TonyMac

Following on from our Top 20 Brits of the 70s in issue 39, we'll be doing the same exercise and compiling a Top 20 Brits of the 80s in our next issue (No.41). I'd be interested to know how others see it. Who would be you top 3, or maybe you fancy having a stab at the full 20? It's a tricky one because some of the leading contenders, notably Kenny Carter and Mike Lee, only did the business for part of the decade, but their achievements at top level in that period (in World Championship events and for England) would, in the eyes of many, merit a higher overall ranking than others (the Grahame bros, for instance) who were very consistent THROUGHOUT the 10-season period, 1980-89. Let the debate begin...

BOOEY: The Nigel Boocock Story In double DVD disc format £16 for 2 hours-plus of entertainment and a lifetime of memories! NIGEL BOOCOCK is one of the true legends of British speedway, an honest and wholehearted racer who approached every race of his illustrious career as if it was a World Final decider. Now the ever-popular Booey has teamed up with Retro Speedway to record his life story. He takes us from his first hair-raising rides at Belle Vue in the mid-50s to his breakthrough as a youngster with his local team Bradford, followed by brief spells with Birmingham and Ipswich. In 1959 he joined Coventry, where he quickly became a huge fans' favourite. In 18 years of loyal and devoted service to the Bees, the rider they called ‘Little Boy Blue' (because of his distinctive coloured leathers) established himself as one of England's all-time greats. Ove Fundin, Barry Briggs, Igor Plechanov, Ronnie Moore and Bjorn Knutson were the men who dominated the 60s at world level but the Englishman who always made them work hardest for their success was Booey, the proudest national captain of all who always considered it a great honour to pull on the Lions racejacket at home and abroad. They breed ‘em tough in West Yorkshire and despite suffering a number of nasty knocks, including a fractured skull in 1969, Booey would inevitably bounce back to recapture the No.1 spot in the Bees' team. It eventually took a great World Champion, three times title holder Ole Olsen, to finally displace him from the top at Coventry . . . but no-one has ever replaced Nigel Boocock in the hearts of the Brandon faithful. No wonder the stadium was packed for his richly deserved testimonial in 1975. And he is still remembered with great affection, just as he was back then. Even after Nigel finally left the Midlands club in 1977, this tough, durable character went on to enjoy another four seasons as a rider for Bristol, Canterbury, Exeter and Swindon. He retired from British racing at the end of 1980, aged 43, when he and his ever-devoted wife, Cynthia, emigrated to Australia, where he continued to play a key role in speedway as team manager and organiser of numerous British Lions tours. In our face-to-race interviews recorded at his home near Brisbane, Booey reflects with our man Steve Magro on a remarkable career with the same transparent honesty that characterised his racing. We also talk to Cynthia and two of the most important influences in his speedway career - former Coventry promoter, the late Charles Ochiltree, and Roy Adams, the man who served Nigel as mechanic and friend virtually throughout his time with the Bees. Those audio interviews were recorded 35 years ago but what the CO and Roy had to say about Booey then still resonates today. There are nostalgic video clips of Nigel, including a great wheel-to-wheel battle with his younger brother Eric, with Booey senior demonstrating his typical all-action style and brotherly rivalry at its best. We've also got evocative audio commentaries from Wally Loak, who captures the magic and thrills of two of Nigel's finest individual successes of the 60s - the Brandonapolis and Internationale. To cap a feast of Boocock nostalgia, both discs are liberally laced with hundreds of great still images of Nigel, many of them from his personal collection and previously unpublished. HOW TO ORDER Online: Go to http://www.retro-speedway.com By Phone: Call the Retro Speedway hotline on 01708 734 502 and pay with your debit/credit card. By Post: Send a cheque for £16 (payable to Retro Speedway) to: Retro Speedway 103 Douglas Road Hornchurch RM11 1AW. (Add £2.50 per DVD when ordering from overseas).

We feature some brief 8mm cine clips, taken by Wally Loak, from Nigel's meeting on our new DVD, BOOEY; THE NIGEL BOOCOCK STORY - http://www.retro-speedway.com There are brief clips of the start of three races and the pre-meeting parade, plus Nigel and wife Cynthia being driven around Brandon by Booey's long-time mechanic Roy Adams. Looks like a five-figure crowd. Those were the days!

