TonyMac

Glad you enjoyed the interview with Ray - a genuine English speedway legend in a world where the term is thrown around too easily. For those whose copy hasn't yet arrived, and for non-subscribers who don't know what they're missing(!), here's an outline of what Issue 18 has to offer... MAIN MAN – RAY WILSON He was England’s first World Cup hero, former national captain and the pride of Leicester Lions. Now Ray Wilson looks back on the highlights of his illustrious career at the top in this exclusive interview with Ray from his Leicester home. Ray, 60, reflects on what he calls the "defining meeting of his career", when he was called up as the unsung member of Great Britain’s 1971 World Team Cup squad and ended that famous day in Poland as a national hero and the enduring nickname of ‘World Cup Willie’. But for a rider of his class, Ray admits he should have done better than a best-ever fourth in the World Final. Read why the memory of Gothenburg ’71 still troubles him. He looks back at what it meant to be the home-town hero at Leicester, where he skippered the team for most of his nine seasons at Blackbird Road. What were those hard-fought, Leicester-Coventry derby matches really like from the riders’ perspective? Ray talks candidly, too, about the problems caused by working for his father, promoter Ron Wilson, and how their relationship sometimes became strained. Ray also reveals why he finally decided to retire from racing after a bad crash while riding for Birmingham in 1979. Our lead columnist JOHN BERRY also gives us his take on the fiercely patriotic and loyal Ray Wilson and gives his reasons why he rated him a genuine superstar of his generation. If you can’t get enough of Ray Wilson, you may also like to check out our sister publication, Vintage Speedway Magazine, where ‘Willie’ talks about his early racing days with Long Eaton in the 60s, as well as the people who helped him to reach the top. DEFUNCT TRACK: LONG EATON The Nottinghamshire track has endured a chequered existence and in this issue we re-visit what was once home to the Archers, Outlaws and Invaders from the early 70s until the track’s unfortunate closure in 1997. Geoff Bouchard, Alan Molyneux, Dave Perks, Richard Hellsen, Jan Staechmann and Carl Stonehewer are all covered and if you can bare it, there are pictures of the derelict Station Road site today. Plus exclusive, new interviews with: JAN ANDERSSON The cool Swede would have been World Champion had the title ever been officially raced for indoors, either on ice or concrete, but here we must also recognise that Jan was a big star with both Swindon and, in particular, Reading, where he spent his British League days and won a championship medal in 1980. On the international scene, Jan reached his peak when his country was in the doldrums in the early 80s – and, as he explains, the national federation did little to help the cause. TOMMY JOHANSSON Another former Swedish international star who sparkled then fizzled out too quickly in the years before Jan Andersson emerged, Tommy looks back on his time with Newport, Ipswich and Hull in the BL and wonders what might have been. Especially if a wild Russian hadn’t managed to almost wipe him out in the 1974 World Final on home soil after he had already beaten Ivan Mauger! Tommy’s career was seriously disrupted by a mystery illness that, today, he knows was stress-related. BERNIE COLLIER Talking of illness, former Middlesbrough and Newcastle favourite Bernie Collier reveals why he considers himself lucky to be alive. The 1981 National League title winner with the Tigers from Teesside explains about the serious illness that has left him with epilepsy and unable to work. JERZY SZCZAKIEL Almost everybody said he was lucky to the 1973 World Championship from Ivan Mauger after the mighty Kiwi crashed in the decisive run-off at Katowice. . . and now Jerzy himself has admitted to Backtrack: "I was lucky on that day." Read what Poland’s only individual World Champion says about the greatest day in his life and what happened to him afterwards. BOB YOUNG The tall Aussie, who started at second division Reading and became a firm favourite and No.1 points scorer for Rayleigh Rockets, on why he regrets having started speedway so late. ALAN KNAPKIN He once rubbed shoulders with Manchester United’s Busby Babes, went on to become a speedway star at Bradford and then experienced tough times on the other side of the fence as promoter. His riders even went on strike! TONY FEATHERSTONE Whatever happened to this lively East Anglian character who hit the heights with Boston, Bradford and Peterborough before less successful spells with Hackney, Crayford, Milton Keynes and Long Eaton. IN MY DAY: MARTIN ROGERS The former Leicester, King’s Lynn and Peterborough boss is first under the spotlight in our new series where a former promoter looks back on his time in the sport. Who was the big name star he most regrets not signing? Plus… Tribute to the late JOHN SMITH, EASTBOURNE DVD review and the latest questions in our MASTERMIND quiz. And colour pictures of: Barry Thomas, Lance King, Troy Butler and John Barker.

