TonyMac

I understand. But can't you just cut out expenditure on the wife... or re-direct 16 quid of her annual allowance to a year's Backtrack subscription. She'll love you for it!

Issue 25 didn't...it only went to the printer today!

I tell you what . . . if you're home, say, around 3-ish this Sunday, I'll pop over and read the article to you! It'll save us having to print more than just a few copies!

These are John's thoughts entirely. He is proud of his image and his contribution to the good of speedway. Interestingly though (and this may surprise those who consider him self-centred) he is not satisfied with what he achieved as a rider, especially in the UK, where he felt a bit under-appreciated on the whole. He says he should have more than two individual world final appearances to show for a long career. He loved Wimbledon - his favourite of all British tracks - but preferred the bigger tracks in general. One widely held perception of John that he is keen to quash is that he 'had it easy' and enjoyed a privileged background. Sure, his dad Harry gave him great support and he very much acknowledges that, but it may not be generally known that John had to grow up fast after his mum was left a paraplegic from a car crash when he was just 12. I hope you all enjoy the JD interview, along with everything else in the next issue. We'd be very interested to receive your feedback after you've read it, so pse get in touch, either via this forum or the letters page in Backtrack. I'd better stop waffling on here and get it finished and to the printer...! http://www.retro-speedway.com

John is a bit embarrassed now about how he reacted to ref Gunther Sorber's decision to exclude him. He still believes Sorber got it wrong, though, and admits he didn't speak to Ivan for some time because of what happened, although did offer his congrats to the new world champ at the end of the '77 world final at Ullevi.

One of the most endearing things about John is that he has the capacity to also poke fun at himself. In the interview, he talks about being called 'Mavis' (in Kenny Carter's case, to his face!) but says that didn't bother him. He thrived on his pop star image and, as he points out, which riders of today are ever likely to be asked to appear on the front cover of teen girl mags of today - whereas he was the cover man on both My Guy and Oh Boy, not to mention an inside feature in Cosmopolitan? To be fair, JD gives most credit to Dave Lanning for the media publicity he gained, though he does mention one embarrassing bit of bad advice he received from him, too... Don't wish to give too much away on here, you understand. But I can confirm that he does still dye his hair blond-ish!

OLLE NYGREN Swedish legend Olle Nygren dominates the latest issue of Vintage Speedway Magazine following the exclusive interview we conducted with the former Norwich, Wimbledon and West Ham star at his Felixstowe, Suffolk home. Our absorbing 11-page feature on ‘Varg Olle’, as he knows to thousands of supporters in Sweden, covers not only the early part of his eventful speedway career, but his remarkable story of success in so many other forms of motorsport. Now 78-years-old but with an enduring enthusiasm for motorcycling that would put a teenager to shame, Olle reflects – in what is the first of our two-part interview - on his early shale days at Harringay, New Cross and Bristol before he became the first Swede to finish on the World Championship rostrum in 1954. He talks candidly about his main rivals and the big names of the shale game - including Ove Fundin, Split Waterman, Peter Craven, Aub Lawson and Tommy Price - that he learned from before international stardom and a playboy lifestyle in his native Stockholm followed. Nygren also reveals how his hectic speedway activity landed him in jail, how he defied snakes and lions in the jungle on his way to race in South Africa and also talks about the battles he had with the Swedish speedway authorities that punctuated his career. BELLE VUE To mark the 80th anniversary of British speedway, John Chaplin looks back at Belle Vue, from its opening in 1928 through to the present day, with special emphasis on the pre-70s period. Recalling the special atmosphere and experience of the world-renowned Belle Vue Manchester zoological complex and those greats names from Hyde Road past, including . . . Jack Parker, Eric Langton, Frank Varey, Dent Oliver, E.O. Spence, Alice Hart, Peter Craven, Ove Fundin and Ivan Mauger. BRITISH LEAGUE DIVISION TWO Is it really 40 years since the formation of the second tier division that transformed the sport and the fortunes of the England national team, by producing a conveyor belt of new, young talent? We look back at the launch of BL2 in 1968 and the 10 teams who paved the way for a blossoming future. SCOTTISH SCANDINAVIANS To coincide with the sad death of Norwegian Oyvind Berg, columnist Ian Hoskins recalls the numerous Scandinavians who turned out for Edinburgh, Glasgow and Coatbridge in the mid-60s with mixed fortunes. HIGH BEECH As supporters and ex-riders gathered in a quiet, picturesque corner of deepest Epping Forest where British speedway came to life 80 years ago, John Hyam recalls an aborted bid to bring the bikes back to High Beech. Plus…Eric Linden, your letters and our new Name That Track quiz. http://www.retro-speedway.com

