TonyMac

More additions to the Issue 9 'cast'... STEVE WEATHERLEY...talking about life after THAT crash. What an inspirational fellow this man is. He's still racing today. MICK BELL...6 times a British League title winner, with Reading & Coventry as both rider and team manager. Many thanks for the (disappointingly) few bits of feedback to the earlier content mentions. NEIL EVITTS was typically forthright and he can still argue with the best of 'em. He tells us that he even managed to get himself fined £500 immediately after winning the British Championship! Now that takes some doing! Morose? Never. Just misunderstood and very difficult to get to know, but I think we've got a lot closer than most. He certainly knew Kenny Carter better than any other rider. CARL & RAY GLOVER - Very, very honest stuff about the Morans, the lack of team spirit at Sheffield (pre-Ray) and how the Wayne Brown saga hit the management badly. Oh, and how Carl recently had a brush with death but thankfully recovered in hospital. IVAN (Part 2)...where do we begin? Carter, Lee, Morans, Nielsen...all those World Final wins (was PC REALLY lucky in '76?) and why he has lost interest in the GP. And then some... CHRIS MORTON...we'll be running a 3-page extract from his new book. AMERICANS...I suppose not everyone will be dancing through hoops at our two-page spread, but they didn't half bring some colour and spectacle to the British scene, didn't they? And we could do with a few more like 'em round today, eh? And JOHN BERRY having a 'Slightly Sideways' pop at Nicki Pedersen and the lack of modern 'enforcers' to 'sort him out'. Trust JB to stick his oar in...! Better crack on and get this one finished...it will be out first week of July...promise! Btw, We've already lined up Michael Lee as the 'main man' for issue 10. Should be very interesting... What, you haven't subscribed yet?

Nice one, Old Saint...it's good to remember one of the unsung heroes and if this doesn't squeeze into our next issue, it will make it into the one after. There must be lots more riders, not leading points scorers but good, solid characters who gave their all and provided entertainment, worthy of a mention, so come on and get thinking/writing... Shazzybird...Like me, you are clearly too young to take part in any pre-70s debate, but thanks for the (inevitable!) mention of Ted! (though I'm not sure he'd appreciate being mentioned in a pre-70s feature...!

In the next issue of VSM (No.50) we will be including more input from our readers, including a new feature called 'MY HERO'. We're asking you to tell us the name of your all-time favourite rider (must be pre-70s) and why they were so special to you. Perhaps a great performance in a particular race or meeting stands out in your memory; or maybe you actually met and exchanged words with your hero; or there was another reason that made them No.1 in your eyes? The best, most interesting comments may well appear in the next VSM, so please get posting!..... So far we've received comments from a number of readers who put forward the obvious names of Fundin, Craven, Moore, McKinlay. Fair enough. But what about the 'lesser lights' who were favourites not just for their points scoring feats but also for their personality and other attributes? Cheers, Tony Mac

One of the most pleasing things about producing Backtrack (and VSM now) is the number of speedway people who see the mag and then get in touch with us. We've recently received a phone call from former Sheffield promoter Ray Glover and we will be carrying out an interview with both him and his eldest son, Carl, in the next couple of weeks. Please tell us your memories of the Glovers - either in their respective roles at Sheffield in the 70s/80s, or (in Carl's case) his earlier brilliance for Boston in the old second division. Maybe you have a question you'd like us to put to Ray or Carl? Former British Champion Neil Evitts has also called and we will also be interviewing this hard-riding Midlander, who always gave everything for clubs like Bradford, Halifax, Birmingham, Wolves, etc. Again, let's have your thoughts on Neil and the best questions we will put to him...

Many thanks to all those subscribers to VSM who have returned the Readers' Questionnaire inserted in all subscribers' copies of the latest issue. A great cross-sections of views that will be take onboard and which will hopefully make VSM an even better read in the future...

Wizard - if you give us a call on 01708 734 502, we will check out the problem for you and try to resolve it. If you are a paid-up subscriber, you should have received issue 8 by now Why not give Susie a call and she'll check it out...