Simmo at High Beech reunion FORMER World No.2 Malcolm Simmons is the star guest to mark the 79th anniversary of speedway racing at High Beech on Sunday, February 18. ‘Super Simmo’, who won four World Team Cup gold medals and three in the World Pairs Championship, will be appearing at the King’s Oak Hotel in Epping Forest . . . where speedway first burst into in Britain on a cinder track way back in 1928. "My career started quite a bit after that historic meeting," laughs Malcolm, who was 60-years-old in March, "but I’ve been riding motor bikes since the early 60s and I still ride fairly regularly in trials events for fun on Sundays." Simmo started his speedway career with Hackney in 1963 before winning the British League and Cup double with West Ham in 1965. After becoming an England star with King’s Lynn and Poole in the 70s, he also starred for Wimbledon in the mid-80s, had a second stint with Hackney and ended his long and illustrious shale racing career with Arena Essex in 1989. Captain of England during the country’s most dominant period in the 70s, Simmons went close to winning the individual speedway World Championship in 1976, but was pipped to the title by Peter Collins. He has spent the last year writing his hugely controversial autobiography, Simmo: The Whole Truth, and he will be signing copies of his warts ‘n’ all memoirs – including revelations about race-fixing and drugs in speedway – at the High Beech event. It’s a traditional meeting place for speedway fans from all over the country, who gather to enjoy the collectors’ fair with stands selling memorabilia and souvenirs, plus displays of vintage bikes and the chance to meet former greats like Malcolm Simmons and 1980 World Champion Michael Lee, who will also hopefully be making a personal appearance. The High Beech reunion gets underway at 11am, continues until 4pm and a large proportion of proceeds from the day will go to boost the fund for the first Speedway Museum that is now being built at Paradise Wildlife Park, Broxbourne and is set to open at the end of April. Simmo is expected to be in attendance and signing from our Retro Speedway stand between 11.30am and 1pm.

Could YOU manage the Speedway Museum? THE new Speedway Museum is looking for a Manager to help run it on a day-to-day basis at Paradise Wildlife Park, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire from the opening date in late April. The ideal candidate will be confident, presentable and possess a sound all round knowledge of speedway, have good communication skills and be able to organise and manage a team of volunteers. The manager will have responsibility for the sale of merchandise and publications, so previous retail experience would also be useful, although training will be provided. Basic working hours throughout the summer (speedway) season will be 10am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, plus occasional weekends. In the winter (November-February) the manager would be employed part-time. Salary negotiable. Candidates should apply in writing to: George Barclay, 41 Lodge Avenue, Dagenham, Essex, RM8 2JD. Or for further info, phone George on 020 8592 3361. George said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for someone who has a sound knowledge of speedway history, who is possibly retired but would still like to enjoy an important role with a modest income attached. In view of the location, the manager would need his or her own transport. "The Speedway Museum committee members will be available to help with the running of the building on occasional weekends, but it’s been decided that it would be best to appoint a manager to be there on a more permanent basis, especially throughout the summer months."

