TonyMac

You can rule out any second division riders. How can any competing in the second tier, racing against second tier opposition, possibly be considered for a place in the Top 20 Brits of the 80s?

GOOD old Humphrey Appleby is back and up to his old tricks of knocking the SGP series with uninformed comment and factual errors. You don't like the SGP Humphrey and that's fine ... everyone is entitled to their opinion. But, for the record: the SGP wasn't and certainly isn't dying a slow death and sponsors aren't pulling out, at least not of their own accord. A change in government regulations in countries like Denmark, Poland and Sweden forced out a number of online betting companies at a very late stage this year but you will see a big difference in 2011. You say that television coverage was increasingly relegated to the red button. By that you presumably mean Sky as viewing figures in Australia, Denmark, Poland and Sweden, which also take the series live, were very encouraging. And the number of countries taking the highlights package is still going up as is the overall TV audience. The red button decisions taken by Sky angered and disappointed many within their own organisation but I don't think anyone could argue that it was the result of poor fare being provided by the GP meetings. The number of countries and organisers vying for a SGP meeting is growing and not just in Poland. Elsewhere Humphrey criticises BSI/IMG for not putting anything back into the sport but surely that is the role of the FIM, who receive millions of pounds each year in revenue that should be filtered back into speedway and not flittered away in Geneva. The prime theme of this thread, Tony Olsson's debut season, is more accurate. Tony has done a terrific job but the Ole Olsen knockers should also remember that he was still responsible for the tracks in Gothenburg, Copenhagen and Cardiff and not even Tony could do anything about Prague. PHILIP RISING

Aye, but it were National League! With all due respect to Stevie and his supreme efforts for the Tigers over yonks, can't see any NL stars sneaking in to this list.

RETRO SPEEDWAY T-SHIRTS Following our initial request for ideas, we now have (in conjunction with our friends at Lynhurst Print) a number of designs availabkle to purchase, including our unique HEROES series featuring clubs and faviurite riders from days gone by. To take a peek at what we have so far (wuth more Heroes shirts to follow), go to our Facebook page by clicking this link: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000692754563#!/album.php?aid=26472&id=100000692754563 As I say, more shirts will be added as and when they are ordered by our customers. In fact,Lynhurst are currently producing and processing orders for Heroes shirts of HACKNEY, BIRMINGHAM, HALIFAX, BERWICK and BRADFORD NORTHERN, and we will display these, too, as soon as they are ready. You can order our t-shirts for £15 each direct from http://www.lynhurstprint.co.uk/prices.php?link_name=retro%20speedway (add £1 for XXL). We can add/delete riders’ surnames to suit your requirements (we recommend between 15-20 names), although the rider action pic and club body colour used remains constant. If you can’t see your favourite team displayed here in our T-shirts Photo Album on Facebook, then just ask when you visit the Lynhurst website (they also have a phone number) and they will contact us with your request.

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...