TonyMac

TV celebs who turned up to present prizes, open new tracks or just show their face in the 70s... Elsie Tanner (Pat Phoenix in Corrie) @ Ellesmere Port. Hughie Green @ Barrow. Colin Crompton (Wheel Tappers & Shunters) @ Hull. Val Doonican & Ted Rogers @ Belle Vue (BLRC night). David Webb (Chelsea footballer) to see his mate Briggo. Mud @ Wimbledon. At Hackney, we saw Millicent Martin, Dennis Waterman (The Sweeney @ Minder).

Does anyone know the name of the fan at the 1975 Wembley world final who, exasperated by the billowing dust that ruined the early races on a terribly prepared track, grabbed a water hosepipe from the dog track and proceeded to soak the outside of the track on the first bend? Wonder what happened to him? Bet PC would have a word or two for him as well...he slid on the greasy patch caused by the unscheduled overwatering and that was the end of his title hopes.

Aaah, Eddie's Book Sales. Remember driving me mum mad to order me every book that came out each Christmas when I was about 11-15...Champions Book of Speedway edited by our Backtrack scribe Dick Bott; Ivan Mauger's books; Trackin' With Briggo; John Louis' book; and then the series of Peter Collins' annuals. Speedway Star also produced a hardback annual in 1970 & '71. What about the Websters Speedway Mirror that replaced the old BSPA Handbook in the early 70s. Many thanks to all for your inspirational memories, which I will incorporate in our new SPEEDWAY IN THE 70s MAGAZINE. Full details of how to order via the link below. This will help get you through Christmas day and the holiday period. Just sit in your favourite armchair wearing a silly paper hat, stuffed full of turkey, Xmas pud and mince pies .... and immerse yourself in some pure nostalgia. Trust me, it will be the best six quid you'll spend this year (and next)! http://www.retro-speedway.com/page.php?57

Searching the empty pits after the meeting for riders' discarded plastic visors. Watching riders wander from the Halifax or Exeter pits to the dressing rooms in the middle of the opposite straight, or down the steps on the centre green just inside the first/second bend at White City. Ivan Mauger rolling at the start. The brand new bike (JAP, then Jawa) that was presented to the winner of the Wills Internationale at Wimbledon. Eric Booey parking his bike across the Coventry track at the British-Nordic final in '73 and then throwing his racejacket to the ground in disgust at the Finnish ref's decision to exclude him based on ITV replay evidence. The Peter Collins 'sugar in the tank' saga at the '78 British Final. British Finals being so tough that only the top five went through to the World Final. The excuses riders made for not turning up at Somerton Park, Newport. That awful track surface at Bristol. And the enormous four or five-figure crowds they had there for league matches. Laughing at the thought that England might not be world team champions again. Laughing at the thought that there would ever be enough good Danes to support Ole Olsen well enough to form a Danish Test team capable of avoiding a battering by England et al. Americans who raced (and drank) with smiles on their faces.

Chris Pusey's polka dot leathers. Two (or three) bikes pulled along on a trailer. The long, hot summer of '76. The Warnersports train to Katowice ('76). 5,000 British fans in Katowice to cheer PC, Simmo, Mort, Flier Wyer and Tiger John. Danny Leno of Warnersports, sponsors of Mike Lee and Hackney's Superama. Dougie Wyer's tassled white leathers. Daytona Boots. Leathers worn OUTSIDE the boots. Nigel Boocock's all blue leathers; and Broady's all red. Nitro. Garry Middleton protesting about everything.

Speedway Stop Press (the 70s equivalent of the internet at London tracks in the early 70s). Rosettes. Tracks with solid board/concrete/steel 'safety' fences where you could lean over and literally touch the riders. Peanut shells on the Hackney terraces. Riders pulling up in Ford Zephyrs, Corsairs and Cortinas and, later, the Granada. Basic pits where riders were lucky if they had a toolbox to sit on. The shock of seeing a top rider bring TWO bikes to a meeting. The box of four coloured balls that the colour/pits marshall shook to determine gate positions in the second half final (funny how the away team rider(s) always seemed to get the worst draw. Second half finals that turned out to be the best race of the night...even though the four in it had already pre-arranged to split the points money. The 'vultures' race before heat one (second division), where local juniors had their chance to win a team place on the night. Millions of coaches all heading to the BLRC at Hyde Road. Meetings sponsored by tobacco and alcohol companies. The Gulf Oil British League - and those luminous orange anoraks that all BL promoters wore in the mid-70s. The Belle Vue funfair and zoological gardens. Riders smoking during the meeting.