Just to confirm, for those who are interested, the annual collectors' fayre will be held at High Beech on Sunday, February 18, from 11.00am. For those who don't know the traditional venue, it's the Kings Oak Hotel (pub) in deepest Epping Forest, just a skid away from where the first-ever (it's claimed!) British speedway meeting was staged in February 1928. Food and drink refreshments are available and admission to the actual speedway collectors' fayre is ABSOLUTELY FREE. There will be the usual nostalgic displays of vintage bikes and racejackets (courtesy of Terry Stone), plus plenty of stalls flogging memorabilia - old progs, pictures, books, etc. Linda and George Barclay on the Speedway Museum stand will be selling their neat new fleeces and polo shirts with the distinctive Peter Craven action logo embroidered on them. The organisers are expecting one or two special guests to appear - and you are certain to bump into numerous former riders in any event. Almost forgot, the latest issues of Backtrack (issue 18) and Vintage Speedway Magazine (No.56) will also be out by then! We'll also be selling our full range of books, plus coasters and (probably) our new t-shirts with a 70s/80s theme to them. On our Retro Speedway stand, we will also be selling the brilliant new DVD from Australia – LIONEL VAN PRAAG – FLYING DUTCHMAN. It's the first opportunity anybody in the UK will have to buy this excellent tribute to the sport's first World Champion. The Speedway Museum also benefits from the stall holders who attend, so just by turning up and supporting the event you are, indirectly, making a valuable contribution to the Speedway Museum fund, too. So hands up who, among Forum members, is going to make the trip on Sunday, Feb 18?

So what's the wavelength frequency for those of us who don't know it?

Jim, Good selection of Ove, Peter Craven and Mirac thumbnail pics heading your way very soon by PM...

Terry Stone continues to gather in items of memorabilia that people are kindly donating to the museum. At this week's committee meeting, he had an old Canterbury racejacket worn by the late Msrtyn Piddock, plus shields donated by Canterbury Speedway S.C. Even the Scots are giving things away in support of the museum! Former Glasgow boss Jim Beaton has given Terry several trophies that were won, or competed for, by the Tigers. If anyone has anything else worthwhile, that is currently gathering dust, pse get in touch with the appropriate Speedway Museum committee members, who can be reached as follows: Funding – Linda & George Barclay: 020 8592 3361 Email: g.barclay@hotmail.co.uk Interior and Exhibits – Patrick Bowens: 020 8398 1253 or Terry Stone: 01702 554358 Email: patrick.bowens@ntlworld.com Archives – Steve Lings: 01992 440 343 Email: slings@pwpark.com Publicity – Tony McDonald: 01708 734 502 Email: editorial@retro-speedway.com And not forgetting Norman (Norbold), who you all know how to contact on this forum!

We're hopefully going to interview Tony Featherstone - one of the sport's characters of the 70s - in the next Backtrack. Does anyone have any interesting/offbeat/unusual stories or favourite memories about this ex-rider who appeared for Boston, Peterborough, Hackney, Crayford, etc? Or any particular question(s) you would like us to put to Tony when we speak to him? Cheers.

Nice one. Only trouble is, with Frank on the button, your dream night would be all over in about 15 minutes! Gerald Short?

I am delighted to say that Retro Speedway now owns the copyright to the biggest speedway photographic collection in existence . . . literally hundreds of thousands of negatives and prints from the sport’s early days until the late 90s. It’s the collection we purchased from Alf Weedon, speedway’s original photographer who started pointing his camera at speedway tracks all over Europe from the late 40s. We have a massive and unrivalled collection of images to choose from. Portrait and action shots, team groups, internationals, British League, National League, World Finals and all the major individual events and presentation pics, even numerous junior riders . . . we feel pretty certain that there isn’t a rider from the 1970s, 80s or 90s that we won’t have an image of. We are delighted to give you this unique opportunity to purchase any of our colour or black & white pictures of these riders who competed at all levels of the sport. From world champions to lower league reserves and some second-halfers. It is our intention in the future to showcase all our vast number of available images on our website at http://www.retro-speedway.com . . . but it will take years to complete that mammoth process! In the meantime, just email myself at editorial@retro-speedway with the name of the rider(s) or team group(s) that you are interested in, as well as the year in question, and let our research team do the rest! They would make great surprise gift presents for friends, relatives and loved ones, or why not just treat yourself and take another step back in time! We can offer colour and black & white pictures in the following sizes and prices: 6 x 4 inch (13cm x 9cm) costs £3.00 each (minimum spend £6.00). (We can also print up four pics together to form one larger A4 print) 12 x 8 inch - A4 (29cm x 20.5) costs £7.50 each. Postage costs £1.50 per order to a UK address (overseas airmail on request). All pictures will be printed on professional 255gsm gloss photographic art paper. These prices apply to pictures for personal use only. Please apply for commercial usage rates. Prints will be posted by Royal Mail second class, and in a board-backed envelope. Tony Mac

Aaah, 1977-78 revisited. Yep, that's as near to perfect as perfect can be. Topped with a few jars in Snoopy's?

