TonyMac Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 (edited) For those eagerly awaiting our next issue, here's a sneak preview of what's in store in issue 34: BRUCE PENHALL on Kenny Carter (seriously no-holds barred stuff from the American) MALCOLM SIMMONS column - more hard-hitting, no-nonsense stuff from Super Simmo, who, as usual, tells it like it is. ROGER JOHNS - exclusive, in-depth interview. LAURIE ETHERIDGE - on his NNLRC victory in '75. JOHN LOUIS - time the 'Tiger' was honoured. LEN SILVER - on his sacking (1976) and resignation (1981) as England team manager. RADFORD'S TRAVELS - Bob takes us on a return trip to Canterbury, Castleford, Coatbridge, Coventry, Costa Mesa, Cradley, Crewe, Dackarna (Malilla), Elgane, Eastbourne, Ellesmere Port, Exeter and Fredericia. WORLD FINAL or GP SERIES? John Berry and Tony Mac re-write history and predict how GP series throughout the 70s could have turned out. How many wins for Ivan, Ole, Mich, PC and co.? Edited November 6, 2009 by tmc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie B Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 Can't wait for my copy to through the post, Tony. Nice to see a article on Roger Johns, a true Wimbledon legend Will there be a second installment of the 1970s magazine soon ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyMac Posted October 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 QUOTE (Robbie B @ Oct 8 2009, 11:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Can't wait for my copy to through the post, Tony. Nice to see a article on Roger Johns, a true Wimbledon legend Will there be a second installment of the 1970s magazine soon ? Good to hear. Yes, it's about time we interviewed Roger - what a loyal servant he was to the Dons and always good value. He must have been the first rider to be sponsored by an Indian restaurant and I recall some great nights with him and a group of friends (inc the Tatum brothers) down at the Somraz Tandoori in Worcester Park after Thursday night home meetings at Plough Lane. Wonder if the Somraz is still going? We have no immediate plans to produce Part 2 of the 70s mag. To be honest, we'd hoped Part 1 would have sold better than it has and we have to look closely at whether a second instalment would be worth it - especially in the current climate. Never say never, but not in the immediate future. Watch out, though, for a big announcement soon about our next DVD... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spin king Posted October 9, 2009 Report Share Posted October 9, 2009 Good to hear. Yes, it's about time we interviewed Roger - what a loyal servant he was to the Dons and always good value. He must have been the first rider to be sponsored by an Indian restaurant and I recall some great nights with him and a group of friends (inc the Tatum brothers) down at the Somraz Tandoori in Worcester Park after Thursday night home meetings at Plough Lane. Wonder if the Somraz is still going? We have no immediate plans to produce Part 2 of the 70s mag. To be honest, we'd hoped Part 1 would have sold better than it has and we have to look closely at whether a second instalment would be worth it - especially in the current climate. Never say never, but not in the immediate future. Watch out, though, for a big announcement soon about our next DVD... Really looking forward to the Malcolm Simmons column, I thought it was excellent and very current, I hope the Bruce Penhall one is better, either way I look forward to this excellent publication. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucifer sam Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 WORLD FINAL or GP SERIES? John Berry and Tony Mac re-write history and predict how GP series throughout the 70s could have turned out. How many wins for Ivan, Ole, Mich, PC and co.? Tony, did you notice the lively debate taking place in the Years Gone By section? For the 1970s I went for: 1970: Ivan Mauger 1971: Ivan Mauger 1972: Ole Olsen 1973: Ivan Mauger 1974: Ivan Mauger 1975: Ivan Mauger 1976: Peter Collins 1977: Ole Olsen 1978: Ole Olsen 1979: Michael Lee I'll be interested to see who you guys came up with. All the best Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyP Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 (edited) 1973: Ivan Mauger Anders Michanek won everything in 1973 (expect one-off World Final). In a Grand Prix format he would have been a good bet to have won the World Championship that year. Edited October 10, 2009 by AndyP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucifer sam Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Anders Michanek won everything in 1973 (expect one-off World Final). In a Grand Prix format he would have been a good bet to have won the World Championship that year. Andy, there's no doubt Mich's league form was exceptional, BUT: 1. He scored only 6 points in the World Final in Katowice. 2. When the chips were down, Peter Collins bested him twice in vital run-offs (Daily Mirror Tournament and KOC Final). Mauger was the dominant force from 1968 to 1975 - the only rider who could have touched him over a 11-round GP series during this time would have been Ole Olsen. All the best Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulco Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 Anders Michanek won everything in 1973 (expect one-off World Final). In a Grand Prix format he would have been a good bet to have won the World Championship that year. Surely the wonderful Jerzy Sczakiel would have prevailed even in the GP format . His rolling starts would have made him unbeatable on those slick tracks . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbie B Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 We have no immediate plans to produce Part 2 of the 70s mag. To be honest, we'd hoped Part 1 would have sold better than it has and we have to look closely at whether a second instalment would be worth it - especially in the current climate. Never say never, but not in the immediate future. As they say "good things come to those who wait" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 12, 2009 Report Share Posted October 12, 2009 For those eagerly awaiting our next issue, here's a sneak preview of what's in store in issue 34: ROGER JOHNS - exclusive, in-depth interview. Many thanks for interviewing Roger the Dodger, such a popular rider around Plough Lane. You've made one proud Dons fan very happy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsloes 1928 nearly Posted October 13, 2009 Report Share Posted October 13, 2009 Many thanks for interviewing Roger the Dodger, such a popular rider around Plough Lane. You've made one proud Dons fan very happy! And Roger was, of course, most famous for being brother of Crayford's very own Alan....!! You KNEW I'd be posting that...!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asturmer Posted October 15, 2009 Report Share Posted October 15, 2009 And Roger was, of course, most famous for being brother of Crayford's very own Alan....!! You KNEW I'd be posting that...!!! Around 2005 when I was last back in the UK I ran in to Alan Johns by chance at his shop Alan Johns products in Lakedale Road , I think London SE18. A grasstrack bike in the window tempted me in for a look. Alan was very charming and chatty and his trade mark from the 70,s the bushy beard had gone, so he looked young for a fifty something! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickw112 Posted October 22, 2009 Report Share Posted October 22, 2009 ROGER JOHNS - exclusive, in-depth interview. This gets me buying this edition, top stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catalan Posted November 1, 2009 Report Share Posted November 1, 2009 An excellant read as always. Once I start my wife and kids know I'll be quiet for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyMac Posted November 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2009 (edited) Issue 34 of speedway’s favourite retro magazine is out now! Here’s what we have for you in another nostalgia-packed edition: WORLD FINAL versus GRAND PRIX As the 2009 season comes to a close and Jason Crump celebrates his third well-earned Grand Prix world title, we re-visit the ongoing debate about the respective merits or otherwise of the traditional World Final and the modern GP, and its damaging effect on the domestic scene in Britain. Our resident ‘experts’ John Berry and Tony Mac also examine how history could have been re-written. They look back on the 10 World Finals of the 70s and assess who would probably have won the title each year had the current GP series applied then. How many titles would Barry Briggs, Ivan Mauger, Ole Olsen, Peter Collins, Anders Michanek and Malcolm Simmons, etc, really have won under this formula compared to the knockout-style format that was abandoned by the FIM after 1994? It’s controversial, thought-provoking . . . so check it out and see if you agree with their conclusions. BRUCE PENHALL ‘Juicy Brucie’ is back with his second column all the way from sunny California. But what the double World Champion has to say about former England No.1 and his biggest rival Kenny Carter in this issue will no doubt cause a storm around Halifax and throughout West Yorkshire. The American is scathing in his highly personal condemnation of Carter for murdering his wife Pam in 1986. He also has the final world on their explosive Heat 14 World Final clash at the LA Coliseum in 1982 that still provokes strong argument among fans all over the world today. And Penhall also questions Ivan Mauger’s motives in agreeing to become Carter’s business manager and mentor for the 1981 and ’82 finals. MALCOLM SIMMONS Our other big-name columnist is, as usual, no less hard-hitting. Dismayed by the poor standard of racing at many GPs this season, Simmo asks why the elite riders have not got together and threatened strike action over slick track conditions. In a critical analysis of Tai Woffinden, he also doubts whether England’s great new hope for future glory is ready to have a crack at the GP series as early as 2010. And with typical controversy, the former England and Poole skipper is calling for regular testing of the GP stars’ engines to dispel growing rumours that there are some ‘big’ engines out there. WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Much travelled journalist Richard Bott, who covered speedway for the national press, reflects on his eventful trips to Poland and Sweden to cover World Finals in the 70s and how conditions then were so much harder than they are in the modern world of laptops, the internet and mobile phones. ROGER JOHNS Moore, Briggs, How and Hedge are all Wimbledon living legends . . . and so too is Roger Johns. Martin Neal catches up with the former Dons skipper to find out what he made of his time at Plough Lane, as well as his spells in the second tier with Eastbourne and Rye House. LEN SILVER To coincide with the launch of his new book, As Luck Would Have It (Retro Speedway £15.00), we present en edited extract covering Len’s two spells as England team manager. He explains the