Here's a taster of just some of what's in store in Issue 25, out early April... OLE OLSEN - Part 2. Read what he has to say about the Great Danes who followed him...Gundersen, his rift with Hans Nielsen, why he is critical of Tommy Knudsen...his past world finals...THAT race in 1977 that decided everything in the slime at Ullevi... JOHN DAVIS - outspoken and controversial as ever...why he would kick "idiot foreigners" out of British speedway...the attitudes of riders today...why he didn't care about being called 'Mavis'...the fall outs at Reading and Poole...Michanek, Jessup, Andersson, Schwartz and co...what he thought of Dave Lanning...why Wimbledon was his dream track...why he needed Simmo's help...what he has to say about the British fans who supported the Americans...Lee Richardson...and much, much more... LARRY ROSS - racing again at 53...looking back at his days from unknown to No.l at Wimbledon...why he left for Belle Vue...Halifax, Bradford and more... STEVE LOMAS - the 'Bionic Cucumber' who started at Weymouth and was an overnight sensation at Hackney before finding his feet in NL with Edinburgh and Boston... KNOW WHO'S BOSS IN THE NORTH - Mike Parker, Frank Varey, Jack Fearnley, Ian Thomas, Eric Boothroyd, Eric Boocock, Stuart Bamforth, etc, etc. SUNDERLAND...our latest Defunct Track feature... DICK BARRIE...our man on the mic Two minutes with...PAUL EVITTS MICK FIELDING... and lots more...

Steve, the injury that really did for Sverre was the badly broken thigh he suffered in the 1968 European Final in Poland. Speaking recently to Simmo (Sverre's former team-mate from West Ham), Malc reckons Harrfeldt would have gone on to be world champion but for that bad smash in Poland. We'll have to interview 'Hearthrob' soon to find out his view, though. Dave Kennett's career suffered a serious setback the night (April 1973) he and Hackney team-mate Allan Emmett piled into the fence on the pits turn at Waterden Road, while leading Leicester's Ray Wilson. Although that incident affected Emmett even worse. and he was probably more talented than Dave. Kennett always struggled from the gate in top flight racing.

Yes, you can buy all 24 back issues of Backtrack direct from the publishers, online, and have them posted straight to your door. Here's the link: http://www.retro-speedway.com/page.php?47 Alternatively, you can order by post and pay by cheque, or phone Retro Speedway (01708 734 502) and pay using your credit or debit card. It's cheaper to subscribe - just £16.00 for six issues per year. The same as it cost when the mag started four years ago.

Many thanks to Miro and all others who have helped to identify more 'mystery men' on our site. I'm not sure about Poyser, though. The Oxford pic was definitely taken in 1968, the same year as this shot http://www.retro-speedway.com/extras/autog...pg&start=80 of JP in Reading colours - and they don't look like the same man! Poyser did make one official appearance for the Cheetahs in '68, but I'm wondering if the man in Oxford colours is Colin Clark, who rode that year for second division Crayford? Can anyone pse confirm whether Colin also rode second halves at Oxford, or perhaps appeared as their No.8, which might explain him appearing in the Cheetahs' body colour? I'm embarrassed at there being so many more Hackney 'unknowns' still to be identified, never mind the rest! Thanks again, though, to all for looking... http://www.retro-speedway.com/extras/autog...autogallery.php?

