Michael Lee Book

[TonyMac]

MICHAEL Lee is the big name subject of the next book to come off the Retro Speedway shelf.

 

We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with the former World Champion to publish his authorised biography.

 

Back From The Brink, written by Retro Speedways Tony McDonald, will be launched in Cardiff before the British Grand Prix on July 10.

 

But if you order your copy before July 1, it will be personally signed by Michael, the 1980 world title holder and former Boston, Kings Lynn, Poole and England No.1.

 

McDonald says: It was great fun working with Michael on his Mike the Bike DVD, which has been a huge success since it came out late last year, but there are some many more different issues to explore with this book.

 

Michael has crammed so much into his life not all of it good! but that just means he has an even more compelling story to tell.

We are always being offered proposals from authors asking us to publish their books but we have to cherry-pick them these days and Back From The Brink is the kind of exciting project we like to get out teeth into.

 

One of Mikes endearing qualities is that hes such a down to earth bloke and not a prima donna who is up himself. He knows he has made stupid mistakes in the past and hes not afraid to face up to them, and talk about them in a refreshingly frank manner. That honesty and introspection will shine through strongly in this book as he recalls his highs and, at times, very low lows both on and off the track.

 

Other publishers had shown interest in producing a book on Michael but, for various reasons, their plans never materialised and thats when we stepped in with a deal that appealed to Lee.

 

Everyone seems to have an opinion on Michael, continues McDonald, so it made more sense to produce the book as a biography rather than an autobiography solely in his words. Naturally, he has plenty to say and many of his revelations will shock some people, including those who thought they knew him well!

 

But the biographical approach means Ive been free to talk to Mikes family including his father, Andy, who had such a strong influence on his speedway career, his mother Valerie and his two sisters, as well as close friends. Ive set out to discover the real Michael Lee and Im sure readers will be intrigued by what they find inside the pages of Back From The Brink.

 

We have obviously also talked to the people who have known him well through speedway, too the promoters and team managers he rode for, plus past team-mates and rivals at club and international level.

 

Michael accepts that not everyone will have nice things to say about him but he is now a much more mature person than the one that went off the rails in the 80s and 90s and is ready to face his critics. This is no whitewash how could it possibly be? and I hope readers agree that it is a balanced and objective read.

 

Michael has experienced and done some things that he wished he hadnt like his problems with drugs which led to him serving three prison sentences but these were defining periods of his life and he knows they cannot simply be brushed under the carpet. This book has given him the chance to confront his previous demons head-on.

 

Back From The Brink is also a story of triumph.

 

McDonald says: A lot of people have criticised Mike for his past, and he has certainly brought a lot of that stick on himself, but too many are quick to forget, or overlook, his many great achievements in speedway. Its debatable how much of his gifted talent he really wasted. After all, he became one of speedways youngest World Champion in 1980, aged 21, and World Long-track Champion (Englands first) a year later. He won two World Team Cup gold medals, two British Championship and every top individual international and national title in the sport between 1975 and his retirement from racing in the early-90s.

 

And then having sunk to the lowest depths in his life, he showed great personal character to claw his way back to respectability and is now making a success of himself as one of the sports leading engine tuners. Tai Woffinden, Britains newest GP challenger and one of our brightest talents, has put his faith in Michael, as have numerous others who appreciate his skill in the workshop.

 

He really has come back from the brink.

 

------------------------

 

To order your copy for £16 (post-free in the UK), go to http://www.retro-speedway.com

 

Or phone Susie on our Credit/Debit Card Hotline: 01708 734 502.

Edited June 30, 2010 by tmc

[TonyMac]

MICHAEL LEE: BACK FROM THE BRINK

 

Only 11 days to go until the launch of our eagerly-anticipated Mike Lee biography. Every day between now and then we’ll reproduce a quote here from the 336-page blockbuster as a taster of what’s to come from what promises to be one of the most compelling speedway books ever written.

 

“I rushed him back into Addenbrookes Hospital and this time they kept him in. He was

admitted to a men’s ward and they put him on a drip. It was very serious and

there was a period of two or three days when we thought we were going to lose

him. They operated on him again but it was touch and go because of the poison

caused by the infection.

 

“The doctors didn’t have to prepare us for the worst because Andy and I

could see that his life was hanging in the balance, and the men on Michael’s

ward thought he was a goner.”

Val Lee (Michael’s mum)

 

To pre-order your copy, personally signed by Michael, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com and order via PayPal or phone Susie on 01708 734 502 to use your debit/credit card.