Issue 40 is out now. Our latest feast of 70s-80s nostalgia includes: SIMON WIGG – SPORTING HERO AND HIS LEGACY As the 10th anniversary of the death of Simon Wigg approaches, we look back at the successful racing career and the life and times of one of tracksport’s most colourful and popular characters. We’ve the personal thoughts of John Berry followed by an in-depth profile by Tony McDonald, who used to ‘ghost’ Wiggy’s weekly column in Speedway Mail. They recall a supreme talent and a special person over a special 8-page tribute to one of the sport’s biggest personalities. OXFORD REUNION After our look back at the life and times of former Oxford star Wiggy, we’ve a bonus for Cheetahs’ fans. Even though there has been no speedway at Cowley for three years, Rob Peasley rekindled a host of memories when he attended the recent Cheetahs’ reunion, catching up with old favourites from the club’s National League era, including new interviews with Dave Perks, John Hack, Steve Crockett, Kevin Smart, Colin Meredith, Keith Booth and Malcolm Holloway. FOREIGNERS – Top 20 of the 70s After selecting his Top 20 British Riders of the 70s in our last issue, John Berry turns his attention to the Top 20 Foreigners of the same decade. Ivan Mauger, Ole Olsen, Anders Michanek, Phil Crump and Billy Sanders are obvious prime contenders for top 6 places but who came out on top, who made it into JB’s final cut and who was left out? His choices are bound to provoke another major debate... BRUCE PENHALL COLUMN The former double World Champion offers his prayers for his big mate Peter Collins, who suffered a stroke, and talks about the psychology of racing, the turning point of his British career, plus a beating he took at Glasgow. MALCOLM SIMMONS COLUMN The outspoken Simmo on why he wanted Tomasz Gollob to become World Champion and the pick of the Poles he raced against, plus his personal reflections on Simon Wigg and his take on the Godden GR500 engine. TORMOD LANGLI Exclusive interview The former Norwegian star, who had promising spells with Newport, Bristol and Halifax, tells Martin Neal about riding at two of the sport’s most despised tracks, that bizarre accident which ended his speedway career and how education set him on the right path again. JOE OWEN Exclusive interview Newcastle’s history is laced with superstars but none are remembered with more affection than Joe Owen, the ultimate ‘Diamond Geezer’. Here, the former Hull and Ellesmere Port ace reflects candidly on the fantastic highs and the awful lows of a fine career tragically cut short, his ongoing battle to cope with his paralysis and Joe also explains why his bitter experience has made him a better man. MEET THE BOSS: COLIN PRATT Continuing the series where we catch up with a promoter from the Backtrack era, this time we chat with long-serving Colin Pratt, a highly respected figure and former World Finalist who began his long stint on the other side of the fence as successful co-promoter and team boss at Rye House, had 12 seasons with Cradley Heath, team managing spells with King’s Lynn, Bradford, London Lions and England and is still very much involved at Coventry today. 1980 GRAND SLAM ANNIVERSARY: PART 3 – The World Team Cup In this third and concluding account of England’s historic grand slam 30 years ago, Richard Bott recalls how the Lions roared in Poland to complete the treble with victory in the World Team Cup Final – and why national glory didn't delight every Englishman. SCREENSPORT Sky Sports have been showing domestic live matches from the British leagues since the mid-90s but they were not the first broadcaster to do so. Rob McCaffery recalls a bold plan to bring weekly speedway to UK living rooms in the 80s and explains why the stand-alone sports channel ultimately failed . . . UNSUNG HEROES Former USA Test rider STEVE LUCERO is the subject of our overseas rider Q&A. We catch up with ex-Coventry hopeful DAVID CLARKE and we’re On Two Minutes with JIM WELLS, formerly with Sunderland and Stoke. To order your copy or subscribe, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com

The Retro Speedway stand will be at Sheffield for Sunday's PLRC. BRAND NEW ON SALE AT SHEFFIELD FOR THE FIRST TIME - ONLY FROM THE RETRO SPEEDWAY STAND... BOOEY: The Nigel Boocock Story £16 ON DOUBLE DVD Compelling tribute to Yorkshire’s finest! This 3-hour+ production includes new interviews with the Australia-based England & Coventry legend, colour action footage plus classic audio recordings of his important races, including a rare interview with the late Charles Ochiltree, and hundreds of photo images - many of them from Nigel’s personal collection. Also, the acclaimed new book they’re all talking about... MICHAEL LEE Back From The Brink What readers who have bought it say: Don't sit thinking about buying Mike Lee's book – buy it now, you will not be disappointed. This is the best read since Kenny Carter's story. I finished it in four days and could not put it down. Gary Stanworth I am an avid sports biog reader. This book puts 99.9 per cent of all other sports biogs to shame. A very honest, completely gripping book and the best read I’ve had in a very long time. Dave Crawford If you aren't going to Sheffield, you can order these and all our other products direct from us at http://www.retro-speedway.com

We're phoning Bruce Penhall tomorrow for his next Backtrack column. So what would you like us to ask him? Any specific questions you would like him to answer? Maybe something you've always wondered about but have never been able to ask? Come on, this is YOUR chance to put 'Juicy Brucie' on the spot.... Oh, and please keep it clean and legal! Cheers, Tony Mac

PLEASE ignore the sub-head to the title thread. This event is definitely this SUNDAY (Sept 5), not Saturday!