Good to see you've still got your sense of humour, KB! Kingsmead had some good things going for it - didn't Malcolm Mitchell make a habit of forgetting to announce the winning times until 5 mins after the actual race? Must admit, JSH in his prime would take some beating. But where were the different racing lines? As I recall it, it was tight to the white line (or the grass, in Barney's case) and wind it on. No chance of anyone passing on the outside of what was a flat track. Still, if it was perfect for you who am I to argue.

OK, come on, tell us what, and who, would be part of your ultimate Perfect Night's Speedway (we're talking 1970-1990 only here, please!)? Just fill in the answers to all the following categories to make up what would be your dream speedway set-up... I'll set the ball rolling... TRACK (can be defunct): Belle Vue (Hyde Road). CAPTAIN: Ivan Mauger. OTHER RIDERS WHO HAD TO BE IN THE TEAM (assume they are at their peak): Peter Collins, Chris Morton, Kelly Moran, Zenon Plech, Bruce Penhall, Christer Lofqvist, No.8 Roman Matousek. (Probably exceeded the points limit there but what the hell!). PROMOTER: John Berry (OK, I'm biased). TEAM MANAGER: JB (Peter Adams as stand-in). ANNOUNCER: John Earrey (ex-Ipswich & White City). RACE NIGHT: Saturday, 7.45pm (time to get home from the afternoon football, but early enough to allow enough time for a visit to the funfair afterwards). MARCH OUT MUSIC: The Magnificent Seven theme tune (what else?). Beat that!

Just a reminder that today (Tuesday, Dec 19) is the last day for first class posting to arrive in time for Christmas, so if you are still stuck for that elusive late gift for a friend or relative and want to order anything from us at Retro Speedway, pse call us today on 01708 734 502 and we'll make sure all items are despatched immediately. Our last post goes at 6.45pm, so please call us before 6.30pm tonight to meet the Christmas deadline! To check out our full range of books, magazines and coasters, got to: http://www.retro-speedway.com To all our loyal and valued readers, and speedway fans everywhere, here's wishing you a very Merry Xmas and a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year... Cheers, Tony Mac

Sad news reaches the VSM office that Wally Green died on December 11 following a short illness. Wally was runner-up to Freddie Williams in the 1950 World Final (his one and only big night appearance) at Wembley, scoring 13 points. He rode for England and is regarded among the all-time greats of West Ham. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Calm down!, Calm down! Seriously, if you haven't yet received your copy, please PM me (or, better still, phone us on 01708 734 502) so that we can look into it for you immediately. If you do that now, with details of your full address, we will endeavour to pinpoint the problem and resolve it. Chances are, it has simply got lost in the deluge of Chrimbo post (from the messages on here, it's obvious that copies are arriving at different times depending on where you live, even though they are ALL posted out at the same time), or it has still to arrive! But pse call us anyway so that we can try and put things right for you. As a matter of policy, and in fairness to our loyal (and very patient!) subscribers, we do not make any copies available on eBay until AFTER we are reasonably certain that ALL subscribers have received theirs first. This time, it appears the Xmas post factor has kicked in. Many thanks for the positive comments about issue 17 from those who have seen it - that's Hackney former fans everywhere, plus those who look back fondly on the Hawks!

If he does recall it, he didn't mention it! Are you sure you haven't been re-reading Simmo's book again and getting 'em mixed up!

Issue 17 Just to confirm that the latest issue is being posted out from our mailing house this morning (Monday, Dec 4), so all subscribers should receive their copy before the end of this week. Many thanks for your patience, as it's a little later than usual (all due to the books we've had to get out!). If you don't already subscribe (shame on you!), then the new issue will be on sale at the Brighton Indoor meeting on Sunday.

