TonyMac

Looking ahead to our next issue, on sale in August, our main feature will be the Top British Riders of the 1950s. Writer Norman Jacobs is currently compiling his selection based on riders' performances for club(s) and country from 1950 to 1959 inclusive. His list will NOT include Anzacs (Briggo and Ronnie Moore, etc) who rode under the GB banner during those years. Instead, it will concentrate only on English, Scottish and Welsh riders. So who will be No.1 and who else do you think should make Norman's top 20? We'd love to hear what you think before our list is published in Issue 10 of Classic Speedway magazine...

Sorry Rob, you're absolutely right, but I should have made it clear that we're talking English and Scots here!

Never heard before about two cyclists being involved in the fatal crash, which happened at around 5.00am. How did you hear about this?

On the 40th anniversary of speedway’s biggest disaster, let’s all spare a thought for the victims of the Lokeren road crash, which happened 40 years ago today, on the morning of Tuesday, July 14, 1970. The five in the travelling West Ham Speedway party who lost their lives when their minibus collided with a lorry in Belgium were: Phil Bishop (team manager), Peter Bradshaw, Malcolm Carmichael, Martyn Piddock and Gary Everett. The Dutch driver, Henrikus Rommoes was also killed.

MICHAEL LEE: BACK FROM THE BRINK Only one day to go until the launch of our Mike Lee biography. Here is today’s tiny taster of what’s to come from one of the most interesting speedway books ever written. “I’m certainly not rich – it’s not about having money – but I’m happy,” he says. “I’m a completely different person to what I was before I met Nick. Anyone outside speedway will tell you that. I’m content with what I have now. I no longer feel that there’s something missing in my life. “People will remember me for what they want. I know there are people who hate me for what I’ve done and who I am, but it really doesn’t bug me anymore what others think. I just wish people would say what they think to my face. “I don’t regret what happened to me in any way at all. It was a big experience in my life and if I had my time over again, I can’t say I’d do anything differently. As I said, when I did things, I tended to do them full-on.” Michael Lee To order your copy, personally signed by Michael, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com and order via PayPal or phone Anne on 01708 734 502 to use your debit/credit card.

MICHAEL LEE: BACK FROM THE BRINK Only two days to go until the launch of our Mike Lee biography. Here is today’s tiny taster of what’s to come from one of the most interesting speedway books ever written. “He denies it was the drugs that caused him to lose his way. He prefers to blame his fall from grace on speedway in general and certain people in particular. Well, he would, wouldn’t he! “For me, it was simply a case of a young man with the world at his feet but not being worldly-wise enough to cope. Michael Lee was the George Best of speedway, or any number of overnight stars in the pop music business who couldn’t handle the lifestyle and self-destructed. “There is a whole cottage industry behind young pop stars and footballers these days, helping them cope with the pressures. Michael had none of those things. Looking back, you have to wonder not so much why things went haywire for him, but why it took so long. “We haven’t run across each other for maybe 30 years, but I still think the world of him. I am absolutely thrilled to hear the now mature Michael has a settled lifestyle. He is a smashing bloke and a great person who simply wasn’t mature enough to cope with his enormous success at such a young age.” John Berry, the England team manager who gave Mike his senior Test debut at 18. To pre-order your copy, personally signed by Michael, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com and order via PayPal or phone Susie on 01708 734 502 to use your debit/credit card.

MICHAEL LEE: BACK FROM THE BRINK Only three days to go until the launch of our Mike Lee biography. Here is today’s little taster of what’s to come from one of the most intriguing speedway books ever written. Michael still smokes rolled-up cigarettes – ‘rolleys’ – but they and the occasional can of lager at the end of a long, hard day, is, he says, all he needs to chill out these days. “I’ve had to stop smoking anything stronger than rolleys because I’m at speedway three nights a week during the season and I get my buzz from that now,” he says. “I’m totally engrossed down the workshop most of the time and it would be no good to me being stoned. “I’m not saying I’ll never smoke cannabis again, because I don’t think there is anything wrong with it – and people can take that as they want. I’m not stupid, I know what’s good and bad for me. “Let’s be honest, the reason I don’t smoke cannabis anymore is because I don’t want people to look upon me badly, I’ve got my reputation to think about and I wouldn’t do anything now to jeopardise that or insult the people who have given me these good opportunities.” The reformed Michael Lee To pre-order your copy, personally signed by Michael, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com and order via PayPal or phone Susie on 01708 734 502 to use your debit/credit card.