CALLING all Rayleigh supporters and any others with an interest in the defunct Rockets from The Weir. Terry Stone has organised a reunion for this coming Sunday, September 5 (10.00am to 3.00pm) at the Blinking Owl Cafe on the main A127 road (sorry this message is very short notice, but we have been advertising the event for some time in both Backtrack & Classic Speedway mags). I've just spoken to Terry, who confirms that the following ex-Rayleigh riders are expected to be in attendance: Dingle Brown, Alan Jackson, Laurie Etheridge, Pete Wigley, Dave (Tiger) Beech, plus their former team manager Peter Thorogood. They will be joined by former Essex rivals from Romford, Frank Wendon (who will be bringing along his speedway bikes) and John Hibben. The Blinking Owl is situated approx quarter-of-a-mile along from the Weir roundabout. If you're driving from The Weir towards London, you'll find it on the left-hand side, just past a small garage. Terry will be set up in the car park with his displays of Rockets memorabilia, including his innumerable scrapbooks, photo albums, racejackets and vintage machinery. The Blinking Owl was the Rockets' regular retreat after Saturday night home meetings. The cafe also sponsored second-half events at the track. It will be open, as usual, on Sunday, so if you fancy a bacon sarnie and a cuppa while reminscing with the ex-Rockets, then why not pop along before making your way to Rye House for the afternoon's World Under-21 Team Cup Final...

JB and I cross swords on this issue from time to time. He is a firm believer that a rider's worth should be judged on his overall contribution and service to his club(s) and not just performances in World Championship events (quite reasonably, he points out that some individuals would put bikes aside specifically for the big individual meetings, sometimes at the expense of their club efforts). He would probably argue that Gordon Kennett's brilliant showing at Wembley in '78 was really a one-off for him at that level, whereas the Booeys and Jimmy Mac were stalwart servants to their respective clubs while also still doing good things for their country and in World Championship events.

No offence intended to our Welsh friends (Bryn included). It's just that i couldn't think of anyone from Wales who would be in contention for a place on this list. Now Freddie Williams is a different story...

Any reaction to John Berry's Top 20 choice? Don't all write at once! Guess he must have got it spot on, then?

With all due respect to the undoubted efforts of both Peter Oakes and Graham Reeve, neither (to my knopwledge) has ever ridden a speedway bike competitively, so they can hardly be described as 'coaches'. What it needs is for experienced ex-British riders - the likes of Mike Lee, Simmo, Kelvin Tatum, ideally one working with youngsters in each of the main regions of the country - to teach riding techniques and all the do's and don'ts from a very young age. I'm talking aged 8/9 upwards - not 15, by which time they should have already learned all the basic skills.

MICHAEL LEE will be at Rye House for the WTC U-21 Final to sign copies of our new book, Back From The Brink (£16). I believe turnstiles open at around 12.00pm on Sunday, September 5, with racing scheduled to start at 2.00pm. Perhaps Mike should be appointed British Youth Coach, overseeing the development of the next generation of British youngsters. Based on previous comments on this thread, it certainly looks like we could do with someone qualified like him to help set the kids on their way and to monitor their progress.

In our interview, Ronnie recalls beating Ove Fundin at Norwich, which he says greatly upset the Swede. Hope you enjoy the feature and after you've read it, please let us know what you think.

Ron missed the whole of the 1969 season after suffering severe concussion in a crash with Lars Jansson at Cradley on Aug 31, 1968, which required a long recovery period. He was still experiencing dizzy spells long after that crash, but came back well in 1970.

Yes, Ronnie married Jackie Weedon in 1968. Like Ronnie, Alf is also interviewed in this next issue, to mark his recent 90th birthday.