Issue 8 out now - look what’s inside… Main Man – Ivan Mauger Part one of our exclusive 7-page interview with the world’s greatest-ever rider. Ivan talks candidly about his rivals, how he became one of the fastest starters and why he would have still been among the fastest gaters under any rules. Ivan reflects on his time with Newcastle, Belle Vue, Exeter and Hull. He reveals why he turned down the chance to buy Belle Vue before Stuart Bamforth took over at Hyde Road; why the daunting County Ground track at Exeter was unfairly criticised; and his bitter disappointment that he didn’t quite win another league title with the Vikings. With characteristic confidence in his own ability, Ivan believes that he would have won the world title at least 10 times had the GP formula applied in his day. Our top columnist John Berry provides his own insightful profile on the mighty Mauger. Jeremy Doncaster Interview with the former England, Ipswich and Reading favourite ahead of his farewell meeting. Was he too laid-back for his own good? Wally Mawdsley Reveals his personal struggle to overcome the severe financial blow of losing his battle to keep Canterbury alive. The former BSPA chairman also looks back at his days promoting at Romford, Exeter and Bristol and, also, what he describes as the worst decision ever taken in speedway. Martin Ashby The former England star names his all-time seven from the team-mates he rode with at Swindon, Exeter and Reading, and what he thinks of each of them. Reg Wilson The former Sheffield Tiger on his loyalty to his beloved Yorkshire club and why he perhaps regrets not making a move to Wolves that would have furthered his career. Tommy Jansson Could he really have stopped Peter Collins winning the world title in 1976, had fate not intervened? A reader puts the case of the hugely popular Swede. John Simmons-wheelchair bound The heart-rending story of the former Ipswich junior who was so badly injured at Peterborough in 1972 that he will spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. John describes his battle to cope with his disability, physically and financially, and why he owes so much to his caring mum. First of a series on those we must not forget. Mark Fiora What became of the former Middlesbrough, Edinburgh and Long Eaton star, who returned home to Australia? Reg Trott Title-winning rider who turned referee, the former Eastbourne veteran recalls his part in helping the fledgling Eagles soar to the top of Division Two. Rider Control John Berry offers a possible solution to the age-old team equalisation debate. When is it time to go? Knowing when to quit is a tough choice facing both riders and promoters. Martin Rogers offers some advice. Swedes in Pictures A two-page picture spread to delight fans of former Swedish stars in the British League, including Michanek, Lofqvist, Sjosten, Jansson, Holmqvist, Johansson, Hellsen, Persson, Nygren and co. _______________ Have you subscribed yet? It costs just £16 a year in the UK and subscribers will receive their copies FIRST! www.retro-speedway.com

Henka certainly was one of the most entertaining to watch - but he's not exactly an 'old boy' and is really too recent to fit into our 70s-80s timescale. Maybe in 10 years' time he will be ripe for an in-depth piece... Tony Mac

Thanks for your suggestions. Simmo is obviously right up there as a prime candidate for the Backtrack front cover, 'main man' treatment. When we spoke at the recent Lynn reunion, he said he enjoyed the magazine and was very much up for an interview, so hopefully that will happen before long... ...Mike Lee is another who says he would welcome an in-depth interview. In the meantime, the main man for issue 8 is going to be the one and only...Ivan Mauger, who gave us a typically candid and revealing four-hour interview that will probably have to run over two issues. Tony Mac

Spotted munching on a bag of chips outside West Ham's ground yesterday...former Crusader and Canterbury junior, Alan Diprose! Seems Alan has been a season ticket holder at the Hammers for the past 15 years, so he's suffered a lot, obviously! Mentioned the Canterbury reunion to him and he seems very interested. I've asked him to email me and when I have all his contact details I'll forward them on...