RETRO SPEEDWAY will be there, in the Cardiff Collectors' Fayre as usual. So please come and visit Susie and I at our stand, where we will be officially launching the brand new book, Michael Lee Back From The Brink. At just £16 for 336 pages (inc 16 in full colour), it represents unbeatable value. And all copies purchased on the day at Cardiff will be PERSONALLY SIGNED BY MICHAEL LEE, who will be there from the start at 10.00am. Other items available from us include our three DVDs: World Finals of the 70s, Mike the Bike (Michael Lee), and Simmo: The Whole Truth (Malcolm Simmons) at £16 each. Why not pick up a Lee double - book and DVD! Plus, of course, our recent issues of Backtrack and Classic Speedway magazine as well as previous books. So please come up and say 'hello' and make sure you don't leave the hall without your signed Michael Lee book. Have a safe journey and an enjoyable weekend. Tony Mac

RETRO SPEEDWAY will be represented at Friday’s Premier League Pairs event to be held at the Oak Tree Arena in Somerset (7.15pm parade). So please come and visit Susie and I at our stand, where we will be selling the first copies of Michael Lee – Back From The Brink (£16) personally signed by Michael. Other items available include our three DVDs: World Finals of the 70s, Mike the Bike (Michael Lee), and Simmo: The Whole Truth (Malcolm Simmons) at £16 each. Plus, of course, our recent issues of Backtrack and Classic Speedway magazine as well as previous books. Looking forward to visiting this track for the first time. See you there! Tony Mac

MICHAEL LEE: BACK FROM THE BRINK Only four days to go until the launch of our Mike Lee biography. Here is today’s little taster of what’s to come from one of the most intriguing speedway books ever written. It’s not boring either! Here, we get a little glimpse of the ‘inside view’... “My first priority aim was to get myself a job that would enable me to leave my cell, which isn’t an easy task. The first job I had was sweeping the landing. People might say: ‘Bloody hell, that’s a bit of a come down, isn’t it?’ but I didn’t care. It’s not a come down when you’re in prison because anything that gets you out of your cell, when you’re banged up for 23 hours a day, is good news. If you didn’t have a job, you were only allowed out for an hour’s ‘association’.” Michael had been used to living on his wits and he quickly adjusted to prison life and learned how the ‘system’ worked and, occasionally, how to beat it. “I swept the landing for about a week and then I managed to arrange for some hashish to be smuggled in to me by a friend at visiting time. If ever I felt stressed out, I found it the ideal way to relax. “In prison, drugs are currency and by having a small amount of hashish I could improve my situation. You share things with people, do favours here and there, and it helps. I was celled-up with a bloke who worked in the kitchen and before long I got a job in there too.” Michael Lee on life in Norwich Prison. To pre-order your copy, personally signed by Michael, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com and order via PayPal or phone Susie on 01708 734 502 to use your debit/credit card.

Sorry Salty, I misinformed you! It's the 1970s period ONLY that JB is covering (as per my now amended original posting above). Please have another go based on riders' efforts and achievements from 1970-79 inclusive. Looks like Kenny will have to go! Cheers, Tony Mac

In issue 39, out later this month, John Berry will be naming his TOP 20 BRITISH RIDERS of the 1970s era. We wondered what you thought and the riders you would include in your top 20 from this 10-year period . . . and in which order? But remember, in making your choices, you must discount what riders achieved BEFORE 1970 and AFTER 1979. (Perhaps we should run a smilar feature for the 1960s, or even 1950-70 period, in Classic Speedway?) We could have some fun with this. Please let me know what you think...and let's see how close you are to JB's selection! Cheers, Tony Mac