Have just added hundreds more 'new' pics to the site - this time from the 1968 season. Most teams show new images in classic black & white, including those pioneers of BL Division Two: Belle Vue Colts, Berwick, Crayford, Canterbury, Rayleigh, Nelson, Plymouth, Weymouth, Reading and Middlesbrough. There are a number of unidentified 'unknowns' among them, so - as ever - a big thanks to anyone who can put names to the faces and black leathers! Check out the Gallery section at: http://www.retro-speedway.com

UPDATE Have just added more than 120 pics to the site, all from the 1974 season, with most tracks included. There are 'unknowns' in the Coventry and Swindon sections (more from 1987 have been added to the Robins' section). For those of you who prefer the late 60s, keep your eyes peeled, as I'll be adding 500 or so more images in the next couple of days from the 1968 season, including the first pics of riders and teams who competed in the launch of the second division that year...

Timmy Joe Shepherd, for Hackney v Belle Vue, 1975 Unknown American. Two rides, two lasts. Never seen in the UK again.

We, at Retro Speedway, are now working on a brand new book on Romford Bombers, the second division period of 1969-71. The book will be on sale later this year. As well as providing an entertaining history on that era, it will also feature new and exclusive interviews with many of the ex-Romford riders and management, lots of pictures (many previously unseen), plus reviews of the three seasons in questions, right up to the sad closure. And for the anoraks, there will be a stats section, too. We also want YOUR memories of past meetings at Brooklands, which will form the fans' memories section of the book. So, either via this forum thread, or by email to me at editorial@retro-speedway.com . . . please let's have your memories - good and bad - about speedway at Romford. It could be a memorable race/meeting, your favourite rider and why, or something quirky about the place and what Thursday nights at this old track meant to you personally. Where you stood, the people you met, the characters of Romford Speedway. The best, most interesting and entertaining submissions we receive will appear in the book itself, so there's a chance for you to see your name in lights in a book to further preserve the great name and history of ROMFORD BOMBERS! So come on, let's hear from you... Remember those names (inc Rochester Bombers)...Kevin Holden, Phil Woodcock, Brian Foote, Ross Gilbertson, Des Lukehurst, Charlie Benham, Mike Vernam, Bob Coles, Mike Sampson, Bruce Edgar, Ted Spittles, Ian Gills, Chris Yeatman, Terry Shearer, Tony George, Colin Sanders, Stan Stevens, Barry Duke, Geoff Penniket, Frank Wendon, John Hibben, Brian Davies, Roland Schofield, Adrian Baker, Mick Steel, Roger Knight, Brian Read, Mike Holt, Dave O'Connor, Dave Percy, Clark Facey, Dene Davies, Ron Edwards, Colin Clark...etc, etc. And if you are a former Romford rider yourself, then we'd be delighted to hear from you, too...

We, at Retro Speedway, are now working on a brand new book on Rayleigh Rockets, specifically covering the second division period of 1968-73. The book will be on sale around this time next year, if not sooner. As well as providing an entertaining history on that era, it will also feature new and exclusive interviews with the ex-Rayleigh riders and management, lots of pictures (many previously unseen), plus reviews of the six seasons in questions, right up to the sad closure. And for the anoraks, there will be a stats section, too. We also want YOUR memories of past meetings at The Weir which will form the fans' memories section of the book. So, either via this forum thread, or by email to me at editorial@retro-speedway.com . . . please let's have your memories - good and bad - about speedway at the Weir between 68-73. It could be a memorable race/meeting, your favourite rider and why, or something quirky about the place and what Saturday nights at this old track meant to you personally. Where you stood, the people you met, the characters of Rayleigh Speedway. The best, most interesting and entertaining submissions we receive will appear in the book itself, so there's a chance for you to see your name in lights in a book to further preserve the great name and history of RAYLEIGH ROCKETS! So come on, let's hear from you... Remember them: Allan Emmett, Bob Young, Geoff Maloney, Hughie Saunders, Dingle Brown, Terry Stone, Tiger Beech, Peter Cairns, Trevor Barnwell, Pete Wigley, Les 'Red' Ott, John Gibbons, Peter Moore, Steve Clarke, Peter Claridge, Brian Foote, Mike Gardner, Graeme Smith, Dennis Mannion, Laurie Etheridge, Roger Wright, Alan Jackson, Nigel Rackett, Garry Moore, George Barclay, Tony Hall, Laurie Guilfoyle, Bob Newman, Ian Champion, Colin Tucker, Barry Lee, etc, etc And if you are a former Rayleigh rider yourself, then we'd be delighted to hear from you, too.