As we're about to publish a one-off titled SPEEDWAY IN THE 70s, I wondered what everybody misses most about that decade (we'll get to the 80s in all good time)... To set the ball rolling, here are a few things that readily spring to mind, but please add your own thoughts: 1. The 13-heat formula, tac subs, choice of gates. 2. 40-38 3. Team riding. 4. Bike racks on cars. 5. Track spares (that's a bike, not a loose woman!) 6. Wembley Stadium. 7. Meeting riders in the bar after meetings. 8. Standard equipment. 9. Supporters' club buses. 10. Passing. 11. Riders' names you could spell and pronounce. 12. Hyde Road.

Does anybody out there have a copy of the 1979 BLRC prog from Belle Vue (John Louis won it), that they can lay their hands on quickly, and then scan and email it to us at editorial@retro-speedway.com? We're doing a feature on the BLRCs of the 70s in the next Backtrack, which we hope to finish tomorrow night (Wednesday), and wanted to illustrate the FRONT cover of each prog. Unfortunately, we don't have the 1979 issue in our office, hence the urgent request. It would need to be scanned to 250 dpi for print purposes, although you could reduce the size of the file by reducing the scan size to 50% if it helps. Many thanks. Tony Mac

It was Pinegen (publishers of Speedway Star) who were talking to Ole about publishing an English language version of his Danish book, but there has been no sign of it yet. We'll be producing a Xmas stocking filler titled SPEEDWAY IN THE 70s in November and it will be advertised on this site, as well as via our own site and both of our magazines.

Thanks to all for your rapid responses. Spoke to Finn at length tonight and although his memory of his speedway career is hazy, he came out with plenty of interesting stuff that will be in the next Backtrack. He smiled at the memory of his 21-point max for Wolves at Swindon, but admits he was "bloody angry" when he broke his ankle at the Swindon press/practice day in '86 (it was junior Nick Bates who was also involved in the crash). Although I mentioned previously about having rarely seen him crash, he pointed out that he broke his thigh at Monmore Green in 1976 and dioctors told him his racing career was finished. A year later he finished 5th in his first World Final. Finn seems to recall that he reared up and hit one of those horrible, old lamp standards at MG - can anyone recall the details of the incident, please? He confims that it was his choice to miss the entire '85 season, to focus on his family life (his second son was born that year). He admits he lacked the hunger and sheer desire to become world champion and said that there was always "a little bit lacking" in him.

Why the booing?

That would explain why he didn't ride in 1985 and made his Robins debut a year later.

KevH has started 900,000,023 individual new threads on this section of the BSF asking for the same basic info about 900,000,023 different former riders. Does anyone have his birth date/place or any memories of him please?

No! Blimey. it's been out for 18 months and we need to clear space in the 'factory!' And there was I thinking we were doing a good thing. OK, it's been increased to £29.99 + £3 P&P.

Sick of hearing and reading about the credit crunch and how the cost of just about everything in our lives is going up? Now some more good news from Retro Speedway... We have now slashed the price of TRAGEDY - the Kenny Carter story from £15.99 to just £10.00, inc FREE P&P to all UK addresses. http://www.retro-speedway.com

Thanks to all for your ongoing suggestions about the people we should interview in future issues of Backtrack. But, in the meantime, we're all set to interview Finn Thomsen tomorrow. Very short notice, I know, but just wondered if mention of his name evokes any memories or thoughts among you all? What do fans of the clubs Finn rode for - Wolves, Hackney, Poole and Swindon - make of him? Any particular races or incidents that spring to mind? From a Hawks perspective, most will probably have only good things to say about a rider who, though never spectacular, could beat the best when he was 'up for it' or sufficiently riled enough to want to prove a point. Seem to recall that he didn't exactly see eye to eye with Billy Sanders! Finn was, essentially, a solid BL performer and a team man at Waterden Road, although there was perhaps a perception that he reserved his best efforts for the big occasions...World Championships and World Team Cups. He possessed excellent throttle control, mind, and I struggle to recall seeing him crash. As I say, any comments are most welcome. In the next issue we've also interviewed Andy Smith, Reading promoter Pat Bliss, Robbie Gardner, Rudy Muts and Sean Courtney and there's also an in-depth feature on the old Fenton training track - part of a new series looking at training tracks. http://www.retro-speedway.com