MICHAEL LEE: BACK FROM THE BRINK Only five days to go until the launch of our Mike Lee biography. Here is today’s little taster of what’s to come from one of the most compelling speedway books ever written.It's warts and all. And, typically, Michael refuses to brush anything under the carpet. “There’s no doubt in my mind, if I hadn’t stopped snorting cocaine like I was doing, I guarantee you I’d be dead by now. Or if I wasn’t dead, I’d have a massive hole on the front of my face. “I was just living for today. When I was 25-years-old I didn’t think I’d reach 30. It was never in the equation. And when I made it to 30, I honestly believed that my 40th birthday was definitely never going to happen. At the time I didn’t even care whether I made it to 30 or 40. When you’re not on the drugs, all you’re thinking about is when you’ll be on them again. “I was back on the Charlie in my 40s and I’m thinking ‘where do I go from here?’. I started to think, ‘I can’t really do this anymore’ and yet when I was 40-years-old I didn’t expect to make it to 50. But, touch wood, I’m here and I’m still healthy. I’m a survivor!” Michael Lee To pre-order your copy, personally signed by Michael, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com and order via PayPal or phone Susie on 01708 734 502 to use your debit/credit card.

MICHAEL LEE: BACK FROM THE BRINK Only six days to go until the launch of our Mike Lee biography. Here is today’s little taster of what’s to come from one of the most riveting speedway books ever written. “I’d been working late tuning a stack of engines for three or four days non-stop. I think it was six o’clock in the morning by the time I got the last engine done and Reg (Fearman) was coming round at eight to go up to London. “I remember going inside the house, up to the bedroom and thinking ‘I’ll lay down here for 10 minutes, sort myself out and then get ready’. But I laid down and didn’t get back up. “Reg arranged for the Poole track doctor to come to the house to examine me. Although I was basically in a semi-coma, subconsciously I was aware of what was going on around me. I could hear Reg and the doctor talking and, because he was so angry, Reg was physically hitting me trying to wake me up. “Wake up you f****** bastard!” I heard him say. He was really giving it some. “I knew what was going on but I wasn’t going to wake up. I didn’t want to know, so I just let them get on with it. In the end the doctor arrived and Reg pushed me back onto the bed. “Then the doctor got hold of my hands and started sticking pins in them but it still didn’t register with me. I thought, ‘you carry on, mate, I ain’t moving’.” Michael Lee To pre-order your copy, personally signed by Michael, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com and order via PayPal or phone Susie on 01708 734 502 to use your debit/credit card.

MICHAEL LEE: BACK FROM THE BRINK Only seven days to go until the launch of our Mike Lee biography. Here’s today little taster of what’s to come from one of the most compelling speedway books ever written. “At the Poole end-of-season dance, several riders arrived after the start and within a short time were 'merry'. I knew it was not alcohol and kidded the boys in to 'treating' me. “I was taken outside by several to the car park and to a van where something resembling a cigarette was offered. I learned it was cannabis. That has been my only experience of that vile habit. “The whole of British speedway was aware that there was a drug problem within the sport – random drug-testing was taking place and the odd rider managed to escape, as he or they claimed they didn't know where to give the urine sample and went home!” Reg Fearman (former Poole promoter) To pre-order your copy, personally signed by Michael, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com and order via PayPal or phone Susie on 01708 734 502 to use your debit/credit card.

MICHAEL LEE: BACK FROM THE BRINK Only eight days to go until the launch of our eagerly-anticipated Mike Lee biography. Every day between now and then we’ll reproduce a quote here from the 336-page blockbuster as a taster of what’s to come from one of the most compelling speedway books ever written. “Andy was away at the time but I had a sneaking suspicion. I think it was soon after the 1980 World Final and I won’t tell you the names of the top riders stood around in my kitchen at the lovely old cottage where we lived in Melbourn, but there were about six of them gathered together. “I could smell something horrible and being a hay fever sufferer, it didn’t agree with me. We had this huge ginger cat called Barney and I thought, ‘why is the cat walking like that?’ When I opened the door, the smell hit me. They had been trying to get the cat stoned – I could have killed them! But then I knew what was going on. “I knew what the Americans were doing and I was just upset that Michael fell into their lifestyle. The Americans were likeable lads and I got on well with all of them – they often called in to see us – but if they hadn’t been there and introduced Michael to it . . .” Val Lee To pre-order your copy, personally signed by Michael, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com and order via PayPal or phone Susie on 01708 734 502 to use your debit/credit card.