It's good to see that Backtrack has helped to rebuild bridges between John Louis and John Berry. It's not as if they've not been on speaking terms anyway, because the hatchet was buried long ago. But... ...At the same time as issue 7 came out, in which Tiger John expressed his honest dismay at the way he was 'dropped' by the Ipswich management in 1981, Berry reacted to those comments by immediately going on record in the local paper as saying that letting Louis go to Halifax was his biggest regret as a promoter. The look on Tiger's face, as he took possession of a copy of the Evening Star's back page just before the home meeting on Good Friday, was a picture! He clearly took a lot of satisfaction in seeing his former boss make such an honest admission, albeit 24 years on! In fairness to JB, his new signings, Sigalos and Cook, proved successful replacements for Louis and Billy Sanders, and the club went on to win more honours in the next few years. And, at the end of the day, the moves worked out well for all concerned, because Louis had two very good seasons with the Dukes, before doing even better for King's Lynn.

Thanks Bryn and all... I've just got my breath back from blowing out the candles. Still, I only feel 44! Joanne. Me, a former rider? I did once ride pillion on Barry Thomas' bike at Iwade circa 1973!

Just had to apologise for the 'deliberate mistake' in our latest issue, in the small piece about the reunion. The date should, of course, read JULY 22, NOT June (must have had brain meltdown at that point!) Se you all then...on JULY 22. That's JULY, OK?

We will be putting our weight behind the campaign to raise funds for the building of the museum, with blanket coverage in the next issues of both Backtrack and Vintage Speedway Magazine. Part of this will be an interview with George Barclay, but we also already have an interview with the great Ivan Mauger, who is all in favour of the museum. It is an absolute must that speedway has its own 'home' to preserve its rich history now and for many years to come...

Yes, the new issue 7, including our interview witb Rick, is on sale at Brandon...

Thanks to the promptings of some of the folk on here, a full four-page exclusive interview with Rick appears in the new issue 7 of Backtrack Magazine. Apart from recalling his days with the Bees and memories of his British League days, Rick has also emailed us recent pics of himself working as a stuntman and one of him at home with his wife and two children.

Grachan - very interesting, and many thanks for your pics. From what you write, I'm glad I took the train! I recall Muller lifting widly coming out of the second bend and all the Poles jeering every announcement of his name - he did get a very hostile reception that day. Wasn't the English support fantastic and, typical of the time, you brought a banner supporting all the contenders. A lot of the Enbglish fans took that view - PC was the draling of the crowd, but everyone respected the efforts of Simmo, Tiger John, Mort and Dougie Wyer and we wanted them all to do well. Naturally, if an Englishman couldn't win, I wanted Zenon Plech to be top man. PC was unstoppable on his Wessie but because the crowd was so far from the track, it wasn't possible to fully appreciate just how fast he was flying that memorable day. The riders seemed small from such a distance, or was that just my Mr McGoo eyesight? Funny thing is, I was 16 and had just left school that summer, before taking up my first job as a clerk in the Ministry of Defence (yawn). Remember, Poland was still under communist rule then and I can tell you, at my interview, my new employers took a lot of convincing when they checked my passport and saw that I'd just been to Poland before joining the Army Air department. I think they thought I might be a Soviet spy! They were lookinbg at me and saying; 'Who goes to spoeedway?...and who goes to Poland to see speedway?....On their own?...aged 16?" The third degree wasn't in it. If anybody else has any pics taken from Katowice '76 that we could use in Backtrack, please get in touch...

