Memories of West Ham DVD have said very nice things about Phil, but we would obviously like to reord his son's thoughts and memories of him, too. Please ask Tony to either call us on 01708 734 502 or email me at editorial@retro-speedway.com Cheers, Tony Mac Retro Speedway