Rob, Yes, we will be selling the Mike Lee book (signed by Michael), the 70s DVD and our other products at the EL Pairs at Somerset next Friday. See you there!

MICHAEL LEE: BACK FROM THE BRINK Only nine days to go until the launch of our eagerly-anticipated Mike Lee biography. Every day between now and then we’ll reproduce a quote here from the 336-page blockbuster as a taster of what’s to come from one of the most compelling speedway books ever written. “After putting the engine back together, I thought ‘I’ll give you some work to do now’ – and I dumped oil on the floor of (Perth promoter) Con Migro’s office! It was childish behaviour but I was still spewing with anger about what they had forced me to do to clear my name and prove I wasn’t a cheat.” Michael Lee To pre-order your copy, personally signed by Michael, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com and order via PayPal or phone Susie on 01708 734 502 to use your debit/credit card.

MICHAEL LEE: BACK FROM THE BRINK Only 10 days to go until the launch of our eagerly-anticipated Mike Lee biography. Every day between now and then we’ll reproduce a quote here from the 336-page blockbuster as a taster of what’s to come from one of the most compelling speedway books ever written. “I remember nudging Anders Michanek out of the way down the back straight. There was really no room to pass, so I leaned one elbow against him, pushing him across the track, while my other elbow was running down the safety fence as I went into the lead. “I won the race and afterwards he said to me: ‘You bloody nutter’. “But, as with Ole Olsen, I get on well with Mich. Although he was peed off at being beaten, he soon respected me for being a competent motorcyclist and we shook hands. “We had some proper hard races, both in England and Sweden, and people warned me: ‘Watch Mich – he’ll put you in’. But he never did. He was a great guy.” Michael Lee To pre-order your copy, personally signed by Michael, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com and order via PayPal or phone Susie on 01708 734 502 to use your debit/credit card.

MICHAEL LEE: BACK FROM THE BRINK Only 11 days to go until the launch of our eagerly-anticipated Mike Lee biography. Every day between now and then we’ll reproduce a quote here from the 336-page blockbuster as a taster of what’s to come from what promises to be one of the most compelling speedway books ever written. “I rushed him back into Addenbrookes Hospital and this time they kept him in. He was admitted to a men’s ward and they put him on a drip. It was very serious and there was a period of two or three days when we thought we were going to lose him. They operated on him again but it was touch and go because of the poison caused by the infection. “The doctors didn’t have to prepare us for the worst because Andy and I could see that his life was hanging in the balance, and the men on Michael’s ward thought he was a goner.” Val Lee (Michael’s mum) To pre-order your copy, personally signed by Michael, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com and order via PayPal or phone Susie on 01708 734 502 to use your debit/credit card.

WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID... I've just finished watching your fantastic 1970s World Finals DVD. I loved every minute of it. I began watching Coventry in 1975, so only saw one final in the 70s and that was Wembley 1978, but the DVD was great. I was immediately transported back through the years. It was good both to see the action and to hear the comments today of the riders as they looked back. So thank you so much for producing it. I just love Backtrack magazine and have been a subscriber right from the start. Thank you for a fantastic magazine too. Julia Wilson http://www.retro-speedway.com

I thought I fully explained the circumstances in my earlier reponse.