problems that led up to his sacking in 1976 and his resignation in disgust in 1981. JOHN LOUIS To mark ‘Tiger’ John’s 40 years in speedway, his former Ipswich promoter John Berry pays tribute to the rock on which the Witches were built and says why it’s time the town’s most famous shale star was honoured for his loyal services. Plus...Laurie Etheridge recalls his biggest night in speedway, when his NNLRC victory at Wimbledon put Crayford Kestrels on the map in 1975 . . . Phil Collins reveals his new hobby in the USA . . . Bob Radford continues on his global travels . . . and we’ve a Q&A with ex-Peterborough and Coventry star Kevin Hawkins, as well as your letters and more. http://www.retro-speedway.com/ Edited November 6, 2009 by tmc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhamboy66 Posted November 19, 2009 Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 (edited) Having read the "article" by Penhall about Kenny Carter he has gone down in my estimation. He proved to be a coward at White City and again shows his cowardice in commenting about the deaths of the Carters. His comments are in my opinion sick. However being realistic or some my say cynical I suppose its good publicity for TMC especially considering there is a full page advert for the book about Kenny Carter. His comments about Ivan Mauger too smacked of sour grapes as looking back on his "career" he took the easy option after two World Titles and was never a match for Ivan as a person One further comment on Backtrack / Classic why is some much of the content rehashed from one mag to the other. Personally I am considering not bothering with one of the two in future Edited November 19, 2009 by westhamboy66 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyMac Posted November 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2009 (edited) One further comment on Backtrack / Classic why is some much of the content rehashed from one mag to the other. Personally I am considering not bothering with one of the two in future Bruce Penhall is, of course, entitled to his opinion - just like you and the rest of us. Bruce was specifically asked to write about his rivalry with Kenny (not, as you suggest, to sell copies of our KC book - it's been advertised for the past two years and the book is about to sell out of its second print run), because to have avoided the issue would have been a total nonsense. Cowardice? Whether or not you happen to agree with his views about Kenny or Ivan Mauger, many would appreciate Bruce's honesty. However, what concerns me more is your totally inacurrate and potentially misleading observation about the content of our magazines? Whilst we, quite naturally, cross-promote the availability of Backtrack and Classic in each magazine, in the form of a subscriptions advert, we do not duplicate editorial content and have a very clearly defined policy. Backtrack focuses specifically on the period 1970-90. Classic covers pre-70s, but with emphasis on the 60s and post-war era. But then 99.9% of our readers already know this. Give me strength... Edited November 21, 2009 by tmc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 I've just bought my first copy of Backtrack, namely on the back of the interview with Roger Johns. Whilst that was a good read, I was disappointed with the article written by Richard Bott. The part based on Katowice 1973 was a literal word for word copy of something I'd read by Mr Bott in the Champions Book of Speedway series some 36 years ago! Next time, can you attribute the original publication with a credit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian Star Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 Why do you people buy a magazine you so clearly hate ? For my part i think that all of Retro publications are extremely well written and presented, and are largely unbiased. I just received a large bundle of books, magazines and DVD's all hastily dispatched for me to Canada at a very reasonable rate. I cannot speak highly enough of the excellent service i have always received from the people at Backtrack. They have allowed me to to revisit so many happy experiences from my youth, with interviews and articles from all of the tracks and personalties of the period. Thanks Tony, keep up the good work it is widely appreciated by many people all around the world and around the corner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirt Posted December 10, 2009 Report Share Posted December 10, 2009 Having read the "article" by Penhall about Kenny Carter he has gone down in my estimation. He proved to be a coward at White City and again shows his cowardice in commenting about the deaths of the Carters. His comments are in my opinion sick. However being realistic or some my say cynical I suppose its good publicity for TMC especially considering there is a full page advert for the book about Kenny Carter. His comments about Ivan Mauger too smacked of sour grapes as looking back on his "career" he took the easy option after two World Titles and was never a match for Ivan as a person If you dont like Penhall now why dont you go and buy the Penhall book. 'Penhall World Speedway Champion'. And I guarantee you will hate his guts that book is a disgrace to the sport and sports writing for ever will be damaged. I think I will burn my copy as noone would buy it back thats for sure and it has made me that angry that it would seem fitting. Penhall is not a sportsmans bootlace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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