J-D Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 (edited) One of my fondest memories with Wiggy was standing by the pits at Oxford in 1994 when Sheffield were the visitors. Jiri Stancl Jr was riding for the Tigers in one of his first appearances in England. He was wearing some bright green leathers, very much like Simon used too. I commented to him about the leathers and he quibbled 'Jiri needs to learn to gate as they help to dazzle the back markers!’ JD, Reading Edited October 18, 2005 by J-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Champion Posted November 13, 2005 Report Share Posted November 13, 2005 (edited) 20.09.1992 (?); Poland, E-league meeting Stal Rzeszow - Unia Tarnow (at Rzeszow). Classic speedway derby, two teams that fans don't "like" each other and stadium full of them, hot atmosphere. Wiggy riding with Tarnow. Wiggy was riding somewhere in Germany just a day before (saturday evening) and Rzeszow management set the meeting start on... 11 in the morning with hope that Wiggy won't manage to arrive to Rzeszow on time and Rzeszow beats Unia. 10.55 - Wiggy arrives at the stadium. No preparations, no test-riding. About 11 first heat of the meeting: Jacek Rempala and Wiggy vs. J.Stachyra and Slaczka. Wiggy won this heat (Rempala 2nd), and... set a brand new track record. Final score: Rzeszow 42, Tarnow 48, Simon scored 13+1. That's how Wiggy became a hero of Unia Tarnow, and that's how he's going to be remembered forever by Unia' fans. Edited November 13, 2005 by Champion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hackett Posted November 14, 2005 Report Share Posted November 14, 2005 Legend and is it just me that thinks the sport would be in a far better situation than it is now if the man was alive today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted November 19, 2005 Report Share Posted November 19, 2005 Received my copy today. Thanks Tony. It looks brilliant and I look forward to reading it when I can prise it off my husband. Great to know there will be a book about Kenny Carter coming out next May as well. Will have to get my name down for that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickmiller Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 Tony - just a quick note to say that the book has arrived and its a very rivetting, very emotional book. Although you never forget certain riders, its not until you read something like this that you realise how much you miss them. Well done to all concerned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shazzybird Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 Not sure this is the right place to post this but it's with regard to the Simon Wigg feature in Backtrack this month. I have just sat and read the above mentioned article and had me in tears so much so I've asked for his book for christmas, the article was very well put together and enough to give a little taster for the book....... I want to read more. Well done all at Backtrack for yet another fantastic edition Hans Nielsen my god where did all that hair come from was he like a Girls World turn the handle and it appeared Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
britneyspears Posted December 2, 2005 Report Share Posted December 2, 2005 so I've asked for his book for christmas,<{POST_SNAPBACK}> Me too, i cant wait to get my mitts on it, my first hero wiggy was Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shortcrust Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 Somebody close to me got his copy for Xmas, very pleased too his is with it and can't seem to put it down. Keeps reading out bits to me all the time, so looks like I'll be having a read in due course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whowasthatberntpersson Posted January 3, 2006 Report Share Posted January 3, 2006 Just received my copy for Christmas. Its the best speedway book I've ever read. Not overloaded with stats like many speedway books, it gets to the personal side of a truly great motorcyclist. Its emotional for sure, in particular the articles written by his Wife, Brother, etc. What a legend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cheetahhawk Posted January 4, 2006 Report Share Posted January 4, 2006 Just received my copy for Christmas. Its the best speedway book I've ever read. Not overloaded with stats like many speedway books, it gets to the personal side of a truly great motorcyclist. Its emotional for sure, in particular the articles written by his Wife, Brother, etc. What a legend. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I also got this book for Christmas and am really enjoying reading it, even if some bits have made me shed a tear or two. Can't put it down,if I'm not on the forum I am reading my speedway books,good job I don't have to go to work at the moment so I can read to my heart's content. I am sure if dear old Wiggy was still with us he would most definately contribute to this forum as I'm sure it would appeal to his sense of fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehone Posted January 4, 2006 Report Share Posted January 4, 2006 Somebody close to me got his copy for Xmas, very pleased too his is with it and can't seem to put it down. Keeps reading out bits to me all the time, so looks like I'll be having a read in due course. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> that would be me then .... what a good book it is, and as has been mentioned, you get a ride through the whole spectrum of emotions ... from humour to deep sadness. the book sums up just how dedicated and obsessive Wiggy was towards the sport he loved (grasstrack/longtrack), and how much he put into speedway. i have no doubt, had Wiggy been alive now, he would have been able to offer so much to both tv and magazines and pushed and promoted the sport in such a way that we have yet to see. the bloke was a star. oh, and one of my pictures is in the book! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandman Posted January 4, 2006 Report Share Posted January 4, 2006 (edited) that would be me then .... what a good book it is, and as has been mentioned, you get a ride through the whole spectrum of emotions ... from humour to deep sadness. the book sums up just how dedicated and obsessive Wiggy was towards the sport he loved (grasstrack/longtrack), and how much he put into speedway. i have no doubt, had Wiggy been alive now, he would have been able to offer so much to both tv and magazines and pushed and promoted the sport in such a way that we have yet to see. the bloke was a star. oh, and one of my pictures is in the book! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> spot on Steve.. Wiggy was everything right about speedway, and if he was still alive, quite sure he would have been at the fore front of bringing the sport up.. i didnt know him, but always admired him. great self promoter, rider and a top flight person.. Edited January 5, 2006 by sandman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f-s-p Posted February 11, 2006 Report Share Posted February 11, 2006 I have to say that I still havent finished the book that I got for Christmas. I was all hyped up about it, read the Wiggy and the family part of it almost all at once, but after the first time I finished reading the friends part, I havent picked up on it since... Wiggy must have been fantastic, no doubt, but I was a bit disappointed about the book... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted February 11, 2006 Report Share Posted February 11, 2006 I have to say that I still havent finished the book that I got for Christmas. I was all hyped up about it, read the Wiggy and the family part of it almost all at once, but after the first time I finished reading the friends part, I havent picked up on it since... Wiggy must have been fantastic, no doubt, but I was a bit disappointed about the book... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Said much the same on another thread.The first bit was good.Second half of the book was very much a filler.I would rather have had full statistics for Simons career than all those interviews Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyMac Posted February 15, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 (edited) Said much the same on another thread.The first bit was good.Second half of the book was very much a filler.I would rather have had full statistics for Simons career than all those interviews <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Arrrggggh! Before anyone reminds me, everyone is entitled to their opinion, of course, but the last two comments leave me dumbfounded and a bit puzzled as to what exactly speedway fans expect from a book. Iris, are you honestly saying that you'd rather see page after page of boring statistics than read the tributes of some 60 people from the world of speedway, all with something interesting and unique to say about Wiggy! I can accept constructive criticism, but replacing honest words and good copy - all 100-odd pages of it - with stats is taking the biscuit. This has already been recognised as one of, if not the best, speedway books EVER produced, and thankfully your negative comments seem to be in the very small minority. Don't take our word for it. Speedway Star Editor Richard Clark knows a good read when he sees it. Here's an extract from his review: "Full credit to Gareth for bringing him back into our lives so vividly, wisely letting Wiggy do the talking! But there's much, much more to this book, too. Brother Julian's compelling foreword and widow Charlie's heartbreaking testimony are moving, frank and, strangely, uplifting. As is the effect of the countless tributes that also help fill these pages. Tributes from so, so many people genuinely touched by this man Wiggy. Ivan Mauger might not strike you as the most emotional of men. Read his thoughts on Wiggy and judge the six-times World Champion anew. Hans Nielsen, a machine? Read on, read on. The measure of the man is that the tributes resemble a who¹s who of track racing. This is a unique speedway book about a unique speedway person. Gareth and Retro Speedway's Tony McDonald have done the Big Man proud. Do yourself a favour. This Christmas, spend some getting to know Wiggy." Finally, thanks to all those who took the trouble to post their positive reactions. Please keep 'em coming... I'll get back in the pram now... Edited February 15, 2006 by tmc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 On the "other" Wiggy thread wherever that was.Think in speedway general discussions i did go into a bit more detail.I did in fact say that Julian's and Charlie's as well as Simons daughters contributions were very moving,but i did find that section maybe 30-40% to long.In all honesty i don't think all the contributors, great and small had something "interesting an unique" to say,but thats my opinion. It is however a very good book,i would recommend it,just for me a smaller interview section replaced by a stats section would have made it perfect.sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemini Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 Iris, are you honestly saying that you'd rather see page after page of boring statistics than read the tributes of some 60 people from the world of speedway, all with something interesting and unique to say about Wiggy! Please no!! I hate statistics and am not the slightest bit interested in them. If I had known there would be loads of "facts & figures" then I wouldn't have bought the book. It was brilliant and thanks for the chance to have a little insight into Simon's life & family, as well as his speedway/longtrack career. Great stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f-s-p Posted February 16, 2006 Report Share Posted February 16, 2006 Arrrggggh! Before anyone reminds me, everyone is entitled to their opinion, of course, but the last two comments leave me dumbfounded and a bit puzzled as to what exactly speedway fans expect from a book. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> What do people ever expect from any book? Different things... This one didn't quite do it for me. Dumbfounded look's like a nice word. Thats what I am about your comment. Why would you spoil your day enough to post, from something two persons have said, when apparently so many have praised the book? I'll try and read it through sometime... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wessexboy Posted February 25, 2006 Report Share Posted February 25, 2006 I thought it was a great book Poor Simon died before the book was finished so there is bound to be some filler pages but i thought this was done very well Best thing about the book was it did not make out that Wiggy was a saint but after reading it He was your hero and wished he was involded in speedway today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robpeasley Posted February 26, 2006 Report Share Posted February 26, 2006 Personally, I felt it was a terrific book. Obviously, Wiggy's comments are the backbone of the book, and it made me sad that he isn't still around today, as no doubt he would be promoting somewhere and making a damn fine job of it!! However, it's clear that the interviews with Gareth Rogers didn't cover everything, as they couldn't be expected to, due to Wiggy's passing, and this is where the comments of Julian Wigg, Charlie Wigg, and the riders / promoters / sponsors who knew him come in. It gives a chance for the whole story to be told - otherwise e.g. Wiggy's time at Exeter and King's Lynn would not be covered. And, personally, I found the comments of some, such as Ivan Mauger, who clearly was a friend as well as a mentor of Wiggy's, quite moving. And the fans section was a nice touch as well (although I would say that, having contributed to it!), showing the impact that Wiggy made to those stood on the terraces. All the best Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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