Fans of Plymouth and Romford, in particular, will recall Colin Sanders from the late 60s/early 70s. He was Plymouth Devils' No.1 in 1969 before a couple of injury-plagued seasons with the Bombers. Sad to report that Colin is none too well these days and, on behalf of his family, I'm posting this in the hope that some of you who read it will take the time and trouble to write to Colin, to let him know that he is still remembered by fans in the UK. (Personally, as an 11-year-old, I recall getting his autograph on numerous occasions in the car park after meetings at Brooklands in 1971.) Colin has spent the last 23 years living a rather lonely existence in the USA, and it was while riding a motorcycle at the Dade City Raceway in Florida last summer that he suffered the major stroke that has left him paralysed down both sides of his body and unable to speak. He is, however, able to hear and understand what is being said to him. Apparently, he can also read, hence this appeal for a few 'best wishes' type messages. We'll be sending him copies of Backtrack and VSM mags to try and give him a lift but any additional written messages of encouragement from forum members would be most welcome. Colin's sister, Carole, has been in touch with us to say that her brother was flown back from the States this week and is now in Poole General Hospital. We're not encouraging visitors - Colin is not well enough for that at this stage - but letters or cards can be sent to him via his sister at: Colin Sanders c/o 12, The Field Shipley Heanor Derbyshire DE75 7JH Thanks for your support. Tony Mac

We interviewed Langy (via email) for the very first issue of Backtrack in March 2004, although admittedly it was only a simple Q&A that ran to one page. He certainly deserves to be covered in much more depth - a must for a future VSM.

Here's what's cookin' in issue 24, as we look forward to a fifth year of Backtrack... MAIN MAN – OLE OLSEN We’ve brought you some major exclusive interviews in Backtrack magazine over the past four years, but they don’t come any bigger than this one, with three times World Champion Ole Olsen – the most powerful man in speedway. Editor Tony Mac recently visited the original Great Dane at his home in Denmark and the result is a captivating 8-page interview with the man who put Danish speedway on the map. As forthright and controversial as ever, Ole talks about his own illustrious racing career, including his memories of riding for Newcastle, Wolverhampton and Coventry in the British League. Read what he has to say about: *Mike Parker, the rebel promoter who brought him to England in 1967. *Learning from the maestro, Ivan Mauger. *Why he would have quit BL if he hadn’t been granted his wish to join Coventry in 1976, when the BSPA tried to force him to Hull. And what did he call Ian Thomas that so incensed the Vikings’ boss? *Ole’s reason for turning down Briggo’s invite to join the Golden Greats…and why this man of the future always prefers to look forwards rather than back. *His radical thoughts on the state of British speedway and how to cure them. “I think they should stop British speedway for two years – close it down – and then come back with a whole new concept,” he says. *Olsen advises the BSPA how to handle riders who refuse to ride in wet conditions. *And among his revolutionary plans for the continued development of the Speedway Grand Prix is to change the starting system, so that the man on the outside starts one metre in front of the rest on an angled start-line grid. Our top writer John Berry airs his own personal thoughts on Olsen, the man who became his most difficult opponent when they managed England and Denmark respectively in the mid-80s. All this and much more…and this is only Part 1! The second instalment of the interview, when Ole talks candidly about his feud with Hans Nielsen, explains why he backed Erik Gundersen and how that, in turn, also upset Tommy Knudsen, will be in our next issue (No. 25), when he also talks about his World Final ups and downs and Vojens. ERIK GUNDERSEN The second part of our Erik Gundersen interview, a 5-pager, also makes for compelling reading, although it won’t please British track bosses. For the triple World Champion talks enthusiastically about his new role as Denmark’s Youth Trainer . . . and why the future looks rosy for his country and gloomy for the Brits. ‘Gunder the Wonder’ explains, in detail, how the Danes are re-building for the future with a structured youth policy aimed at producing the next generation of Nicki Pedersens. But, as Erik warns here, it’s not only the progression of bike-mad kids in Denmark and Sweden who Britain should beware of. He predicts that Russia will follow Poland and become a major force in world speedway in the seasons ahead, having himself been offered a coaching role in the old Soviet Union. The former Cradley Heath hero also offers to help Britain puts its house in order after years of neglect when it comes to youth development. BELLE VUE – 80-year celebrations To mark the 80th year of racing at Belle Vue, and in Britain, in 2008, we talk to former Aces’ boss Eric Boocock about what it was like to race at the much-missed Hyde Road raceway and the honour of being part of the famed Manchester set-up. Booey also pays tribute to the late Allan Morrey, one of the unsung heroes of Belle Vie Speedway for many years. JOE THURLEY Although currently awaiting triple heart bypass surgery that he hopes will happen in April, the former Birmingham boss reveals the highs and lows of reviving the Brummies at Perry Barr in 1971, the glory days of the mid-70s and then his ill-fated decision to take them up into the top flight. It’s a gamble he now regrets. KEVIN JOLLY A strong East Anglian feel to this four-page interview, as former Mildenhall starlet Kevin recalls the tension of past local derby clashes in the top flight between Ipswich and King’s Lynn – and why he wished he’d never moved from Foxhall to Saddlebow Road. DEFUNCT TRACK: RAYLEIGH If you were a regular at The Weir track in south-east Essex in the early 70s, you’ll be wallowing in nostalgia with this 3-pager on the Rockets, who were revived by Len Silver in 1968 and ran until the dreaded bulldozers flattened the place at the end of the 1973 season. NATIONAL SERVICE How speedway was back page news – and occasionally even made the front! – during the glory days of the 70s and early 80s, when England ruled world speedway. Plus… The Rod Haynes Column, Life and Times of a 70s Racer . . . interview with former Middlesbrough announcer and team manager Tony Coupland, a tribute to ex-Oxford graduate Rick Timmo, and Q&As with Ian Hindle and Russ Dent, as well as your letters and the latest round of our Mastermind quiz. _____________________________________________ If you don’t already subscribe to Backtrack, which is now entering its fifth year, it costs just £16.00 a year (UK) to have six issues delivered direct to your door. Or, if you want to try one issue first before committing, you can buy single copies for £4.00 (inc P&P) via the PayPal facility at the publisher’s website: http://www.retro-speedway.com Alternatively, you can place your order over the phone by calling 01708 734 502.