[TonyMac]

MICHAEL LEE: BACK FROM THE BRINK

 

Only 10 days to go until the launch of our eagerly-anticipated Mike Lee biography. Every day between now and then we’ll reproduce a quote here from the 336-page blockbuster as a taster of what’s to come from one of the most compelling speedway books ever written.

 

“I remember nudging Anders Michanek out of the way down the back straight. There was really no room to pass, so I leaned one elbow against him, pushing him across the track, while my other elbow was running down the safety fence as I went into the lead.

 

“I won the race and afterwards he said to me: ‘You bloody nutter’.

 

“But, as with Ole Olsen, I get on well with Mich. Although he was peed off at being beaten, he soon respected me for being a competent motorcyclist and we shook hands.

 

“We had some proper hard races, both in England and Sweden, and people warned me: ‘Watch Mich – he’ll put you in’. But he never did. He was a great guy.”

Michael Lee

 

To pre-order your copy, personally signed by Michael, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com and order via PayPal or phone Susie on 01708 734 502 to use your debit/credit card.

[arnieg]

 

McDonald says: “..... After all, he became speedway’s youngest World Champion in 1980, aged 21,

That will come as news to Ronnie Moore

[TonyMac]

MICHAEL LEE: BACK FROM THE BRINK

 

Only nine days to go until the launch of our eagerly-anticipated Mike Lee biography. Every day between now and then we’ll reproduce a quote here from the 336-page blockbuster as a taster of what’s to come from one of the most compelling speedway books ever written.

 

“After putting the engine back together, I thought ‘I’ll give you some work to do now’ – and I dumped oil on the floor of (Perth promoter) Con Migro’s office! It was childish behaviour but I was still spewing with anger about what they had forced me to do to clear my name and prove I wasn’t a cheat.”

Michael Lee

 

To pre-order your copy, personally signed by Michael, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com and order via PayPal or phone Susie on 01708 734 502 to use your debit/credit card.

[lucifer sam]

Tony,

 

Are you going to be at Somerset for the Pairs? If you are, I'll come and buy both the 1970 World Finals DVD and the Michael Lee book. Also plan to get Jeff Scott's new book that day. Going to be an expensive trip.

 

All the best

Rob

[lucifer sam]

That will come as news to Ronnie Moore

 

Actually, wasn't it Peter Craven who was the youngest ever World Champion?

 

All the best

Rob

[I like Slant]

Peter Craven Born Thursday 21 June 1934 World Champion Thursday 15 September 1955 7756 days

Ronnie Moore Born Wednesday 8 March 1933 World Champion Thursday 15 September 1954 7861 days

Michael Lee Born Thursday 11 December1958 World Champion Thursday15 September 1980 7939 days

[TonyMac]

Tony,

 

Are you going to be at Somerset for the Pairs? If you are, I'll come and buy both the 1970 World Finals DVD and the Michael Lee book. Also plan to get Jeff Scott's new book that day. Going to be an expensive trip.

 

All the best

Rob

 

Rob,

 

Yes, we will be selling the Mike Lee book (signed by Michael), the 70s DVD and our other products at the EL Pairs at Somerset next Friday.

 

See you there!

[lucifer sam]

Rob,

 

Yes, we will be selling the Mike Lee book (signed by Michael), the 70s DVD and our other products at the EL Pairs at Somerset next Friday.

 

See you there!

 

Hi Tony, thanks, see you there next week. I'd forgotten that there's also the books of Ivan Mauger & Leigh Adams coming out next weekend. It's going to be an expensive weekend.

 

All the best

Rob

[TonyMac]

MICHAEL LEE: BACK FROM THE BRINK

Only eight days to go until the launch of our eagerly-anticipated Mike Lee biography. Every day between now and then we’ll reproduce a quote here from the 336-page blockbuster as a taster of what’s to come from one of the most compelling speedway books ever written.

 

“Andy was away at the time but I had a sneaking suspicion. I think it was soon after the 1980 World Final and I won’t tell you the names of the top riders stood around in my kitchen at the lovely old cottage where we lived in Melbourn, but there were about six of them gathered together.

 

“I could smell something horrible and being a hay fever sufferer, it didn’t agree with me. We had this huge ginger cat called Barney and I thought, ‘why is the cat walking like that?’ When I opened the door, the smell hit me. They had been trying to get the cat stoned – I could have killed them! But then I knew what was going on.