Issue 7 of Backtrack Magazine includes... John Louis is Mister Ipswich and in this issue 'Tiger John' looks back over his brilliant career as England racing legend, team manager and promoter, most of them spent with his beloved Witches. Louis recalls the rise of his home town club from a Suffolk backwater outfit to the pinnacle of British speedway as BL double winners in the mid-70s. But it wasn't all glory and happiness...he also reflects candidly on his fall out with promoter John Berry, when he was discarded from the team in 1980 and the hurt that caused him. He talks of his famous fellow heat leaders at Foxhall, Tony Davey and the late Billy Sanders...and why he still can't comprehend why Sanders took his own life 20 years ago. Also...why our top columnist John Berry believes the time to hoour John Louis is now long overdue... Rick Miller was one of the colourful, spectacular American riders of the 80s, when he won consecutive British League titles with Coventry. The Californian talks from his home about the great days at Brandon, riding for Charles Ochiltree and learning the ropes under Ole Olsen, plus his fall-outs with race partner John Jorgensen. And Rick also explains how he's now earning a living as a stuntman, rubbing shoulders with some of Hollywood's finest in top movies and TV commercials. George Hunter lost his battle against cancer in 1999, but we present an interview conducted by Richard Bott shortly before the Scottish speedway legend's death in which looks back over his turbulent career and how things might hgave been so different. In an astonishingly frank interview, George admits how he was later haunted by the crash that claimed the life of Peter Craven...and how he reacted when he came face to face with Craven's young children. Peter Collins will never forget the glorious summer of 1976 and we bring back great memories of that time with a review of the World Final from Poland, as well as some memories from fans who travelled all the way to Katowice to witness PC's finest hour. Steve Bastable hit the heights in 1981 when he was the shock winner of the British Final. Stevie B looks back on that momentous night at Coventry, as well as the ups and downs of his career with clubs like Stoke, Cradley Heath, Birmingham, Swindon and Coventry. Barry Crowson made history by competing in the first-ever Division Two race for Canterbury at Belle Vue in 1968. Barry also looks back at his spells with Crusaders' arch rivals Eastbourne, plus King's Lynn and why moving to Wimbledon in the mid-70s was a mistake. King's Lynn celebrate their 40th anniversary this year and to mark the landmark we publish an extract from former Lynn promoter Martin Rogers' new book, Forty Years On; King's Lynn Speedway. We look back at the big impact made by Stars' former England stars, Terry Betts, Malcolm Simmons, Michael Lee and Dave Jessup. Plus check how some of the old Saddlebow Road favourites look today with our picture coverage from the recent Lynn reunion, including up to date shots of Lee, Betts, Simmons, Ian Turner, Ray Bales, Mel Taylor and Graham Edmunds. Plus... Anders Michanek was brought to England in 1968 by promoter Reg Fearman, who recalls the success of the Super-Swede and some of the more lighter moments of their relationship. Scunthorpe are back in business after an absence of 20 years and we talk to former Scunny No.1 Nicky Allott about his memories from days gone by at the club's two previous tracks. John Berry returns with part two of his lament to the passing of Rider Control and the old controversial method of trying to balance team strengths in another major talking point feature. Latest reviews...we've got the low down on the new Bruce Penhall Story on DVD/Video, plus the new, remastered World Speedway Champions of the 80s production. And especially for fans of Danish riders, we've a special two-page picture spread reviving memories of Hans Nielsen, Erik Gundersen, Jan O Pedersen and a host of others who came from Denmark to make their mark on British speedway in the 70s and 80s. ----------------- Subscribers' copies being mailed out today (Tues, March 29), so please give it time! If you haven't subscribed yet, and don't want to miss an issue due to rain-offs at the tracks, then why not click on the front cover image below and subscribe online to the next six issues for: £16 - UK; £22 - Europe (air mail); Rest of World (air mail) - £30. Cheers, Tony Mac

In the next issue (7) of Backtrack, we will be running a feature looking back at the brilliant 1976 World Final and Peter Collins' great victory in Poland. I wondered how many of you travelled to that meeting and, in particular, aboard the special Warnerspprts train all the way to Katowice? I did, but my memory of the trip is very hazy (might have something to do with beer in West Berlin at our stopover!). What an experience - Communism, 'Check Point Charlie' and all that... It would be great to include some interesting, entertaining memories from English supporters who recall that momentous day in speedway history, when the fans turned out in force to support PC, Simmo, 'Tiger' John, Mort and 'Flyer' Wyer. Didn't it rain before the start? I'd be very grateful for any good memories from fellow fans on that trip... Cheers, Tony Mac

Good shout, spin king! Although the line-up of VIP guests on the night is looking very strong, JB and ourselves would appreciate any help in contacting the following: Brian Messenger John Cook Kai Niemi Stan Pepper Ted Spittles Please email any possible contact details to me at: editorial@retro-speedway.com Cheers, Tony Mac

Pleased to confirm that Rick has answered our call and already been in touch with the Backtrack office. We're going to hook up soon for a phone interview (Backtrack expenses won't cover the return air fare to California, more's the pity!). Hopefully the interview will go in the next issue...