Can you recall any specific examples of this yourself? Speaking to a number of riders from the 60s period, it's clear that Olle was widely regarded as ruthless, some have said 'dirty'. I'm going to ask him about how he was perceived by his rivals. You can't help but admire the man and what he has put back into the sport.

I'm off to interview Swedish great Olle Nygren tomorrow (Monday, Feb 4), who will be featured prominently in our next issue of VSM. Do you have any questions in particular that you'd like me to ask Olle? Anything about him, or his long career, that you have always wanted to know? Just post your (sensible!) questions on here, and I'll do the rest... Any thoughts on Olle's career that you'd like to share on this forum? Cheers, Tony Mac

Thanks, Rob, for looking anyway. Wonder what caused Olsen to hit the fence - unlike him to go there without 'help' from a rival? Maybe there was a mechanical problem? Can anyone shed any light? Ole couldn't recall the details of this incident when asked.

In the next issue of Backtrack magazine, we're running a feature on the excellent coverage speedway received (compared to modern times) from much of the national English daily press, mainly tabloids, in the 70s and early 80s. To illustrate the article, I wondered if anybody has kept newspaper cuttings from that period that you would be willing to either scan and email to me (would have to be scanned at 300dpi) or post to us? Obviously, we would return anything that was posted. I'm thinking of cuttings from the likes of the Daily Mirror when Mike Lee was a regular columnist, and other stories that carried big headlines featuring big names such as Lee, PC, Ivan, Ole, England (winning!), World Final coverage, etc, etc. Any help would be very much appreciated. Pse note, though, we're only concerned with NATIONAL paper coverage, not local press. Pse PM me if you'd prefer. Cheers, Tony Mac

I've just added some pictures I took of Ole and family to our website. Scroll down to the bottom of the text on the Olsen home page news story... http://www.retro-speedway.com

I'd like to see that, too, Rob, so can you please provide a link for it when you next get a minute...? I don't know the details of the crash, bit Olsen broke his shoulder at Oxford, which severely hampered his chances of winning the title in ’73.