 

“I knew what the Americans were doing and I was just upset that Michael fell into their lifestyle. The Americans were likeable lads and I got on well with all of them – they often called in to see us – but if they hadn’t been there and introduced Michael to it . . .”

Val Lee

 

To pre-order your copy, personally signed by Michael, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com and order via PayPal or phone Susie on 01708 734 502 to use your debit/credit card.

[TonyMac]

MICHAEL LEE: BACK FROM THE BRINK

 

Only seven days to go until the launch of our Mike Lee biography. Here’s today little taster of what’s to come from one of the most compelling speedway books ever written.

 

“At the Poole end-of-season dance, several riders arrived after the start and within a short time were 'merry'. I knew it was not alcohol and kidded the boys in to 'treating' me.

 

“I was taken outside by several to the car park and to a van where something resembling a cigarette was offered. I learned it was cannabis. That has been my only experience of that vile habit.

 

“The whole of British speedway was aware that there was a drug problem within the sport – random drug-testing was taking place and the odd rider managed to escape, as he or they claimed they didn't know where to give the urine sample and went home!”

Reg Fearman (former Poole promoter)

 

To pre-order your copy, personally signed by Michael, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com and order via PayPal or phone Susie on 01708 734 502 to use your debit/credit card.

[TonyMac]

MICHAEL LEE: BACK FROM THE BRINK

 

Only six days to go until the launch of our Mike Lee biography. Here is today’s little taster of what’s to come from one of the most riveting speedway books ever written.

 

“I’d been working late tuning a stack of engines for three or four days non-stop. I think it was six o’clock in the morning by the time I got the last engine done and Reg (Fearman) was coming round at eight to go up to London.

 

“I remember going inside the house, up to the bedroom and thinking ‘I’ll lay down here for 10 minutes, sort myself out and then get ready’. But I laid down and didn’t get back up.

 

“Reg arranged for the Poole track doctor to come to the house to examine me. Although I was basically in a semi-coma, subconsciously I was aware of what was going on around me. I could hear Reg and the doctor talking and, because he was so angry, Reg was physically hitting me trying to wake me up.

 

“Wake up you f****** bastard!” I heard him say. He was really giving it some.

 

“I knew what was going on but I wasn’t going to wake up. I didn’t want to know, so I just let them get on with it. In the end the doctor arrived and Reg pushed me back onto the bed.

 

“Then the doctor got hold of my hands and started sticking pins in them but it still didn’t register with me. I thought, ‘you carry on, mate, I ain’t moving’.”

Michael Lee

 

To pre-order your copy, personally signed by Michael, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com and order via PayPal or phone Susie on 01708 734 502 to use your debit/credit card.

[TonyMac]

MICHAEL LEE: BACK FROM THE BRINK

Only five days to go until the launch of our Mike Lee biography. Here is today’s little taster of what’s to come from one of the most compelling speedway books ever written.It's warts and all. And, typically, Michael refuses to brush anything under the carpet.

 

“There’s no doubt in my mind, if I hadn’t stopped snorting cocaine like I was doing, I guarantee you I’d be dead by now. Or if I wasn’t dead, I’d have a massive hole on the front of my face.

 

“I was just living for today. When I was 25-years-old I didn’t think I’d reach 30. It was never in the equation. And when I made it to 30, I honestly believed that my 40th birthday was definitely never going to happen. At the time I didn’t even care whether I made it to 30 or 40. When you’re not on the drugs, all you’re thinking about is when you’ll be on them again.

 

“I was back on the Charlie in my 40s and I’m thinking ‘where do I go from here?’. I started to think, ‘I can’t really do this anymore’ and yet when I was 40-years-old I didn’t expect to make it to 50. But, touch wood, I’m here and I’m still healthy. I’m a survivor!”

Michael Lee

 

To pre-order your copy, personally signed by Michael, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com and order via PayPal or phone Susie on 01708 734 502 to use your debit/credit card.

[TonyMac]

MICHAEL LEE: BACK FROM THE BRINK

 

Only four days to go until the launch of our Mike Lee biography. Here is today’s little taster of what’s to come from one of the most intriguing speedway books ever written. It’s not boring either!

 

Here, we get a little glimpse of the ‘inside view’...

 

“My first priority aim was to get myself a job that would enable me to leave my cell, which isn’t an easy task. The first job I had was sweeping the landing. People might say: ‘Bloody hell, that’s a bit of a come down, isn’t it?’ but I didn’t care. It’s not a come down when you’re in prison because anything that gets you out of your cell, when you’re banged up for 23 hours a day, is good news. If you didn’t have a job, you were only allowed out for an hour’s ‘association’.”