Have just had an entertaining and enjoyable few hours in the company of 80-year-old Ronnie Genz, who is the subject of a big interview in the next issue of Classic Speedway (Issue 10). Ronnie recalled some great stories from his days with New Cross (as a junior), Yarmouth, Oxford (two spells), Poole and Newport, which I'm sure readers will enjoy. He is very candid but, at the same time, humble. Here's a very tiny taster of what he has to say... "When I started, they thought I was going to be the next Ronnie Moore, but it didn't work out that way. I could ride the bike, but staying on it was a problem!" "I wasn't dedicated enough. A good team man, but I did nothing as an individual." "I got picked to ride for England, but not because I was any good. They chose me because I was doing OK for my team in the league and they wanted local riders in the meeting." "I used to cheat like buggery at the start!" "When I rode at Exeter on the Monday and St. Austell on the Tuesday, I'd sleep overnight in my Morris 1000 van and prepare my bike for the second meeting on the beach in Cornwall." "I had a woman (sponsor) who used to buy me gifts. She bought me a brand new ESO engine once and then a new BMW car for £3,000!" Ronnie has some strong things to say about speedway in his era compared to today, and much else besides, including that night in 1964 when he rode for Exeter under the assumed name of 'Reg Neal'...and got fined by the SCB. So make sure you don't miss your copy. I wondered if YOU have any interesting stories or special memories about Ron to share with the forum?

We at Retro Speedway are looking to design and introduce some new retro-style t-shirts to put ion general sale in the weeks and months ahead. We're looking for inspiration from any creative sorts out there. Just wondered if you have any good ideas for relevant generic speedway-related slogans (humorous or otherwise) that are not specific to any one team or rider? The type of thing any self-respecting 30+ year-old man or woman speedway supporter would be happy to wear. I quite like Terry Stone's motto: "OLD SPEEDWAY RIDERS DON'T DIE, THEY JUST SLIDE AWAY" Will have to check that he doesn't have the copyright on that one! There's the old favourite "HAPPINESS IS (or should that be WAS) 40-38" Keep it clean, though. We wouldn't want to associate ourselves woth anything saucy such as "PETER COLLINS DOES IT FROM BEHIND!" If anyone's original idea is adopted by us and we make a t-shirt from it, we'll revward you with a free shirt in your size!

No,afraid not. Classic Speedway focuses mainly on the post-war period and particularly the 50s & 60s. After Norman has unveiled his UK Top 20 from the 50s in Issue 10, he will put together his rankings for the 60s in Issue 11. Should be interesting. However, The Legend feature in each issue occasionally covers a great from the earlier period (Tommy Farndon, for example).

Thanks, sugarray. When you get a spare minute, can you plse email me at editorial@retro-speedway.com Cheers, Tony Mac Retro Speedway

But will PC be our No.1 of the 50s? What about Freddie - TWICE World Champ during the decade? The suspense is unbearable...

LEE SIGNING AT PL FOURS MICHAEL Lee will be holding his latest book signing session at the Premier League Fours event at Peterborough on Sunday, August 15. The 1980 World Champion will be autographing copies of Back From The Brink (£16) prior to the meeting start time of 2.30pm and again during the interval of this annual classic. Lee will be appearing at the Retro Speedway stand, adjacent to the main first bend bar at the East of England Showground, from 1.00pm. See you all there! Cheers, Tony Mac

SOME of the posts here today are not only ridiculous but also uninformed. Yes, pirateandi, I am thinking of yours. For starters Ole Olsen has been involved with SGP track preparation this year, at Copenhagen and Cardiff, described by Jason Crump as the "best two tracks I have ridden on this year, temporary or otherwise." It is true that Tony Olsson has a big say in the SGP and SWC tracks and generally he likes to let the local people do their stuff. That can work (Torun/Leszno) or sometimes (Prague) not. But, no, Olsen wasn't in charge at Gorzow today. The track was under water yesterday and the original weather forecast for this afternoon was for still more rain. Understandably the local track guys scrapped the surface this morning and there was little more they could do given the time available and the possibility of more rain. But it is all too easy to blame the track for what you perceive to be a lack of passing. I saw lots of passing by the riders who had the skill to do so. Janus Kolodzeij, for example, rode two classically speedway races, cutting back up the inside. The bottom line is that right now the Polish riders are on top of the world because they are the best and if you think the track is the only reason why they amassed 68 points then.... PHILIP RISING