John Berry will be signing copies of his new book, More Confessions, in Ipswich on Saturday, December 9. He will be at Orwell Motorcycles Ltd, 200 Ranelagh Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 0AQ from 11.30am to 1.30pm. Between 2pm and 4pm JB will be signing at Ipswich Tourist Information Centre, St. Stephens Church, St Stephens Lane, Ipswich, IP1 1DP. The following day – Sunday, Dec 10 – John will also be signing his book at the Brighton Bonanza indoor event.

MORE CONFESSIONS By John Berry 256 pages in softback, plus more than 100 pictures. Published November 2006, £15.99 Two years after his acclaimed first book Confessions of a Speedway Promoter, and a year after undergoing heart surgery, John Berry is back with his eagerly awaited follow up. As expected, the former England and Ipswich team manager/promoter pulls no punches in recalling the best and worst of times in the 70s and 80s, when he was one of the prime movers and shakers in British speedway. Less autobiographical and providing more general appeal than his first book, which focused heavily on his success with the Ipswich Witches, More Confessions has something to interest speedway fans the world over. In More Confessions, JB names his greatest rider ever, reviews every British track he has ever visited as a promoter or team manager (including his season with National League Wimbledon in 1987), runs the rule over good and bad referees, names the people he thinks deserve a medal from The Queen, explains where speedway has gone wrong . . . and how the sport could change and go forward to a brighter future. It’s bound to raise laughs and heckles in equal measure as, once again, Berry dares to say what others only think. For example, can you guess which tracks he is describing here in less than favourable terms? . . . "This was like being a visitor to Dodge City, where the only law was the survival of the fittest, and the visitors were hopelessly outnumbered! "From stepping out of the car in the afternoon, to climbing back in again, the bullying and threatening manner and attitude, both on and off the track, was tangible. Rider to rider, tinpot official to team management, person to person, the whole mob of locals seemed to be spoiling for a fight. We tried not to take too many backward steps, but I have to say, I was glad we all managed to leave that place in one piece." Or, how about this one: "From the time we arrived at that bleak place there was an air of foreboding and the smell of danger in the air. Nothing tangible, but the morose promoter cast a shadow like a rumbling volcano about to erupt at any moment." We all think we know the answers to speedway’s problems and the best way to revive the ‘golden days’. Well, Berry has appointed himself ‘King For The Day’ to do just that. Neither the BSPA nor BSI will appreciate his no-nonsense advice from Australia but he gives it all the same. And, to be fair, Berry admits the mistakes and failures he and his fellow promoters of the 70s and 80s made in failing to lay the foundations for the sport’s long-term benefit. To order your copy of More Confessions for £15.99 post-free, phone the Retro Speedway hotline on 01708 734 502, or go online at http://www.retro-speedway.com, or post cheque (payable to Retro Speedway) to: Retro Speedway (Books), 103 Douglas Road, Hornchurch, Essex, RM11 1AW.

There's a small colour pic of Tony in the next Backtrack, as part of the 'Hull - Defunct Tracks' feature. What a character. I remember him causing uproar during Hull's visit to Romford in 1971 - can't remember exactly ehat he did to so upset the locals, but he was Public Enemy No.1 at Brooklands for a while! We should interview Tony Childs. Can anyone help with his phone number, to my email address: editorial@retro-speedway.com Cheers, Tony Mac