 

Michael had been used to living on his wits and he quickly adjusted to prison life and learned how the ‘system’ worked and, occasionally, how to beat it.

 

“I swept the landing for about a week and then I managed to arrange for some hashish to be smuggled in to me by a friend at visiting time. If ever I felt stressed out, I found it the ideal way to relax.

 

“In prison, drugs are currency and by having a small amount of hashish I could improve my situation. You share things with people, do favours here and there, and it helps. I was celled-up with a bloke who worked in the kitchen and before long I got a job in there too.”

Michael Lee on life in Norwich Prison.

 

To pre-order your copy, personally signed by Michael, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com and order via PayPal or phone Susie on 01708 734 502 to use your debit/credit card.

[TonyMac]

MICHAEL LEE: BACK FROM THE BRINK

Only three days to go until the launch of our Mike Lee biography. Here is today’s little taster of what’s to come from one of the most intriguing speedway books ever written.

 

Michael still smokes rolled-up cigarettes – ‘rolleys’ – but they and the occasional can of lager at the end of a long, hard day, is, he says, all he needs to chill out these days.

 

“I’ve had to stop smoking anything stronger than rolleys because I’m at speedway three nights a week during the season and I get my buzz from that now,” he says. “I’m totally engrossed down the workshop most of the time and it would be no good to me being stoned.

 

“I’m not saying I’ll never smoke cannabis again, because I don’t think there is anything wrong with it – and people can take that as they want. I’m not stupid, I know what’s good and bad for me.

 

“Let’s be honest, the reason I don’t smoke cannabis anymore is because I don’t want people to look upon me badly, I’ve got my reputation to think about and I wouldn’t do anything now to jeopardise that or insult the people who have given me these good opportunities.”

The reformed Michael Lee

 

To pre-order your copy, personally signed by Michael, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com and order via PayPal or phone Susie on 01708 734 502 to use your debit/credit card.

[salty]

Only ordered this book yesterday morning, so amazed to have it land on the doormat in Belfast this morning. That's what I call excellent service - nice one!

[TonyMac]

MICHAEL LEE: BACK FROM THE BRINK

 

Only two days to go until the launch of our Mike Lee biography. Here is today’s tiny taster of what’s to come from one of the most interesting speedway books ever written.

 

“He denies it was the drugs that caused him to lose his way. He prefers to blame his fall from grace on speedway in general and certain people in particular. Well, he would, wouldn’t he!

 

“For me, it was simply a case of a young man with the world at his feet but not being worldly-wise enough to cope. Michael Lee was the George Best of speedway, or any number of overnight stars in the pop music business who couldn’t handle the lifestyle and self-destructed.

 

“There is a whole cottage industry behind young pop stars and footballers these days, helping them cope with the pressures. Michael had none of those things. Looking back, you have to wonder not so much why things went haywire for him, but why it took so long.

 

“We haven’t run across each other for maybe 30 years, but I still think the world of him. I am absolutely thrilled to hear the now mature Michael has a settled lifestyle. He is a smashing bloke and a great person who simply wasn’t mature enough to cope with his enormous success at such a young age.”

John Berry, the England team manager who gave Mike his senior Test debut at 18.

 

To pre-order your copy, personally signed by Michael, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com and order via PayPal or phone Susie on 01708 734 502 to use your debit/credit card.

[TonyMac]

MICHAEL LEE: BACK FROM THE BRINK

Only one day to go until the launch of our Mike Lee biography. Here is today’s tiny taster of what’s to come from one of the most interesting speedway books ever written.

 

“I’m certainly not rich – it’s not about having money – but I’m happy,” he says.

 

“I’m a completely different person to what I was before I met Nick. Anyone outside speedway will tell you that. I’m content with what I have now. I no longer feel that there’s something missing in my life.

 

“People will remember me for what they want. I know there are people who hate me for what I’ve done and who I am, but it really doesn’t bug me anymore what others think. I just wish people would say what they think to my face.

 

“I don’t regret what happened to me in any way at all. It was a big experience in my life and if I had my time over again, I can’t say I’d do anything differently. As I said, when I did things, I tended to do them full-on.”

Michael Lee

 

To order your copy, personally signed by Michael, go to: http://www.retro-speedway.com and order via PayPal or phone Anne on 01708 734 502 to use your debit/credit card.

[semion]

Found this an excellent read. I wonder whether his other 3 children and his ex wife were asked for their views ?