Look whats in the latest issue (No.39) of BACKTRACK... BEST OF BRITISH The 70s The 1970s was generally an outstanding period of unprecedented success for British speedway, featuring as it did six World Team Cup victories for GB or England teams, four World Pairs wins and, of course, Peter Collins individual World Championship in 1976. But it wasnt just in the international arena where the Brits flourished like never before. In the domestic British League there was no shortage of very talented riders challenging, and at times toppling, the overseas giants led by Barry Briggs, Ivan Mauger, Ole Olsen and Anders Michanek. So who were the top Brits from this glorious decade and how would you rank them now? Its a tough task, but Backtracks John Berry has never ducked a challenge. We asked JB to list, in order, his best 20 UK riders from the 70s, disregarding all performances before and after the cut-off dates. The term best takes into account club and personal achievements from 1970 until 1979 inclusive. See how many of his choices you agree with... MICHAEL LEE Exclusive interview Shocking, hard-hitting and revealing . . . just some of the superlatives used to describe Retro Speedways latest book. Backtracks Tony McDonald, author of Michael Lee: Back From The Brink, provides a glimpse into the 336 pages and gets the former World Champions reaction to a warts and all story that has the makings of a best-seller. WORLD FINAL FLASHPOINTS Wembley, 1975 Continuing our series where we recall a crucial moment in World Final history, Peter Collins recalls the race in 1975 when his title chances literally went up in a cloud of dust. TIM SWALES Meet the Boss In the first of a new series in which we catch up with a former promoter, Martin Neal visited the home of Tim Swales, for so long the driving force behind Middlesbrough and long-time chairman of the BSPA. BRUCE PENHALL COLUMN Our American columnist and former double World Champion bemoans the lack of characters in speedway today and suggests this is one of the reason why the sport is now struggling to survive both here in the UK and his homeland. As Penhall points out, 10 of the British League tracks who were running when he arrived here in 1978 are now defunct. Bruce also talks about one of his regrets in speedway and reacts to receiving a copy of former rival Mike Lees new book and why he rated Lee a more difficult opponent than either Ivan Mauger or Ole Olsen. SIMMOS COLUMN AS Great Britain prepares for another daunting World Cup bid, our other columnist questions whether todays riders have the same pride in riding for their country as he and his England team-mates did in the 70s and 80s. Simmo also continues his analysis of speedway engines of the past by running the rule over the Weslake that took the sport by storm in the mid-70s. IVAN MAUGER book extract IN the days before points limits governed team strengths, the BSPA favoured a system of rider control in its bid to balance team strengths and its biggest fall guy of all was Ivan Mauger. But as Ivan tells in this excerpt from his autobiography The Will To Win, in double-quick time he went from being the rider Belle Vue had to lose to the rider Exeter had to have. His stunning switch to the Falcons after the start of the 1973 season paved the way to five years of unprecedented success and excitement at the County Ground. ROLAND DANNO Exclusive interview He spent only two seasons in England in the late 80s with Hackney and then Belle Vue, but Roland Danno showed lots of promise and a bright future was predicted for him. Sadly, his career literally came crashing down in 1989 but, as Martin Neal reports, the Swede is still making a big success of his life. PETER SCHROECK Exclusive interview Peter Schroeck made history as the first foreigner to compete in the National League. But as we discover, it was an uncomfortable time for Rye Houses young German trailblazer. RADFORDS TRAVELS The intrepid Bob concludes his journeys back in time with a look back at the following venues: Terenzano, Vargarna, Vetlanda, Ventura, Vojens, Wembley, West Ham, Weymouth, White City, Wimbledon, Wolverhampton and Workington. UNSUNG RIDERS Learn more about Former Wolves rider Lars Munkedal and early 70s Cradley Heath hopeful Richard Eslick. IAN HUMPHREYS Q&A The former Weymouth, Arena Essex and Exeter rider recalls the highs and lows of his National League career. A TO Z OF INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY Start of a regular new feature where we take a slightly cynical and, at times, irreverent look back at the men of influence and other things of interest from the Backtrack era. In this issue we cover A and B, which means mentions for: Peter Adams, Americans, Jan Andersson, announcers, anoraks, Arlington Academy, Martin Ashby, Australia, Scott Autrey, badges, Stuart Bamforth, George Barclay, Dick Barrie, Mick Bell, Belle Vue (Hyde Road), John Berry, Terry Betts, Dr Carlo Biagi, BLRC, the Boococks, Eric Boothroyd, Dick Bracher, Bradford, Barry Briggs, British Final, British League, British Lions and the BSPA. 1980 GRAND SLAM ANNIVERSARY - World Championship: the individual In the second of our three-part series looking back at Englands unique Grand Slam achievement in 1980, Richard Bott recalls the highlight of Michael Lees racing career. MIKHAIL STAROSTIN Exclusive interview A rare insight from Vitek Formanek into the life and times of Russias top rider from the late 70s and early 80s, including his special memories from his appearance in the 1982 World Final in Los Angeles. Plus...your letters and another feast of great pictures from a golden era! http://www.retro-speedway.com

Aye, that would surely be Rab Bryceland, a loyal and dependable seller of Speedway Mail for us for many years in the 70s & 80s. In those days, the bundles of papers would be put on the freight train at London Euston and be thrown off by staff at Glasgow, where Rab would collect 'em from the parcels office before selling them at Blantyre (No.1).