Apologies to all subscribers who have waited patiently, but our printer experienced mechanical problems last week, which created a backlog on their presses. I've just got back from there tonight to approve the proofs and we're assured that issue 2 will be printed in the next 48 hours and delivered to us by this Friday. It will obviously be despatched to postal subscribers immediately, so you should expect to receive it early next week. Once again, many thanks for your patience and support. Tony Mac

Thanks asturmer, but we did Spinka way back in Issue 17.

Very sorry for the delay, folks, but our printer had a mechanical breakdown (leading to a backlog) that delayed Backtrack by several days. The good news is that all subscribers' copy were in fact posted out today (Monday, Sept 1). Thanks for your patience and hope it's worth the wait. Cheers, Tony Mac

After a delay at the printers (sorry, folks), Issue 27 was mailed out to subscribers on Monday of this week. Here's what there is to look forward to (or miss, if you haven't yet subscribed!)... MAIN MEN: THE COLLINS BROTHERS Peter, Les, Phil, Neil and Steve are the most famous brothers in speedway history – and we’ve got exclusive, new interviews with all five of them! Les laments going so close to winning the World title at Los Angeles in 1982 and offers his own take on that infamous Penhall-Carter scrap that ultimately cost him the crown. He did win the BLRC in 1980 but he reveals why the BSPA’s attitude marred what should have been his finest moment in UK racing. Phil talks to us from his home in California, where he settled after suddenly quitting British speedway at the end of the 1986 season. Read what he has to say about his time with Ellesmere Port and Cradley Heath and why he decided to give Britain the boot. Neil, who holds the all-time British appearance record after an incredible 29 seasons in the saddle, takes us on his eventful long and winding journey from track to track. Find out too why he was never best mates with Kenny Carter! Steve, the youngest Collins, talks in-depth for the first time about his struggle to follow in the tyre tracks of his more illustrious brothers. And Peter, the 1976 World Champion they all set out to try and emulate, provides a fascinating insight into the characteristics of all four of his brothers. We find out what the Collins boys from Cheshire are doing now, while lead columnist JOHN BERRY has his say on each of them. REUNIONS We’re at Belle Vue and Wolverhampton to bring you exclusive coverage of their recent 80th anniversary meetings, while we also catch up with the Rayleigh reunions to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Rockets’ launch and their revival 40 years ago. NEIL MACFARLANE One of the most influential and controversial characters in Scottish speedway history, Neil talks to Backtrack about his promoting and managerial experiences at Glasgow, Coatbridge, Edinburgh and Paisley. HENNY KROEZE Arguably the greatest ever Dutch speedway rider, Henny recalls his injury-plagued years with Halifax (where he made BL history), Bristol and Sheffield – and reveals how his motorcycle skills are still thrilling crowds. JOE THURLEY Following the recent sad death of former Birmingham boss Joe, his ex-business partner John Berry pays his own personal tribute to the man who first got him into speedway. ROMFORD: DEFUNCT TRACK The Bombers lasted only three seasons before they were grounded by one crusading anti-speedway resident. We re-visit the Essex town to find out why they attracted regular 5,000 crowds and what was so ‘different’ about their so-called safety fence. READING IN 1975 Through an extract from the new book, Tears and Glory – The Winged Wheel Story, to commemorate 40 years of Reading Speedway, we reflect on the Racers’ first season at Smallmead, in 1975, when Anders Michanek was the local idol. Plus… Rod Haynes’ Column; Arena Essex in Pictures; Q&As with former Weymouth and Crayford rider Garry May and Berwick announcer Dennis McCleary; the result of the 2007-08 Backtrack Mastermind competition, your letters and, of course, another huge does of nostalgia. http://www.retro-speedway.com/