King's Lynn legends Terry Betts, Mike Lee and Malcolm Simmons were reunited last night, when the town hall hosted a special 40th anniversary civic reception. Other former 'Stars' riders who joined current promoters Buster and Jonathan Chapman and the Mayor of King's Lynn were: Ian Turner, Richard Knight, Trevor Hedge, Mel Taylor, Ray Bales, David Gagen, Barry Crowson, Troy Pratt and Graham Edmunds. Troy Batchelor, Adam Allott and James Brundle kept the flag flying for the modern-day 'Knights' - sorry, but I just can't get used to them being nicknamed anything but Stars with the gold & green racejacket and five stars emblem! Bettsy was on great form, recounting tales of winning the first-ever meeting at Saddlebow Road (nah, can't have the Norfolk Arena either!), while gracious Simmo paid tribute to his former team-mate by referring to him as 'Mister King's Lynn'. Mike Lee also looked in very good nick and is busy preparing engines for eight young English riders this season, including Lynn's Brundle. Exclusive full report and pictures from this nostalgic occasion will appear in the next issue of Backtrack...

Ipswich Witches fans will be interested to know that John Berry, in association with Backtrack, is to hold a reunion of former Foxhall favourites on Good Friday, March 25. After Witches' home match against Arena Essex in the afternoon, JB and his old friends and colleagues are gathering at the nearby Kesgrave Community Centre for an evening of fun and pure nostalgia, including a fans' forum where you can fire questions at Berry and co. Among the VIP guests who have already confirmed their attendance are: Dave Gooderham Jeremy Doncaster John Louis Kevin Jolly Mike Lanham Preben Eriksen Ron Bagley Ted Howgego Tim Hunt Tony Davey Trevor Jones Mick Hines Andy Hines Richard Knight Others are expected to be there, including Michael Lee - yes, after all these years, JB has finally relented and called on a 'guest' . . . and from Witches' arch East Anglian rivals, too! Tickets are priced just £10, which includes complimentary 32-page souvenir programme and light refreshments. Doors open from 6pm but the main part of the evening commences at 7.30pm, and ends at 11pm. Tickets are very limited, and are only available in advance of the event, so we urge you to book early to avoid disappointment. You can order tickets (£10 per person) via the Backtrack office credit card hotline on: 01708 379 079. If you call outside normal office hours, just leave your name and number and we'll call you back as soon as possible. Or send a cheque/postal order (payable to Backtrack) to: Backtrack (Ipswich Reunion), Unit 4, Ashton Gate, Ashton Road, Harold Hill, Romford, Essex, RM3 8UF. For those who live in or near Ipswich and would prefer to collect your tickets in person, they can also be bought in the town centre from: Ipswich Tourist Centre, St Stephen's Church, St. Stephen's Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1DP. If you enjoyed your speedway at Foxhall Heath during John Berry's 15 years there, between 1969 and 1985, then you won't want to miss this!

Hello Rick! Good to hear you're doing well for yourself. Like so many others, I found your comments on here very interesting and, given the limitations of the messageboard (and the strain on your typing fingers!), I wondered if you would like to be interviewed by Backtrack Magazine (you might remember me from my days at Speedway Mail in the 80s?). If so, please email me at editorial@retro-speedway.com with your phone number, and hopefully we can arrange to hook up soon. I'd like to call you to chat about the glory days at Brandon and your time in the USA Test team, etc, etc. I'm sure our readers would enjoy an in-depth interview with you in our next issue... Look forward to hearing from you soon... Cheers, Tony Mac Backtrack Magazine

Well, come on then...thanks to those who have taken the trouble, but there must be another million of you out there who are keeping those magic memories of past BLRC nights at Hyde Road locked away from us all! Share those memories with us...please!!!