Welcome to Issue 9 of our quarterly retro magazine. There's another feast of speedway nostalgia for your enjoyment... BENGT JANSSON - Exclusive interview In his most candid interview yet, Bengt Jansson tells Classic Speedway what really happened on that momentous night in 1967 when the world title slipped away from him. There have been one or two conspiracy theories put forward about the run-off to decide the 1967 World Championship between Benga' and his fellow Swede Ove Fundin after they had both finished with 14 points. One of them was that Bengt had in some way been compromised by Swedish speedway politics that favoured Fundin over himself. It has even been suggested that he was under strict orders from SVEMO bosses not to try and beat the Swedish great, who was bidding to go one better than the record four title victories he shared with Barry Briggs. Now Jansson tell us the truth about that night . . . what he said to Fundin as they walked the Wembley track before the run-off . . . why he thought he was the best rider on the night . . . and his deep disappointment at losing out. Plus we examine why the former popular West Ham, Edinburgh and Hackney star never came that close to winning the world title again, and what the 67-year-old is doing now. PETER COLLINS Former World Champion Peter Collins is a keen speedway historian and a collector who has accumulated some 40 bikes - from early-30s JAPs to the much more modern Jawa, Weslakes and GMs. In this exclusive interview, PC talks about his passionate hobby in which he lovingly restores vintage machinery, including early 1930s JAPs that used to belong to Belle Vue legend Eric Langton. IVAN MAUGER Lay-down engines, leading link front forks, dirt deflectors, four-valve motors and silencers are part and parcel of speedway today but, as six times World Champion Ivan Mauger points out and our accompanying pictures confirm, there is nothing new about any of them. ALF HAGON - Exclusive interview The former Harringay, Wimbledon, Leicester, Oxford, Poole and West Ham rider is the latest to feature in our Q&A series, reflecting on the highs and lows of his eventful career in the capital. JAROSLAV VOLF - Exclusive interview We talk to the first Czech rider to appear in the individual World Final. SECOND SCENE In our new series on the British League second division we turn the clock back to 1968 and the re-launch of the sport at Middlesbrough, where the Teesside Teessiders got off to a winning start against North-East rivals Berwick. BUDDY FULLER Recalling the career of a speedway trailblazing entrepreneur from South Africa, the latest in our Legends series. Plus columnists Ian Hoskins and John Hyam, your letters and much more... http://www.retro-speedway.com

WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID... Just want to say how much I’ve enjoyed the DVD. The period exactly matches my own golden age of speedway since being taken to see the WCQR at Belle Vue as a 10-year-old in 1970 and seeing the World Champion (Ivan of course) at the very first opportunity. By 1979 I'd begun to find other things to do and Belle Vue, as a power, were fading along with my interest. This DVD has brought back so many memories and filled in so much missing detail that just wasn't available to us at the time. It's clear that you have the respect of all the boys because there is a wonderful warmth that comes over through your interviews. I never expected them to be so candid. Ivan is a much more generous person than you would have guessed at the time, and the reminiscences of Peter Collins and Ole Olsen are just wonderful. Ole's comments really had me laughing. I can truly say that "I was there" because I went to all of the three Wembley finals (as well as the 1974 European Final). Your DVD isn't just a record of some great sporting moments, it's a moving scrapbook of my teenage years. I can only thank you for all your efforts. Ian Harwood http://www.retro-speedway.com

The following is a small extract from the review of WORLD FINALS OF THE 70s, written by Speedway Star Editor Richard Clark and which appeared in Speedway Star magazine dated May 8, 2010. Every speedway home should have one. As a guide to 70s World Finals, this is indispensable. Nostalgia might well be a thing of the past, but this is truly gold-dust. Speedway gold-dust. To read Richard's full review, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com ---------------------------------------------- WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID... I was first introduced to speedway in the early 1970s, so this DVD is from the era when I fell in love with the sport. The audio and video interviews were of particular interest and enjoyment, especially with Michanek, PC, Briggs, Mauger and Olsen. Anders is my all-time favourite rider (my first ever sporting hero) so it is great that we can hear what he and all these riders have to say about their time at top of the sport. Totally honest, from-the-heart interviews, unlike most of the bland interviews you get with professional footballers these days, and some great racing footage to go with them as well. This DVD is an absolute must-buy for anyone who followed the sport during the 70s. Andy Povey ---------------------------- I loved the DVD, especially the PC and Kelly Moran interviews, for obvious reasons. I loved Speedway in the 70s and 80s, so much fun, and great personalities. I will watch this DVD over and over again! Carol Stock -------------------------------- Can I just say "Wow!". The whole thing, from start to finish, is enthralling and absorbing. Tony's interviews provide the perfect complement to the stills and the archive footage. I suppose the passing of years means that the riders can view their triumphs and disappointments a bit more dispassionately, which makes their interviews refreshingly honest. A hundred out of 10 would be my rating - anything less just wouldn't do justice to this superb four hours of speedway heaven. Dave Corbett ------------------------------------------ The new 70s World Final double DVD is absolutely brilliant and a fantastic nostalgic DVD - I'll watch it again and again. Howard Murphy