Here's a summary of what's up in Issue 2... COLIN PRATT Our front cover subject is normally a man of few words, but former World Finalist Colin Pratt recalls the highs and lows of his racing career in issue 2 of Classic Speedway. After learning his trade with Stoke in the Provincial League, 'Pratty' established himself as a British League No.1 and England star with Hackney. The double London Riders’ champion reflects on his six seasons as skipper at The Wick between 1964 and 1969, his long-term relationship with Hawks boss Len Silver - "one of the best" - and the disappointment of being denied a third consecutive LRC title. He sought a move to Cradley Heath in 1970 and, after threatening to quit Britain and ride in Sweden or the USA, he was enjoying life at one of his favourite tracks when tragedy struck on the road near the Belgium town of Lokeren. The minibus carrying the West Ham team and manager Phil Bishop back from Holland crashed, killing four riders as well as Bishop. Pratt made what he describes as a "miracle escape" but after six months recovering from a broken neck and other serious injuries, he was advised by medical experts never to race again. "They warned me that if I broke the vertebra again, I'd end up paralysed from the neck down," he says. TERRY BETTS One of the most popular riders of his generation and a legend at King's Lynn, it wasn't always plain sailing for the blond bombshell. In our second major exclusive in issue 2, 'Bettsy' reveals the reasons why the Control Board banned him for nine months and he threatened to turn his back on the sport after a dispute with the Norwich management. He tells how Ove Fundin's selfish hard-riding tactics at the Firs upset him and his team-mates but how it made him a much better rider too. "He'd take your leg away, ride right over your foot," says Terry. Betts explains why he was at one time persona non grata at his former club, Wolverhampton and what riding for Lynn boss Maurice Littlechild meant to him. Littlechild was one mentor in Terry's life and the other key figure was Colin Pratt, who, he says, transformed his career in the early 70s. ERIC BOOTHROYD International rider and captain, world finalist, team manager, promoter, BSPA chairman and track curator . . . Eric Boothroyd has done the lot in speedway and he's still going strong in retirement in his native West Yorkshire. In our third big exclusive of this issue, the Halifax title-winning captain of 1966 takes us through his long speedway journey, from his debut ride while serving in the army, though his spells with Birmingham, Oxford and Middlesbrough, his tours of South Africa and on to his influential role in the launch of the shale sport in his home town of Halifax. Eric reveals why, every time they met for years, Ronnie Moore called him a "rotten devil" and also why, at 41, he decided the time was right to finally hang up his leathers. BRIAN CRUTCHER One of the best Brits never to win the World Final, the former Poole and Wembley favourite was still a top rider with Southampton when he stunned his supporters by announcing his retirement. The World No.2 of 1954 explains the reasons behind his decision and why he now regrets ending his racing days as early as he did. FRANK VAREY The latest in our 'Legend' series, we look back at one of the sport’s great pioneering characters - the former Belle Vue and England wild man they called the 'Red Devil'. GOING TO THE DOGS? Can speedway and greyhound racing live without each other? Following the recent closure of Walthamstow Stadium, we ask if the two sports are the classic marriage of convenience? NAME THAT TRACK Can you name the three tracks pictured in our latest photo quiz? Plus… Your letters, plus our regular columnists John Hyam and Ian Hoskins, and tributes to Willie Templeton, Joe Thurley, Bert Edwards, Darren Boocock and Snowy Beattie. Previously unseen photographs and another whole helping of pure nostalgia. Why not subscribe now for 12 months - it costs just £12 in the UK. http://www.retro-speedway.com

Thanks for the positive feedback on Mick's excellent contributions - we'll have to try and coax even more words from him, although he's a busy man. Issue 27 will be back from the printer on Wednesday and posted out to subscribers the same day.

Hundreds more pics have been added to the Retro Speedway Gallery section in the last few days, including: Many team groups from the early 70s, plus H&S and action from that era too. 1979 Colour. Also, some earlier nostalgic shots from the 60s and 50s. http://www.retro-speedway.com/

Penarth Stadium

Steve, More tears on their way, mate. Have just added three views of Plough Lane. And there are also new shots of Belle Vue, Crewe, Rochdale, Doncaster and Leicester just added. Can anyone confirm the 'unknown' venue on the site? There's a football pitch in the middle, but I'm still none the wiser.