Just a taster of what's to come at the end of November in issue 17... MAIN MAN – the late BILLY SANDERS. John Berry, who acted as Billy's legal guardian when he first arrived in the UK in 1972 and had the horrible task of identifying his former No.1 rider's body after he took his own life in 1985, provides a compelling - though sad - insight into the tragic the life and times of the Australian ace. IAN CARTWRIGHT Remember 'Super Mouse' of Halifax, who began his fence-scraping antics at Crewe and became the Dukes' No.1 and an England star? Now he's the head of a company producing work fit for royals... RICHARD HELLSEN Remembering his days with King's Lynn and Swindon and why he's grateful he got the sack from White City. KENNY McKINNA On the former Glasgow promoter whose name he still cannot bear to say, his acrimonious departure from the Tigers, and why he has only good memories of Belle Vue boss Stuart Bamforth and that great Hyde Road track. DEFUNCT TRACK – Hull Vikings (The Boulevard years) From Tony Childs to Jimmy Mac, Briggo, Ivan and the zany Americans, if you were a Vikings fan in the 70s and early 80s, then you don't want to miss this! Tributes to BRUCE FORRESTER & MIKE CUROSO BERNIE LEIGH Just what did 'Good ol' Bernie' and his Reading team-mates Dickie May and Dag Lovaas get up to on a dark motorway one night? MILAN SPINKA The courageous Czech and how he bounced back from terrifying crashes... MORE CONFESSIONS We take a sneak preview inside John Berry's brand new book and wonder just why and who he's nominated for Queen's honours, as well as what he has to say about every track he's ever visited as a team manager/promoter. You just know that someone's going to be upset, don't you... MASTERMIND How are you doing in our quiz? Check out the leading pack and put your knowledge to the test again. Plus....very nice full colour pictures of.. PHIL COLLINS (Cradley) JOHN JORGENSEN (Coventry) BARNEY KENNETT (Canterbury) MARVYN COX (Oxford) GEORGE MAJOR (Birmingham) STEVE McDERMOTT (Berwick) BRETT SAUNDERS (Edinburgh) ROBERT HENRY (Mildenhall) Have you remembered to renew your subscription yet? Or treated a loved one to a subscription as a Christmas gift? Well, what are you waiting for... Http://www.retro-speedway.com

BE SMART...AND HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR THE MUSEUM! They make great Christmas gifts... SPEEDWAY MUSEUM POLO SHIRT As modelled by 2006 World Champion Jason Crump and his father Phil. £12.00 each for Adults or £8.75 for Children. Add £1.50 P&P per shirt. Available in red, white, royal blue & black Sizes: XS, SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE, XL & XXL -------------------------------------------------------- SPEEDWAY MUSEUM FLEECE As modelled by Michael Lee and George Barclay Adults only – £20.00 each + £3.00 P&P per fleece Available in Navy or Burgundy Sizes: MEDIUM, LARGE & XL ------------------------------------------------------------- All tops include the distinctive Peter Craven action logo embroidered. To order, and for further details, contact George Barclay on 0208 592 3361 or Email: g.barclay@hotmail.co.uk Send all orders to: 41, Lodge Avenue, Dagenham, Essex, RM8 2JD. Please make cheque payable to: SPEEDWAY MUSEUM LTD To check out how the fleeces and polo tops look, visit the Speedway Museum's own website at: http://www.speedwaymuseum.co.uk All monies raised from the sale of these fleeces and polo shirts go to the Speedway Museum fund.

Don’t throw it away...give it to the Speedway Museum! DO you have piles or boxes full of old speedway magazines, programmes or other memorabilia gathering dust or cluttering your home or loft? Well, don’t throw it in the skip . . . please donate it all to the Speedway Museum committee, who can use just this kind of thing to help raise more funds for this great monument to British speedway by selling it on at collectors’ fayres (such as the annual High Beech get-together, which is confirmed for Sunday, February 18, 2007. Phone George Barclay (0208 592 3361) and he will arrange to collect anything from you, to put to good use in the continuing fund-raising effort.

Brenda gives Speedway Museum lift-off BRENDA Leat, the wife of the late former World Champion Peter Craven, was at Paradise Wildlife Park on Saturday (Oct 21) to perform the ‘ground-breaking’ ceremony on the site of the new Speedway Museum. Brenda and her husband Leon travelled down from their Wigan home to the Hertfordshire countryside to mark the beginning of the building process that will culminate in the opening of the museum next April. They were joined by PWP owner Pete Sampson, plus his fellow former riders George Barclay and Gerry King, as well as Museum trustee and fund co-ordinator Linda Barclay. "I felt honoured to be asked to attend the groundbreaking," says Brenda, "and to see how quickly things are moving now that building work has commenced. I’m also very proud that the people behind the Speedway Museum have chosen a brilliant action picture of Peter in Belle Vue colours as their brand logo. I’m sure Peter would also have been very proud to be remembered in this way."